Emergency services volunteers learn the lifesaving skill of reloading a water bomber plane in Denmark

Emergency Services volunteers learnt lifesaving skills at a training day hosted by the Parks and Wildlife Service at Denmark Airport on Saturday.

More than 30 members of the Denmark Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, Ocean Beach Bush Fire Brigade, and State Emergency Services learnt how to reload a water bomber in the event of a bushfire.

Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions fire aviation services officer Adam Edwards demonstrated how to refill an 802 Air Tractor water bomber plane, which flew in from Manjimup for the day.

“After everyone was confident and happy with the dry-run demonstration, we started the aircraft up,” he said.

“So the propeller was going and they all did a run-through and actually filled the water bomber up so that they could get the whole experience with the noise, dust and the hot exhaust.

“It’s a real-life demonstration and it gave them a really good idea what it’s like when there is an activation.”

Denmark Airport has two heavy-duty water pumps used to refill water bombers, one of which can pump 3150L of water in less than two minutes.

“It’s really important they know these skills for when there is a bushfire, especially in towns like Denmark,” Mr Edwards said.

“The airport is really close to town so as soon as they get activated they come straight out, get set up and they’re ready to go for when the water bombers come in and require water. If there were multiple fires or if there was a crash or search and rescue operations going on, having the redundancy of other volunteer groups being able to come in and assist is absolutely vital.”

Mr Edwards said the training day was “a great success”.

“The volunteers are just awesome people to work with, they really enjoy it and they’re really helpful and keen, and we just really do appreciate their help and support,” he said. “It was a really good turnout and we got a lot of people trained up so if something happens there will be plenty of people who are able to come out and help us when we need it.”