By Renee Wood
Although time goes by the memory of Black Saturday is still etched into the minds of many locals who witnessed the tragic events unfold.
More than 30 local homes were lost from the fires on 7 February 2009 in the Healesville and Chum Creek area as fire fighters battle blazes as best they could.
Ron Poole was a lieutenant of the Healesville Fire Brigade at the time and was the crew leader to go out in the first vehicle that was sent to Yarra Glen.
The fire from Wallan saw a wind change which brought fire through that area, seeing Yarra Glen through to Coldstream burnt out by the time Ron arrived.
“We shot across here and by the time we got there, it had already gone,” he said.
“We did what we could do, and the wind had already changed.”
Another wind change then brought the blaze to the Healesville, Chum Creek area.
“We went over the Long Gully, Old Healesville Road and it was just everywhere, spot fires everywhere were just combining into one.”
After filling up in Healesville, Mr Poole and his team went back out to Chum Creek, driving past as residents did what they could and fled from the fires.
“It goes that fast you just cannot keep up with it and there is no hope. There’s no reason to be in front of it anyway, you’re only putting yourself and crew in danger.
“This was their safest spot [ Healesville] to go to the town, because we really had no idea where it was going to come out where it was heading or anything.”
Ron and his crew went to the Hodgers Road estate for asset protection, trying to do what they could to save facilities and people’s homes.
“It’s very hard to weigh up when you’re in charge what to save and what not to save.
“We had to walk away from a lot of houses.. it plays on your mind a little bit, you think could I couldn’t I?
“I got to the stage where I stopped counting what was on fire and what wasn’t. You just switch off and just keep doing your job.”
The crew worked their way through Chum Creek and overnight as fires continued over the next couple of days and weeks.
“Healesville was very lucky, on the other side I think the fire came back on us about three or four times.
“So when it went through on a Saturday – we’re still having fire fronts come back on us for at least another week.”
Healesville was set up as a staging area at the sporting complex and as the magnitude of the devastation from across the region and state became known, public and community support continued to grow.
“The public was absolutely extraordinary.
“The town got behind the people and it’s good the town felt like a big community – which is one of the most important things, and I think that helps a lot of people through their recovery…. “So it’s very good to see how the town did support us in many ways”
This year marks the 14 year anniversary, with Mr Poole saying it’s important to reflect and remember.
“It would be nice for people to remember the people who made the sacrifice and what the sacrifices they went through as losing property, friends, and afterwards, having to move out of the town which they probably didn’t want to move from.
“Take one minute of the day just to reflect on what happened in this town and this area on a day of fire and take note of your environment, your weather, and be more aware of your conditions.”
