How good is smashing taboos? That’s exactly the point of You Can’t Ask That, the ABC’s most raw and honest TV show.
It’s back with a new season of curly questions, kicking off with firefighters. Best have some tissues handy because a lot of these heroes (even though they don’t call themselves that) are dealing with the trauma of the Black Summer fires that devastated much of Australia.
While the bushfires may seem like a lifetime ago because of Coronavirus, the gutted communities are still trying to rebuild, and there’s a lot we can learn from just 30 minutes of YCAT.
The Diversity Of Firefighters
They range in age, size, gender, heritage – basically, anyone of them could be your best friend, your mum, dad, cheeky uncle at family get-togethers. What unites them is their dedication to community, and we all benefit from that.
They Get Excited About The Big Red Trucks Too
“As soon as you have the red and blue lights on the top you’re like a little kid again. You’re like, haha you’re stuck in traffic, here I go past,” RFS Volunteer Jackson Brown confesses.
They Get Stuck Into Climate Change And ScoMo
Yeah, so they’re just as annoyed at the political football, and Scott Morrison’s forced handshakes, as the rest of us are. These people – largely volunteers – are literally on the frontlines, so maybe we should listen to them, hey? “Politicians are people who plan for the next election. Statesmen are the people who plan for the next generation. Where are all our statesmen?” Well said, CFA Volunteer Mark Guerin.
Firefighters Get Scared Too
Their descriptions of facing a wall of fire will send shivers down your spine.
“The fire from December, she’s a nasty bitch,” CFA Volunteer Michelle Kampen says.
They Can Hear The Animals Screaming
And that’s what breaks their hearts. Let’s just leave that at that. Need more tissues.
They Know They’re Facing Death
Every day. That’s their job. Just let that sink in. But man they are calm about it, even when describing the most horrific situations, albeit while choking back tears.
“I thought I’d been kissed on the dick by a fairy. Yeah, I did have a moment. I snuck around the corner, let a bit of it out. Cause it was bloody close” – your new Aussie hero, RSF Volunteer Darryl Chadwick.
There’s A Reason They Tell You To Get Out
Those warnings to leave early are no joke. The fire sucks the oxygen out of the air, and that not only stops you from breathing, but also stops cars from working, and that is not the way you want to go. “Fire can do whatever it wants,” warns Advanced Firefighter Rachael Cavanagh. The least we can do in return is support our firefighters by showing them some respect.
Season 5 of You Can’t Ask That starts March 18 at 9pm on ABC and iview with Firefighters, and continues with Nudist, Gold Medallists, Kids, living on the Autism Spectrum, HIV, Public Housing, and those who have Killed Someone.