Les Smith

Berkeley Vale Rural Fire Brigade
Selfless. Community-minded. Passionate.

Les Smith has been putting his own life on the line to save other lives and property for 43 years.

He is a much valued and admired volunteer with the Berkeley Vale Rural Fire Brigade, where he currently serves as Deputy Captain.

Les is always there on the frontline during emergencies such fires, floods, storms and car accidents.

Despite the horrendous conditions on the fire front, and the long, tiring shifts, he has continued to come back to help time and time again over the past four decades.

His commitment to putting the community above his own safety was on show during the recent bushfires where his brigade faced the worst and most dangerous fires in living memory.

“I can honestly say that if I had my time again, I would not change a thing in relation to my service with the Rural Fire Service,” Les says.

“There is no better satisfaction than being thanked by someone for what you have been trained to do.”

Les is dedicated to training up the next generation of firefighters, passing on his knowledge and acting as a mentor.

“It’s been estimated that over the years I have been involved in the training of over 400 members of our brigade,” he says.

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. The Berkeley Vale Rural Fire Brigade will use the funds to purchase safety and protective gear, firefighting equipment and to complete a safety haven for the community.

For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here