Heidi and Nathan Smith
This Father's Day, CFA is celebrating the many dads, father figures and families who volunteer side-by-side, protecting Victorian communities.
When lightning sparked a major bushfire in the Little Desert earlier this year, 18-year-old Kenmare Fire Brigade member Heidi Smith found herself near the front line, with a familiar face right beside her.
Her dad, Nathan, Rainbow Group Officer and a CFA veteran of more than three decades, was also there, helping protect the Dimboola community from a blaze fuelled by unpredictable winds and thick scrub that posed a serious threat to the town.
For Heidi, it was her first time on a strike team since joining CFA in January 2023 at just 16, a decision heavily influenced by her dad.
"Dad was probably the main reason I joined CFA," Heidi said.
"He's been doing it since he was my age, and I've grown up watching him go out on calls. Out here in the west, if you don't have volunteers, there's no one to fight fires, so I wanted to do my bit."
Nathan said the experience was a milestone for his daughter.
"It ended up being the perfect first big job for her challenging, but safe, and a good learning experience," he said.
Heidi's brother Flynn was also on the fireground that day, working with another crew near Nhill.
"It was a proud day for me knowing both Heidi and Flynn were out there contributing on different parts of the fireground, Nathan said."
For Heidi, having her dad close by made a world of difference.
"It was comforting knowing Dad was there. He's got the experience, so I knew I'd be safe. If I'd gone on my own, I would've been fine, but definitely a bit more scared," she said.
While Heidi's crew focused on asset protection and backburning in Dimboola, Flynn's team faced intense fire behaviour further south.
"They saw some serious action and did a great job holding it back from farmland," Nathan said.
"It was a good outcome considering what they were up against."
Nathan, who has volunteered with CFA for more than 30 years, said firefighting has always been a family affair.
"Just the fact they're giving back to the community makes me extremely proud," he said.
"I don't care if they stick at it forever, it's a great way to meet people and be part of something wherever you end up."
Heidi agrees. "It's pretty cool to say I've fought fires alongside my dad. We're both proud of it, even though Dad's too humble to show off," she said.
