Fire agencies feel the heat in major bushfire response simulation

Under extreme weather conditions, the simulated environment reflected three key threats that crews often face in northern Victoria.

Cured grasslands, dry forests and strong winds.

CFA Acting Deputy Chief Officer for the Northeast Region Stewart Kreltszheim said it was a vital opportunity to refresh and refine incident management skills ahead of what could be a challenging season.

“This exercise is about making sure our teams are ready to respond effectively when communities are threatened,” he said.

“It’s also a chance to mentor new personnel, test new technologies and systems, and reinforce the importance of co-ordinated, community-focused emergency response.”

During the day, two incident management teams worked in shifts, with a live noon handover to mimic real-world operational transitions.

At all times, participants were required to make decisions quickly and calmly.

“You’re always under the pump — the adrenaline’s pumping — but you need to slow yourself down,” he said.

“Exercises like this are essential for building confidence, capability and collaboration across agencies.”

With much of the state declared an increased fire risk, Mr Kreltszheim noted that the exercise served as a timely reminder for all Victorians.

“While winter rains have brought green growth, underlying soil dryness remains, meaning grass will dry out earlier than usual,” he said.

“This spring, we’re urging Victorians to understand their local risk, prepare their properties and have a fire plan in place.”