When Rhys Doncon joined FWSR Group in November 2018 as a Fire Technician, he didn't expect to complete a second trade, progress into leadership or help oversee operations across a business that would more than triple in size.

Today, as Regional Operations Manager, Rhys supports technicians and branch teams across Victoria, helping deliver fire protection services to customers while continuing to build on his own technical knowledge and leadership experience.

Before joining FWSR Group, Rhys had already built an impressive career in sales, metal fabrication and fire pumps. He completed a Certificate II in Engineering and a Certificate III in Motor Vehicle Body Building, working on everything from armoured vehicles and V8 Supercar transporters to portable mining workshops.

He later spent more than six years specialising in fire pumps, fabricating, commissioning, testing and maintaining fire hydrant and sprinkler pump systems across Australia.

When he arrived at FWSR Group, he expected to continue building on that experience.

"I came to FWSR Group with a lot of experience in fire pumps and was looking forward to staying in a position maintaining them. Completing my Sprinkler Fitting apprenticeship wasn't something I expected, but it turned out to be a great opportunity for me."

That opportunity became one of the defining moments of his career.

While working in a management role, Rhys completed his Sprinkler Fitting apprenticeship, adding a second trade qualification to his extensive technical background.

Progressing from Fire Technician to Regional Operations Manager has been another significant milestone.

"Completing my Sprinkler Fitting apprenticeship while working in a management role, helping navigate the business through COVID and welcoming our third child were probably the biggest milestones."

Today, Rhys oversees regional operations across FWSR Group's regional branch network, supporting technicians, coordinating resources and helping ensure projects, servicing and maintenance work are delivered safely, efficiently and to a high standard.

"No two days are ever the same," he says.

"One minute I'm helping technicians solve technical issues, the next I'm working with customers, supporting our branch and admin teams or planning upcoming work. I still enjoy getting out on site whenever I can to support the team and maintain hands-on knowledge within the trade and industry."

For Rhys, it's the variety that makes every day rewarding.

"Every day looks different."

Supporting customers and teams across such a large geographical area also presents its challenges.

"Every customer has different needs, so keeping everything running smoothly while supporting our teams across multiple regions keeps things interesting."

While technicians spend their days on the road, Rhys says many people would be surprised by just how much planning happens behind the scenes.

"From scheduling technicians and supporting customers to helping solve technical issues, there's a lot of work done by a large team to make sure every day runs as smoothly as possible."

When asked what matters most as a leader, his focus is clear.

"Making sure our technicians feel supported and confident in the work they're doing, while providing oversight and technical support so they can focus on their role in the field."

His advice for apprentices and new starters?

"Listen more than you talk, never trust a site plan that's 'roughly to scale' and always keep a sense of humour."

Looking ahead, Rhys is excited to see the business continue to grow.

"We've grown so much since I joined, and it's exciting to think about where we'll be in another five or ten years."

Even after progressing into management, he says there's still plenty left to learn.

"I'd like to keep adding qualifications, continue learning and always look for ways to do things more effectively and efficiently… and see how long I can grow my beard."

And if he could swap roles for a day?

"Probably a Sprinkler Fitter. I enjoy the challenge of my current role and love seeing our people develop, but I'd happily spend a day back on the tools doing fault finding, testing or wet fire installations. I'd probably go grey a little slower too."