General News
26 September, 2025
Local brigades fire season ready
Last Sunday, local brigades converged onto Carisbrook Fire Station for a major training day, sharpening their skills and ensuring equipment is ready for fire season.
At this time of year, CFA crews around the state take part in training drills and skill workshops to ensure they are prepared for the upcoming fire season.
Goldfields CFA Group Officer Peter Higgins said there was a range of fundamental scenarios crews worked through to prepare for many conditions.
“There were about eight different exercises that we took everybody through. We had nearly 60 participants and 10 trucks. It was really good and we had Natte Yallock’s super dooper tanker they’ve now received on display,” he said.
“We had exercises on how to handle running grass fires or turning up to a person’s property with a fire in the Fire Danger Period, how we deal with land owners and get the best results with that.
“We also had a hazmat awareness session, and we were very thankful to be able to use a workshop for a day to demonstrate a hazardous material spill in the local area. The group exercise is part of the requirement that everybody is up to date and ready.”
Acknowledging current dry conditions in the area, local brigade members also run through equipment drills to combat this.
“One of the important exercises we did do was with collar tanks. Collar tanks are like big pools that can hold up to 15,000 litres of water,” Mr Higgins said.
“Part of what we are looking at this year in the lead up to the fire season is the lack of water out there, so we strategically put these collar tanks where there is a fire.
“They are that good and big now that helicopters can actually suck the water out and drop them nearby, and we had an exercise on how to set up a collar tank for aircraft.”
Mr Higgins consistently praised local brigade members for their efforts on the day.
“It’s been one of the biggest sessions we have held this year in District Two. We had District Two commanders come over and they were blown away by the numbers,” he said.
“We do it and we do it pretty good. The group management team once again have done a really good job.”
Mr Higgins emphasised the importance of these exercises to ensure firefighters are prepared for a range of scenarios.
“Most groups do it at different stages throughout the year. We wanted people to be aware before the fire season,” he said.
“It’s a requirement now, including making sure your personal protective gear is up to date and safe. With the Goldfields Group, are our fire trucks resources fully equipped? Have they got the equipment they need?
“If not, we have a bit of time up our sleeve to get what we need to make sure that when the bell goes during the fire danger period, we are trained, equipped and ready to complete the chief requirements.”