Call out goes out for paid firefighters

FOREST Fire Management is on the hunt for people who enjoy working outdoors and learning new skills.

Applications are now open for project firefighter positions in Ballarat along with Daylesford, Bacchus Marsh, Beaufort, Horsham, Halls Gap, Edenhope, Cavendish, Wail, and Serendip.

“These fixed-term positions are a fantastic opportunity for people from all walks of life, who are physically fit, to get out in the bush, protect our region from bushfires and help maintain public land,” said Tory English, FFM’s Deputy Chief Fire Officer.

“New recruits will be involved in conducting planned burns, managing roadside vegetation, pest and weed control, maintaining access to fire trails and roads, and supporting other emergency work to help protect the community and environment.”

Knowm as seasonal project firefighters, the staff are recruited on a yearly basis to be general firefighters, fire support officers and rappel crew, and are employed full time from October until April.

Mr English said working as a project firefighter is rewarding work.

“They can also be called on to support other emergencies like last year’s Victorian floods,” he said.

“Many of the forest firefighters deployed to the current Canadian bushfires started their careers as project firefighters.”

Applicants should be physically fit, healthy and hold a current manual driver licence and for more information visit jobs.careers.vic.gov.au/pff.