Volume 48, No. 22, November 30, 2006
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LOOK,
NO HANDS: Toddler Jessica tests out the driver’s
seat in an Air Force fire truck as her dad, LAC Darren Stokes,
watches on.
Photo by AC Aaron Curran
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By
Andrew Stackpool
YOUNG
school children in Queensland are a little more fire-smart, thanks
to the efforts of firefighter LAC Darren Stokes from RAAF Base
Amberley.
In an attempt to raise fire safety awareness among children, LAC
Stokes visits local childcare centres and conducts fire safety
talks and displays.
LAC Stokes joined the Air Force in 1990 and started his shows
in 2001 when he was posted with his family to RAAF Base Townsville.
“I organised and conducted displays and fire safety talks
at my son Joshua’s school in Townsville while we lived there,
with the assistance of the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service,”
he said.
“We supplied [the children] stickers, pencils, and fire safety
pamphlets.
“I started my shows and lectures primarily for him as a ‘show
and tell’ item at school.”
He continued his presentations after posting to Amberley and also
extended his audience to include Air Force and Army Cadets on
the base.
“I give them general fire awareness lessons, primarily with
the Army Cadets, as well as instruction on flightline safety with
the hazards involved with aircraft refuelling and the use of appropriate
fire extinguishers and techniques for their activities on the
base,” he said.
LAC Stokes had no experience as a firefighter before joining the
Air Force, however, “always had a great interest in firefighting”.
The 1993 Sydney bushfires lit the fuse for a change in career
path when he received a CO’s Commendation for his services
as a driver during the fires.
“This spurred on my interest to become a firefighter in the
Air Force,” he said.
LAC Stokes is a qualified Structural Fire Controller, which qualifies
him to perform the duties of a corporal. He said his duties are
wide-ranging.
“As a firefighter in the Air Force, you can be employed on
duties associated with firefighting, providing airfield fire and
rescue services, installation, maintenance and servicing of all
first-aid fire appliances, training base personnel and aid to
the civil community when required,” he said.
“Firefighters are responsible for structural and aviation
Rescue and Fire Fighting (RFF) services. They are also responsible
for continuation training of Air Force and civilian personnel
employed on RAAF bases.
“Another responsibility is the decontamination of agents
and/or chemicals accidentally discharged during peacetime, or
remaining after chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear
attacks.”
And his talks to the children?
“I enjoy sharing the experience I have gained in the military
with others, mainly the younger children, as it promotes both
the Air Force and fire safety,” he said.
“I honestly believe that if we can promote fire safety at
a young age and make it exciting, the children will carry this
knowledge with them throughout their lives.”
