Firefighters take a fresh look at the job

Thirty of Forestry Corporation most experienced frontline firefighters have just undergone an intensive retraining program to better equip them for new fires this season.

With the coming summer promising one of the worst fire seasons in decades, it was timely that Forestry Corporation helped update the knowledge of its divisional and sector commanders.

“We had more than 400 years of combined firefighting experience in this Newcastle training session,” said Forestry Corporation northern fire manager, Craige Brown.

“These men and women will be called on to interpret the objectives and strategies of the incident management teams in controlling bushfires.

“These commanders are the eyes and ears of the IMT on the ground.”

Each divisional commander will have up to five sector commanders to direct, and the sector commanders will have up to five crew leaders working on the fire.

The fire managers heard addresses from one of Australia ’s foremost fire specialists, Dr Jim Gould of the CSIRO, and from Cameron Henderson, severe weather meteorologist of the Bureau of Meteorology.

The course was prepared by Forestry Corporation fire manager south, Mick Thomas, of Taree.

“The information these experts imparted was invaluable in helping Forestry Corporation firefighters understand the fire behaviour and weather conditions they might expect in the coming months,” Mr Brown said.

At the completion of the course last week candidates were issued with a task book which will be signed off by mentor firefighters to attest to the practical experience the fire fighters have amassed over the last few years.

The course will provide them with national recognition of their firefighting abilities, so they will be able to move into any divisional or sector command position in Australia .

Media contact: Craige Brown on 02 6656 8800.