By Callum Ludwig
Four members from each of the Wandin and Monbulk Fire Brigades have been accredited in road crash rescue and are ready to assist their fellow crew at local incidents.
Wandin and Monbulk’s brigades are the only two CFAs equipped with principal road crash rescue skills in the Yarra Ranges, with the Lilydale, Healesville, Upper Yarra and Emerald SES units also accredited.
Wandin Fire Brigade Captain Darryn Goss said it was a twelve-week course with multiple days of theory and practical assessment.
“Through that course, they undertake training sessions around scene approach, systems awareness, patient care, and multiple different types of extrication techniques,” he said.
“Given that we are a volunteer organisation and the majority of our members work, it’s very important that we have as many members as possible trained and skilled in road crash rescue so we can respond to incidents at a moment’s notice, which can happen at any time of day.”
Volunteers from the Monbulk, Plenty and Loch brigades were also the assessors for the accreditation.
Mr Goss said Wandin has about 85 per cent of its members now trained in road crash rescue.
“With the increase in incidents in the Yarra Valley area, it is very important that we have competent and qualified operators, just this year we have had four fatalities at separate incidents,” he said.
“It’s a unique skill set applied to our two brigades but my recommendation to other brigades is to make sure that you are aware of your brigade operating procedures around road crash rescue and motor vehicle accidents and sure your members are aware of such mental health programmes as Peer to ensure that we all go home safely to our families. “
In the aftermath of distressing incidents, CFA crews in attendance are offered a Peer Support Program to debrief and be supported with Psychological First Aid (PFA) by trained CFA representatives, providing an opportunity to be looked after for concerns regarding the incident of separate personal issues.
