WESTERN Victoria's new cohort of project firefighters are on the job after completing a three-week intensive training camp with Forest Fire Management Victoria.
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This comes as the weather heats up in the region and grass dries out, increasing the potential for fire danger.
Forest Fire Management Victoria has 84 seasonal project firefighters in the Grampians Region for the 2021-22 fire season, based in depots from Bacchus Marsh to Edenhope.
Horsham's Kawtha Thawpay was one of the 47 firefighters new to the role in 2021, and said he had already acquired many skills from his time as a project firefighter.
"It has only been my first two weeks here and I have done so much already," he said.
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"There is a lot of variety in the job. I have done some slashing, I have taken part in a planned burn in Nhill."
Before starting work as a project firefighter, Mr Thawpay studied environmental science at Ballarat Federation University.
He said the role had stuck out to him, as it allowed him to work in the field of environmental conservation - something he was passionate about.
"It goes in line with my beliefs. I am really passionate about conservation in general and the job involves us trying to conserve as much of the bushland as we can. Also townships as well. That is what drew me to it," he said.
"The adventure side of things as well. I knew that there was a lot to learn in this job, and that is what led me to apply for it."
The three week Horsham-based training camp saw recruits learn the fundamentals of firefighting including fire behaviour, fire suppression, planned burning, safety and survival techniques.
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Following the training, project firefighters work six-month paid roles with Forest Fire Management Victoria, engaging in fuel reduction burns ahead of the fire season.
Mr Thawpay said safety was always at the forefront of the training camp.
"There wasn't a day where we didn't hear the word safety. It was pretty full on in making sure everyone gets home safe at the end of the day. You can mitigate a lot of those risks, so safety is huge," he said.
"The training was very informative. There was a lot of information to process. I feel like the training equips us pretty well for what we might encounter out in the field. It is setting us up for a fire season."
He encouraged anyone with an interest to take the opportunity to apply for a role as a project firefighter.
"There are lots of cooperative skills. Learning to work with others. There is a lot of working together," he said.
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