CONTENT WARNING: This conversation contains details about scenes that emergency first responders encounter, including car accidents, suicide, house fires, and bushfires.

Fiona Macken is a volunteer firefighter with the Country Fire Authority and 3rd Lieutenant of the Diamond Creek Fire Brigade. In 2009, she was deployed during the Black Saturday Bushfires, which are considered Australia’s most devastating fires to date.

She’s witnessed the lasting impact these catastrophes have on survivors and firefighters and has dedicated her life’s work to safety education and prevention. She sat down with Jonathan in Melbourne to share why she became a first responder, the team of people supporting firefighters, and how to help with the most recent bushfires in Australia.

Follow Country Fire Authority on Instagram and Facebook @cfavic and on Twitter @cfa_updates. Visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au/ to find out more about Fiona and CFA’s work.

If you're struggling with issues related to mental health, please visit www.lifeline.org.au/ or suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

Find out what today’s guest and former guests are up to by following us on Instagram and Twitter @CuriousWithJVN.

Transcripts for each episode are available at JonathanVanNess.com.

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