Recently, Kalorama-Mt Dandenong Fire Brigade invited neighbouring brigades of Sassafras-Ferny Creek, Olinda and Montrose to join them on a combined training session at Skyhigh, Mt Dandenong.
The volunteers from these brigades joined up to assess the access and resources on site and plan for possible events.
The training was coordinated by Alex Felich, 1st Lieutenant at Kalorama-Mt Dandenong brigade, with the goal of expanding the knowledge of the responding and assisting brigades.
“Having a good working knowledge of the premises, the site and the resources can save critical time," Alex said.
The emergency response area for Kalorama-Mt.Dandenong brigade is unique in terms of bushfire risk and critical social and economic infrastructure.
The brigade is responsible for the TV towers (communications to Melbourne), an electrical substation and water pumping stations. They also protect large businesses including Skyhigh Mt.Dandenong and Panorama Retreat, and a number of small businesses, cafes and B&Bs.
“In order to protect these valuable assets we need to prepare not only our ourselves but also our supporting brigades," Alex said.
"Training is important but so is knowing what resources we have in terms of water, vehicles, firefighters, equipment and, importantly, the role we all need to accomplish.”
Captain of Sassafras–Ferny Creek Fire Brigade Jeff Harbourd commented that Sky High is a location that his brigade would also be called to, to support Kalorama–Mt Dandenong, and when that occurs it would be under the worst possible conditions such as a bushfire or structure fire.
“Training like this offers valuable familiarisation and allows for the identification and clarification of each and everyone’s roles and responsibilities, enables members to practise with trucks on site, sort out difficulties and provide workable solutions prior to a fire.”
Captain of Olinda Fire Brigade, Deb Weber, strongly agreed.
“Getting to know the people we work with from our neighbouring brigades in a more relaxed training scenario makes for a better cohesive working relationship and allows members to build the trust required to endure certain emergency situations, which can lead to better outcomes for all involved,” Deb said.
The exercise was deemed successful in bringing the brigades together and giving them a view to how they each operate and can support each other in an emergency. Having the training on site also allowed for a hands-on approach to the unique location.
Brigades can then tailor training for the technical aspects of fires that may occur at Sky High and its surrounds.
“When an emergency occurs – no matter where across the state – ‘we work as one’ to protect our communities," Jeff said.
| Submitted by |
Virginia Porter |