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NSW Bushfires: Riverina firefighter Peter Bye pays tribute to the unseen bushfire heroism behind the frontline

A firefighter with nearly two decades of experience across various roles is shining the spotlight on those who put in the hours behind-the-scenes during bushfire emergencies.

Wagga News/AAP. Riverina RFS Officer Peter Bye at Wagga Wagga, 22 January 20120. (AAP Image/Michael Frogley)
Wagga News/AAP. Riverina RFS Officer Peter Bye at Wagga Wagga, 22 January 20120. (AAP Image/Michael Frogley)

Forest Hill Rural Fire Service's Peter Bye may have held various roles — from leading strike teams to planning and providing communications — during his 19 years as a firefighter, but he said it is the efforts of those behind the scenes that are courageous and need more recognition.

“It’s the unseen work that happens in the background that is just as important as battling the 50-foot flames,” Mr Bye said.

“It's the work that's not really seen but is absolutely vital particularly prior to the blowup days.”

Firefighters conduct property checks at the Dunns Road fire at Mt Adrah on January 10. Picture: Getty Images
Firefighters conduct property checks at the Dunns Road fire at Mt Adrah on January 10. Picture: Getty Images

Mr Bye said he went out to the Dunns Road fire, which began in early January, as a strike team leader about a day or two before one of the predicted bad days.

“The first stint was just the essential blacking out and strengthening of containment lines — trying to keep it in its box,” he said.

“You couldn't quantify the amount of hours spent working on that side of the fires.

“It's probably, in my opinion, more vital particularly in some of the weather that we’ve had.”

Such work also includes those supporting with logistics away from the frontline.

“The logistics training behind supporting firefighters on the fireline is huge — the ratio is often two support workers to one (firefighter on the ground),” Mr Bye said.

“This includes help with food, water, mechanics and fuel.”

As of Friday 5pm, the Dunns Road fire has burnt nearly 340,000 hectares.

Riverina RFS members Bradley Stewart, Nicolle Stanton and Peter Bye at the Wagga control centre. Picture: Michael Frogley
Riverina RFS members Bradley Stewart, Nicolle Stanton and Peter Bye at the Wagga control centre. Picture: Michael Frogley

Mr Bye, who works for BAE Systems Australia at the RAAF, said the grounds he has seen had been “so comprehensively” burnt.

“From Currowan to Dunns Road to Green Wattle Creek — I remember walking on one fire ground and thinking it was apocalyptic,” he said.

“I'm not trying to sound dramatic or over the top, but that was probably the word that sprung to mind.

“There’s usually something left behind and when you can see on the ground a shadow of where a tree was laying. The intensity and the ferocity is next level.”

The 35-year-old said his family and employer had been key in helping his efforts not just during the current bushfires but also previous one across the state.

“I'm a family man with four daughters and my darling wife,” he said.

“Without the support of the family, there is no way any of us could do what we do.”

He also thanked his employer for its support.

“Those guys have been ridiculously supportive, it's unbelievable,” he said.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/thewagganews/firefighter-peter-bye-pays-tribute-to-the-unseen-bushfire-heroism-behind-the-front-line/news-story/bd0464cdf9793fbc247883967a7b4e2b