Forty two Forestry Corporation of NSW firefighters honed their skills recently in a five-day training camp at Mount Seaview Resort near Wauchope in preparation for the fire season ahead.

Staff from the Mid North Coast, Hunter, Far North Coast & North Coast Forest Protection Areas were trained in essential firefighting skills such as fire behaviour, tactics and strategy, leadership, command, control and communications, and how to operate the range of appliances and equipment used at fires.

The five-day intensive training program is designed to get new recruits nationally qualified as forest firefighters. Other more experienced firefighting staff upgraded their qualifications in Advanced Firefighter and Crew Leader roles.

The camp was a mixture of theory and practical exercises to get staff fire-ready for the season ahead, said Forestry Corporation’s Fire Training & Operations Officer, Adrien Thompson.

"The camps are essential for developing a skilled and capable workforce for the fire season ahead," Mr Thompson said.

“Our training program is comprehensive and recruits also get the opportunity to learn other skills like using chainsaws, first aid, chemical use and driving 4WD vehicles and tankers when they return to their depots.

“Safety is always at the top of this list though – our firefighters’ wellbeing is our biggest concern and it all comes back to correct training and procedures.

“We take our firefighting responsibilities incredibly seriously – our training ensures everyone from our most experienced firefighter through to our newest recruits are fit and ready to be deployed to the fire front.

“We also send crews to assist on large bushfires across all tenures within their local areas, interstate and even internationally, so we need to ensure we are at the top of our game.”

Forestry Corporation is responsible for preventing and managing fires in two million hectares of State forests across NSW.

To find out more about Forestry Corporation’s fire training, view the video at https://youtu.be/VoWU284o8EA or visit www.forestrycorporation.com.au

Media contact: Rod Campbell