CFA firefighters have honed their skills ahead of summer, with more than 220 members taking part in a grassfire simulation exercise in Crib Point last weekend (26-27 October).
Members were put through their paces over five drills that involved over 25 vehicles, firefighting aircraft and support from Victorian State Emergency Service and Forest Fire Management Victoria.
Craig Aiton, Deputy Group Officer Westernport Group, said the training drills were an opportunity to make sure crews were prepared ahead of summer.
“It's vital for our members to be able to undertake training not only with neighbouring brigades, but also with our support agencies,” Craig said.
“We've got members working with our tankers on pumping, relaying of water around the site, fuel loadings, topography and weather conditions, and looking at asset protection.
“We're lucky enough today to have aircraft with us, and the members will be able to interact with those and refine their skills in calling in fire attack aircraft at incidents.”
Langwarrin Fire Brigade Lieutenant Allie Guegan, who took part in the exercise as a strike team leader, said the day was an opportunity to learn and network.
“These training exercises are essential and allow us to practise those skills that we need to dust off as we head into the summer season,” Allie said.
“We also have a range of other agencies and capabilities here so it's great exposure learning about how we interact on the fireground and how I would direct them as crew leader.
“It's also great networking with other brigades, because when we do respond to larger bushfires across the state, we typically go with local brigades in a strike team.”
Deputy Chief Officer South East Region Trevor Owen said the day was about ensuring firefighters’ skills were as sharp as possible heading into the summer months.
“Our volunteers are giving up their time here today to really make a difference and boost their skills,” Trevor said.
“We respond all around the state, so while brigades protect their local community, one of the benefits of CFA is that at a moment's notice, our members come together and respond wherever we need to, whenever we need to.”
Trevor reiterated that while our crews get ready for the season, fire protection is a shared responsibility for all – and Victorians must ensure they are ready too.
“We know that we only need one week, or even one day, of solid hot weather in the midst of summer under really strong fire weather conditions to cause a lot of devastation and put a lot of communities at risk, and that's why we've got to get prepared,” Trevor said.
“You can't just equip yourself on that particular day – you've got to make sure that you are prepared, and that’s what today’s exercise is all about – making sure our crews are not just good at what we do, but incredibly proficient.”