New Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) seasonal firefighters are being put through their paces in Yellingbo this week as part of a rigorous training course where they’ll learn the skills needed to protect communities and the environment from bushfires.
FFMVic Port Phillip Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Tamara Beckett, said the course covers the essential elements of firefighting including fire behaviour, fire suppression, planned burning, emergency safety and survival techniques.
“This summer FFMVic has employed 59 seasonal firefighters in Greater Melbourne, 31 of whom are new recruits and are undertaking the training to help keep communities safe.
“We are training our new staff not only to respond to bushfires and other emergencies, including floods, but also how to conduct planned burns, slashing, track clearing and other land
management activities,” DCFO Beckett said.
“Forest firefighters rely extensively on dry firefighting techniques as water is often scarce in the middle of the bush. Our firefighters are being trained in how to use rakehoes and other hand tools to construct a mineral earth control line as well as skills such as four-wheel driving and use of chainsaws, which are essential for forest firefighting.”
“Once they’ve successfully completed the course, the trainees will work alongside FFMVic’s permanent and returning staff where they’ll continue with on-the-job learning from experienced firefighters during daily works or on potential deployments.
“Later in the year, when things dry up, they will continue to work alongside our permanent firefighters to complete fire protection work, respond to bushfires or other emergencies.
Port Phillip Region firefighters will be based in depots at Knoxfield, Gembrook, Powelltown, Woori Yallock, Olinda, Rosebud, Woodlands, Lysterfield, Maroondah and Warrandyte.
