Youngest Deputy Captain Joins Toukley Fire Station
Toukley, NSW – In a remarkable achievement, 21-year-old Matilda Taylor has been appointed Deputy Captain at Toukley Fire Station, making her one of the youngest to ever hold this rank at Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW).
Matilda will share her new role with Deputy Captain Brooke Hayes, who has been serving in the position for the past 18 months. This promotion not only highlights Matilda’s dedication but also marks her as the youngest Deputy Captain in Toukley Fire Station’s history.
Having joined FRNSW in 2021 at the age of 18, Matilda quickly rose through the ranks by embracing various leadership opportunities. Toukley Captain Ben Williams praised her positive attitude and eagerness to take on new challenges.
“In such a short time, Matilda has really grown and matured into a capable firefighter and now station leader,” Captain Williams said. “She just kept putting her hand up for more and more responsibilities, which she thrives off, and has taken on every opportunity that’s come her way. Matilda is fast becoming a mentor to those around her and is already seen by her peers as a capable incident controller.”
Deputy Captain Taylor expressed her excitement about her new leadership role. “It’s a privilege and a responsibility I don’t take lightly,” she said. “Most of my crew are older than me and have a lot more life experience than I do, but they make me feel so supported and just want to see me do well. I’m excited to learn as much as possible so I can better support my community.”
Matilda also highlighted the rewarding aspect of her work as an On-Call Firefighter, emphasizing the importance of making her community feel safe. “Our community is really tight-knit, so knowing that I can help someone that I might know, and even make their day is something that drives me. Seeing Brooke, another female firefighter, thriving as Deputy Captain was a real motivation for me and made me believe that I could do it too.”
The team at Toukley Fire Station hopes that Matilda’s achievement will inspire other young women to consider a career in firefighting. “We’re currently recruiting for firefighters to join the team and welcome any interest or questions from the community,” Captain Williams added.