Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority
Made up of more than 700 volunteers from brigades across the state, CFA’s Planned Burn Taskforce (PBTF) is a critical initiative to reduce the severity of bushfire, and protect lives, properties and the environment.
Taskforce members have a variety of skills sets. Some have extensive burning experience and years of membership under their belts; others are newer CFA members who have recently completed their General Firefighter training.
At its core, the taskforce’s efforts aim to reduce fuel loads. However, the proactive, coordinated approach to the burns not only helps safeguard communities, but also preserves natural habitats and biodiversity, promoting rejuvenation and resilience.
Members interested in joining the PBTF must complete General Firefighter, Entrapment Drill and Tree Hazard Awareness and have their captain’s approval. For more information visit Members Online.
We spoke to three members of the taskforce to find out their motivations for joining and why they believe the taskforce is important.
Michelle Tie, Rowville Brigade
Rowville brigade firefighter Michelle Tie said being a member of the PBTF gave her the opportunity to be active across wider sections of the community.
A CFA member for five years and in the Planned Burn Taskforce for three, Michelle saw joining the group as an opportunity to get hands-on experience with fire after completing her General Firefighter training.
“I hadn’t done any planned burning prior to joining the taskforce. It’s a fantastic way to learn and build experience, and I have learned so much ‘on the job’.”
Michelle said she was initially nervous attending her first burn with the taskforce because she was the only member from her brigade, but she found the group to be incredibly supportive.
“By stepping outside of my comfort zone, I have learned so much about fire behaviour especially across different environments which are often very different to the usual callouts we get at Rowville,” Michelle said.
“I came away from that first burn a much more confident firefighter.
“I love working with different brigades and members from across the state – the camaraderie makes me incredibly proud to be a part of CFA.”
Michelle believes that the success of the PBTF lies in its ability to support brigades to achieve local and state goals.
“It’s so vital that brigades have access to the support, skills and experience of the wider CFA community to manage their fire risk,” she said.
“At the end of the day, this makes Victoria safer for everyone.”
Tully Machtynger, Kalorama and Mt Dandenong Brigade
“Joining the taskforce is a great opportunity to get hands-on experience and training on the tools especially for members of smaller brigades who may not get close to, and experience, fire prior to a campaign season,” Tully Machtynger said.
“It also provides the opportunity to network with the broader CFA community, talk to people from other brigades and learn how they operate and train.”
A firefighter and Junior leader, Tully has been a member of Kalorama and Mt Dandenong brigade for two years and a member of the PBTF for one.
“Being fairly new to CFA and the area, joining the taskforce was recommended by one of my assessors when I was going through General Firefighter as a great way to see and get used to fire in a controlled way,” Tully said.
“I’ve been to six or seven burns across the state, predominantly in West Region. I hadn’t done any planned burning prior to joining the taskforce, only responding with my brigade to a couple of escaped burn-offs conducted by local residents.”
The taskforce is activated when districts are unable to fulfil needs locally. While it’s a role that requires flexibility and the time commitment varies, Tully said she has learned so much working alongside experienced taskforce members.
“It’s psychologically beneficial to know what you can face in practice, and the taskforce has definitely value-added to my volunteer experience,” Tully said. “My sense of my own capability has completely changed. By my third burn I felt more confident turning out and in my ability to support my own brigade on the fireground.”
Elvis Crook, Bulla Brigade
With 21 years of membership under his belt, a change in career gave Bulla Captain Elvis Crook more flexibility in his availability so he put himself forward for the PBTF.
“I’ve participated in a number of planned burns over the years. I thought the taskforce would be a good opportunity to network with members from across the state as well as keep my fireground skills sharp,” he said.
“There is no better means of observing fire behaviour in a controlled environment which ultimately benefits your skills throughout an active fire season.
“An added benefit of having such a broad group of members together from across the state is being able to informally share information and ideas.”
Elvis said that without the taskforce many critical burns wouldn’t go ahead as regularly.
“I remember a burn earlier in the year where I was on a local truck with the brigade captain. The rest of the crew was from the PBTF.
“He was very thankful that we were there to crew the truck as the burn we were doing would help protect his land and that of other community members.”
Elvis says that if you are thinking of joining the taskforce – do it!
“The thing I enjoy the most is the camaraderie. The taskforce is like a family; I have made connections with other members who I now call friends.
“Attending a burn is also training in itself. I’d highly recommend any newer members who have not had a lot of fireground experience or might be with a brigade with low call numbers to join to build on their experience.
“I’ve been in the CFA a long time and haven’t immediately felt so at home like I do with this crew.”
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