CFA and DSE crews last week tested their response to bush fires.
By Tania Martin
HILLS firefighters last week put their fire-readiness to the test.
CFA units from across the Dandenongs and Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) crews were put through their paces in a joint operation.
More than 50 firefighters took part in the exercise at the Dandenong Ranges National Park, which was designed to enhance co-operation between the two agencies in the event of a fire.
Crews were deployed to several locations in the park to ensure the response to a fire was coordinated from the incident controllers right down to the firefighters on the ground.
DSE controller Ion Worrell said the operation was not only important to test the response to a fire but it was also a chance for DSE and CFA crews to understand each other’s equipment and communication procedures.
Yarra Ranges CFA operations manager Graeme Armstrong said it was also a great chance to test the two agencies’ capacity to work together.
“These sorts of exercises help fine tune and test the team,” he said.
Despite cooler weather giving firefighters a reprieve over Christmas, DSE and CFA crews are on high alert for forest blazes.
“It’s been a relief for our crews to be able to spend Christmas at home with their families but we know the bulk of the summer is still ahead,” Mr Worrell said.
“There is potential for high fire danger in the Dandenong Ranges every year.”
