Beaconsfield Upper Fire Brigade members Steve Martin (left) and Axel Martin (right)
Where others may look to their parents for inspiration, Beaconsfield Upper father-son pair Axel and Steve Martin are bucking the trend, with father Steve following in his son’s footsteps .
At 17 years old, Axel Martin is a member of the Beaconsfield Upper Fire Brigade.
He joined Juniors at 14 years old, and last year completed his General Firefighter Training to become a senior firefighter.
“One of my mates used to do juniors with the Beaconsfield Fire Brigade and he said to come along one night, so I came along and then from there on I was pretty much hooked,” Axel said.
“I joined with the Beaconsfield Upper Fire Brigade as a proper service member and then got my dad into it.
“I didn't really know much when I first joined, but it didn't take long until I was friends with everyone. It is such a fun environment and I’ve developed so many skills.”
It was driving his son to training that inspired Axel’s father, Steve, 52, to eventually begin his General Firefighter Training.
“I would drive down there for 25 minutes, drop him off at Juniors, and then I would drive home, get out of the car, virtually sit on the couch, get up, get back in the car, drive down, pick him up. I don't know why I didn't stay down there,” Steve said.
“Eventually, spending time in and around the fire station made me think a bit more about it.
“I enjoyed Thursday nights going down there to drop him off because I got to see all the equipment they've got, and I thought about all the jobs they did.
After completing General Firefighter Training together last year, the pair have been paged to several incidents.
“The amazing thing to me was as a parent you spend your whole life teaching your child how to walk, how to talk, telling them that they're not doing this right, they're not learning this, they need to do their homework, ‘you should be studying more,’” Steve said.
“This is the first time that we have actually learned something side by side and he put me to shame with his knowledge compared to mine, so he's more qualified than me at the moment.”
For Axel, he has enjoyed helping the community and said volunteering with the CFA gives you responsibility at a young age.
“I love it, to be honest. I love it so much,” Axel said.
“It's made me feel like I'm really helping out the community – It’s also given me a goal for my future because I want to become a paid firefighter.
“I love how at CFA we are more than just father-son, we are a part of a team learning and helping the community together.”
Steve, who wants to become a driver, pictures himself as a firefighter well into the future.
“I should have volunteered years ago,” Steve said.
“We're giving back to the community, that's the biggest thing.
“If you're not in the CFA and you're reading this, go and spend a morning with the CFA, have a look and get involved.”
The Juniors program is run for children from 11 to 15 years old.
You can find more information on the Junior Volunteer Development Program here.
You can find more information on the Junior Volunteer Development Program here.
If you’re interested in joining CFA or learning more about volunteering, head to www.cfa.vic.gov.au/volunteer to give us a hand.
Axel took to the panel at the August Volunteer Forum with his dad during Victorian Youth Fest (from 1-30 September). Youth Fest is a month-long celebration which highlights the contributions of young people in their communities, with Axel sharing his story coming up through the ranks.