The sound of diesel engines and radio chatter filled Mapleton Forest last Sunday (July 20th) as 70 Rural Fire Service Queensland volunteers put themselves through their paces in a training exercise that could mean the difference between saving a home and losing it.
Firefighters from ten brigades across the Sunshine Coast—from seasoned veterans with three decades under their belts to nervous first-year recruits—converged on Mapleton for the annual skills test that prepares them for what experts predict will be a hotter, drier fire season ahead.
“When that pager goes off at 2am and you’re racing to a fire, you don’t have time to figure out how someone else’s equipment works,” said Derek Cameron, First Officer of the Mapleton Rural Fire Brigade. “That’s why we mix up the crews—so when it’s real, everyone knows what they’re doing.”
Real Scenarios, Real Stakes
The day wasn’t about theory. Volunteers tackled pump failures, simulated injuries, and navigating through thick forest whilst maintaining radio contact—the kind of challenges that hit when adrenaline is pumping and lives are on the line.
Derek watched crews from Obi Obi work alongside firefighters from Bli Bli and Eudlo, strangers becoming teammates as they practiced water relay operations and casualty evacuations. It’s exactly what happens during real deployments, where brigades are thrown together with whatever equipment is available.
“During the 2019-2020 fires, I saw crews who’d never worked together before operating like they’d been partners for years,” Derek recalled. “That’s what this training builds—the ability to trust the person next to you, even if you met them five minutes ago.”
More Than Just Firefighting
The training covered the full spectrum of what rural firefighters face: pump operations when water sources are scarce, first aid when ambulances can’t reach remote locations, 4WD recovery when trucks get bogged in rough terrain, and the critical skill of working safely around power lines that could kill.
But perhaps the most vital skill practiced was communication using the GWN (Government Wireless Network) radio system—the statewide network that connects more than 17,500 frontline police, fire, ambulance, and emergency services personnel across Queensland. This digital lifeline keeps scattered crews coordinated and safe during chaotic emergency responses, allowing different agencies to work seamlessly together when every second counts.
For first-year volunteers, the day offered a reality check. For veterans like Derek, it was a chance to pass on hard-earned knowledge and catch up with what he calls his “brigade family.”
Community on the Front Line
What drives these volunteers isn’t glory—it’s the knowledge that they’re protecting their own backyard. Derek, who joined the brigade after retiring and moving to the area, puts it simply: “Our volunteers are your neighbours. When we train, we’re protecting our homes, our families, and our community.”
The community support was evident throughout the day. Lions volunteers kept everyone fed, while Mapleton School and Mapleton Hall provided facilities when rain threatened to bog down the heavy fire trucks. “Without this local community support the exercise would not have gone ahead” said Derek.
Fire Season Warning
With weather forecasters predicting challenging conditions ahead, the message from RFSQ is clear: don’t wait for the sirens to start preparing.
The basics haven’t changed—clear your gutters, have an evacuation plan, keep hoses accessible, and stay informed through official channels like the QFD Warnings page and Sunshine Coast Council Disaster Hub.
But as Derek points out, individual preparation only goes so far: “We need more volunteers. Every person who steps up means better protection for everyone.”
Ready When It Counts
As the sun set on Sunday’s exercise and the last fire truck rumbled away from Mapleton, 70 volunteers headed home knowing they were as ready as training could make them. Whether this fire season brings severe conditions or stays relatively quiet, they’ll be prepared to respond.
Because when the call comes—and it will come—there’s no second chance to get it right.
Get Prepared:
- Bushfire info: Prepare | Queensland Fire Department
- Want to volunteer? Rural Fire Service Queensland Volunteer | Queensland Fire Department
- Emergency: Call 000
- Stay updated: QFD Warnings page
The exercise involved brigades from Obi Obi, Kureelpa, Bli Bli, Keil Mtn, Eudlo, Palmwoods, West Woombye, Mapleton, Montville, and Ilkley/Tanawha.
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