The SA Country Fire Service has bolstered its response to combating bushfires and other emergencies on the southern Fleurieu and the Adelaide Hills with the official opening of two new operational support brigades.

The Sturt and Southern Fleurieu Operational Support brigades are the first of their type to be formally established in Parliament since 2016 and, according to CFS Regional Commander Michael Bohrnsen, they will play a critical back-of-house role for all incidents and emergencies. 

“We know there are increased fire risks and hazards in the Adelaide Hills and beyond and given there’s a growing population in these peri-urban areas, it’s really important we bring in these additional support services.

“The brigades will consist of volunteers who will be professionally trained to provide radio communications, logistics and other key requirements for ground crews to tackle and get on top of future incidents,” Mr Bohrnsen says. 

One of the last Operational Support brigades to be established in South Australia was Para Reserve, in the aftermath of the Samson Flat bushfires. 

These two new brigades have been carefully considered and created after extensive consultation with government, community groups and CFS staff and volunteers.

They’ll also offer exciting opportunities for new and existing volunteers who may not wish to be, or don’t have capacity to be, frontline firefighters.

The Sturt and Southern Fleurieu Operational Support brigades will play a vital back-of-house role for all incidents – providing a wide range of support to ground crews as they respond to bushfires and other emergencies.

Operational Support members’ roles include communications, logistics, operations, catering and peer and family support – enabling volunteers to serve their communities, even when they are unable or do not wish to be frontline firefighters.

The Sturt Operational Support brigade – part of the Sturt Group – covers areas including Belair, Blackwood, Cherry Gardens, Coromandel Valley and Eden Hills, with training held at Belair and Cherry Gardens stations. 

The Southern Fleurieu Operational Support brigade – part of the Southern Fleurieu Group – covers areas including Cape Jervis, Hay Flat, Inman Valley, Myponga, Parawa, Rapid Bay and Yankalilla, which is where the brigade is based.

Minister for Emergency Services Dan Cregan says CFS volunteers are committed to serving their communities in many ways and in different roles. 

“These new brigades will provide vital support to frontline crews, helping them respond to bushfires and other emergencies in growing areas of the state. 

“Operational Support members are valued additions to the CFS’ response and demonstrate how volunteers with diverse skills and abilities can continue to assist.”

Both brigades will support up to 20 volunteers and have been formed after extensive consultation with CFS staff and volunteers, community groups and Government agencies to increase services in areas of growing need.

Anyone interested in joining is encouraged to head to the CFS volunteers page, with final placements expected to be filled by September.

There are now 427 SA Country Fire Service brigades representing 13,500 volunteers in six regions across the state.