Yorke Peninsula CFS crews join forces ahead of fire season

More than 30 SA Country Fire Service (CFS) volunteers from across the Yorke Peninsula came together at Sandilands, located 19 km south-east of Maitland, on Monday, 21 September, for a large-scale training exercise in preparation for the upcoming Fire Danger Season.

The exercise brought together members from six brigades and two CFS groups, with Curramulka, Brentwood and Port Vincent brigades representing the Southern Yorke Group and Maitland, Port Victoria and Ardrossan brigades representing the Yorke Valley Group.

Eight CFS appliances participated in the exercise, designed to give volunteers an opportunity to practise a range of operational skills while working alongside crews they may be called upon to support during significant incidents.

Volunteers faced a simulated grass and stubble fire scenario. Crews responded as two strike teams, with the simulated fire divided into two sectors.

Throughout the exercise, crews received a series of taskings designed to test operational skills and decision-making as the scenario developed.

Training activities included radio communications, incident control, crew and strike team coordination, navigation, pumping operations, burnover drills and extinguishing vehicle fires.

Crews also used FireMapper, a digital mapping tool firefighters use during incidents, to navigate to locations and tasking points throughout the simulated incident. The exercise gave members an opportunity to build familiarity and confidence using the system in an operational setting.

Curramulka CFS Brigade Captain Steve Launer said the exercise gave volunteers the chance to get out of their brigade stations and put their skills into practice alongside other crews.

“Training like this gives us the opportunity to work with other brigades and get some really practical, hands-on experience,” Steve said.

“It helps us see what we’re doing well, where we can improve and gives members more confidence using the systems and equipment we rely on when we’re out at an incident.”

Beyond the practical skills developed during the evening, the exercise also gave volunteers from neighbouring brigades and CFS groups an important opportunity to train together.

Training together gives crews from different brigades the opportunity to build working relationships and practise how they will operate together during incidents across the Yorke Peninsula.

Will Pitts, Port Vincent CFS Brigade Captain, said the training focused on giving crews practical experience while reinforcing safe and coordinated operations.

“A big part of the exercise was getting crews from different brigades working together safely and effectively. At a larger incident, you can find yourself working alongside people you may not regularly train with, so having that experience beforehand is really valuable.”

“We also gave members the opportunity to step into the Crew Leader role and make decisions for their crew. It gives people experience they may not always get during an incident, but in a controlled training environment.”

More than 30 volunteers gave their time to participate in the training, demonstrating the ongoing commitment of local CFS members to maintaining and developing their skills ahead of the fire danger season.

Anyone interested in volunteering with the CFS can learn more about the different roles available and how to join at cfs.sa.gov.au/volunteer or visit their local brigade.