Great Southern firefighter Chris Slade among crews deployed nationwide to help battle the Victorian bushfires

Great Southern firefighter Chris Slade was among dozens of Australian crews who were deployed to Victoria earlier this year to help protect communities threatened by the catastrophic bushfires. Mr Slade was among many West Australians who answered the national call for assistance as fires tore through large parts of Victoria, placing intense pressure on local firefighting resources. The bushfires, which began on January 7, burned more than 300,000ha of land and destroyed hundreds of homes and structures across the region. Mr Slade said the situation was classified as an emergency-level response. “The fire season kicked off pretty hard,” he said. “They had three major fires that was happening at the same time. “It was an emergency-level event, and their resources were extremely thin. “They also asked for assistance from New South Wales, Tasmania, and I believe some came over from New Zealand and Canada as well.” Mr Slade said his role was to work with firefighters from across the different States on the fireground. “We were paired up with a group of awesome guys and girls from the Department of Parks and Wildlife so we were attached to their actual task force,” he said. “There was about 10 vehicles all up in our task force with about 20 to 25 members, and were obviously tasked around the fireground where required. “We were tasked with a lot of patrolling and putting in control lines.” Many fire teams across Australia came together, and Mr Slade said the experience was invaluable as it provided opportunities to learn new firefighting techniques while seeing collaboration and friendship between crews from different States. “It was really educational — everyone’s got their own things they do differently, and some things you learn and will take back to other brigades as well,” he said. “We all come under the same incident management system. “It enables any services around the country to work together and work quite consistently and efficiently, so that’s why we’ve all been trained that way.” Mr Slade said it was simple to be part of firefighting groups deployed to sites when needed — sign up for the registry. “A group of us in Albany and Denmark, we do a fitness test every year as volunteers, and we are on a deployment register ready to go at short notice to go to places like Canada, New South Wales or Victoria . . . you’re put on the register for 12 months,” he said. Mr Slade said he recommended joining your local volunteer fire brigade as it was very rewarding and offered many opportunities. “Joining my local brigade in 2013 was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and never looked back,” he said. “The family that you make there and the friends and support network is absolutely amazing. “Everyone’s there with the same spirit, and everyone just wants to help each other out. “The opportunities that come from serving our community are incredibly rewarding and beneficial for everyone involved.”