The popular Hunter Valley fire mitigation officer officially ends his duties on November 4, but will wrap things up on Friday.

“I actually thought about finishing 12 months ago,” the 66-year-old Singleton resident said.

“So, the time is right.

“I’ve loved my experience with the RFS, however I’m now looking forward to a bit of r ‘n’ r.

“I might see more of my wife Megan, who is a radiographer at Singleton Hospital, and daughters Holly and Jennifer, too,” he added with a laugh.

“I’ll also work on our farm and do some travelling.

“I’m going gold digging at Sofala in the next couple of weeks.”

Mr Lobb first joined the Bulga brigade in 1992.

And, his career flourished from there, quickly moving through the ranks – as firefighter, crew leader, group leader (training), deputy captain, training and equipment officer – before undertaking district training in the late 1990s.

That opened the door for him to become the hazard manager officer with Singleton Council in 1999.

Then, in 2001, all council staff were transferred to the RFS.

“I remember being told, when I started, the brigade was always looking for ‘blokes’,” he said.

“But, it’s terrific to see so many women in the RFS these days.

“The fires in 1994, which affected large parts of the state, was the catalyst for me to get more involved.

“That’s when everything transformed, from the Bush Fires Act to the Rural Fires Act (in 1997), as well as our systems and equipment.

“Those changes have certainly been for the better.”

In 2003, Mr Lobb decided to take on the role of the Hunter Valley fire mitigation officer – overseeing 33 brigades (30 firefighting, three support) in the Singleton and Muswellbrook local government areas.

“I’ve really enjoyed the community engagement aspect of the position,” he said.

“You know, helping people prepare their properties and organising survival plans.

“It’s important to get those messages out to the public; the RFS is not just about putting out fires.

“I also kicked off the Secondary School Cadets Program (SSCP) in Singleton and Muswellbrook.

“It’s great to see young students participate in the initiative – and, even better, staying involved in the RFS.”

Mr Lobb said two events stood out in recent memory.

“One was the big fire near Hungerford Creek in 2013,” he recalled.

“Rural properties at Martindale, Horseshoe Valley and Kings Creek were under threat.

“The teams worked brilliantly together in difficult conditions.

“The other was the opening of the RFS headquarters at Bulga last year.

“It’s wonderful to work from there.

“But, I must say, it was a long time coming.”