After 12 years of service, Whiteheads Creek-Tarcombe Fire Brigade captain Scott James will be stepping down at the end of the month.
Finally Mr James will be home for midweek dinners instead of tackling some of the behind-the-scenes work that keeps the brigade running.
Mr James’ term saw brigade advancements via equipment acquisition including a forward command vehicle, funded through fundraising activity and grant applications, furthering the brigade’s contribution to the community.
He led his team through some tricky times, including the cherry tree range fires in 2012 and 2016 and the summer 2019-2020 bushfires.
There have been highs and lows along the way. With some kinks that come with the terrain of volunteer management ironed out early on in his term, Mr James soon took to the role and from there it was smooth sailing.
“It’s character-building. You walk in one person, and you have to do things a different way, you walk out a different person,” he said.
“The fire ground is the easy stuff … it’s the people management that can be the headache.
“The captain is there but it is actually the members of the brigade that make it what it is and able to protect the community.
“I didn’t plan for it to be that long originally. I thought to myself I would do 10 years … anything from eight to 10 seemed to be what the brigade in the past had done.”
The brigade has a succession plan in place, with current member Michel Becks stepping up as captain as of July 1.
Mr James will stay on as first lieutenant in the brigade management team and a sounding board for Mr Becks.
Mr Becks said that from the moment he joined, it was clear to him that Mr James had earned respect through his skill and expertise, creating a forward-looking and energetic brigade.
“We’ve been quite a few years together. I see him as more than just a captain, I see him as a good friend and I know he is also a fantastic firefighter, but he is a leader in general, not just for the brigade,” Mr Becks said.
“I’ve seen him transform from a firefighter to captain and it’s been a very good journey in my eyes.”
Mr Becks said stepping into the captain role would be that bit easier with the experience and expertise of Mr Scott by his side.
“Going into the role he didn’t have what they have organised now to help people in their roles, and I think he has been a big part of getting that happening,” Mr Becks said.
“I know I have the support (to take on the role). Knowing that ... he will still be there, I’m confident about it.
“I know I will have my own challenges to go through, but we will take them one step at a time, and hopefully I can do some good for the community and area.
“I hope I can put my spin on it. But I hope I can follow up what he has started and finished and build on that, to make my own legacy on it.”
Mr James was equally complimentary of his successor, saying he had full confidence in Mr Beck’s ability to step up the role.
“He’s willing to learn, he’s got his own ideas and he’s pretty easygoing and well liked amongst the members of the brigade,” Mr James said.
“He wants me to be able to take a spell but still be there as an adviser.”
Despite stepping down from the role, Mr James will still have a full plate. In addition to his day job on a 1214-hectare (3000-acre) property running merino sheep and Poll Hereford cattle, he plans to become a CFA volunteer trainer and assessor and volunteer in driver education.
These plans are on top of continuing his role as a mentor in the CFA captain-peer mentor program, supporting captains from other brigades.
“I actually went through the program as a mentee and then was asked to join as a mentor. I’ve been through both sides and have been doing it for nearly six years now,” Mr James said.
“When I first started as a captain there wasn’t that support … someone can be there as a sounding board to what you are thinking as a captain because it’s not always possible to get that from your own brigade.”
Despite the challenges along the way, incoming captain Mr Becks and Mr Scott agree,
“We have seen a few things, but the gratitude that people show is just enormous and rewarding in that regard, it is one reason we give up our time for it and we will do it over and over again,” Mr Becks said.
“It’s not for everyone… so it does need to have a certain type of person, but you know why you are doing it, you do it for the wider community.”
Congratulations Scott on an enormous effort and contribution to the community. All the best in your future endeavours.
Testimonials
Scott had been captain of the brigade for about eight years when I joined.
From the outset it was clear he had a lot of skills and expertise and was admired and respected by all that had contact with him.
Leading a volunteer organisation is both challenging and rewarding. It’s not just about dealing with many and varied personalities, it’s about knowing how to draw on the array of different resources, skills and personalities and inspiring them to action. Scott did this effortlessly, knowing when to draw limits and when to push. His management of the brigade was exceptional. He took the time to know each member as well as he knew the district and its history.
As a natural leader, Scott created standards for the brigade and the members understood what success looked like and understood what needed to be done.
Scott created a forward-looking and energetic brigade.
Coming from the city, Scott was a well-needed mentor to me and as a firefighter he was generous with his experience and understands the value of sharing and listening. I often made the remark that “what Scott didn't teach me wasn't worth learning”.
— Michael Silverson
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I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering dedication and selfless service to the CFA and the community. For the past 12 years, you have put your heart and soul into your duties as captain, and your unwavering commitment to keeping our community safe and secure will forever be remembered.
You have been instrumental in building and leading a team of exceptional firefighters who have inspired us all with their courage. Your leadership and expertise have been invaluable to the team and have played a vital role in keeping our community safe in times of emergency.
I am grateful to have had you as captain and even more grateful to call you my friend. Your guidance and support have gone beyond the call of duty, and your kindness and compassion have touched the lives of many of us.
Your legacy will continue to live on in the hearts and minds of those you have served with, and those who you have protected throughout your time with the CFA.
Thank you once again for your many years of outstanding service.
— Nathan (Nato) Merritt
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Being a new active member to the brigade two years ago, Scotty has been amazing. I'm so inspired by his commitment, his passion, his knowledge and his support to all of us, no matter what skill level we are at. I honestly would not be brave enough to have volunteered as a CFA firefighter without our captain Scotty's support. And in return, I support and wish him all the best in his next CFA chapter.
— Sandy Zeuschner