LONGERENONG SURGE BOOSTS FIRE SEASON READINESS

CFA’s Longerenong Training Campus has seen a surge in enrolments throughout August and September, ahead of the coming fire season. IMAGE: CFA

Victoria's CFA’s Longerenong Training Campus has seen a surge in enrolments throughout August and September, ahead of the coming fire season.

Since the start of August, more than 260 students have trained at the campus, more than double the intake for the same period last year.

Longerenong Practical Area Drill Operator Brendan Moylan says the increase is an encouraging sign as brigades prepare for the fire season.

“It’s great to see more people coming through, and we want to keep that momentum going.”

He says Longerenong plays a vital role in preparing brigades across far west Victoria, while also supporting emergency services and other organisations that use the facility.

Fellow Practical Area Drill Operator Matthew Walsh says training can be tailored to individual brigade needs, with facilities supporting live fire, search and rescue, hazardous materials and other emergency scenarios.

The CFA is encouraging brigades that have not recently trained at Longerenong, or have never used the campus, to explore the training opportunities available through its website at cfa.vic.gov.au.