Brigade Second Lieutenant and Training Officer John NEWLANDS says: “our Captain (Chris GRAY) has asked the BMT to prepare for this FDP, focussing on grassfire risk and safety on the fire ground. We realise that the entrapment drill is the last line of defence so we are also working with our members to make a proper assessment of each situation and plan accordingly so that they don’t get into an entrapment situation. We know though if worse comes to worse they will be prepared”
The Brigade was lucky to have District 2 Wildfire Instructor Peter CECIL available to run the first drill this year.
John says: “Captain Chris is also keen for us to develop some of our newer members, so we are also running a brigade crew leader scenario which involves a desktop discussion exercise on a grassfire scenario followed by a practical demonstration of tanker grassfire tactics and a also discussion out in the field around asset protection.”
“We are trying to get members thinking about how they need to assess the situation when they arrive on scene and develop a plan accordingly. We are showing them that getting an effective control point and command structure set up immediately is important as it makes it easier for the transition to a L2 or L3 ICC.”
Captain Chris GRAY says ”Protection of life is always paramount so planning around this needs to be their first priority. This may mean asset protection or warning residents under immediate threat may be the best option, depending on the situation”
“We are also talking to them about Mission Command. We are trying to empower them to use their skills and training to take the initiative early. We recognise with the heightened grassfire risk quick response and effective initial planning is crucial to first attack success”
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