Interagency fire training day prepares Monaro region for fire

Seventy people took part in an interagency fire training day last Friday at the Delegate Country Club to help prepare the Monaro Region for fire.

Participants included Forests NSW (Monaro and Southern Regions), National Parks and Wildlife Service (Jindabyne, Bombala, Merimbula), Rural Fire Service (Monaro and Bega Valley), Wilmott Forests, South East Fibre Exports and Department of Sustainability and the Environment (DSE) (Bendoc).

Forests NSW resource protection manager, Jason Vincent, said the day proved very valuable with presentations covering such things as the seasonal outlook, dangerous trees, gas cylinder fires, cross border communications and aircraft operations and plant and equipment. 

"It also provided an opportunity for front-line fire fighters to meet other fire fighters outside a wildfire situation," he said.

DSE airbase manager, Gunter Becherer, co-ordinated an airbase familiarisation presentation at the Delegate Airbase.

This presentation covered the facility and two aircraft - Forests NSW helicopter, flown by Grant Johnston, and a fixed-wing water bomber flown by Mick Gribble from Alpine Aviation, which is contracted to DSE.

A wide range of issues were discussed including ‘mixing’, loading, refuelling, safety, costs involved in water bombing, crowd control, and what water bombers want to know from ground crews.

The day included aircraft water bombing demonstrations. Plant/equipment from all agencies was also on hand for crews to familiarise themselves.

"Close relations with fire control personnel continues to be a very important part of protecting the interests of the people in the Monaro Region," Mr Vincent said.

Photos available for sarahc@sf.nsw.gov.au