Local personnel providing specialist expertise to fight against Tasmania's worst fires in living memory

James Cooper of the Lawson Brigade is one of the Cudgegong District's specialist Remote Area Fire-fighting Team (RAFT) and he has put his hand up twice this year already to join other volunteers from around NSW to help the Tasmanian Fire Service and the National Parks personnel to contain and control the blazes.

“I know it’s a bit hard to believe,” he said. “But the first morning we were dropped in the Tasmanian bush, we had to work with snow on the ground, despite being surrounded by the huge bushfires in the state’s south west World Heritage Forests.”

There are 160 RAFT team members around NSW, they are deployed from their base either by helicopter or - if the aircraft are grounded by smoke - heavy trucks which deliver the specialist teams to the fireground for their arduous 12-hour shifts.

In James’ case they cut containment lines in the heavy bushland and were joined each day by aerial fire-fighting aircraft and helicopters.

“I’m pleased to have been chosen to help the people down in Tassie,” says James – an holistic medical specialist in "real life".

“Yes, it’s tough going for each week-long deployment and I’ve certainly needed some R&R when I’ve arrived back home to Mudgee. In fact, I’m just off to the laundromat to turn my blackened gear back to yellow.”

Two Mudgee-based volunteer communications specialists have also been in Tasmania this month – helping the interstate and international drive to control the bushfires.

Aviation Radio Officers (AROs) Janet Duffy and Jacqui Price – both deputy captains of the RFS Cudgegong Communications Brigade - left Mudgee together but were deployed to vastly different areas in the apple isle.

Janet went into the Huon Valley to find herself billeted in a town which had been evacuated because of the risk of fire descending on it. While Jacqui went to Fenton Forest Base Camp and spent her week of radio work in a hastily built staging area.

Both have maintained their speciality in doing the all-important radio work when aircraft and helicopters are engaged in firefighting. The recent fires in the Avisford hills south of Mudgee meant both Janet and Jacqui had six days of intense ‘flight-following’ duty at the Fire Control Centre in Mudgee.

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Because of the heightened importance of radio communications for aircraft fighting fires, AROs need to "maintain their currency" by practising their specialty often.

“In Tassie we had spasmodic periods of really high activity – all ruled by the high intensity of the wind and smoke," Jacqui said. "My fellow aviation crew members were terrific and full of local knowledge - they made me feel very welcome.”

Janet followed up to 12 aircraft at any one time reporting on their activities and search and rescue protocols.

“We were very pleased to lend the skills [we’ve gained working for our own communications brigade] all the way to Tasmania to help the amazing teams from all Australian states, New Zealand and Canada who came to lend a hand in the Tassie fight,” she said.

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RFS Cudgegong District Manager, Superintendent Troy Porter stressed the importance and value of volunteers being able to offer their help to other areas in severe bushfire times.

“As well as the expertise the volunteers provide, it’s an opportunity for people to compare protocols and share ideas so they can understand the needs of fire-fighting units different from their own,” he said.

“We’re very proud that our Mudgee-based people have been able to help out this year in Tasmania. It’s also comforting to know that RFS personnel from all over the state are prepared to come and help us out – when we need them.”

“It’s an important by-product of volunteering. Well done to Janet, James and Jacqui for ‘flying the Cudgegong flag’.”