EILDON, VIC. — On Sunday, October 12, brigades from across the Alexandra Group came together at Eildon Fire Station for a comprehensive training exercise designed to strengthen operational skills and teamwork ahead of the fire season.
Members participated in two concurrent sessions: a hoselay and pumping exercise using the Eildon fireboat; and a command and control session focused on incident management, communication planning, and fireground decision-making.
The morning also included an in-depth discussion about burnover procedures and an impressive remotely piloted aircraft system (also called a drone) demonstration, showcasing how technology can enhance situational awareness and safety on the fireground.
The event was led by experienced instructors, including Tony Scicluna AFSM, Andrew Feagan and Mark Kohler, with support from designated strike team leaders who coordinated timings to ensure smooth transitions between activities. They also worked closely with instructors to manage vehicles and logistics throughout the day.
DGO Training for Alexandra Group, Shannon Roach said the event was designed to offer something valuable for everyone.
“We wanted to create a day that catered to all levels of experience, hands-on, relevant, and different from regular brigade training. The focus was on practical learning, teamwork, and improving how we operate together at a group level,” Shannon said.
The exercise provided members with an opportunity to engage in realistic, scenario-based situations while strengthening relationships between brigades.
