Forestry Corporation firefighters have prepared for today’s start to the NSW Bushfire Danger Period with a five-day intensive fire training camp in the Central West.

Staged at Wallerawang near Bathurst, the camp brought together 45 staff members completing nationally recognised qualifications in Fire Fighter, Advanced Fire Fighter and Crew Leader roles.

A fire training camp was also recently held at Mount Seaview near Wauchope, with further camps planned for Bombala in November and Coffs Harbour in December.

Forestry Corporation’s Fire Training and Operations Coordinator Nathan Fischer:

“Fire camps are part of our obligation as a firefighting authority to ensure our firefighters are adequately trained to contain fires and develop strategies to minimise the spread of wildfires,” Mr Fischer said.

“There are two million hectares of State Forests in NSW, so it’s important our trained firefighters are ready at any moment to respond to fire in the landscape.

“Fire camps help to develop a skilled and capable workforce for the fire season ahead with the training combining classroom learning and practical field exercises, including a live hazard reduction burn in Lidsdale State Forest,” he said.

“During the exercise, firefighters gained hands-on experience in fire behaviour, tactics, leadership, communications and fire tanker and equipment operation and our firefighters are also trained to support other emergency services such as the NSW Rural Fire Service in operations both here and abroad.”

Forestry Corporation currently has around 500 staff members who serve as forest firefighters.

Forestry Corporation also maintains a statewide fleet of fire tankers, light vehicles fitted with firefighting equipment, contracted aircraft and more than 100 drones operated by trained pilots.

Heavy plant machinery such as bulldozers, used in forest operations, is also made available by the broader forest and timber industry to support firefighting efforts across NSW.

To learn more about Forestry Corporation, visit www.forestrycorporation.com.au