Local Hero Shines on the National Stage
Townsville native Rhys Siganto, 29, has emerged as a standout in Airservices Australia’s Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) service.
Rhys recently secured the prestigious Silver Axe Award for Most Outstanding Recruit, leading the pack in the 99th Recruit Course.
From Crane Operator to Sky Defender
Former crane operator Rhys humbly attributes his success to the camaraderie of his peers and the wealth of knowledge provided by ARFF instructors during the rigorous 15-week course.
He discovered a passion for teamwork and plans to pursue Cert III and Cert IV studies, with aspirations of returning to the Airservices’ Melbourne ARFF Training Academy as a future instructor.
Serving the Community with Distinction
Rhys encourages those interested in a career shift to consider aviation rescue firefighting, emphasising that no prior aviation background is necessary.
His journey reflects the industry’s commitment to community service, with the ARFF being the country’s sole national fire service, responding rapidly to incidents ranging from first-aid calls to aircraft emergencies.
Airservices Australia’s Commitment to Excellence
Airservices Australia, with over 800 aviation rescue firefighters, maintains its commitment to excellence in emergency response.
An additional 48 recruits, set to join in 2024, highlight the growing demand for skilled professionals.