FEATURE

Fighting the good fire

Earlier this month, WA's contingent of bushfire specialists returned home after five solid weeks on the frontlines experiencing just how the US fights fires and grateful for the learning experience.

The Forest Products Commission's Ben Sawyer was just one member of the eight strong contingent. Ben left for the US just a few weeks after the birth of his second child, Bridget, now nine weeks old who was at the airport to greet him along with wife Elisabeth and daughter Georgia.

The team’s return home was a little slower than planned, after missed connections and flight delays in both Sydney and Melbourne. The team were warmly greeted and thanked for their efforts by former Environment Minister David Templeman and, most importantly, their patiently waiting families and partners.

"It's great to be home, and the experience gained while in the US was exceptional" said Ben.

Ben noted both the size of the fires and the way they fight fires are different in the USA. "We saw a whole different side to how fire is managed in comparison to our own. The technology and methods used to manage the fire were vastly different compared to Australia's hard hitting tactics."

Ben wasn't able to phone home and keep in touch as much as he would have liked, but no doubt he'll be enjoying some quality time with his family, especially his beautiful new daughter.

Ben is one of over 60 FPC staff who, along with people from the Department of Environment and Conservation, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority, local government and volunteer Bush Fire Brigades, are actively involved in dealing with Western Australia’s bushfire threats. Bush fire-fighters frequently assist other states and countries in their times of need. Their services are coordinated through the Fire Management Services Branch of the Department of Environment and Conservation.