Ground Observer exercise brings districts together

Ground Observers collecting fire ground intelligence

 

Ground Observers from Districts 7 and 15 joined forces in the Brisbane Ranges for a hands-on training exercise aimed at sharpening fireground intelligence skills ahead of the summer fire season.

 

On Saturday 15 December, fourteen Ground Observers took part in the field-based session, designed to refresh their ground intelligence gathering skills ahead of the fire season.

The scenario simulated a fire expected to break control lines during a period of elevated fire danger in the follow days. Crews were tasked with gathering intelligence from the fire ground so the Incident Control Centre (ICC) could plan effectively in the event of a breakout.

Throughout the day attendees focused on the fundamentals: reading and recording weather observations, assessing fuel types and loading, understanding how topography shapes fire behaviour, and capturing photographic evidence to support situational awareness.

Crews were split into four teams, mixing members from both districts to strengthen relationships and share expertise. The day allowed for attendees to work side by side which mirrored real operations where District 7 and District 15 routinely deploy together, as seen during the fires at Bayindeen in 2023 and Dereel in 2024.

At each site, teams gathered weather, fuel, and terrain intelligence, and at the final location they assessed structures that could come under threat in the days ahead.

Ground Observers play a critical role in incident management by collecting accurate intelligence from a ground-based platform during preparedness, response and recovery phases.

Their work informs strategic planning and decision-making, ensuring leaders have a precise understanding of what is happening on the fireground alongside predicative models and aerial views.

District 7 Ground Observer Unit Leader Noel Grant described the value of the exercise: "The day was an excellent opportunity to focus on the basics while getting to work closely with ground observers from another district," he said.

Since 2023, District 7 has operated a district-based Ground Observer Unit, coordinated by volunteers with close support from district staff.

The unit now has 20 members and continues to build its capability as a stand-alone unit. Exercises like this one in the Brisbane Ranges strengthen the skills, partnerships and confidence that Ground Observers rely on when conditions escalate - ensuring the ICC has the right information at the right time to protect communities.

 

Submitted by	Michael Dillon