ONE of the region\u2019s fire brigades has seen a change in leadership, with a new captain recently elected.<\/p>\n
Formerly a 2nd Lieutenant, Josh Medley took over the top spot at Meredith Fire Brigade in July, and said he thinks he\u2019s settling well into the role.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was daunting to start off but I think I\u2019m fitting in quite nicely now,\u201d said the now Captain Medley.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere haven\u2019t really been any challenges to the job but it\u2019s been more about working out what needs to be done and what the proper procedures are and how to do them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Captain Medley has been with the Meredith brigade for more than five years and took over from Chris Jones, who led the brigade for a decade prior.<\/p>\n
\u201cChris definitely taught me about the demand that comes from the CFA and to keep up with all the training, plus all the paperwork that goes on in the background,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Growing up in Melbourne\u2019s eastern suburbs, Captain Medley was inspired to become a volunteer firefighter when he witnessed the impact of the 1997 bushfires that swept through the Dandenong Ranges and Mornington Peninsula.<\/p>\n
Putting on the turn out gear from age 18, he started out at the Bayswater Fire Brigade before serving at stations at Selby and Belgrave.<\/p>\n
After almost 20 years as a firefighter, Captain Medley said his passion for the job hasn\u2019t waned.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the ability to be there when someone needs you,\u201d he said. \u201cYou see people at their worst and you\u2019re able to make it that little bit better.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith fire season coming up, we\u2019ve got our standard training coming up so everyone can maintain their minimum skills, and we\u2019re wanting to help get everyone in the community ready because you never know what might happen.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ONE of the region\u2019s fire brigades has seen a change in leadership, with a new captain recently elected. Formerly a 2nd Lieutenant, Josh Medley took over the top spot at Meredith Fire Brigade in July, and said he thinks he\u2019s settling well into the role. \u201cIt was daunting to start off but I think I\u2019m […]<\/p>\n