Forest Fire Management Victoria has 126 seasonal firefighters ready for action this summer.
Seasonal firefighters complement FFMVic’s full-time firefighting workforce and will be stationed at sites across the region.
This includes Broadford, Alexandra, Marysville, Toolangi, Kinglake, Mansfield, Benalla, Shepparton, Nathalia, Yarrawonga, Wangaratta, Beechworth, Ovens, Whitfield, Mt Beauty, Bright, Mitta Valley, Tallangatta and Corryong.
Forty-nine of the firefighters are new recruits and have undergone training in recent weeks to prepare them to help protect communities and the environment from bushfire for the summer ahead.
Across Victoria FFMVic has recruited 552 firefighters, with 28 specialist rappel firefighters.
Rappel firefighters deploy from helicopters into remote and inaccessible forest across Victoria. They will be located at airbases in Ovens and Heyfield.
FFMVic deputy chief fire officer Aaron Kennedy said seasonal firefighters were a vital part of Victorian authorities’ response to potential bushfires and would work alongside permanent staff.
As well as dealing with fires and floods, the seasonal firefighters will also carry out routine operations, including planned burns, track clearing and other land management activities.
“Our recruits are trained in how to use a rake hoe to construct mineral earth control lines as well as other skills such as four-wheel driving, water pumps and hand tool maintenance, which are essential for forest firefighting,” Mr Kennedy said.
“Their training also covered the essential elements of firefighting, including fire behaviour, fire suppression, planned burning, emergency safety and survival techniques.”