MEDIA RELEASE
Response to fires improved
18 May 2009
Fire protection for the Forest Products Commission’s (FPC) expanding plantation assets took a big step forward with the recent acquisition of two gang trucks that will be based in the Gnangara and Collie work centres.
FPC’s acting West Coast Sharefarms manager, Steve Ward, said FPC has some of the most experienced operational bushfire officers in the State.
“These skills and experience are utilised by Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) during the fire season under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). This agreement includes managing much of the wildfire prevention and suppression activities on behalf of FPC in both native forest and the traditional plantation estate.
“However, FPC now manages more than 40,000ha of sharefarm estate that is not within the agreed DEC response zones.
“We can now take on a more active fire management role in these areas in conjunction with Local Government Brigades and through agreements with other private plantation companies.”
The ex-DEC gang trucks provide the perfect platform for FPC sharefarm staff to conduct plantation fire prevention activities such as fuel reduction burns and provide initial wildfire response, with enhanced capability in both suppression and mop-up when compared to the current light unit fleet currently used by FPC.
The capacity of the trucks to carry a few officers also means that the trucks can be deployed to carry out group operational activities and be in a good position to respond to a fire, should it occur.
The trucks also now provide a basis for a proposed training programme that will give new FPC plantations staff skills in fire and truck operation.
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