Dr Gavan Schneider and intensive care paramedic Nathan Croft, who landed in the NSW Ambulance helicopter at the property near Bathurst where Mr Schulte and his son Cameron were burned in the bushfire, said they wanted to meet with the man who had shown an incredible tenacity to survive.

“Some jobs just stay in your memory,” Mr Croft said.

“This was difficult because as an ex-police officer Bernie knew how badly burned he was and it was hard to reassure him.”

“He certainly defied all the odds,” Dr Schneider said.

Since that hot December day when the family’s lives changed forever Mr Schulte says he has had to struggle with many demons.

“I think I know what hell looks like now,” he said.

“I don’t know what it is or why I have pulled through, maybe it’s because I’ve got a lot of mongrel dog in me.”

Mr Schulte has already undergone 12 operations, 11 of which were carried out in the first 16 weeks after the fire, and faces the prospect of further surgery and continuing rehabilitation.

“There were many days when I just thought it would be better if they had put me in the ground,” he said.

“But my wife Bron, my family and the staff at the hospital just kept encouraging me.

“I remember one day one of the nurses at Concord, on one of my dark days, just sitting down and crying with me. That’s the kind of amazing people I had treating me.”

Mr Schulte is full of praise for everyone who has played a role in his survival and recovery, including the Concord burns unit team, led by professor Peter Maitz and professor Peter Haertsch, and the staff at the Royal Rehabilitation Centre in Ryde.

“Cameron saved my life. He kept me alive, running through the flames to get to me and throwing me in the water trough,” he said.

Mr Schulte told Dr Schneider and Mr Croft he was embarrassed about his actions on the day, when he thought he could stop the fire on his property, and thanked them for their commitment to keeping him alive.

“The smoke was so thick and I couldn’t see,” Mr Schulte said.

“I was caught on the fence and barbecued but Cameron ran through the flames to get to me.

“I remember looking at the skin on his legs which was hanging off.”

However, Mr Schulte did not realise his burns looked far more horrific.

Mr and Mrs Schulte say they have been overwhelmed with the level of support from the community.

Mr Schulte, who was head of Orange Highway Patrol for seven years, said financial support from Orange City Council was greatly appreciated.

“They have given $1000 to the appeal, which is incredibly generous,” he said.

“And to all those people out there who have sent well wishes, Bron and I are extremely thankful.”

Rescue helicopter pilot David Dixon, who navigated through high winds and thick smoke to rescue Mr Schulte and his son, was unable to leave the helicopter base yesterday but sent his best wishes.