Forestry Corporation of NSW is ramping up preparations for the upcoming NSW bushfire season having staged a five-day intensive fire training camp.

Held at Mount Seaview, west of Wauchope, the camp brought together 48 staff, including 12 female firefighters, to complete nationally recognised qualifications in Fire Fighter, Advanced Fire Fighter and Crew Leader roles.

Annual fire camps are staged at Mount Seaview, Wallerawang near Bathurst and at the Bondi Forest Lodge near Bombala.

Forestry Corporation Team Leader – Fire & Operations for the Hunter Fire Protection Area Mike Hill: 

“Forestry Corporation manages over two million hectares of State Forests, so it’s hugely important that our trained firefighters are ready at any moment to respond to fire in the landscape,” Mr Hill said.

“These camps are essential for developing a skilled and capable workforce for the fire season ahead.

“The training combined classroom learning with practical field exercises, culminating in a live hazard reduction burn as the final assessment.

“Participants also gained experience in fire behaviour, tactics, leadership, communications and fire tanker and equipment operation.

“Our staff are not only trained to protect State forests, but also to support other emergency services such as the NSW Rural Fire Service in operations across the state, interstate and abroad,” Mr Hill said.

“We’re proud of the dedication shown by both new recruits and experienced crew leaders,” he said.

Forestry Corporation currently has 500 staff members, who outside of their day-to-day work roles, serve as forest firefighters.

The ranks were last year boosted by 96 new recruits, who undertook the nationally accredited firefighting training.

As one of NSW’s four firefighting agencies, Forestry Corporation also maintains a statewide firefighting fleet including fire tankers, light vehicles fitted with firefighting gear, contracted aircraft and more than 100 drones and trained pilots.

Heavy plant machinery like bulldozers, used in state forest operations, are also made available by the broader forest and timber industry to fight fires in NSW.

To find out more about Forestry Corporation go to www.forestrycorporation.com.au