Veteran firefighter Bill Slade ‘kindest of souls’

The veteran firefighter killed containing a blaze in East Gippsland was an expert mentor on the fireground.

Firefighter Bill Slade, 60, was hit by a falling tree near Omeo on Saturday.

A veteran Victorian firefighter who was killed while helping contain a blaze in East Gippsland has been remembered as “the kindest and gentlest of souls”.

Bill Slade, 60, was killed near Omeo on Saturday when he was hit by a falling tree while working to consolidate the fire edge.

The tragedy takes the Victorian bushfire death toll to four.

His death came as firefighters continued to tackle fires across the state, with an emergency warning issued on Sunday for Bennies, Cheshunt South, Markous, Rose River, Top Crossing and Wabonga in the state’s northeast.

Across Victoria 286 homes have been confirmed damaged or destroyed, as well as a further 400 outbuildings.

The number of homes lost in NSW since the season began in July has risen to 2136, 1220 of which have been destroyed since New Year’s Eve.

At least 26 people have died in the bushfires nationally — with two confirmed dead in South Australia and 20 in NSW.

Parks Victoria chief executive Matt Jackson on Sunday said Mr Slade had received a service commendation last year for 40 years with the organisation, including battling the devastating Ash Wednesday fires in 1983.

“It was a privilege to present him with that recognition, not only for our peer group, his recognition from service to the Victorian community in conservation but to make sure his legacy will go on,” Mr Jackson said.

“Having that formalised and recognised most recently as a month ago, whilst there’s a tragedy, we can also honour such a great career and proactive approach and expertise that Bill provided so I was delighted and honoured to do that.”

Neighbour Andy Stewart said Mr Slade was friendly, helpful and “capable of just about anything”.

“Bill was extremely knowledgeable and experienced around fire (if you were on the fireground with him, you knew to heed his advice) and his loss comes as a terrible shock to everyone around the Bass, Woolamai, Wonthaggi area,” Mr Stewart wrote in a Facebook post.

Another neighbour Lizzy Rivett said Mr Slade was down to earth, honest and hardworking and described him as “fabulous”.

“A true gentleman with the kindest and gentlest of souls who was always willing to help anyone in need, no question asked,” she posted on Facebook.

Premier Daniel Andrews sent his condolences to Mr Slade’s wife, Carol, and his two children, Steph and Ethan.

“He was muchloved, an absolute mentor to many, many people … and he will be missed,” Mr Andrews said. “I think this shows us that this is still a very, very dangerous environment.”

Forest Fire Management Victoria chief fire officer Chris Hardman said Mr Slade’s death was a significant loss for the organisation, and the Victorian community as a whole.

“Although we do have enormous experience with identifying hazardous trees, there are occasions where some of these tree failures cannot be predicted,” he said.

He said it was a dynamic, high-risk environment for firefighters from the organisation and from the Country Fire Authority. “It has been a really difficult and challenging experience for everybody,” he said.

Mr Slade’s death will be investigated by Victoria Police.

The Victorian government will announce on Monday tax relief for businesses, families and individuals in bushfire-affected communities including ex gratia relief for their 2020 land tax assessment if their properties were destroyed or substantially damaged.

People who decide not to rebuild in their local community will be able to receive up to $55,000 in stamp duty relief if they buy a home elsewhere.

People who lost motor vehicles due to the bushfires would be able to receive up to $2100 in ex gratia relief from the duty on up to two replacement vehicles.