DELWP Having completed several seasons as a seasonal Project Firefighter, Mel advanced her career by becoming a fulltime Forest and Fire Operations Officer (FFOO) based at FFMVic’s Toolangi depot two years ago.
"Starting as a PFF, I had little field work experience and zero firefighting experience but decided it sounded like something I would enjoy and applied online," Mel said.
"The idea of a very hands on, practical and outdoors type of role was appealing to me. I was interested in fire ecology and its behaviour during my studies and jumped at the opportunity to learn more and gain some new experiences.
"And I have always been an outdoors person, particularly enjoying activities such as hiking in the forest where majority of both the PFF and FFOO roles are based."
The daily work schedule for FFOOs is varied with no two days ever being the same.
"Our day-to-day work can vary greatly from things like construction and maintenance of recreational facilities, hiking and maintaining walking tracks, track clearing when trees fall on the road, roading, working with large machines such as bulldozers and preparing for planned burning operations," Mel said.
"In doing this we get to learn and develop so many skills daily including chainsaw operations and four-wheel driving.
"On top of these activities, preventing and responding to bushfires is our main priority.
"Because of this there is an element of unpredictability, you never know how your day is going to play out and that is so exciting.
"I am never bored and always learning new skills and being challenged."
Mel said there were times where the job could be very physically demanding as being a FFOO or PFF required a high level of fitness.
"You have to be able to perform in extreme weather conditions and work under high pressure situations at times so it can be very challenging," she said.
"Although these parts of the job can be difficult, they are also highly rewarding."
"It is seriously the best job; I can’t imagine working anywhere else."
Page last updated: 01/09/21