Cara Disint from Mooroopna Fire Brigade
Cara Disint’s commitment to her local community is undeniable. A firefighter for 23 years, first with Stanhope Fire Brigade and now with Mooroopna, she is also Mooroopna Fire Brigade’s 2nd Lieutenant and Training Coordinator.
Not one to rest on her laurels, this year she has also embarked on the Fire Investigation training pathway.
CFA has a legislative responsibility to investigate the cause and origin of all fires that occur within the country area of Victoria, therefore Fire Investigation is one of the critical components of CFA’s responsibilities.
In the last financial year alone, CFA investigated close to 500 fires, so the need to have investigators available to attend a scene is vital.
“[Fire investigation] is an extension of what we do on the big red truck. Now, knowing more about it, fire investigation leads into community safety messaging, product safety recalls; It’s not all just criminal charges and things like that. It improves our training and our fire suppression activities as well.” Cara explained.
Cara is currently half-way through the process, having completed the structural component of the training, which includes studying simulated burns at the purpose-built facility at VEMTC Huntly.
From there, Cara is now paired up with a mentor for more hands-on training.
“Everyone’s buddied up with a mentor, and we’re to head out now and do five scenes with a mentor and start writing reports. The instructors and the mentors are phenomenal people. They’re all subject matter experts and fire investigators themselves. Coupled with our District Fire Investigation Coordinators, there’s really extensive back-up there,” Cara said.
Speaking at the August Volunteer Forum from Beaconsfield, Fire Investigator Brian Neal outlined the time commitment required to become a qualified Fire Investigator.
“To get the training courses done is probably about six to eight months, and then from there it probably takes another 12 months to get your five scenes done and become competent,” Brian said.
Cara acknowledged the time and commitment from others to ensure that trainee Fire Investigators are given all they need to succeed in the role. She has this advice for those thinking about undertaking the training:
“You need to be committed. Do your research and know what’s involved before you sign up for the process because it is a lot of time and effort from others to bring you along for the journey.”
Once qualified, Fire Investigators have multiple opportunities for ongoing training and professional development.
For Cara, Fire Investigation training is a way to broaden her knowledge and ensure she’s contributing to CFA for many years to come.
“I hope to be on the truck for a few years yet, but it’s a great way to stay involved and upskill. Technology is changing so quickly, so I just want to make sure I keep learning.”
For more information about the Fire Investigation training pathway, enquire here.
| Submitted by |
Alison Smirnoff |