Media Release Mansfield Group: 27/11/2011

Tom Condon Media liaison Officer Hume Region

Grassfire training and saving lives

Many would consider the Mansfield Shire the base of the high country and think of mountains and forests. However all indications for 2011 fire season are that grassland fires will be our main concern. Think of the rich grassland of the Merrijig area and those around Lake Nillahcootie or Bonnie Doon to Yea. Rich beautiful grass is as “high as the elephants eye” and in a short time could become the recipe for disaster.

Mansfield Group CFA took all that into devising a training exercise on Sunday 27^th for all member brigades and two visiting brigades, Swanpool and Lima South and a private crew from Hancock Victorian Plantations, that involved the control of a large grass fire that had its origins near the Midland Link Rd. at Barjarg and quickly spread through the farmlands towards the Strathbogie Ranges.

The exercise was planned by Roger Coates and Sharron Jones of the Barjarg Brigade, Milton Taylor of Tolmie and John Valcich Group Training Officer.

Exercises were conducted in grassfire tactics, drafting to refill from a local dam. Fire overburn protection for crews and 4 wheel driving on local tracks.

Two strike teams were formed with Strike Team leaders being Mike Fisher from Boorolite and Stuart Evans from Bonnie Doon.

A simulated car accident on one road caused a call from assistance from the SES and required the use of the Jaws of Life to remove a trapped passenger.

Discovery of a crew member who appeared to be suffering a heart attack and without a discernable pulse or breathing required a trained CFA member to apply CPR to resuscitate him.

Mansfield Brigade member and local MICA Paramedic, Brett Cooper, then introduced all to the new Defibrillator that will be available through the Group Command Vehicle at future fire scenes. Brett Stressed that initial CPR (Coronary Pulmonary Resuscitation) is still the most important and immediate action to take in saving lives in this situation. Most Brigades now have trained CPR members and a comprehensive training program for the Defib is to commence.

CFA Regional Operations Manager, Stewart Kreltszheim, attended the exercise and stressed the necessary tactics to control fires are, Hit Hard and Fast, Give back constant Situation Reports to Divisional Command and Know your Communications Equipment and its local capabilities.

Divisional Command was located at Group Headquarters and was attended by Victoria Police who also stressed the need for constant Situation Reports to assist them in traffic and people management. Div. Com was being tested as all level 2 and parts of level 3 incident that will be run out of Mansfield Div. Com and this was an opportunity to test the system and give the people responsible for managing an emergency valued practice.

Div Com was able to track crews through its GPS tracking system, Spidertracks, provided by the Calvert Jones Trust. Mark Calvert-Jones was at Div. Com to observe the outcomes of their generous support.

Div Com would also be responsible in a real event for the issuing of Emergency Warnings through OSOM on the CFA website or Telephone Alerts (EA) and number of trained and authorized Information Officers are now available in the Mansfield Area.

The Exercise concluded with a great BBQ catered for by the ladies of the Barjarg Rural Fire Brigade.

Reminder Mansfield Shire fire restrictions are due to come into force on Sunday 5^th December 2011.