"It was a surprise but then I knew I had to step up and get on with it."
Balclutha is the biggest brigade in the East Otago area with 30 active volunteers manning two pumps, a car crash unit, tanker and operational support ute.
"A majority of [the] brigade have between three to six years of service and we have a very diverse range of occupations, including drivers, builders, storemen, retailers, vets, nurses, school teachers and electricians."
He has been a volunteer fireman since 2000 and spent his first two years at Kaitangata before moving to the Balclutha brigade.
A promotion to station officer followed in 2011. He balanced duties with his full-time job as a Fonterra milk tanker driver at Stirling, a position he has held for the past 11 years.
On the recent retirement of CFO Graeme Ferguson, his mentor and friend, last year Mr Lyall said he was asked, along with others, to apply for the position.
Once it sunk in what was being offered, he realised what a great opportunity had been afforded him.
"Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) service has given us a much bigger role and increased the levels of support for us, so don’t be surprised to see us appear first on the scene as there may not be an ambulance available right then."
He planned to make the brigade more visible in the community through more public awareness: school visits, charity event appearances and open days at the station.
Mr Lyall said he also wants to facilitate more integration between 12 other brigades in the Clutha District Council region."I have great support from their CFOs but I would like to see more training together, sharing of resources and knowledge.
"It’s all about getting to know your neighbours."
The Fenz assistant area manager Roger Smith said he fully supported Mr Lyall’s vision for the brigade.
An active relaxer who likes a challenge, Mr Lyall said his core philosophy is always family first.
He said he was very mindful of the support from his wife Julie and children Aiden (7) and Taylah (4), especially when he comes back from a difficult call out.
"I really have to thank the partners of brigade members for all the support they give them," he said.
Fonterra was very supportive, allowing him to change shifts at times to undertake management or operational training, he said.
The Balclutha brigade has been very busy since Christmas and attended 171 callouts last year.
