More than 80 forest fire fighters will converge on Bulahdelah over two days, on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 September, for pre-season fire preparation training.

Forestry Corporation of NSW’s Fire Management Officer Cameron Wade said these pre-season preparation training events being held throughout the State were important to ensure staff were prepared for this summer.

“All of our preparations from hazard reduction burning in State forests to pre-season preparation training events are a reminder we’re taking no chances in our preparation for this summer,” Mr Wade said.

“This fire preparation training event in Bulahdelah will bring Forestry Corporation’s seasonal fire fighters as well as fulltime staff together in one place to share and test their firefighting knowledge and capabilities.

“Our forest fire fighters play an important role in managing, preventing and fighting fires in regional communities and State forests and we need to be confident they are fully prepared through training scenarios, and also, fit and able to manage the physical pressures of the fire line.

“Forestry Corporation invests heavily in training and retaining firefighting staff and equipment, upgrading roads for rapid access to forests and building and staffing fire towers to aid rapid fire detection and quick response.

“We will also work with other fire agencies as part of the State’s coordinated firefighting effort.”

Forestry Corporation is responsible for more than two million hectares of native and plantation forests and has been involved in firefighting in NSW for almost 100 years.