CFA chief officer Steve Warrington was on hand to observe the exercises in Sebastopol which were designed to educate firefighters on the dangers of burnover, where fire comes in contact with the truck, as well as falling trees. 

Volunteers were also tested on loading trucks and communicating with other crews.

Mr Warrington said the procedures were critical to ensuring firefighters were safe on the ground.  

“One of the biggest issues for us alongside protecting the community is protecting our firefighters,” Mr Warrington said.  “It’s about making sure when we’re fighting fires our crews are safe.”