EMERGENCY REPORT
Almost 50 years of fires
I’VE attended hundreds of fires, tragic motor vehicle crashes and many other emergencies and one constant at so many of these events was Paul Schroeder, as deputy captain at Dubbo 280 Fire Station and a firie for 44 years.
And that four and a half decades of service to the community wasn’t just about attending emergency incidents, it included other duties such as training firefighters and educating the community on fire safety.
Here’s some excerpts from a tribute from his fellow brigade members at the Dubbo Fire Station:
“Better known as Schultz or Schrods to fellow firefighters, Paul’s can-do attitude has ensured countless people have benefited from his time with the brigade. Paul has been a member of Dubbo fire station for 44 years since joining on April 1,1977. The brigade was made up of volunteer firefighters and one permanent Station Officer working Monday to Friday through the day.
“Paul recalls back in those days, calls to fire and other emergencies were received at the station during Monday to Friday 8am – 4pm by the Station Officer. After hours and on weekends, calls were taken by three volunteer firefighters on a special party line system.
“During this time, Paul was employed by the Dubbo RSL Club. As the station siren couldn’t be heard inside the club, the on-duty doorman would announce over the club PA system, “any fireman in the club, the fire siren is sounding”.
“While triple zero was used to report fires at the time, people could also report fires by dialling 829999. Eagle Boys Pizza had a similar number 828999. Paul recalls taking the odd pizza order on the fire line.
“Paul attended his first house fire in Gipps Street opposite Elston Park in Dubbo. He is confident that block of land remained vacant for 44 years until just recently.
“(He) was an accomplished trainer (and) played an active role in community safety through FRNSW Commsafe section. This involved Paul attending numerous regional locations training community members, business employees in fire safety, extinguisher use, evacuations, building code compliance and fire warden roles responsibilities to name a few.
“Paul has attended many emergency incidents including the Condobolin Cyanide spill in 1992. He was also a member of a Strike Team formed to protect the Siding Springs Observatory in 2013 from a fierce and fast moving fire. Under very trying conditions, Paul and the other crews did a fantastic job preventing fire from destroying the largest optical astronomy observatory in Australia.
“Many years ago, firefighters didn’t have the support and services available that firefighters have today. After nasty or extended jobs, Dubbo firefighters would debrief over a drink and a talk. Meals weren’t provided at incidents and there were no meal allowances etc. During these extended jobs, it was common for the firefighters’ wives to come together as a group, preparing and providing food and refreshments for firefighters, any time of the day or night.
“Humble right to the end, Paul feels very privileged to have been a part of FRNSW for 44 years, being given the opportunity to help and work with so many people and being provided with so many life experiences.
“It is also important to acknowledge and thank Paul’s wife and family. Indirectly, they were also involved in this journey, being woken at night by house bells each time the fire brigade was required. “When you consider the station was attending 500 plus calls a year, you can appreciate the commitment required.”
Suss behaviour
DUBBO police are asking locals to keep a look out for a suspicious vehicle that was seen on Bunglegumbie Road near town, in recent times.
The vehicle is described as a blue coloured Subaru Tribec wagon and it has been seen driving slowly in the area and stopping frequently.
If you see this vehicle, please contact triple 0 immediately. Alternatively, if you know anything about this vehicle, or you believe you have seen it, please contact Dubbo Police Station on 02 6883 1599 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 – email crimestoppers. com.au.
Fourth person charged over Dubbo shooting
Police have charged a 32-yearold woman over her alleged involvement in the shooting of a man in a house on Baird Street on November 23 last year.
Emergency services were called to the home just before 11am due to concerns for the occupant’s welfare and found a 34-year-old man inside the home suffering a gunshot wound to his leg, a wound to his face and lacerations to his arms.
Police were told two people wearing face coverings entered the home and assaulted the man before fleeing the scene.
The victim was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Dubbo Hospital in a serious but stable condition.
Investigations led to the arrests of three men aged 26, 31 and 48 – they were charged by detectives in Sydney last year and they remain before the courts.
About 10.40am on January 13, local police attended a home on Brisbane Street to arrest the 32-year-old woman. She was taken to Dubbo Police Station and charged with discharge firearm intend cause grievous bodily harm and conceal serious indictable offence.
Wanted on a warrant
POLICE are appealing for public assistance to locate a man wanted on an outstanding warrant.
Alex Harnett, aged 32, is wanted by virtue of an outstanding arrest warrant for domestic violence-related offences.
He’s described as being of Aboriginal/torres Strait Islander appearance, 180cm tall, of medium build, he has brown hair and brown eyes with a beard and moustache and is known to frequent Sydney, Kempsey and Wagga Wagga.
Anyone with information relating to his whereabouts is urged to not approach him but contact Triple Zero (000).
Send your news tips to john.ryan@panscott.com.au or 0429 452 245 txt is best