Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service fire crews have brushed up on their emergency response skills at a series of training events held around the state.
About 200 staff members attended four Fire Preparedness Days to help prepare fire crews and incident management teams for the season ahead.
Staff completed refresher training on practices such as manual handling and equipment operation as well as Aboriginal cultural burning policy and procedures.
Physical strength and endurance was also assessed with a pack hike test, during which staff completed one of three challenges: a moderate 3.22km walk carrying 11.3kg in 30 minutes, a modified arduous 4.83km walk carrying 15.4kg in 45 minutes, or an arduous 4.83km walk carrying 20.4kg in under 45 minutes.
State Fire Manager Katy Edwards said it was critical to refresh staff training ahead of each bushfire season.
“We have a debrief at the end of each season and that's where we pick up on what we can do better and then try to incorporate that into the prep days so that we keep improving with each season," she said.
“Last year was our first season deploying with the new Tasmanian Government Radio Network (TasGRN), so getting feedback and learning new things from last season that can be implemented this season, has been really good."
State Fire Manager Katy Edwards addresses fire crews during a presentation
PWS is responsible for managing over three million hectares of reserve land and continues to focus on early detection and rapid response as key elements in its fire management strategy.
Technology has allowed for early detection and rapid response through the inclusion of TasGRN and the Remote Engineered Camera Communications – Evolution (RECCE) deployable bushfire detection camera systems.
Partly designed by PWS engineers, the RECCE units weigh under 800kg and can be deployed by helicopter and prepositioned to monitor up to 250,000 ha. They provide continuous surveillance after dry lightning events and can be paired with smoke detection AI technology for early fire detection in Tasmania's most remote landscapes.
“Early detection will allow our aircraft, our winch and rapid attack crews to contain fires when they are small and more easily manageable," Katy said.
TasGRN and a new Forward Command Trailer also enhance PWS firefighting by improving communication, supporting teams in remote areas, and ensuring aviation safety.
State Fire Manager Katy Edwards said the public could play an important role in assisting PWS staff throughout the bushfire season simply by being aware when they're visiting our parks and reserves.
“When there's a high fire danger day, make sure that you're prepared. Be sure to visit our alerts page first and also check the upcoming weather reports. If you're planning a walk in a high danger zone, you may need to rethink and reschedule your walk," she said.
“We also have campfire restrictions which are implemented as the conditions dry out and we ask people not to light campfires when we have these restrictions in place."
“We just want the public and our staff to be prepared and to stay safe."
Fire Crew Manager John Duggan takes staff through how to troubleshoot issues when operating pumps