When the Crestwood fire began threatening houses in Lake Cathie on Tuesday, October 29, HSC student Liam Birrer knew he had to help out.
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The student of Hastings Secondary College Westport Campus even missed his Metal and Engineering HSC exam in the process.
Since then he has been out every day this week volunteering in the fire effort.
"I don't really like sitting back and making everyone else do the work," he said.
"It is a bit unfair if they are out for 12-14 hour days and I could be out there helping them."
Mr Birrer is a member of the Sancrox-Thrumster RFS brigade.
He described the last couple of days as "pretty hectic" but doesn't plan to take a break from his role with the RFS over the weekend.
He grew up in Port Macquarie loving both the beach and the bush.
"We have the best of both worlds," he said.
Mr Birrer plans to study environmental science next year at university.
Hastings Secondary College Westport Campus principal Ian Ross described Mr Birrer's decision to fight the fire during his HSC as "the ultimate act of selflessness".
"He made a decision, at a critical milestone in his life, his HSC exam, to focus his skills as a trained RFS member to fight the fires in his community," he said.
Mr Birrer's final exam is on Tuesday, November 5.
The Port News wishes him well.
