On Sunday, October 20, from 10am to 2pm, CFA Deakin Group District 20 fire brigades conducted pre-season training in Echuca.
Fire trucks, helicopters and planes were involved in the exercises, which included basic firefighting skills, radio communication and map-reading, driving protocols, survival procedures and aircraft water-bombing manoeuvres.
Around 80 volunteer firefighters attended the training, with representation from Echuca, Echuca Village, Bawawm Extension, Stanhope, Kyabram, Rochester, Lockington, Timmering, Pinegrove, Torrumbarry, Girgarre, Tongala, Yambuna, Kotta, Tennyson and Gunbower CFA units.
There were drills at Echuca Airport near Denmark Rd, as well as around Lockington, Bamawm Extension and Echuca Village.
With the fire danger period approaching, beginning at 1am on Monday, November 4, the training is an important refresher ahead of bushfire season.