Forests NSW firefighters answer ‘Black Saturday’ call
From the Spring/Summer 2009 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.
Members of the Forests NSW Bravo 4 crew with the USA suppression team.Photo courtesy Chris Rhynehart
The Black Saturday bushfires on and around 7 February 2009 resulted in Australias highest ever loss of life from a bushfire, and the largest natural disaster campaign in Australias history.
On average, between 40 to 50 Forests NSW staff were in Victoria at any one time, with more than 200 staff overall involved in the emergency operation.
Forests NSW crews were engaged primarily in direct firefighting, mop up and patrol with some providing support in the Incident Control Centres.
At times Forests NSW firefighters were teamed up with the USA taskforce of 21 firefighters led by Steve Morefield, a fire manager with the USA Bureau of Land Management.
NSW staff appreciated the opportunity to share tactics and strategies with their USA counterparts.
Forests NSW crew leader, Chris Rhynehart, said reports were received of the exemplary performance and motivation of Forests NSW teams at the fires.
The expertise of Forests NSW staff working in tall timber and steep and rough terrain, and knowledge of working with heavy plant proved valuable.
With between 50 to 80 bulldozers working in various parts of the fires, Forests NSW supervisors were used extensively to manage their deployment.
The work has provided invaluable experience for fire crews and they have learned much that can be applied in NSW State forests, he said.
Sarah Chester Public Affairs & Media, Albury
