Strike team training session

Kangaroo Flat, Maiden Gully, Eaglehawk and Lockwood brigades attended as well as CFA Operations Manager Stewart Kreltszheim.

The training consisted of a strike team fire simulation. Brigade members were told a fire was approaching the Kangaroo Flat area through bushland. More than 60 members took part.

This training also allowed new strike team leaders to be mentored in a safe environment.

"Having multiple brigades made training more effective," Will said. "Instead of having people standing around in the background everyone was given a task to complete.

"It also allowed our brigades to mentor new strike team leaders."

Many of the members involved in the session haven't yet been on a strike team.

"We've had a lot of members wanting to get involved with strike teams, but from a brigade management team perspective we didn't think they had had enough training. This was the perfect opportunity for them to gain experience.

"It was also a great refresher for our crew leaders."

This training session was only part one of Will's four-part training plan.

"This initial session was stage one of four that I have planned. There will be another additional five plus trucks in each new training session. The next training is in March and we'll run two strike teams in that."

• Session one: 1 strike team
• Session two: 2 strike teams
• Session three: 3 strike teams and a pumper task force
• Session four: 4 strike teams and a pumper task force in two sectors