Five decades of dedication

When Bevis Dixon moved to One Tree Hill in 1973, he wondered about the strange siren sound he would often hear. 

During a chance conversation with the local shopkeeper, Bevis (pictured above left) discovered the sound was the local CFS brigade’s fire siren, and he was invited to attend a training session.

"I duly went to the fire shed and met some of the guys, then I went back the following week and soon became part of the team,” he said.

"I took it as a good way of getting introduced to local people, and I enjoyed the camaraderie and the fact that we were doing something really worthwhile.”

 

Now 53 years later, Bevis is still an active member of One Tree Hill CFS, providing operational support and serving as the brigade’s historian. 

With stints as Brigade Captain and Deputy Group Officer, deployments to New South Wales and Kangaroo Island and responding during Ash Wednesday, Bevis has been part of all aspects of emergency response. 

But it was the 2015 Sampson Flat fire, which started not far from One Tree Hill, that had the most impact on him. 

“It was one of those days where they just couldn't get it and it took off and it became bigger and rapidly spread,” Bevis said. 

“That had a huge impact on everybody and gave people a really serious view of what it can be like when fire takes off. 

“People got injured, including firefighters, but there were no lives lost and that was quite an achievement.”

Bevis, now 76, continues to volunteer in an operational support role, assisting the brigade with communications.

In his 5 decades of service, he’s seen progress and developments across the board.  

“The technology has moved enormously, there was no mandatory training when I joined, no breathing apparatus, no strike teams, apart from helmet and overalls I had to supply my own gear,” he said. 

“So, technology, training, professionalism, truck standards, air support, it's all completely different and all those things combined demonstrate the progress of the service. 

“There’s one thing that has not changed in 50 years though and that is the commitment and the dedication of the volunteers.”