Lithgow’s Fire & Rescue station officer Noel Ford, known as ‘Hollywood’ to his colleagues, worked his last day on Wednesday, May 9, and will officially retire in September. 

Police Sergeant Darryl Goodwin said Mr Ford’s knowledge of ‘all things fire’ was second to none. 

“He has left a legacy of professionalism in the local brigade that our entire community can be proud of,” Mr Goodwin said. 

“I had the pleasure of working as a junior retained firefighter when Noel first arrived at the station, he was very approachable, eager to impart his knowledge and worked extremely well with other services.” 

An ambulance was parked in the Cook Street fire station on Wednesday in testament to Mr Ford’s cooperation with other first responders.

“The station officer and paramedics at Lithgow Station and NSW Ambulance have enjoyed a long professional working relationship with Noel and we wish him all the best in the future,” Inspector Ron Gavin said. 

Mr Ford has served as a firefighter for almost forty years, beginning his career in Sydney on March 9, 1979, at the age of 20. He served as a junior firefighter at Stanmore and Auburn stations as well as the Sydney headquarters.

After settling in Wentworth Falls, Mr Ford began his service at the Katoomba station in 1983, where he would spend the majority of his firefighting years. 

In 1993 he gained a station officer position at Katoomba. In 2010 he became the station officer at Lithgow. 

Mr Ford said the role of a firefighter had changed since his start in the ‘70s.

“We’re involved in a lot more education now and I take pride in the work we do in the community. It’s been a pleasure educating children and dealing with the elderly to make sure they’re aware of home fire safety,” he said. 

Having responded to numerous house fires, car crashes, factory fires and hazardous waste call outs, he said he was particularly proud of his efforts responding to the 1994-95 Blue Mountains bushfires, as well as the 2001-2 bushfires, the major building fire at Korowal School in Leura and the 2013 Lithgow bushfires.

He said a positive change he had noticed in NSW Fire & Rescue over his career was the growing awareness of mental health. 

“The brigade is handling PTSD (Post-traumatic stress disorder) really well,” he said.

“It’s a big family, and everybody looks out for you.”

He said he is still concerned people are not aware of the increasing danger of house fires.

“Synthetic materials like PVCs burn quicker and hotter than a house fire of the 1970s, where you were dealing with natural materials,” he said.

“You can’t get complacent because fire will win.”

Mr Ford said his attitude to firefighting had also changed over his career. 

“As you get more experience you realise it's a good thing if you get no calls because that means no one is being harmed, or their property or business is being damaged. You start seeing it from the other side,” he said. 

Mr Ford is looking forward to visiting his children in Christchurch and establishing a new home on Bribie Island near Brisbane.

“We’ll use that as a base for international travel. I also enjoy golf, and we’ll be getting involved in community activities where we can.”

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