There's no uncertainty about how difficult a job it is either though - physically, mentally and emotionally.

Mr Patrech doesn't hide the fact he's 'seen some pretty awful things' in his time with Fire and Rescue NSW, with officers often dealing in the devastating when responding to incidents like car crashes, industrial accidents or bush and house fires.

Although he spares the macabre details, simply hearing Mr Patrech speak in general terms provides an insight into the brutal nature of working in emergency services along with the strength, inside and out, required to do so.

"The worst thing we have to deal with is death and it's tough, it really is," he said.

"Some of the things you see can be pretty heavy and it can be tough to deal with. Some of the bushfires we've been to have been awful - you can't see, you can't hear, there's smoke everywhere.

"There's been times we've had to forsake properties that are too far gone to keep going and try and save others that could be saved, making those decisions is difficult. Floods too, can be devastating.

"Sometimes we see people on the worst day of their lives, and sometimes there simply isn't anything you can do to help."

Mr Patrech has been 'in since 98' after more than a decade of managing supermarkets and said all the officers he's worked with have 'different ways of dealing with that kind of thing'.

Fire and Rescue offers plenty of outlets to help officers cope, but the support of fellow crewmates and the camaraderie that comes with that is a constant.

"I'm not sure why I became a firefighter, it was just something I wanted to do although I did have a friend who died in a bushfire when I was 17. Maybe that had something to do with it," he explained.

"But I think the biggest support we have is each other, we're mates and we look after each other. There are processes and programs in place for firefighters to get help too, which is really great.

"But if something serious has happened we always talk about it after a shift to make sure everyone is okay, we tend to follow up afterward too. It might not always be directly asking, it might just be grabbing a coffee or a beer and checking in.

"Family is a big support for a lot of firefighters too. Fortunately, I've always been pretty okay but there's no doubt it can get tough."

But, Mr Patrech said, for all those tough times there comes the good too, even if that is something as simple as saving a youngster's kitten, albeit with the all the stereotypes that can bring.

"Like any job, there's positives and negatives," he said.

"When you can help people it is incredibly satisfying and that doesn't have to be something big. It could be as simple as saving a trapped animal or helping a kid who's got their finger stuck in something.

"There's times we have school kids coming to the station who want to be firefighters and seeing the looks and smiles on their faces is really rewarding."

Mr Patrech grew up in the Central West before spending time in Sydney and Armidale, among other spots, and then moving back to the area. He regularly shifts between Orange's station and others in the area.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: