Preparing wildlife first responders for the next bushfire

Critical training is being rolled out across Australia to help wildlife groups better prepare for the next bushfire.

IFAW is this week launching its search and rescue training course which was developed in the aftermath of the catastrophic Black Summer bushfires.

Since the 2019-20 fires, government and the wildlife sector have focused on improving how wildlife is managed during bushfires, but IFAW animal rescue officer Robert Leach says it doesn’t go far enough.

“The processes don’t prepare your everyday wildlife rescuer for the challenges they may face in a disaster,” Mr Leach said.

“When you’re heading into a fireground, everything is thrown out the window. You don’t know what you’re going to find, where the animals are, or how you will be able to help them. This training will upskill wildlife rescuers into wildlife first responders.”

The training aims to better prepare wildlife rescuers to navigate a fireground efficiently and safely while searching for wildlife. Expert guidance will improve skills in key techniques, including safety on the fireground, search strategies, mapping, setting up triage clinics, what to do when encountering an animal on the fireground, and responder mental health.

“We do not want a repeat of the Black Summer bushfires, where we had animals suffering, and members of the public and wildlife rescuers putting themselves in harm's way to rescue them. We must do all we can to minimise that hero behaviour where human safety is not prioritised,” Mr Leach said.

“We are trying to do better for our wildlife, so they do not suffer so immensely again.

“Hopefully, better prepared wildlife experts will mean fewer members of the public will put themselves in danger. They can put their trust in committed well-trained experts to save animals.”

Climate change is making disasters more intense and frequent, especially in Australia. IFAW has decades of experience in disaster response in Australia and across the world and is committed to ensuring that more people are trained, empowered, and ready to deploy and rescue animals when needed.

“We can’t control the intensity of the next fire or disaster, but we can make sure we are more equipped to safely and effectively respond – ultimately saving more animal lives,” Mr Leach said.

Members of the public are urged to download the free IFAW Wildlife Rescue App, which connects individuals to their closest wildlife rescue organisation. The app can be used in times of emergency and daily.

ENDS

Press contact:
Dominica Mack
dmack@ifaw.org  
0460 432 901