FIREFIGHTERS from Moama and Womboota spent the weekend refining their driving skills at the Rural Fire Driver course.
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The event, held in Deniliquin and surrounding forests, saw Rural Fire Service volunteers Fred Daraz of Moama and Steve Hazell and Dale Bowles of Womboota receive their RFD qualifications.
Mid-Murray district officer Terry Campbell said the qualification was needed for any active firefighter to respond to incidents in RFS vehicles.
"It is designed to give the drivers of our emergency vehicles the knowledge and information, as well as some practical experience to be safer drivers in a wide variety of conditions," he said.
"We train them to be able to drive in most of the conditions they might face on the fire ground such as muddy, slippery and sandy conditions as well as a hilly terrain.
"In addition to that, we focus on stopping distances, safer driving distances from other vehicles, response driving, vehicle positioning and using RFS standard operating procedure."
Mr Campbell said the RFS was constantly working to improve the service and keep training up to date.
"This course provides a greater capability for members to respond who are safer and more aware about driving within the community," he said.
"This means we can keep giving a better, quicker and more efficient service to some of the areas that can be difficult to access, specifically in the rural terrain.
"We offer an array of training throughout the year that is offered to all members and it is something we encourage them to take on.
"Community and crew safety are a priority for us as well as providing the best possible service in emergency and non-emergency situations."
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