Into the Fire
In this episode, we sit down with Joe Marsh, a professional firefighter with a big heart and a whole lot of wisdom to share.
Joe walks us through his journey from high school to the frontline, opening up about what it really takes to make it in the fire service — from the competitive recruitment process to the intense physical and mental training. We explore the many hats firefighters wear (spoiler: it's not just about putting out flames), and how important community, teamwork, and resilience are on the job.
This convo also touches on something close to Joe’s heart — the role of mental health in emergency services — and why speaking up, checking in, and staying grounded matters just as much as any technical skill.
If you’re curious about firefighting, thinking about public service, or just love hearing someone talk about their passion with honesty and humility, Joe’s story is one to listen to.
Extra Information Provided By Joe Post-Interview:
The average length of employment for career firefighters is 17 years
Remuneration
Trainee Firefighter salary approximately $53,800 per annum
The base salary for Qualified Firefighter is currently $69,200 and for Senior Firefighter it is $76,800. Base salaries for Officers ranges from $87,500-$108,200.
All firefighters who have completed their initial 12-week training course have the opportunity to earn significantly more than their base salary by undertaking additional or specialist duties and working overtime, as described below. This is usual for nearly all firefighters. Experienced Firefighters who work regular overtime earn more than $100,000 per year.
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