The Firefighter Blues

As a child, Alan and his family immigrated to Australia in the early 1960s. Like many British newcomers, they moved from suburb to suburb chasing employment. From the Migrant Hostel at East Hills through Sydney’s Western Suburbs they finally settled in one of the toughest neighbourhoods of all…the Housing Commission settlement of Green Valley. It’s there he finds mischief and music, joins his first band and eventually follows the pathway to the NSW Fire Brigades. 

24 Years later, Alan finally succumbs to the debilitating effects of PTSD and is medically retired. But it’s not over. Terrified, hypervigilant and anxious, Alan is nudged to the brink of the unthinkable. 

Climb into the back of the fire truck and share in the danger and excitement; the humour, horror and grief. Join Alan on adrenaline-filled rescues, then sit with him as he processes the disturbing images of life and death.