In the Eastern goldfields region of Western Australia, Indigenous Ranger turned firefighter James Tucker starts his day by doing the rounds.
(Sound of a fire truck being started)
He works to protect the land of Kalgoorlie from fires, 595 kilometres east-northeast of Perth, with the Parks and Wildlife team.
Fighting fires is dangerous work, but the risk is even greater for James - as he does it while managing a hearing impediment.
"I was born in Kalgoorlie, born with a hearing disability, and found out when I was two or three years old."
Government data released in 2022 shows more than two in five Indigenous Australians aged 7 years and over presented with hearing loss.
It suggests hearing loss among Indigenous children is higher in remote communities than in major cities.
For James, the Goldfields Parks and Wildlife Service team has devised a specific and tailored communication system over the years.
Operations Officer of Fire Management Chris Curtis says it makes his job accessible to his needs.
"When James is out at a fire with us, he has a special radio. That radio vibrates so when we need to talk with him or communicate with him, we hit that vibrating function. We've also got cards. We've got a green card and a red card. The green card basically means pack up. We finished mopping up this log. We finished doing whatever we were doing here. The red card is emergency. So our emergency, emergency emergency if we're about to be overrun, for instance, by fire. Or if there is an emergency."
James has earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues for his commitment and contribution.
After several years in the job, his fire management team says his perseverance has become a source of inspiration.
Wyvern Dimer is an Assistant Operations Officer with the Department.
"He’s one of them guys who is really committed, very smart. Sometimes, you know, I don't even think he thinks he’s deaf. He’s just straight in. He’s a happy bloke. Being deaf and having a hearing problem, I mean, it doesn't stop him. Nothing’s too hard for him really. If he can give it a go, he'll give it a go."
Mr Curtis says James has become more than just a colleague.
"So working with James, it's been amazing. It's very inspiring to see someone with a disability, with the hearing impediment, and him not letting it get him down. The work ethic is amazing. And it's just it's really great to work with him and to call him a colleague, but also a friend."
But James isn't just inspiring those he works with.
Joint Managment Coordinator Peter Batt says he's an inspiration for younger Indigenous children in Kalgoorlie.
"I think he shows the way for local Aboriginal people in that there's a career for local people in the department working out on country, doing really good work. I’ve heard mentioned a number of times that he's just so patient. You know, he understands that his communication is not great. But he just perseveres. He doesn't get frustrated and he'll try explaining again or eventually he'll write it down if he needs to, just to get his point across. He loves the variety of the work. He does a great job. He takes a lot of pride in the work that he does."
For James, he says it's a love of the work that keeps him coming back.
"I love fighting bushfires and working with my team around Kalgoorlie."
