Burning cars were doused and rookie teeth were cut at the Coleambally Rural Fire Service station on Saturday as the Coleambally RFS brigade hosted a joint MIA training exercise.
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Coleambally RFS volunteer firefighter Thomas Breed said the exercise was mostly centered around basic firefighting drills.
Mr Breed said the exercise was especially beneficial for several new recruits who were attending.
Around 25 RFS personnel attended the exercise from the brigades at Barellan, Coleambally, Gidgell, Darlington Point and Yanco.
With the brigades bringing their firetrucks volunteers drilled their use of hoses, pumps, chainsaws, and extinguishers.
Among the exercises being drilled, Mr Breed said there were fireground operations as well as a simulated fire overrun which saw volunteers practicing their responses to the "unlikely scenario" of having a bush fire overrun their position.
The brigade were also given a number of gas props from the district headquarters in Griffith which Mr Breed said are essentially remote operated gas pilots, used to simulate hazardous fires during extinguisher drills.
Also given to the brigade were a number of old cars which were donated by Coleambally residents for use in the fire drills.
"They were basically old paddock bashers but they were still greatly appreciated," Mr Breed said.
"Hay was put inside of them and they were set alight and then put out."
Mr Breed said he also greatly appreciated the efforts of all the volunteers who made the time to participate in the exercise saying the current harvest season would have made getting off the farm a challenge for many of those attending.
With the second half of the exercise being held at the Coleambally Equestrian Centre Mr Breed said he was also grateful for the free lunch that was given by the centre including steak sandwiches and a "really good pumpkin soup."
Mr Breed said next month the brigade are also planning to hold an inter-district joint exercise in Coly.
Coleambally RFB would like to thank the following for their donations of cars for the exercise and the transport of the cars, Greg Harrigan, Ian Sutherland, Bernard Star, Anthony Fattore.
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