Aaron Petty was one of the many New South Wales (NSW) Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteers deployed to support the firefight in Dereel in late February 2024.
Aaron is the captain of Goodhope/Boambolo Bush Fire Brigade located north of Canberra. He’s no stranger to challenging fires, having supported the 2003 Canberra fires and the 2013 Cobbler Road fire, west of Yass in NSW.
In February 2024 he was tasked with leading the south-east Strike Team Bravo. This was his first interstate deployment as a strike team leader and despite the challenging circumstances he enjoyed working with Victoria’s fire services.
“I was a little nervous but everyone worked seamlessly together,” Aaron said.
“The mateship from people we had never met before made it even better.
“Every one of the Victorian crews we encountered were so welcoming and the experience was very rewarding.
“After the firefight was over, a resident came up to us in tears because we were able to save her property. She had previously lost her home in a fire and to see her current home untouched was something she just didn’t expect.
“Also having the Emergency Management Commissioner talk to us and tell us how appreciative he was of our support was incredibly humbling.”
Aaron and his crews understood how unforgiving Victoria’s fire season can be and he saw that firsthand when he arrived at the Dereel fire.
“The firefight was intense, made even more challenging by the wind change. Once we got to the pine forest and bushland, it was really fierce but our crews got straight into it,” Aaron said.
“We had NSW RFS teams from Yass and Tumut and a new bulk grassland fire truck from NSW which meant we didn't have to worry about water.
“The aerial support was one of the best tools we had. Without it, it would have been a totally different fire.
“One aspect of the firefight that was a great experience for our crews was the level of strategic direction we were given from the minute we arrived.
“I was leading a group of 20 volunteers from Yass, including my wife Adele and RFS volunteer Brett Lees, who was a group captain from Gunning in NSW. He had been all over the country as a volunteer firefighter on strike teams and was an incredible mentor for me.
“I was grateful for the support of my wife during the trip; she was our scribe for the week and did so much of the paperwork for the deployment.
“I think the most moving moment of my deployment to Victoria was when the captain of Dereel Fire Brigade thanked us for our support, and I could see how emotional it was for him to have us there.
"It is something that will stay with me forever.”
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