101 firefighters walk into a hall: Turning up the heat on fire management
Cue hours of laughter and learning.
Fire Management information night | Gold Coast RFSQ Brigades
On a hot, muggy afternoon, with hail on the horizon and a storm brewing in the distance, Healthy Land & Water’s Queensland Fire and Biodiversity Consortium (QFBC) team sat in the Gold Coast Disaster & Emergency Management Centre, eagerly awaiting the first attendees for our Fire Management Information Night.
As the clouds continued to darken ominously overhead and the start time neared, the team jokingly placed bets on how many attendees would brave the rain to come and learn about fire and landscape management. Some thought people would rather stay home, while others bargained the storms would bring in more attendees than we had registered! As the skies opened and the downpour started, we were blown away by the turnout of 101 enthusiastic volunteer firies from the Gold Coast RFSQ Brigades, slowly but surely filling the hall to the brim.
With a room full of experienced volunteer firies chatting away, this event was marked by engaging discussions and valuable insights from both presenters and attendees into contemporary fire management practices, and what works on ground for the region. The evening wasn’t complete without some cheeky banter from this passionate crew.
Presentations from fire experts
Attendees heard from experts across various organisations, including the Gold Coast City Council, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, and the QFBC. Topics covered ranged from fire ecology and hazard-reduction burns to asset management and planning activities.
A highlight of the evening was the sparked interest from the attendees in learning about Regional Ecosystems and Broad Vegetation groups, and their importance in planning and operational activities. It was encouraging to hear that there was a strong focus on enhancing collaboration between rural fire brigade volunteers and land managers, such as the City of Gold Coast and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Many of the volunteers in attendance agreed that collaboration is the key to keeping each other safe, and our landscapes well-managed in preparing for bushfire season.
Wayne Teece, the RFSQ Area Director who attended the information night said, “we’ve been given the tools to start conversations about more than just burning stuff.” This sentiment encapsulates the event’s aim to broaden the scope of fire management discussions.
The night concluded with a tour of the City of Gold Coast’s Disaster Management and Emergency Centre where the latest tools available to volunteers were on display, as well as a thank you and some dinner for everyone's attendance.
This event marked the first time the QFBC team has delivered a Rural Fire Brigade-specific event to support the specific needs and support for rural fire brigade volunteers. The Fire Management Information Night was a significant step forward in fostering a more integrated and informed approach to fire management on the Gold Coast. Thank you to all 101 volunteer firies and special guests who attended and contributed to making this event a success.
For councils and organisations interested in tailoring a workshop specific to their community’s needs, please contact Hannah Etchells.
Email:
Phone: 0447 189 765
Your collaboration can help further improve fire management practices and community safety.
