SWAN Hill Country Fire Authority captain, Dennis Turner, is handing over his hat after 11 years.
He will be replaced by Michael Howard, a brigade member for 27 years, who has already held the positions of secretary, treasurer, 2nd lieutenant, 4th lieutenant and, for the past six years, 1st lieutenant.
Mr Howard decided to take on the new role after making a verbal promise.
“I sort of said a couple of years ago that when Dennis finished his time, I’d put my hand up to lead the brigade and just continue on what he’s done,” Mr Howard told The Guardian.
Mr Howard joined the CFA due to having other family members in the brigade.
He said his most memorable job was when the Swan Hill Technical School hall burnt down, more than 20 years ago.
“I’d only been in the brigade a couple of years at the time, and I’d only been to little fires until then, so that was my first really big fire that I attended,” he said.
“Since then, we’ve had countless.”
He is also volunteer trainer with the CFA, training the brigade’s new recruits.
“I really enjoy passing on new skills to people,” Mr Howard said.
Being part of the brigade was like “a big family”, he said.
“We all sort of look out for one another and they’re all just like brothers and sisters,” he said.
When not fighting fires, Mr Howard works as a sales representative at Link Distribution, and also enjoys fishing.
