Download part 2 - Country Fire Authority

How do firefighters fight bushfires?
The Officer in Charge of the Brigade responsible for controlling the bushfire in the area
makes a plan to fight the fire. He/She directs fire trucks, decides how the fire will be fought,
has contact with surveillance aircraft, and access to weather information. Helicopters and
aircraft may be used to observe the fire and give information to the Officer in Charge.
Fire tankers and fire aircraft are used to carry supplies of water gathered from water holes or
dams, or another adequate water supply, to the scene of the bushfire. Fire hoses attached
to the tankers allow the firefighters to easily carry water into the fire. Firefighters are divided
into teams, fighting the fire from different sides, to enable them to close in on the fire and
also be ready to fight the fire from another side if the wind changes direction.
Firefighters may use equipment such as axes, rake hoes, chainsaws or spades to cut back
or clear undergrowth to enable them to gain greater access to the fire. A road or firebreak
may be used in efforts to stop the fire. Fuel in front of the fire is removed with bulldozers or
by backburning.
Who investigates the cause of a bushfire?
Many brigades and the Regions have their own fire investigators who are sent out to the fire
scene to search for the cause of the fire. At the fire scene, the fire investigator speaks with
the Officer in Charge of the first attack crew, brigade responsible for controlling the bushfire,
to identify the area in which the fire first started. Then the fire investigator looks for any
signs showing the spread of the fire. These signs of fire direction may be found by looking at
the way the fire has burnt trees, logs on the ground, leaves on trees and road signs. Once
the fire investigator has found the area where he/she believes the fire may have started, the
area under investigation is divided up into 1 or 2 metre square sections and is closely investigated
using small spatulas, magnets and magnifying glasses. Any causes of the fire found,
such as: a cigarette butt, match or firelighter, are collected. A fire investigation report is then
written outlining the findings.
Rural Fire Investigation Report
Location of fire: Branxholme
Date of fire: 16 February 1983
Time of fire: 1630 hours (4.30 p.m.)
Attendance: CFA
Casualties: ( ) Minor Injury ( ) Major Injury ( 1 ) Fatal
Weather details: Extreme fire weather conditions — drought conditions,
high temperatures, 2 wind changes
Ground details: Dry flat grasslands
Witnesses: 5
Suspect vehicles: Nil
Suspects: Nil
Losses: ( 1 ) Houses ( ) Cars ( 20 km ) Fences
Cause of fire: High voltage S.E.C. pole snapped at base and fell to the ground.