By Emma Sun
MORE than 200 firefighters from 27 brigades in Cardinia and Casey participated in an exercise on Sunday to prepare for the summer.
Upper Beaconsfield and Officer South saw an abnormal number of fire trucks pass through as fire fighters used the areas around the towns to train how to tackle bushfires and grassfires.
Captain of the Pakenham Upper fire brigade Michael Bedford said the exercises were very helpful for the experienced fire fighters who were looking to get into new roles.
“There was training for new strike team leaders, who are in charge of fire trucks and for some sector commanders, who look after a certain area of the fire when we have a big fire.
“They were all being mentored by the experienced people.”
He said the feedback from everyone that attended was very positive, and they will be looking to do the exercise annually.
“It was a worthwhile experience and most, if not all, came away with something from the day,” he said.
“The decision has been made that we’d do this annually because everybody enjoyed it so much.
“They’ll change a few things next time so we can improve it next year.
“Everybody involved can be congratulated on the effort they put in.”
