Following in her dad’s footsteps, Glenn’s daughter Angela had her first season on the front line in 2025/26.
“It was fun getting to teach Angela. It was good being in a situation where she had to listen to me talk rather than ignore my fatherly words of wisdom!” joked Glenn.
“She’s always been fairly outdoorsy and is studying environmental science, so it was a good fit.”
Beginning his fire career with a seasonal role in 2000, Glenn is now a Forest and Fire Program Manager based in Horsham, in Victoria’s west. Each year he lends his expertise in fire science and fire behaviour to train new recruits in the Grampians region.
Angela is one year into a degree in Wildlife and Biology Conservation. Working as a seasonal firefighter fit perfectly between her university semesters and allowed her to earn and learn over her summer break.
“It was a good opportunity to get some industry experience for my university course. I actually met one of my classmates when I was deployed on a task force to the Otways fire!”
After growing up hearing stories from her Dad, Angela was excited to experience a fire ground for herself.
“It was definitely a bit surreal starting as a firefighter. People like Dad can tell you stories, but you can’t really imagine what it’s like before you get out there.
“It was kind of cool to be thinking – oh Dad would’ve done this at some point.”
The most unexpected part of the experience for Angela was finding out what forest firefighters do when they’re not fighting fires.
“When you hear firefighter, you think spraying water, but there’s so many more factors to it. I got to do lots of chainsaw work and brush cutting – I’d never done any chain sawing before.
“I didn’t know about dry firefighting techniques, using rake hoes etc.”
Glenn agrees and sees the work he does outside of fighting bushfires as some of the most important.
“I think it’s a strength of FFMVic that we don’t just do firefighting; we’re land managers as well.
“We’re able to apply science and ecology-based thinking across all the work we do.”
One of the best parts of the season for Angela was meeting new people and working with friends – new and old.
“The people I was working with were great and we had so much fun together, even when doing some of the more boring stuff.
“I learnt so much from the people I was working with.”
And Glenn’s fatherly advice for others thinking about applying this season?
“If you’re interested in land management and the environment, and like getting outdoors and working in a team environment, it’s a great job for you.
“It’s hard work at times, but the experiences are amazing, and you’re really looked after with training and support.”
In the off-season, Glenn is looking forward to reaping the benefits of Angela’s newfound skillset.
“I’m looking forward to her cutting up my firewood this winter now she’s learnt how to use a chainsaw.”
Interested in a career in forest firefighting and land management? Apply now for the 2026/27 season: seasonal firefighters.
Page last updated: 20/07/26