Liam McNally
Country Fire Authority [CFA] and Fire Rescue Victoria [FRV] teamed up to build on their skills together in the western suburbs.
In an emergency, North Western Metro firefighters all respond as one, and so are also working together off the fire ground to enhance their skills.
CFA members from Caroline Springs Fire Brigade were invited to participate in a station tour and training exercise at FRV Station 44 in Sunshine on Tuesday, October 4.
The brigade undertook breathing apparatus skills maintenance drills by conducting search and rescue exercises in the smokehouse and tunnels system.
The drill simulates a structure fire with heavy smoke and allows crews to get experience navigating confined spaces with limited visibility.
Caroline Springs Brigade training co-ordinator Anthony Jenkins said the training day was an excellent opportunity for CFA members to build on their existing skills alongside another brigade.
“It also gives our brigade the chance to strengthen the positive relationship we have with our neighbouring FRV brigades,” he said.
The drills were part of the brigade’s biannual breathing apparatus skills refresher training.
The joint training exercise comes ahead of multi-agency emergency personnel briefings across the metro region, including one in Sunbury on October 26, to prepare for the upcoming fire season.
CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said these briefings were an opportunity to meet with our emergency service partners and talk about the local risks and the best ways to help the community prepare for the season ahead.
“Even though we are expecting an average or lower than average fire season in some areas, the greatest risk for the metropolitan region is grassland along the urban fringe,” he said.
Liam McNally
