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The last time we spoke Irene was incredibly upbeat - she was just about to get her back brace removed and she was defying expectations of doctors and physiotherapists alike.

The goal of getting back in the firetruck steeled her resolve to heal.

But the road to recovery after major trauma is not often a linear path. And the shock of the near-death experience eventually crept up on Irene.

After a few backwards steps along her physical healing journey, darkness started to envelop her usual sunny disposition.

Certain sounds started to trigger flashbacks to the events of November 10, 2019.

She started to keep her 'brothers' and Station 397 at arm's length.

"I was failing my own expectations and I had a fear of not being able to hold it together - to cope - when I eventually came back to work."

Irene realised she was suffering from delayed-onset Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and has since been receiving help for it.

Her firefighter family were right there to remind Irene of her importance to them.

The weekend before last she woke up to find every available crew member from Nambucca Heads Fire and Rescue busily landscaping around her recently built granny flat.

Fellow survivor Darryl Aldridge had been working on the project over the previous few weeks with colleagues Paul Daniel and Mark Foreman. He was the one who called for the working bee.

"I initially thought maybe the three of them would turn up," Irene said.

"Then they had a callout early that morning and so I honestly didn't expect anyone to come.

"But I woke up at 8am and there they all were. It was overwhelming - I am still in tears thinking about it."

The guys worked for around three hours finishing off the gravel and groundwork on the steep block.

"They even brought around some plants and planted them," Irene said.

"They've gone above and beyond - they literally have had my back.

By completing the job for her, it has allowed Irene to put that money towards her BAS tax bill.

"Since the boys stepped in it's just taken so much stress off," she said.

"They've always made me feel part of the family, but having them here has cemented my desire to get better and get back to work."

Irene said that same fraternity has been extended to her from other stations around the state too, with several firefighters from out west calling to check in on her.

"Everyone tells me: 'don't forget, you're part of a larger family too'. It's all helping to keep me on track."

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