James Tucker, an Indigenous DBCA Ranger working on fire duties in Kalgoorlie, could not hear out of both ears from birth but it was only discovered when he was a toddler. Today he works protecting Country and community with the Goldfields Parks and Wildlife Service team.
The Department has devised a communication system, involving signals, while working in a dangerous field.
Mr Tucker has earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues through his commitment and contribution to his work.
Peter Batt, Joint management coordinator at DBCA, said Mr Tucker is a good worker who has a great work ethic and takes a lot of pride in what he does.
"I've heard it mentioned a number of times that he's just so patient. You know, he understands that his communication is not great but he perseveres. He doesn't get frustrated and he'll try explaining again or eventually he'll write it down if he needs to, just to get his point across," he said.
"He also does high-level stuff like checking the cameras for the malleefowl for the surveys, and just remembers where all the cameras are," said Batt.
"He can just go straight there. He remembers things and he's good with the technology as well. He can operate an iPad, he does the metro counts, he's got a good brain. He's a good all-rounder.
"I think he shows the way for local Aboriginal people in that there's a career for local people in the department working out on country, doing really good work," said Mr Batt.
Chris Curtis, Operations Officer, Fire Management at DBCA, said when Mr Tucker is out at a fire with them, he has his own radio that vibrates when someone is contacting him.
"We've also got cards. We've got a green card and a red card. The green card basically means pack up, we finished mopping up this log. We finished doing whatever we were doing here," said Mr Curtis.
"The red card is an emergency... if we're about to be overrun, for instance, by fire... the red card comes up and he knows to drop whatever he's doing, leave it where it is and head back to the truck instantly."
Mr Curtis said working with Mr Tucker has been an amazing experience that he finds inspiring.
According to Tiana Jones, Conservation Operations Officer at DBCA, Mr Tucker is attentive and a fast learner.
"He's really good in that he listens and watches and learns... he picks up on stuff really quick," she said.
Wyvern Dimer, Assistant Operations Officer, DBCA, also praised Mr Tucker's commitment and attitude.
"He's just straight in. He's a happy bloke. Being deaf and having a hearing problem, I mean, it doesn't stop him," said Mr Dimer.
"Nothing's too hard for him really. If he can give it a go, he'll give it a go."
