Friends in the service

I first met Andy when we (Stirling) had arrived at an incident on the SE Freeway and I was about to get out of the appliance when the SO turned up and said "you must be Fairbrother, Mike Wilson warned me about you" .... that was followed by a big smile and we then introduced ourselves. That set the scene and at following incidents I along with Lt Mick Wilde when he was on the pump got to know him well.
He was with us at a serious vehicle accident in the hills and worked along side us with the rest of the 449 crew to extricate a young man. It was difficult and the advice and counsel he provided was really appreciated.
We happened to be at Melba's chocolates the day of the Cudlee Creek fires with CMDR Dawes running the incident. It was about 0300 and I felt these arms wrap around me and I was lifted off the ground and very gently put down again. I turned around and there's Andy with a big smile on his face. I laughed, we said hello ... what are you doing here? - probably the same thing you are - putting the fire out, etc. I will cherish that simple act, it was just the Andy I had got to know. My and the brigades sympathy to his family, his crew at Stn 44 and the wider MFS family. He may be gone but won't be forgotten. Tom