Seasonal firefighters complement FFMVic’s permanent firefighting staff and will respond to bushfire and undertake prevention activities, including planned burning.
Jamie Brown is a first year PFF in Halls Gap, a town located in the heart of Gariwerd (Grampians National Park), about 3 hours north-west of Melbourne.
According to Jamie, the best thing about being a PFF is being able to get to know Gariwerd intimately and being part of a group who is always willing to share their expertise.
“I’ve found the Halls Gap crew to be a diverse and self-aware group of humans, always eager to share their knowledge. We all have similar interests and feed off each other's ideas and hard-working energy, which has been fantastic to be a part of,” she said.
Jamie considers the support role she played in the February 2024 fire, that impacted the nearby town of Pomonal, to be a pivotal moment in her first year.
“During the local fires I had the opportunity to be part of a team which was transported via helicopter onto the ridge to cut mineral line and strengthen the edge prior to some worrying weather forecasts later in the week.
I was also astounded by the sheer number of people from neighbouring fire districts, agencies and surrounding towns who turned up ready to sweat it out in the support of people they didn't know.”
Outside of fire deployment, learning the hands-on skills required for the day-to-day duties of a PFF has given Jamie a sense of empowerment.
“I’ve learnt how to use and take apart a chainsaw and how to properly check under the bonnet of a vehicle. All things that might be a given to some, but no one had ever taken the time to teach me.“
After previously working in the outdoor education industry, Jamie wanted to stay connected to the Australian bush. Becoming a PFF offered her the opportunity to be a part of a consistent team, while providing a level of physical challenge and sense of adventure.
“If you love the outdoors, want to learn new skills and aren't afraid of hard work, you have nothing to lose in applying to be a PFF. Our climate is changing and if you want to be involved in this space as a career, a PFF role is a great place to start your journey!”
Join our ranks as Project Firefighters for the 2024/25 season
Forest Fire Management Victoria is recruiting Project Firefighters for the 2024/25 season from 4-28 July 2024.
This is your chance to make a profound impact, protect our communities, and preserve the beauty of our natural landscapes.
Recruitment window
4 to 28 July 2024
Opportunity
Open to all, with designated positions available for Aboriginal applicants, affirming our commitment to diversity and inclusion.
For more information on the roles and responsibilities, and to join this fulfilling journey, please visit firefighter and employment.
Page last updated: 15/06/24