A group officer from the NSW RFS Lower North Coast says the recent bushfire crisis has had an impact on the mental health of some frontline volunteer firefighters and staff who work at the control centre.
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Paul Bourne first became a firefighter when he was 14-years-old with the Country Fire Authority (CFA).
He said the latest bushfire event represented the most confronting situation he's encountered.
NSW RFS Lower North Coast Superintendent Lachlann Ison has previously spoken about the catastrophic conditions on November 8, 2019, where the control centre was drowning in triple zero calls.
Mr Bourne said he can attest to the statements made by Supt Ison in his accounts.
He said it was "quite distressing" for call staff to listen to people crying on the other end of the phone, saying they needed help.
The onus then fell onto senior staff for the decision on whether to send firefighters out, after weighing up the immediate threat of fire in proximity to locations.
Mr Bourne said it was lucky there everything worked out relatively well, as there were a few moments where it was touch and go.
Firefighters, Mr Bourne said don't like to witness any properties being lost, however they were forced to prioritise their own safety, due to the ferocious nature of the fire at times.
Mr Bourne gave his own example of a touch and go moment during the fire crisis.
Firefighters had been called to a property off Willi Willi Road, west of Kempsey.
A couple lived there with their livestock, along with dogs and goats.
"The fire was approaching their house and coming in extremely hard," Mr Bourne said.
At one stage the fire was crowning, meaning it was travelling from tree top to tree top.
Mr Bourne ordered firefighters to leave the area as the situation was too dangerous. However he chose to stay with the couple who didn't want to leave their animals.
Mr Bourne chose to stay because he had a plan and good knowledge of how fires work.
"Someone had to look after them," he said.
"It was a calculated risk."
Mr Bourne said thankfully at the very last moment the wind changed before the fire impacted the house.
It was satisfying and a great sense of achievement, Mr Bourne said for firefighters to then go on and save another five properties in the same area.
Historically the control centre has been able to draw resources from Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour.
However, on November 8 the firefighters from these areas had their own blazes to battle at the same time.
Firefighters would say to Mr Bourne "I need help desperately, I can't do this on my own".
However the control centre couldn't offer them any additional resources and they had to do what they could to help to prioritise lives first and then properties.
The toll of fighting the fires has had a slight mental health impact on Mr Bourne for a short period of time and a small number of other firefighters.
They worked under extreme pressure during the crisis, due to time demands and limited water sources.
However, Mr Bourne believes more resources on the day wouldn't have made an iota of difference.
"It didn't matter how quick or how good we were, the fire was so intense," he said.
Mr Bourne said some firefighters are accessing support through the Critical Incident Support Service.
He said some firefighters, including staff in the control centre, could suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder years after the event.
He said it's important they seek help when they need it.
For more information, or to seek support please visit https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/42455/CISS-brochure.pdf
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