Local bushfire heroes help fellow communities

Image: Shire President Sarah Stanley (left) and CEO Stuart Devenish (far right) acknowledge the efforts of Bush Fire Brigade members Kathy Miller, Alex Price, Chloe Robertson, Declan Rochester, Phillip Bartolo, Chief Fire Control Officer Julian Martin and CESM Tristan Gulvin. Not in attendance: Andrew Visser, Lachlan Martin, Craig Watts, Kohdy Flynn, Peter Woodman, Neil Waywood, Blake Jones and Steven Melvin

Collie-based Bush Fire Brigade have answered the call to assist in fighting fires in the Shires of Northam, Gingin and Dandaragan, as well as the Perth Hills area in three significant fires in 2021.

Shire of Collie staff and councillors recognised the efforts of 14 fire fighters along with their employers and families at a recent ceremony held at Council Chambers.

The Wundowie Bushfire (1-13 January 2021) although small, was during a period of extended high winds and extreme weather. The crews deployed were able to give local crews a much-needed rest and assist to hold the fire to its containment lines.

The Red Gully Bushfire (2-22 January 2021) was a new experience for the deployed crews being tasked to mitigation for the purpose of constructing of strategic fire breaks to assist in pulling up the fire in the event of a breakout into high fuel load areas. This fire was also during a period of extreme fire weather with extended high winds.

The Wooroloo Bushfire (from 1 February 2021) burnt a total of 10,900 hectares and destroyed 86 homes. The Shire of Collie committed fire appliances and crews to four deployments in the period from 1 February to the 9 February 2021. A total of 10 volunteers and one staff member participated in these deployments.

Crews were tasked to a variety of operational needs throughout their deployments. These ranged from active firefighting, protection of homes and assets, back burning, mop up and the general assistance of homeowners who were within the fire zone or returning and in some cases had lost their homes and all their worldly possessions. These tasks can be stressful and at times heart wrenching.

“Two significant fires in as many years in our community has highlighted the important job of our Bush Fire Brigade volunteers in putting themselves on the front line to ensure the safety of our communities,” Shire President Sarah Stanley said.

“We have been humbled by the support given freely by other communities when we’ve needed it, and we are very grateful that our volunteers are willing to return that favour to other communities in their time of need.

“We also extend our thanks to the employers of these volunteers, for the understanding and willingness to allow these volunteers time off to deal with emergency situations.

“And lastly, but certainly not least, we thank the families of these men and women that support these volunteers in their commitment to making our community and others safer places.

510034 – Wundowie Bushfire

Start Date/Time: 2nd January 2021 @ 1326 hrs Local Government: Shire of Northam Area Burnt: 72 hectares Properties Lost: Nil Fire Cause: Accidental

Shire of Collie Contribution

South West Task Force 3rd-4th January 2021 Task Force Leader: Collie CESM Tristan Gulvin Collie Preston 2.4 Crew: Deputy CBFCO Kohdy Flynn (Allanson BFB) Lt Alex Price (Collie Preston BFB) F/F Peter Woodman (Collie Preston BFB)

510016 – Red Gully Bushfire Start Date/Time: 2nd January 2021 @ 0933 hrs Local Government: Shires of Gingin & Dandaragan Area Burnt: 10,000 hectares Properties Lost: Nil Fire Cause: Under Investigation

Shire of Collie Contribution Task Force Mitigation North 6th–8th January 2021 Task Force Leader: Collie CESM Tristan Gulvin

Collie Preston 2.4 Crew: FCO Neil Waywood (Collieburn Cardiff BFB) Lt Andrew Visser (Collieburn Cardiff BFB) F/F Chloe Robertson (Collie Preston BFB)

512758 – Wooroloo Bushfire

Start Date/Time: 1st February 2021 @ 1202 hrs Local Government: Shire of Mundaring & City of Swan Area Burnt: 10,900 hectares Properties Lost: 86 properties confirmed lost Fire Cause: Under Investigation

Shire of Collie Contribution Task Force Alpha 1st-4th February 2021

Williams Road LT 2 Crew: FCO Neil Waywood (Collieburn Cardiff BFB) F/F Blake Jones (Collie Preston BFB) Task Force Bravo: 2nd-6th February 2021

Collie Preston 2.4 Crew: Captain Steven Melvin (Worsley BFB) Captain Kathy Miller (Collieburn Cardiff BFB) F/F Chloe Robertson (Collie Preston BFB)

Task Force Charlie  4th-7th February 2021

Task Force Leader: Collie CESM Tristan Gulvin Williams Road LT 2 Crew: CBFCO Julian Martin (Williams Road BFB) Lieutenant Lachlan Martin (Williams Road BFB)

Task Force Delta 5th-9th February 2021

Collie Preston 2.4 Crew: FCO Phillip Bartolo (Collie Preston BFB) Lieutenant Craig Watts (Harris River BFB) F/F Declan Rochester (Collie Preston BFB)