A group of South West firefighters recently travelled to Queensland to help crews battle numerous raging bush fires.
Twenty-two career and volunteer firefighters went across in November, before returning home on December 5.
The bush fires had threatened communities in the northern and eastern parts of the state.
Department of Fire and Emergency Services – South West district officer Andy Wright said the group saw it as a hands-on learning experience.
“Most of the work we did was to do with the mop-up. We also looked after the firelines that had previously been established,” he said.
“We also gave the local crews in Queensland some reprieve so they could get themselves rested and back out on the firelines.
“The terrain was something we certainly weren’t used to, almost jungle-like conditions.
“There was also a lot of heat and humidity, and it was very mountainous in some sections.”
Mr Wright congratulated his fellow firefighters for their efforts.
“Our deployment was very well received and they were happy to see us. In some places, we were applauded everywhere we went,” he said.
“This was an amazing show of camaraderie and support from our volunteers, particularly because we are on the eve of a really bad bush fire season ourselves.
“They have taken time away from their families and homes to go and assist.”
Collie Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services firefighter Shane Hickson said they learnt more about fire management.
“The morale from the team we sent was great, we had a couple of different agencies and they all worked well together,” he said.
“Everyone seemed to fit in well. We showed the Queensland teams a few things and they showed us some things.”
Ten bush fire incident management experts also travelled to Queensland to provide assistance.
Five were from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions’ Parks and Wildlife Service, while the other five were from DFES.
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