FFMVic Mallee Workcentre 0perations co-ordinator Robert Tucker said the course covered the essential elements of firefighting including fire behaviour, fire suppression, planned burning, emergency safety and survival techniques.
“These recruits will not only respond to bushfires and other emergencies, including floods, they’ll also be conducting planned burns, slashing, track clearing and other land management activities,” Mr Tucker said.
“Our recruits are being trained in how to use a rake-hoe to construct mineral earth control lines as well as other skills such as four-wheel driving, water pumps, hand tool maintenance, which are essential for forest firefighting.
“Once they’ve successfully completed the course, the trainees will work alongside FFMVic’s permanent staff where they’ll continue with on-the-job learning from experienced firefighters on potential deployments to assist with flood response.
“Later in the year, when things dry up, they will continue to work alongside our permanent firefighters to complete fire protection work, respond to bushfires or other emergencies.”
Mr Tucker said FFMVic had recruited 92 project firefighters in the Loddon Mallee region this year “to help keep communities safe”.
“Sixty-seven of our PFFs have worked with us during previous fire seasons so have gone straight to work on helping with the floods in Bendigo and other parts of the state as well as bushfire reduction activities ahead of fire season,” he said.
“All 92 seasonal firefighters in the Loddon Mallee will be on board by the middle of November.”
Loddon Mallee project firefighters will be based in depots at Hattah, Mildura, Robinvale, Swan Hill, Speed, Underbool, Werrimull, Rainbow, Avoca, Bendigo, Echuca, Castlemaine, Cohuna, Heathcote, Inglewood, Maryborough, Rushworth, Macedon and St Arnaud.
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