CFA and SES crews in East Gippsland are teaming up to carry out a range of rescues to help save lives.
Bairnsdale SES, Bairnsdale Fire Brigade and Lakes Entrance Fire Brigade will be utilising their working relationship to respond to rescues across Gippsland and the Alpine Region.
In preparation for future rescues and the upcoming bushfire season, the two emergency service agencies have been holding joint training exercises and increasing their communication.
Bairnsdale Captain, Aaron Lee, said the crews aim to train together regularly, as well as the advantages of combining with the SES.
“Our rescue capability means we’re not emptying stations for an incident, we’re taking key people from key stations and  allowing members to respond to other calls such as fires,”  Mr Lee said.

IMAGE: Bairnsdale CFA Captain, Aaron Lee, SES Bairnsdale member, Pat Dwyer, Lakes Entrance CFA Captain, Philip Loukes, and CFA Chief Officer, Jason Heffernan, at the recent announcement that SES and CFA crews would be joining forces to carry out rescues. K207 - 6595