A LOCAL ex-firefighter who died in a truck accident last month was memorialised by the Riverland’s emergency services “family” earlier this week.
Riverland emergency service members – and members of the public – attended a memorial service held for former Renmark MFS firefighter Steve Lawrie at Bert Dix Park on Monday.
Renmark MFS senior firefighter Peter Richards said Mr Lawrie’s career in the MFS spanned nearly 15 years.
“I knew Steve as a friend and a firefighter teammate,” Mr Richards said.
“Steve and I had a good relationship. He was my senior and when I wasn’t around Steve was available during the day a lot of the time.
“We always ran into each other, I think more times socially than as firefighters. He was a good leader and we had a lot of respect for him.
“It only feels like yesterday we remember him in the front seat telling us what we would have to do on a job.”
Mr Lawrie, 46, died when his B-double crashed into a stationary truck near the SA-Victorian border last month.
Mr Richards said Mr Lawrie had built many long-lasting connections across the Riverland.
“Steve left the fire service (in 2020), but we’re all still family,” he said.
“When guys leave the service, we’re still good mates and colleagues who have been in some dangerous situations with each other.
“He had many roles. He was a security guard, a chef and he followed the Paringa football boys.
“He was well known in the area…”
Meanwhile, members of Berri’s JMA Engineering remain in mourning following the death of Renmark man Jake Fuss last week.
It is understood Mr Fuss, 27, died following a workplace accident.