Four volunteer firefighters are preparing for the experience of a lifetime when they visit the United States of America in August this year.
The four firefighters from the Preston Road Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade will be heading to Arizona later this year on a fact finding mission.
Their aim whilst abroad is to study the fire plan and reports from a deadly wildfire that occurred in Arizona, in order to implement strategies here to minimise the risks to lives and property.
On July 31, 2013, a tragedy unfolded in Prescott Arizona.
19 Firefighters were tragically taken in a wild fire accident, which equated to two thirds of their entire station.
Preston Road Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade volunteer, Kevin Bazely, was deeply touched by this tragedy and decided to make contact with the station.
“On seeing this, I proceeded to send an email of condolences from Preston RD Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade and all fellow firefighters throughout Western Australia.”
“Our job is to protect life and property, and we do this to the best of our ability, so learning as much as possible to try and prevent a tragedy will be beneficial.”
Mr Bazely hopes the trip to Arizona will yield lessons he and his crewmates can apply to firefighting in WA
“We are passionate about our town, and we do everything in our power to protect it, sometimes we can’t stop the wildfires but we can reduce the risk.”
“The ultimate aim of the trip is to make Collie a safer place, there have been too many lives lost both fire-fighters and civilians as a direct result of wildfires,” he said.
The trip will take place from August 30 to September 13, 2015, during this time Mr Beazy said they will be hard at work trying to gain as much shared knowledge as possible.
Mr Beazy said four of the most skilled and experienced team members are going on the trip; Stuart Jones, Phil Bortello , and Kristy Ramshaw will be joining Kevin Bazely on the trip.
“We have received outstanding assistance from chief bushfire control officer Terry Hunter from the Association of Volunteer Bushfire Brigades Western Australia.
“The office of the commissioner of DFES have provided outstanding support including suppling out t-shirts,” Mr Bazely said.
During the trip they will also attend a presentation to families of fallen fire fighters – handing over Australian Flags and Akubra Hats, a function by the Mayor of Prescott, and a memorial site visit and laying of a wreath on behalf of Australian Fire Fighters
The trip has been three years in the planning process and the team hope to source sponsorship or donations to help them fund the fact-finding trip.
The four people that are attended the trip are all volunteers and have funded part of the trip themselves.
To donate: Cash Donations or Cheque Donations.
Please send and Make out Cheques to:
Preston Rd Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade – US Trip
PO Box 595
Collie WA 6225
Direct Deposit To: Preston Rd Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
BSB: 633 – 000
ACC: 154 752 463
Donations : (anything for raffles that we can use for fundraising)
Please feel Free to call for Pic ups.
0439 144 908 Kristy
0448 813 657 Kevin
0419 918 588 Phil
