Strike force

By Kelly Yates
FIREFIGHTERS are working through intensive pre-summer training programs with safety and survival drills as they prepare for the upcoming fire season which is forecast to be potentially worse than the last one.
The Narre Warren, Berwick and Narre Warren North Fire Brigades know only too well what may lie ahead this summer after being in the thick of many of last season’s horrific blazes across the state.
Two homes and several sheds, cars and outdoor buildings were destroyed in Narre Warren North on Black Saturday, 7 February.
More than 200 firefighters saved 105 homes that were in the direct fire line, with 40 fire trucks and tankers and two helicopters used to battle the fire which spread along grassland between Robinson Road and Crawley Road before jumping Robinson Road and Harkaway Road.
On the same day, seven homes were destroyed and others severely damaged along Langbourne Drive in Narre Warren South.
Five fire trucks and more than 25 firefighters fought the blaze. Four firefighters were treated with heat and smoke-related illness.
This year the CFA has a focus on engaging with the community to prepare itself for the harsh summer conditions.
The Narre Warren Fire Brigade will be ready for the predicted intense fire season with 10 new probationary firefighters boosting the ranks.
According to Fourth Lieutenant Damien Baker, the new members will learn the ropes in local fires and situations freeing up the more experienced members to be on stand by to assist with major fire fighting efforts around the state.
For the local firefighters in the City of Casey, many have unusual fire districts to tackle, according to Berwick CFA captain Alan Boyd.
He said in many of the areas there was a mixture of almost every risk possible for the firefighters.
“The Berwick firefighters cover the bush of Harkaway through to the township with residential, commercial and institutional risks,” he said.
Firefighters at the Narre Warren North Fire Brigade train every Tuesday night, with their message being safety first.
Second Lieutenant Brian Minett said it was a priority for the firefighters to come home safe to their families after a blaze.
“The more we train, the more prepared we are,” he said.
The station also offers optional training on Thursdays as the summer months approach, enabling the members to refresh their skills.
Second Lieutenant Minett said there was a set standard that every member had to meet.
“They have to basically be ticked off to show they are competent before jumping on a fire truck,” he said.
Following the release of the interim report of the 2009 Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission, firefighters are expecting that the CFA will release a number of programs and initiatives set to be delivered over the next couple of months.
Fire ready meetings for the community will be held through the City of Casey in the lead up to the fire season.
Training for all local firefighters will be held on 5 September at the South Eastern Training Ground in Carrum Downs involving trucks from Clyde, Cranbourne, Narre Warren, Narre Warren North, Hallam, Tooradin, Hampton Park, Pearcedale, Devon Meadows and Berwick.