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Do You Have What It Takes To Join Victoria’S Fire Fight?

Fit, healthy and motivated Victorians are encouraged to apply for firefighting roles with the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), as part of its annual Project Firefighter (PFF) recruitment drive.

By Department of Sustainability and Environment - 21st August 2007 - Back to News

Successful candidates will assist DSE’s fire management staff in responding to wildfires on public land across Victoria, and are also needed to help carry out essential fuel reduction burns during spring and autumn.

Gippsland’s Regional Fire Manager, David Tainsh said that DSE engages suitably qualified men and women each year, to complement its 2000 strong workforce of permanent fire fighters.

"Applicants need to ensure they have the ability to work as part of a team and to follow instructions, which are critical skills for working with fire," Mr Tainsh said.

"They also need to hold a current manual drivers licence as well be able to pass a fitness and medical test, because the work undertaken by firefighters is physically demanding," he said.

"This year, we are targeting about 500 PFF, or seasonal fire fighters across the state to help with activities such as track clearing, road maintenance, wildfire suppression, fuel reduction burning and fire recovery activities."

"People with existing specialist skills and accreditations associated with dozer and chainsaw operation are being particularly sought after."

For the first time, DSE is introducing a web-based, e-recruitment option, a system it hopes will help to streamline the application process.

Applicants will be able to access information, find answers to the most commonly asked questions and submit their applications in one place.

Applicants can get information about the Project Firefighter experience and view a short video at DSE’s website: www.dse.vic.gov.au/fires

Access to the online recruitment system will be available at the site when applications open on Saturday 18 August 2007. Applications close on Friday 7 September.

Application kits can also be obtained by phoning the DSE Customer Service Centre on

136 186, by emailing pff.positions@dse.vic.gov.au or by visiting a local DSE office.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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