THE FOREST roads and bush around Warrell Creek on Sunday were a hue of yellow as more than 100 local Rural Fire Service volunteers were put through their paces in a multi-scenario exercise.
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Twelve brigades from Nambucca Shire and two from Kempsey (South West Rocks and Gladstone) participated in the Combined Training Day which was hosted by Warrell Creek Brigade.
Organiser and Deputy Group Officer Trevor Baxter had been planning such a day “for many years and every time there’s been a flood and we haven’t been able to go ahead”.
This time though, the weather played ball, and 23 firetrucks moved about the course.
Basic mapping and grid referencing saw the crews rotate through the program: a fire overrun, motor vehicle accident, Critical Incident Support Services, pumping and drafting, radio communications, search and rescue and preserve and protect the scene.
Trevor and a team of experienced and willing volunteers marshalled the exercise.
“It was a great opportunity to fine tune some skills and to pick up some of the new stuff that’s happening,” he told the Guardian.