Joint pre-summer training exercise

by Peter Harry, Region 14 Group Communications Officer

Firefighters from Region 14's Romsey and Mt Macedon groups had a chance to hone their skills at a joint training exercise held earlier this month.

Fifteen tankers with around 70 firefighters came together for the joint group exercise, held at the Australian Defence Force Vehicle Proving Ground at Monegeeta, northwest of Melbourne.

The complex was an ideal setting, with hundreds of acres of varying terrain and a network of internal roads and tracks.

Tankers were formed into strike teams and allocated a number of realistic firefighting tasks, such as grass fire attack, draughting water, water relay, traffic control, and tanker safety drills.

Communications were handled by Mt Macedon Group’s Forward Operations Vehicle (FOV).

The exercise was coordinated by Romsey Group Training Officer Trevor Wilson and Mt Macedon Group Training Officer Bruce Dudon.

Group Communications Officer Peter Harry welcomed the opportunity to participate in the day.

“It really was encouraging to see the willingness of so many volunteers to take part and practise the skills that undoubtedly are going to be put to great use this summer”.