The 12-week training course for District 14 crew leaders recently culminated in the practical assessment.
Eighteen candidates passed the assessment and are now recognised as crew leaders in the CFA.
The morning started with a briefing at Bullengarook Fire Station near the Wombat State Forest. The crew leaders operated as a team of three, with an experienced mentor embedded with each to provide coaching and guidance.
Each participant acted as crew leader, driver and navigator in turn, supporting each other on each rotation.
The crew leaders were tasked to gather information about fuel loadings, significant assets and associated risks at various locations within the bush environment. Crew leaders collected the required information before reporting to a Sector Commander or Divisional Commander.
The day reinforced proper use of a SMEACs briefing, map reading information-gathering and making decisions under pressure.
A lunch was provided at Bullengarook Fire Station after which the participants finalised their written assessments.
Instructor Lindsay McHugh has trained over 3,000 crew leaders in his tlme, and every one of them takes a wealth of knowledge back to their own brigades.
Instructor McHugh thanked the participants, mentors and his fellow instructors Chris Maries and Grahame Bisby.