The volunteer firefighter battling yet another summer blaze is an iconic Australian image built on too much blood, sweat and tears.Days of 40C-plus heat, nights with no relief, strong winds and, inevitably, fire. Increasingly it is becoming the symbol of a summer Down Under.And despite the situation, no matter how big the blaze, or how hard it is to defend, that other grand Australian tradition - the volunteer firefighter - is just as much a part.These men and women, young and old, professionals, unemployed and students are the ongoing frontline of the bronzed Aussie legend (even if the slip, slop, slap campaign has ensured our skins are collectively a few shades lighter).
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