What binds CFA members is the common goal to protect lives and property. But they are a diverse bunch – every member has a story and Faces of CFA introduces you to just some of those stories.
JOSEPH STUBBERFIELD, STAWELL FIRE BRIGADE
What is your CFA role?
Fifth lieutenant and health & safety and communications officer. I’m also co-chair of the West and South West Region Fire Medical Response (FMR) Committee.
Why did you join?
There’s a joke I tell that my father’s burnoffs had a habit of getting away from him and that CFA claimed his firstborn as a result. The truth is I’ve always wanted to give back to my community. When we lived in Killawarra, the Warby Ranges and surrounds always had significant fire risk and joining the local brigade just felt like the right thing to do. It’s more than volunteering – it’s about being there for people when they need it most.
What incident has had the greatest impact on you?
The 2024 Grampians fires. I was crew leader on Stawell Tanker 1 when we were forced to retreat and shelter at the oval as the fire front came through. I learned a lot that day that took me months to process. My driver reminding me to clear the dash while we sheltered in the oval is a moment lodged in my memory. When the front passed, we went back out looking for properties to protect or save.
Driving through, we saw fewer cars at houses than there had been on our reconnaissance run before the fire. CFA messaging and the language around Catastrophic days meant that people left early and as a result weren’t home when the fire came through.
Who have been your mentors in CFA?
There have been many along the way. Stawell Captain Mal Nicholson has been a real mentor. He brings a level-headed approach to every situation, and on the fireground always seems to be a few steps ahead of any job. He’s also someone who always makes time for a chat, which tells you a lot about how much he cares for the people around him.
Looking back, Sue Sheldrick from Killawarra was an early influence. The positivity she brings to everything set a tone I’ve tried to carry with me. More broadly, CFA is loaded with good people giving their best. The organisation has more mentors in it than most people realise.
What have been the highlights of your time in CFA?
Strike team deployments and the big jobs always stand out. But some of the moments that stay with me most are the smaller ones. On a community safety visit to a kindergarten, I came in masked up in BA to help the kids understand that the noise it makes isn’t something to be afraid of – a skill that might just save their lives one day. One boy was clearly frightened when I came through the door. I made calm eye contact and gave him a thumbs up and space to become comfortable and approach me if he wanted. By the time I unmasked, he’d come forward and seemed much less scared.
That small moment meant a lot. It’s also the little acts, such as going into a burned property to retrieve something of value to the owner, or getting a water container for a dog at a car accident, that matter.
How do you motivate your brigade members?
I try to listen and think about things from their perspective and look for ways to lift other people up. My approach is consultative. There are people around me who know a great deal more than I do in many areas and I try to learn from them whenever I can. Loyalty matters to me too. I want the people I work alongside to know I’ve got their back.
What lessons are you most keen to pass onto other members?
If you want to step up, speak up. There are a lot of good people in CFA but everyone has day jobs and lives outside CFA. If you want more, talk to someone on your BMT, find a mentor who leads the way you’d like to lead. And remember, there is so much more to contribute than just jumping on a truck.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
When I get a chance to switch off properly, I love getting out into the hills with my family. Walking through the Grampians is a particular favourite. There’s a peace in the bush that’s hard to find anywhere else and sharing that with the most important people in your life is important.
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