By JESSE GRAHAM
WHEN the fire season begins, Coldstream CFA captain John Fenton knows that firefighters will be ready.
He said the coming bushfire season would be intense for CFA crews across the state – perhaps worse than the last two – but said the organisation and local brigades were gearing up for any situation.
“We train now for the worst-case scenario, which is Black Saturday,” he said.
“Regardless of what’s going to happen – whether it’s going to rain all summer or if it’s hot, we’re trained for that – we’re really at the top level.”
Capt Fenton started with the Coldstream CFA 32 years ago, getting involved around the same time as the devastating Ash Wednesday bushfires.
“I thought ‘I’m going to have a crack at this and give some support to the community’,” he said.
Since then, he said his whole family had been involved with the brigade in some capacity, and that he’d seen firefighting capabilities skyrocket.
“The equipment that they give us today is definitely exceptional, and the training is also very good,” he said.
“Overall, I think the organisation as a whole is a lot better today.”
Capt Fenton said the area was experiencing around 40 per cent dryness, which had picked up in the recent warm weather, and had meant grass and other potential fuels had been drying out.
“The grass has been extraordinary – if it (a fire) gets into the bush, it’s going to go,” he said.
But he said that with extensive training and an aggressive response to fires over the summer, he had confidence that crews would have the next few months under control.
“Our aim this year, as with every year, is if we see something, we’ll hit it hard with a number of brigades and appliances, to make sure we get into it straight away, and the public don’t have to worry so much,” he said.
“If we do have to go out, we’re able to go out with confidence and look after ourselves.”
Capt Fenton said that residents needed to do their part in preparing for the incoming fire season by minimising risks where they could – through clearing land and excess vegetation, cleaning gutters and establishing a fire plan.
“Be fully aware pre-season – get it all organised before it hits,” he said.
“Black Saturday proved it could have happened anywhere – make sure properties are clean, their gutters are clean and when you get into a proper fire season, be a little more vigilant.”
He said a dangerous aspect leading into the fire season was residents remaining lax about their fire preparedness, which resulted in panic during high-risk days.
“There’s complacency that it’s not going to happen again,” he said.
“That’s always a challenge for us – we’re always working with the community.
“Whether they lock into it, I don’t know.”
Read more about fire preparedness at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare.
