Bus and Tram Express
Bus and Tram Express

Members are a vital part of the community

Mar 5, 2014News

Tram and Bus Divisional President Gary Way visited Willoughby Depot Member Jon Russell at Cottage Point Bushfire station where Jon volunteers countless hours in the role of Brigade Captain

Jon Russell is one of those blokes who you can rely on in an emergency.

He’s driven buses out of the Willoughby depot for almost a decade – an achievement in itself – and dedicates countless hours to the community as a Brigade Captain for the Rural Fire Service.

He’s responsible for a crew of 35, but can have the lives of double or triple that number in his hands when responding to fierce fires.

He’s also a proud member.

Last month, Tram and Bus Divisional President Gary Way visited Jon at Cottage Point Bushfire station, where he thanked Jon for his dedicated volunteer service (pictured below).

Jon told Bus Express he’s been at every local fire since 1979 and travelled all across NSW and Victoria to help save property and lives.

“We head to the sheds, we bring out the tanker and we roll out to put the fire out,” he said.

Jon was on ground fighting fires when Black Saturday in Victoria, the worst in Australia’s history, claimed the lives of 173 people and destroyed 2029 homes.

He feels a sense of camaraderie with the other Rural Fire Service volunteers he meets and leads during the often tough and long bushfire season.

“Thank God for State Transit and other government departments. They’re the people I tend to bump into when they’re out fighting fires these days,” Jon said.

He highly recommends other RTBU Tram and Bus Division members consider volunteering with the Rural Fire Service, with its good training, firm friendships and the chance of being of service to the community.

And people like Jon who’ll have your back

Share your story
We want to hear from other RTBU members who make a difference in their community. Tell us about your service and email your contact details to info@busexpress.com.au

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