GIDGEGANNUP volunteer firefighter Eric Thomas has been named a local community legend by Bunnings for his tireless eight-year tenure as lieutenant, a role he says began with a childhood dream but evolved into a community necessity.

The 54-year-old was nominated by a team member at the Midland Bunnings store for his bravery and commitment to the Gidgegannup region working tirelessly to protect the community from fires.

He says his dedication to the brigade is driven by a deep sense of responsibility to protect his home and the Gidgegannup environment, particularly in a region where help is not always immediately available.

“I realised early on that, out here, we have to be reliant on ourselves and our neighbours, as the nearest career fire station is Midland, and that’s a 45-minute drive from my home,” Mr Thomas said.

“So out of a sense of community and necessity I decided to join my local fire brigade, to help protect my home and my community.”

Mr Thomas said that being part of the brigade offered more than just technical training but also fostered lifelong friendships and a deep understanding of fire behaviour.

“Being part of the brigade has been a wonderful experience, I’ve been able to make new friends and learn new skills,” Mr Thomas said.

“It’s helped me better understand how fires behave, so that I can make better decisions if my family and home are every threatened.”

Mr Thomas maintains this commitment to the community despite the complexities of his professional life as a FIFO worker and his personal roles as both a husband and father.

“I am a strong believer that, if you can sign up to the brigade, you do need to make the commitment to turn out whenever you can,” he said.

“My wife is very understanding to the fact that during the high season, I may need to turnout when paged.”

This dedication was on full display during the Wooroloo bushfire, where he worked on the frontlines alongside his daughter Hannah who also volunteers, to defend local properties.

While the high-stakes nature of firefighting is seasonal, Mr Thomas said that the Gidgegannup brigade works year-round on training and fundraising for specialised equipment.

“The Gidgegannup community is all-welcoming, strong, resilient, and a great community to be part of,” he said.

“When disaster strikes, we really do pull together and help out wherever possible.”

Mr Thomas is now a finalist for the national Community Wellbeing Legend award, where winners will be announced in late June.

A national win would secure a $10,000 donation to a Gidgegannup community group or charity of his choice.

Mr Thomas said his primary motivation remains his love for the local area.

“My desire to actively help keep my family, home, and community safe from fires is what keeps me going,” he said.