Firefighting & Rescue Social / Professional Network
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Gary Walker
- 62, Male
- Auckland
- New Zealand
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- Featured Blog Posts (1)
- Discussions (15)
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- Featured Groups (16)
- Firefighting Photos, Fire Photos, Rescue Photos & Fire Photography (16)
- Photo Albums
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Gary Walker's Groups
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Retired Firefighters
17 members
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Life Saving Informatio...
95 members
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Why are fire trucks red?
47 members
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Cancel The Engine
1346 members
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Firefighting History &...
344 members
Gary Walker's Discussions
FDNY Fire Officer Killed in the Line of Duty
Replied Nov. 24, 2008
Gary Walker's Page
Latest Nation Member Activity
Hi Floyd. Welcome to the group.
Hi Terry. Welcome to the group. I know what you mean by missing the fire service. I think that after spending as much time in the service as we have it becomes part of you. It's seems like something has been cut off. I have been out now for 13 yea...
Hi Tony, Yes I think the silver over metalic blue looks pretty cool too. Do you have a larger photo of the Sutphen?
Cheers
Gary
Hi BB,
Welcome to the group. Unfortunately there has not been much activity here lately, but hopefully that will change.
I am a member of a club here in New Zealand called the Triple One Club (111 being our emergency telephone number). It incorpo...
Hi Bob, Great idea for a new group. Don't know why I didn't think of it myself.
Profile Information
- Hometown:
- Auckland, New Zealand
- I Live: (City, State)
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Years in Fire/EMS:
- 28
- Why I Joined the Fire/EMS:
- Strangely, I am not somebody who always wanted to be a firefighter one day, nor is firefighting in the family. However I have been in uniform for most of my life which may have something to do with it. As a child all my schools were uniformed and I was also a member of the ATC and the Boys Brigade. I did have a desire to go into a uniformed public service when I left school and tried out for the police, however I missed out on height for which there was a minimum requirement at the time. For some reason, which is pretty hazy to me now, I decided to join the RNZ Army. This turned out to be a good move and I learnt a lot in those 4 years, as well as gaining my license to drive almost anything with wheels.
When the time came to return to civy st. I had decided that I would like to go driving big rigs long distance, which paid well and seemed like a great way to see the country. Just prior to leaving the Army I befriended another soldier who told me he was off to Aussie and had arranged to join up with the Melbourne Fire Brigade. He said they were looking for new recruits, particularly ex military personnel and that the pay was excellent. Sounded great to me and we decided to go together just as soon as we could. However, just at the last moment, my friends mother died and he had to change plans. I didn't want to go over alone and decided to go back to plan A, and apply for a trucking job. I made a few applications which seemed quite positive but was placed on a waiting list for some considerable time. Meanwhile the excitement of going to Melbourne to join the fire dept had not worn off and I started to wonder about opportunities here in NZ. Anyway I applied and got snapped up immediately, I guess because of my military experience and licenses. Now here I am 42 years later after serving 28 years in the dept and still living it after 12 years in retirement. If I could start over I guess I would want to join the Fire/EMS for any of the reasons most of our FF Nation members gave, but I thought it might be of interest to you to tell my story. I,m sure there must be a few more stories similar to mine where there was a series of circumstances resulting in joining up.
- Relationship Status:
- Married
- Primary Fire/EMS Department:
- New Zealand Fire Service, Auckland
- Department Type:
- Fire/Rescue Department - Volunteer
- Rank/Role There:
- Captain, Retired
- Years With This Department/Agency
- 28
- Dept. Web Site:
- http://www.fire.org.nz
- 2nd Department Type:
- Fire/Rescue Department - Volunteer
- Side Jobs or Other Organizations:
- Fire alarm tech.
- Personal Site/Profile:
- http://www.fanz.net.nz
- I Love Being in Fire/EMS Because:
- Job satifaction through service to the community i.e. WAS! I am now retired.
Gary Walker's Photos
Gary Walker's Blog
Firefighter Loses Life In Cool Store Incident
Posted on April 7, 2008 at 1:00am — 3 Comments
Comment Wall (25 comments)
- At 3:25am on March 15, 2009,
Robert C. Baker said…
- Gary, thats one fine looking model display, I also like the garage with the old truck in it and all the fire dept. collectables I saw around it, real nice.
BB.
- At 12:55pm on January 7, 2009,
johannes jacobus Barnard said… - Hji Gary How is life there at down under. be safe JJ South Africa
- At 6:39am on January 1, 2009,
FireCat said… 
- At 2:51am on July 31, 2008,
Niels Dehaemers said… - WAAuw nice
Grz colleter from belguim
- At 4:32am on June 25, 2008,
FireCat said…
- Hi Gary -
Thanks for the well wishes!!
TCSS
Cat :o)
- At 5:55am on May 15, 2008,
Trevor Walsh said…
I see you have St Johns ambo up for sale.... Hmmmm, thinking about it............... Anyways, how are you mate...
I got to get more pics of my models up ....
Have a thought for a matchbox Merryweather Snorkel on a enclosed cab.... Haven't seen one yet, might be the 1st..
Take care mate...
- At 8:20am on May 5, 2008,
Tim said… - thank you Gary, don't know how that color scheme came about was before my time but is different. don't see many black, silver and orange trucks these days. lol
- At 6:38am on May 5, 2008,
Trevor Walsh said…
- Cheers for that Gary,
I reckon this is a great site, thanks for the referral.
Teen & I have down graded to a 2 b/room flat as all the kids have moved out.
I have a 7m long wall in the garage to display my models (Still never enough room)
Hows things with you ?
Take care my friend...
- At 2:25am on April 4, 2008,
Cody Scott said… - Gary, Hi. I added three more pictures of the Mack. I'll Try and get some new ones on there for you. Take Care and Stay Safe
- At 12:30am on March 28, 2008,
Frederick Pettengill Jr. said… - Thanks Gary,Here is the link,,,,,,Fred http://www.editingmyspace.com/fire_rescue_medicaltext9.html
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Latest Nation Member Activity
Hey everyone, Took some of our Christmas tree notes to Lowes today. To be put on 156 trees.
No, not that bad. Haven't had trouble at domestic fires ever - it's always cars or bonfires, stuff like that where we're "spoiling their fun" as they see it. Don't get me wrong, we don't get this everywhere - only in certain areas of the city, sam...
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