Helping others has been a lifelong commitment for Horsham Fire Brigade member Ray Carman.
For nearly 50 years, Horsham Fire Brigade member Ray Carman has dedicated his time to protecting his community, first by fighting fires and later by helping prevent them.
Ray joined CFA aged 20 after growing up in a family committed to volunteering. His parents and older siblings volunteered with St John Ambulance, but a conversation with Horsham's District Mechanical Officer (DMO) Greg Harrison inspired him to take a different path.
"Community service has always been part of my family's life, and being the youngest, I grew up surrounded by that spirit of helping others," Ray said.
"Rather than follow in their footsteps with St John, Greg Harrison, who was the DMO in Horsham at the time, encouraged me to join the fire brigade.
"There was a real sense of serving people and helping the community. That's what life is about.
“The friendships and the support within the brigade have been fantastic."
While continuing to respond to emergencies, Ray also found another way to protect his community when he became Horsham brigade's Fire Equipment Maintenance (FEM) contractor.
FEM sees brigade members visit local businesses and community facilities to inspect and maintain fire extinguishers, fire blankets, fire hose reels and lay-flat hose, ensuring the equipment is ready to use in an emergency. Beyond improving community safety, FEM is an important fundraising stream for many CFA brigades.
"I became Horsham brigade's FEM contractor in 1987. Before that, volunteers carried out much of the work, but it became harder as people's work commitments increased,” Ray said.
“I always saw it as helping the brigades do what they couldn't find time to do themselves.
"The money we earned doing FEM went straight back into the brigade, helping to fund vehicles, radios, the six-bay station extension, social rooms, landscaping and so much more.
“Taking on FEM wasn't about making money - it was about strengthening the brigade."
Over the years, Ray has seen the FEM program evolve from informal, brigade-led servicing to a professional operation with recognised training and improved safety standards.
"Back in the 1970s and '80s, you learned extinguisher servicing through brigade training. Senior members taught the newer members and you picked it up as you went. Today there are formal qualifications, and everyone working in the program is properly trained.
"The equipment has changed enormously too. We moved from the old soda-acid extinguishers to foam and dry chemical units, introduced hydrostatic testing and eventually a changeover system so customers always had protection while extinguishers were being serviced.
"They're small changes over time, but together they've made the whole system much more professional."
Ray's passion for firefighting extends beyond firefighting and fire prevention. He has also dedicated himself to preserving CFA's history. A passionate collector since he was young, he has spent years preserving firefighting history and has amassed a remarkable collection of memorabilia and historical artifacts.
“It really started when I was a kid with little Matchbox fire trucks. As I got older, the toys just got bigger," Ray said.
"Today I've got a 1924 Garford pumper, a 1905 hose cart, a 1839 horse-drawn pumper, old breathing apparatus, uniforms, firefighting books and a collection of historic FEM equipment that shows how the program has evolved."
As the FEM program celebrates its 80th anniversary, Ray's service was recently recognised with a Certificate of Recognition for his outstanding contribution to community fire safety.
However, his contribution has extended far beyond frontline firefighting and FEM. Over the years he has served as captain of Dooen Fire Brigade as well as Horsham's secretary, treasurer and group officer, while also leading the brigade's Junior Volunteer Development Program and Good Friday Appeal fundraising efforts.
Incredibly humble about his service, Ray said for him no recognition was needed. It was about serving the community in any way he can.
“I was very proud to receive the certificate and I really appreciated it, but I don't do this work for recognition," he said. I do it because it makes me feel good to help people."
Looking back on nearly 50 years of service, Ray says CFA has given him far more than he could ever repay.
“I've loved every minute of it. My wife always jokes that my three priorities have always been work, the fire brigade and then marriage - in that order,” he says with a giggle.
“That probably tells you how much I love CFA. It's never been a burden. It's simply been part of who I am."