By Mara Pattison-Sowden
ROOKIE firefighters were put to the test in Wesburn last week, fighting their first planned burns.
The burn simulation took place on a one-hectare area on the corner of Guidehouse and Tarrango roads, also helping to prepare the area for this year’s fire season.
During the week-long camp, 25 new Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) project fire-fighter (PFF) recruits covered topics including fire suppression, fire behaviour, map reading, use of radios and fire line safety.
On Thursday they were sent out with the support of Yarra Ranges crews to put into practice their theoretical knowledge and fight simulated “lightning strikes” and spot fires.
DSE fire training officer Pete Cramer said the annual training camp in Warburton provided firefighters with a good mix of classroom and field-based activities.
“At the camp the new firefighters work alongside experienced firefighters and gain an understanding of what it’s really like on the fire line,” he said.
“The firefighters we are training this week have the very important role of protecting the urban fringe of Melbourne and the Gippsland region both through actively fighting fire and conducting preparedness works such as planned burns, slashing and fire-break maintenance.”
Mr Cramer said the camp was very hands-on, with firefighters working in teams, practising their newly learnt techniques and improving their skills.
“Because bushfires and planned burns are high-risk situations, no-one goes out to do this kind of work for DSE until we know they are trained, competent and fit for it,” he said.
“The safety and well-being of our firefighters is paramount and the camp ensures our firefighters are trained for potentially high risk situations.”
Once full accredited, the project fire-fighters will assist DSE’s permanent crews to undertake priority works including planned burning, track clearing, slashing and fire suppression.
