“We did things we weren’t even trained to do,” revealed Captain James Croak as he recalled the 2023 Christmas tornado – one of the most challenging times in his career.
The head of Tamborine Mountain Fire and Rescue pulled an almost 24-hour shift ensuring the safety of the community in the aftermath of the event.
“It scared the crap out of me. I never imagined we’d have a severe weather event of that magnitude come through Tamborine Mountain.”
“It was a mental, physical and emotional challenge. The devastation to people’s homes was terrible. We had to pull people out their homes,” he explained.
The stories James can tell since beginning his fire and rescue career in his 30s in Emerald in 2009 could fill a book.
And while those experiences would break many, for James it’s fulfilling a dream.
“It was a childhood dream to follow in the footsteps of my father,” he said, tearing up as talked about his fire fighter father.
“As a kid every child wants to be like his father. I’d hang out in the fire station and sit in the trucks. I was always in awe of him. I was proud to be the son of a fire fighter.
“Going to my first fire, my heart was racing. I felt pumped. There was a bit of anxiety. I learnt to look at my teammates, take a breath and approach the fire in a calm method.
“The first road crash rescue was in central Queensland outside of Emerald. Two trucks came together head on and both drivers were trapped. Again, I felt a mix of anxiety and feeling pumped.
“It was very confronting. The debris was everywhere, with passersby pulling up to assist. It was chaotic. But I learnt to come together as a team to achieve the outcomes we were trained to do.
“I have to talk to the people who are trapped and keep them calm and explain what will happen, what noises they will hear and reassure them they are in safe hands. I offer emotional support in their time of need.”
James said while they are trained for these scenarios, much of what he must do to help people in their time of dire need comes with time and experience.
“People call triple 0 when they are having the worst time of their life and I have to support and guide them. I do my best to keep them calm and show compassion and empathy,” he said.
“I like the challenges that you come across as an auxiliary on-call fire fighter.
“Sometimes I see the worst of the worst. I’ve seen fatalities, people with broken bones sticking out, I’ve done CPR multiple times, cliff rescues, vertical rescues, rescues from Cedar Creek Falls, and every one has an impact on me.”
In 2011 he and his wife transferred from Emerald to Tamborine Mountain.
They happened to be watching a news story about Tamborine Mountain getting smashed by a hailstorm and thought it looked like a nice place.
After doing a bit of research the couple decided to make the move.
“The community is what makes Tamborine Mountain. The community spirit is strong. You can just walk past and say hello, and they will say hello back. People wave at you and there is respect shown,” James said.
He said it was that spirit that shone through during the 2019/2020 bushfire season, the severe weather events of Christmas 2023 and Cyclone Alfred in 2024.
James is extremely selfless and community-minded with a huge heart.
“It’s the community itself,” he said, that drives him.
“The kids and families and getting them to understand fire safety around the home to stay safe. Making sure the kids know to call 000.
“I feel as a member of the Tamborine Mountain Fire and Rescue team that being able to do what we do in the community is the biggest return I can get in my life.”
He’s a regular educator at the schools, kindergartens and even education and safe home visits for members of Tamborine Mountain Community Care.
“It’s an honour to be in this role,” James said and he proudly noted that he was recently awarded a service medal for 15 years’ service with the Queensland Fire Department (QFD).
Those years have certainly had an impact on him and when you delve deeper it becomes apparent that not too far beneath his jovial exterior there is trauma.
“I’m on speed dial with the peer support networks from Queensland Fire Department (QFD),” he shared.
He admitted he’d learnt from seeing older colleagues fail to express their feelings to their detriment.
“There’s been times when the job has gotten to me. Emotionally I’ve questioned, should I go to this next fire call, should I continue to do this,” James said.
When this happens, he talks to his wife and his team.
As a captain he has to ensure the well-being of his team too, which can also put an enormous pressure on his shoulders.
But he’s built a strong connection with his team of 17 and knows when someone is not coping well.
“I will sit there and listen to them talk and know they will do the same for me,” he explained.
“I’m an advocate for talking open and honestly about the emotional strain that comes with the job, which carries over to family life and relationships.
“The old method of take a teaspoon of cement and toughen up doesn’t exist anymore.”
When not working James is studying a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
He loves to spend time with his family and dog at the beach.
“We love driving around the coast and exploring,” he said.
“I like fishing and used to be a keen golfer in my youth. I even tried out for Australian junior golfing team but missed the cut by one shot.
“I’d love to travel Australia when I’m older. Australia has so much to give and there is so much to see.”
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