Tassie fire fight

A GROUP of hills firefighters recently returned after lending a helping hand to those battling the bushfires in Tasmania.
Six firefighters from Belgrave South, Emerald, Kalorama, Clematis and Monbulk and five DSE and Parks Victoria firefighters from Powelltown, Woori Yallock and Gembrook were deployed on Sunday 6 January and returned last Friday.
Clematis Fire Brigade captain Shane Miller said they were warmly welcomed by the Tasmanian firefighters.
“We were working up near Dunalley, where they lost about 70 structures on the Friday and the Saturday,” he said.
“We had about 10 trucks putting in a back-burn to secure the edge of the fire.”
He said they had a group of about 65 Victorians, as well as firefighters from New South Wales and New Zealand, and it was great to see everyone working together.
“It’s really good and all the people are really friendly – we were doing a job the other day and we had the Tasmanian fire service, Tasmanian forestry, Vic forestry and Vic fire service all working together just getting the job done,” he said.
“The resilience of the people stood out – the Tasmanian firefighters who had worked awful long shifts would still rock up with a smile and shake your hand and even people who have lost their houses are out repairing fences already.
“It’s definitely been worthwhile and it’s been a real experience.”