THE ORIGINS of a firefighter’s childhood dream of tackling Pembrokeshire’s blazes has been revealed in an early family photograph.

In the 1990s Zac Townley had his picture taken with members of Haverfordwest Fire Station’s crew at a Firegfighter’s Benevolent Fund open day.

Today, 20-year-old Zac is now a retained firefighter at the same station, and has just had his photograph taken again with watch manager Keith Jenkins, the crew member who held him up for a picture back in the 90s, as well as his own daughter Lilith, who was 18-months old at the time of the photo.

Firefighting is something Zac has always had in the back of his mind, having been inspired by members of his family to join.

“I have family in the service – my uncle – and I have always been brought up knowing firefighters. I have always been in about the machines and the whole process,” said Zac.

“It is something which has always been fascinating to me.”

Zac trained as a bricklayer, and studied a degree in construction science, materials and management, before deciding to enrol with the service.

He has now been with the service for eight months and thinks anyone who wants to follow his footsteps and join the service should be prepared for a huge commitment but also to feel very rewarded by the job.

“It is good. Great fun and it’s a good group of people I am working with. Like a little family,” he said.

“You never know what you are going to be called out to. It can be anything from helping out the elderly to getting out to major incidents.”

Watch manager Keith Jenkins said it was interesting to see the photograph with Zac after all these years.

“It is strange how it has all come around,” he said.

The watch manager’s advice to anyone wanting to join MAWW Fire is simple: “I have been with the service since 1979.

“It is a great career and a fantastic role. We do so much and everybody has each other’s back.”

For more information about joining the fire service, visit: mawwfire.gov.uk/English/Careers/Pages/Becoming-an-on-call-Firefighter.aspx