No matter the language or the task, Zakia Patel can do it all.
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The 33-year-old became involved with NSW SES when she was a 21-year-old university student.
Moving quickly through the ranks, she moved into the position of unit commander for the Queanbeyan Unit, which she has now been in for two years.
Not long after taking the reins, the bushfires hit. Stepping up, Zakia led her team as they supported RFS to protect local communities.
As if her love for community was not already enough, she also took on role of chief executive of the Queanbeyan Multilingual Centre.
Zakia said a highlight during her time with NSW SES so far was when she travelled to Queensland to support the response to Cyclone Yasi.
"It was an eye-opening experience," she said.
"I'd only been with the service for two years and it was an unbelievable and humbling experience.
"It made me feel fulfilled that I was doing something really important. We met the most amazing community members - so strong and resilient."
She was the only member from her unit in the taskforce, and ended up making lifelong friends.
With a passion for helping out during disasters, Zakia decided to study a Advanced Diploma in Public Safety (Emergency Management) and has high hopes for completing it soon.
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