With summer officially kicking off, Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) has recruited and trained hundreds of additional firefighters to respond to bushfires and other emergencies across the State.
Deputy Chief Fire Officer at FFMVic, Aaron Kennedy said that of the 552 seasonal firefighters recruited across the State, 126 had been added to the Agency’s ranks in north east Victoria, 49 of whom were brand new.
Mr Kennedy said seasonal firefighters played a critical role in effective response of bushfires on public land.
“Our recruits are trained in how to use a rake hoe to construct mineral earth control lines as well as other skills such as four-wheel driving, water pumps, and hand tool maintenance, which are essential for forest firefighting,” Mr Kennedy said.
“Their training also covered the essential elements of firefighting including fire behaviour, fire suppression, planned burning, emergency safety and survival techniques,” he said.
“These recruits will not only respond to bushfires and other emergencies, including floods, they’ll also be conducting planned burns, slashing, track clearing and other land management activities.
Mr Kennedy said the seasonal firefighters would work alongside FFMVic’s permanent staff where they would continue on-the-job learning from experienced professionals.
He said FFMVic 28 specialist rappel firefighters had also been recruited for this year’s bushfire season.
“Rappel firefighters deploy from helicopters for first attack on bushfires in remote and inaccessible forest across Victoria,” the Deputy Chief Fire Officer said.
“They will be located at airbases in Ovens and Heyfield.”
