This year, 633 seasonal firefighters, up 133 from last year, will work alongside FFMV’s permanent full-time crews across the state.
The newest recruits are currently training intensively at camps to bolster the service’s bushfire response capability.
Acting FFMV Chief Fire Officer Aaron Kennedy said the new seasonal firefighters would complete two weeks of classroom and field-based learning, covering fire behaviour, firefighter safety, fire suppression and working around aircraft.
“Our seasonal firefighters are an important and valued addition to our firefighting resources,” Mr Kennedy said.
“They play a critical role alongside our experienced crews, responding to bushfires in some of the state’s most remote and challenging environments.
“This season they will be part of our team of 2700 accredited emergency management staff, which includes frontline firefighters and incident management personnel.”
Eleven firefighter training camps are being held across the state, including Colac, Mildura, Swan Hill, Horsham, Ballan, Yarra Valley, Bairnsdale, Rawson, Dookie and Beechworth, where recruits are given hands-on experience operating water pumps and chainsaws, and driving specialised firefighting vehicles.
Beyond emergency response, seasonal firefighters also carry out fuel management tasks, such as mulching, mowing, slashing, and spraying, as well as helping to maintain fuel breaks, public land roads, trails, recreation sites, and assisting with planned burns.
The Victorian Government has invested $44.48 million in additional seasonal firefighters, training, equipment, fire detection capability, fleet and heavy machinery ahead of this year’s bushfire season.
For further information about becoming a forest and fire operations officer next season, visit ffm.vic.gov.au
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