Wyndham Vale’s Sean Cross loves helping people – that’s why he joined the CFA.
The 19-year-old’s interest in volunteering was inspired by the firefighters who battled the Black Saturday bushfires of 2009.
Hearing about the volunteers putting their lives on the line to help others, Sean decided he wanted to be part of it.
He joined the Werribee CFA as a junior, then, as soon as he was old enough, he became an operational firefighter.
“I love everything about it,” he said. “I work alongside some great people who all have the same goal – helping the community.”
Reflecting on his two years as a volunteer, Sean, who has been named Wyndham Vale Firefighter of the Year, says there have been many stand-out calls. He was the first on scene at the fatal head-on collision in June at Ballan Road in Wyndham Vale.
“I learnt a lot in that call,” he said. “I set up control, got a grasp on what I was facing, established how many people were trapped in vehicles and relayed that on to incoming vehicles so everybody was prepared. I reassured everybody that help was on the way.”
Wyndham Vale CFA captain Trevor Weston said Sean was selected as Firefighter of the Year by a panel of his peers.
“Many look up to him as a role model,” Mr Weston said. “He is extremely motivated, dedicated and committed – but he’s a quiet achiever that is never looking for any recognition.”
Sean is modest about his achievement.
“I was so shocked,” he said. “I’m proud, but there are plenty of people that could have got it ahead of me.”
Sean, a paramedicine student, hopes to become a career firefighter.
