I forward this report with a mix of great respect, admiration and sadness for the firefighters and communities of Arthurs Creek, Strathewen, Kinglake and St.Andrews.
Combined drill report Sunday 12/4/2009
Location: Arthurs Creek CFA station
Purpose: MFB/CFA liaison to hear first hand accounts of the Black Saturday fire as experienced by CFA firefighters in the field during the initial stages of what was to become the Kinglake complex fire.
Route travelled: Via Arthurs Creek through Strathewen to Kinglake via Balden spur road, then St.Andrews.
Appliances: P1A, P1B Crews: SSO Carter, SO Matthews, LFF Benham, F/F Klink, F/F Sanderson, F/F Condon, F/F Lardo.
Tour and discussion focus:
- Speed and intensity of the fire, variation in fire intensity noted with the change in terrain, although loss v survival of property seemed random and inexplicable in some cases (attendance at a small spot fire found the crews from Strathewen and Arthurs Creek in an area that was adjacent to the area hit by the main fire front- they have no doubt this saved their lives)
- Destruction of property (including Strathewen CFA station and primary school), loss of life and livestock. Damage to infrastructure with high voltage towers destroyed.
- Difficulties faced by fire crews, - in a relatively small community where most people are know to the firefighters, searching ruins for bodies, assisting burns victims, destroying injured stock, loss of a brigade member, members loss of own properties, access constantly blocked by trees,
- Communication issues on the day
- Roads blocked to residents for considerable period due to tree hazards and later by the Coroner.
- Areas without power for up to 3 weeks.
- Fatigue suffered by the crews
- Many firefighters remained in the field for the following 3 weeks, initially performing blacking out then assisting with recovery –absent from normal employment, stresses on families.
- Post fire recovery-land erosion, regeneration of native bushland and pasture, debris removal from properties.
I would like to thank the following CFA members for taking the time to share their experiences and to make us feel welcome. It is our intention to invite the CFA members into FS01 for lunch.
Arthurs Creek CFA
- 1st Lieutenant Michael Chapman
- 3rd Lieutenant Peter Jenkinson
- Communications Officer Pat Corr
- F/F’s Warren Rees & Barry Tully
Kinglake CFA
- 3rd Lieutenant David Hooper
Photos
