Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority
CFA’s newly formed Remote Arduous Firefighting (RAFF) unit is officially in action.
Following rigorous training, the pilot program officially kicked off on 1 January. Since that time, the unit has already been deployed seven times to various fires across the state.
The unit’s first deployment was to the Ovens region in early January, where they worked directly with Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic) crews. The joint deployment gave both agencies an opportunity to better understand each other’s capabilities, expertise, training, and equipment as they undertook vital fire suppression.
Shortly after returning from their first response, the CFA RAFF unit was deployed to Meredith. Once again working with FFMVic, arduous firefighter teams from both agencies created control lines in remote areas not accessible by vehicle or machinery.
CFA District 7 Commander Alex Batty has led the RAFF project, and said the team has already been a huge benefit to firefighting efforts and community protection.
“Crews have been working closely with FFMVic teams at Ovens, Alexandra and at Mt Mercer,” Alex said.
“They’ve been able to go deep into inaccessible areas which could not have been otherwise possible by aircraft or vehicles.
”Ahead of the upcoming elevated fire conditions, The unit have focused on locating and suppressing hot spots in key areas.
“The pilot program has already proven to be a vital new capability for CFA to navigate fires in private bushland, and an important complementary capability when supporting FFMVic during joint responses to fires within public land.
“We look forward to expanding the program in 2026.”
Read more about the team here.
| Submitted by | CFA Media |
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