Part Two – continuing from last month
Name: Jamie Salkeld
What was your role in the Currowan Fire? My role was as Deputy Captain of the Brigade and Crew Leader, running trucks out of the Valley with local members. I am a Fireline Tree Faller, so I was spending time in a crew dealing with dangerous trees. We had to close the Pacific Highway on numerous occasions to fall trees across the road that were going to drop on cars, members of the public or fire trucks. It was mainly as a brigade member in a truck. I spent a lot of time down the south coast, starting in early November, and was fighting fires almost every day for the next three months. From Batemans Bay, and then progressively closer to Kangaroo Valley, the bush fire evolved from little fires that joined up and became the massive Currowan Fire.
Any scary moments? A couple of moments in South Nowra, where we were at properties with big flames coming towards us.
Most challenging moment as a firefighter? There have been a few. As a Fireline Feller I remember taking on trees that were really big and damaged. It is dangerous work but we mitigate the risk by our training. It is that process of elimination and how the hell am I going to get this tree on the ground?
Also a Crew Leader, being a Div Comm (Divisional Commander) and being in charge of five other trucks and crew, responsible for 30+ people. Running a fire at night – there is a lot going on, a lot of radios. Up near Dorrigo I was Div Comm, driving, talking on the radio, reading maps and planning. I don’t like sitting at a base, I would prefer to be on the fire ground. We had fire impacting a property, the communications were so bad I couldn’t call out so I had to make a judgment call. I had to introduce fire, putting in a backburn around this property. We saved the property but it was a challenging moment.
Most interesting place you have fought fires? Tasmania, the Franklin / Gordon Rivers National Park. The ‘Gell River Fire’ in 2019. We were flying out of their airbase in Huey’s and BKs, flying for half an hour, and being dropped in the middle of nowhere. I won’t go there again, and no one else will go there again, because you can only walk in there! We saw some amazing country. We were about 1000m up, on this range on the West Coast of Tassie, a massive valley between us and a fire that kicked up in Central Tasmania, up near Cradle Mountain. We were on a VHF handheld, talking 100km to another team fighting the fire there and talking to them like they were next to us. It was incredible. We couldn’t see them; we could just see smoke. We were there putting out fires that were going to spread into forestry. The fire had already gone through the National Park and then it was starting to impact this billion-dollar industry for Tasmania and they couldn’t have this affect the economy.
Best innovation in RFS? The training is the best thing, as everyone talks the same language and walks the same walk. If you don’t have that cohesion, then people are just running into the fires without a clue. Having a Central Headquarters and a Commissioner, the funding and the effort the RFS spends on training. The technology with trucks, pumps and equipment.
Mentor(s)? A combination of Dusty and Dave Alexander. Dave showing me the way with training and the chainsaw side of things, Dusty with the brigade and as a leader.
Advice to others who want to volunteer? Don’t be afraid that you can’t do anything, or contribute. The catch phrase, “There is a job for everyone in the RFS”; but there actually is. No one thinks anything less of you if all you want to do is sit on a truck and get on the end of a hose. If we don’t have members like that, then we don’t have fire fighters. If you want to do everything under the sun – chainsaw, raft, then do that as well. But don’t be afraid you are not going to be able to contribute, or you don’t know anything. Put your hand up and volunteer. It’s very rewarding.
What were you like as a kid? I was a total ratbag. I used to get into trouble.
What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to help people and that transformed when I was young into wanting to be a police officer, in hindsight a fire fighter. I am still interested in joining Fire and Rescue but I just live too far away from a Station. I was happy growing up on a farm as a kid. We had 4500 acres, horses, and motorbikes so I wouldn’t have minded being a farmer.
What was your best subject at school? English, Drama and History.
What inspires you? Compassion and helping others. It inspires me that people go out of their way to help other people, for no benefit other than to help. I really admire that. It is one of the best traits in people. To help with no thought for themselves or looking for any reward.
Favourite Author? Alexandre Dumas, The Count of Monte Christo.
Favourite music? 1980s Aussie Rock.
Piece of clothing you wear the most? My belt with my knife and a cap.
What makes you smile? My mates.
Explain yourself in five words: Helpful, loyal, funny, conscientious, committed.
Interviewer Tracey Basman
KV Brigade Secretary
