206 kilometres from Melbourne, tucked into the idyllic countryside at the base of the Southern Alps, is Heyfield – home to what is currently one of the state's busiest Incident Control Centres (ICC).
"Yeah mate, I've got time to talk. Just let me step outside, we've been busy today. Lots of people running around," Mike Dower told me from the other end of the phone.
"We've even got some folks from the Canadian Incident Management Team over to help us out. They've come from Alberta."
As the noise in the background moved from clacking keyboards to the rustling of trees, Mike took the time to speak with me about his role and the ongoing efforts to fight the Dargo Complex fire.
On a regular day, Mike is our hard-working Area Chief Ranger for the Gippsland Alps. Locals and visitors might recognise him from his ripper beard and huge grin. But during the recent fires, Mike has taken on the role of Level 3 Operations Officer in the Heyfield Incident Control Centre (ICC).
"I'm a Level 3 Operations Officer, which is the most senior operational and tactical firefighting role," Mike says.
"It means I'm responsible for all firefighting efforts relating to an incident. You're not only watching what's going on and trying to put the fire out, but you're also working at a cross-functional level in the Incident Management Team."
Mike Dower, Level 3 Operations Officer (middle) with Derek Gough (left) and Mel Bulldog (right), Canadian Type 1 Operations Section Chiefs. Credit: Parks Victoria
That means Mike doesn't just manage the firefighting efforts but is also looking after the safety and welfare of the firefighters and the community.
"The Dargo Complex Fire ran through 60 kilometres of remote mountain landscape in a few hours, and we had to make sure that the safety of our firefighters and community was considered first and foremost. We had to ensure our people were not in the path of such a fast-moving fire."
Mike says the biggest challenge is how rapidly the fire can spread on a bad fire weather day. It's a balance to try and keep pace with the spread of the fire while making sure that our crews and community are safe.
"On 9 January – which was the worst day – the fire was spotting 20 kilometres ahead of itself, which in turn was starting new fires. It was jumping ridge to ridge," Mike explains.
"We were relying heavily on the aircraft intelligence, I was glued to the phone talking to the Air Attack Supervisor who was flying alongside the fire. They were helping me gain a picture of what was happening, in turn I could guide the Incident Controller to where the fire was heading and set the required emergency warnings.
"Every day you must make critical decisions from 6am to 9 or 10pm on the safety of our people, our aircraft operations, our machinery plan operators and community members. You need to provide clear and concise advice to communities – like Dargo – that are in the path of large bushfires. I'm just lucky that we have a good relationship with the communities here, that part makes my job and my team's jobs easier."
