Volunteers’ spirit forged in flames

By Paul Dunlop
FIREFIGHTERS have answered the call to help battle some of the worst fires in the state’s history.
Country Fire Authority volunteers from brigades around the Cardinia and Casey regions have joined in the effort against fires raging in northeast Victoria and Gippsland.
CFA officials said local strike teams had responded well to the challenge, despite many potentially having to give up their Christmas time with family to be at the fires.
Nar Nar Goon brigade captain Phil Craig, a strike team leader whose crews were at Gippsland last week, said the response from the volunteers had been fantastic.
“They worked really hard in very trying conditions, their efforts helped save a number of homes,” he said.
Mr Craig said crews from around the PakenhamBerwick district had been involved in firefighting efforts in both New South Wales and Victoria in recent weeks.
Mr Craig led firefighters from regional brigades including Bayles, Upper Beaconsfield and Berwick.
A number of mobile ‘slip on’ units from the local area were deployed to help with asset protection and backburning efforts, providing support to crews from Department of Sustainability and Environment.
Mr Craig said the conditions were among the worst he had seen since Ash Wednesday.
He paid tribute to the efforts of the crews, CFA staff and the many volunteers helping out at the fire effort, including service clubs and the SES.
Beaconsfield brigade captain Mick Ott said local crews had fought fires in Mudgee, NSW, earlier this month before heading to Heyfield.
“They’ve been doing a great job. Last Thursday was a very tricky day, the fires have been quite intense and erratic.”
Mr Ott said a number of local volunteers might be at the fire effort over Christmas and New Year if needed.
Unfortunately, the situation did not allow for holidays, he said.
“If we have to be there, we have to be there,” Mr Ott said.
Country Fire Authority Region 8 resource officer Ken Fritzlaff said the response from volunteers had been fantastic and the camaraderie between different brigades made for a good working relationship.
“They are all happy to go and help.
“A lot of people from all over Victoria helped us during the Ash Wednesday fires so we are happy to lend a hand,” he said.