Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
Burdekin rookie firefighter Parker Arboit has become Ayr Fire Station’s latest local recruit. Photo: Jacob Casha.
Burdekin rookie firefighter Parker Arboit has become Ayr Fire Station’s latest local recruit, returning home to nurture a seed planted years ago by his father.
“My old boy was an auxiliary [firefighter] back in the day, and he only had good things to say about the people he worked with … and the lifestyle,” Mr Arboit said.
“I decided I'd give it a crack, got through the whole process … now I’ve just got to keep my head down and keep learning.”
Mr Arboit’s return to the region follows a years-long stint in Townsville with the family business, during which he simultaneously completed his firefighter recruitment phase despite initially being knocked back.
His persistence eventually prevailed, overcoming a series of physical and cognitive testing sessions—including a claustrophobia test and “nerve-racking” panel interview in Brisbane—before landing back in the Burdekin as an entry-level firefighter in May.
After signalling Ayr as his preferred station on his application form, Mr Arboit said he was eager to return to the town and leverage his local knowledge in the new role.
“I wanted to get back to the hometown … it feels comfortable back here,” he said.
“Knowing the rural areas around here and how to reach them, and all the back streets, helps us get around a lot quicker.”
Second Class firefighter at Ayr Station Lindsay Wilson said Mr Arboit’s integration with the crew had been seamless.
“Local knowledge always goes a long way,” Mr Wilson said.
“He’s become part of the furniture … and has fit in with the crew straight away.”
Mr Arboit joins a team of 13 at Ayr Station, one of nine members with roots in the region.
He now commences a four-year ranked progression period on his way to becoming a senior firefighter, which he called his ultimate goal.
“I think it’s everyone’s goal to get to that senior firefighter rank,” Mr Arboit said.
“There’s a lot of work that goes into it; every time you progress, you’ve got to work for it. But that makes you prouder in what you’re doing and what you’re achieving.”
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