A family tradition of showing up

For the Norman family, being part of the CFS has always been a shared commitment - something that started with Dean and Tanya and has grown into a family tradition spanning two generations.

The pair joined Aldinga CFS while they were engaged, stepping into brigade life together from the start. Over time, each found their own way to contribute. Dean focused on operations and making sure brigades had the equipment they needed, while Tanya built a strong role in communications, training and looking after volunteers.

In the early days, she was often the only woman in the brigade, quietly helping open the door for others who followed. Both Tanya and Dean took on leadership roles over the years, balancing callouts, training and family life when sons Forrest and Chandler were born.

"I was still coming to the station and did a lot of support roles while I was pregnant, which was where my first love of communications set in,” Tanya said 

“Forrest became part of that CFS family right from when he was born.

“As a toddler, he was coming to the fire station, he had a little backpack by the door that was his go-kit and by three, he could get in the car quicker than we could when the pager went off.”

Not surprisingly, that environment shaped their kids. Forrest and Chandler grew up around the station - turning up to training, watching their parents respond, and eventually stepping into roles themselves.     

Both joined as cadets and went on to become firefighters, continuing what had become second nature while watching their parents volunteer. 

“The first ever fire I went to; I was under my mother. She was an officer in charge of a Level 2 structure fire on Boxing Day morning,” Forrest said.

“From there on, I was always learning under her for structure and rescue and then learning under my dad for grass fires.”

Awarded for their service

Tanya, Dean, and Forrest were honoured for their individual achievements within the CFS at the 2026 Chief Officer Awards. The event at the Adelaide Hills Convention Centre marked the first time the family had received awards at the same time. 

“We were very fortunate to receive our awards which is a thing that we don't seek recognition for but it was special to share it with both Tanya and Forrest,” Dean said. 

“When we started our journey in 1993, I do not think we fully understood how much the CFS would become a major part of our lives and how it would help us both personally and professionally. It has given us the opportunity to support our local community, and became something that Tanya and I could do together.”

Tanya was instrumental in helping establish a cadet program for the brigade and later joined the State Cadet Committee. The program grew into a strong pathway for local young people- offering training, camps and real experiences that set the next generation up for service. Tanya received a Chief Officer’s Certificate of Commendation, acknowledging both her operational contribution and the last impact of the cadet programs she helped build.

Dean’s contribution was also recognised with a Chief Officer’s Commendation for Service, a reflection of the more than three decades of operational service, leadership and contribution to CFS and his community.

Forrest’s work as part of the Youth Advisory Council Emerging Leaders Program Development Team earned him a Chief Officer’s Certificate of Commendation – recognition for supporting young members to build the skills needed for future CFS leadership.