After 31 years of fighting fires and witnessing the destruction they can leave behind, Mount Gambier Country Fire Service (CFS) Group Officer Jonny Lamond has a clear message for local residents: prepare your properties before a bushfire threatens.
Mr Lamond, who is also a farmer, says the work property owners put into preparing for the Fire Danger Season can make an enormous difference when a fire breaks out.
Having attended countless fires throughout his career, he has seen firsthand how quickly conditions can change and how well-prepared properties have a better chance of surviving.
“One of the biggest things I’ve learnt is just how quickly a fire can change and how important preparation is. You can never underestimate a bushfire, particularly when weather conditions turn against you,” Mr Lamond said.
“I’ve also learnt that the work people put into preparing their properties before summer can make an enormous difference to the outcome when a fire does occur.”
Mr Lamond joined the CFS as a cadet at just 11-years-old and has since served as a brigade firefighter, Lieutenant, Brigade Captain and Deputy Group Officer.
He recently took over from his father as Group Officer of the Mount Gambier CFS Group, continuing a family connection to the service.
With summer approaching, he is urging residents, particularly those living in bushfire-prone areas, to take practical steps now rather than leave preparations until a fire is already threatening their properties.
“Having attended fires for many years, one thing that has always stood out to me is that the properties most likely to survive a bushfire are generally the ones where the owners have taken the time to prepare beforehand,” he said.
“Things like keeping grass short, cleaning up around buildings, removing unnecessary fuel loads and making sure there’s good access for firefighting appliances can make a huge difference.”
Mr Lamond said one of the biggest dangers was underestimating how quickly a small fire could escalate, particularly during hot, dry, and windy conditions.
He said residents also needed to consider whether firefighters could safely access their properties and whether sufficient water would be available during an emergency.
“Another thing people often overlook is access and water availability. If we arrive at a property and can’t get our appliances in safely, or there’s no accessible water supply, it makes our job considerably harder,” he said.
“Preparation isn’t something you want to be thinking about when there’s already a fire heading your way. By then, it’s often too late.”
As a farmer, Mr Lamond understands the challenges of protecting homes, sheds, machinery, livestock and other infrastructure during the fire season.
On his own properties, firefighting units are carried on farm Utes, while equipment is regularly maintained to ensure it is ready when needed.
He also makes managing vegetation, reducing fuel loads and maintaining clear access tracks a priority.
One measure he believes deserves greater attention across the region is making existing irrigation infrastructure accessible to firefighting crews.
“One thing I’d really encourage landholders in our region to consider, particularly those with irrigation systems, is installing a suitable firefighting connection at their irrigation pump,” he said.
“We have an enormous amount of irrigation infrastructure throughout our district, and I think the potential for these systems to provide water to firefighting appliances is often overlooked.”
He said having water available close to a fire could save crews valuable time and reduce the need for firefighting appliances to travel long distances to refill.
“Having a readily accessible water supply close to a fire can make an enormous difference to our crews,” he said.
“Rather than having appliances travelling considerable distances to refill, being able to access water nearby can save valuable time and help us protect properties more effectively.”
Beyond preparing the property itself, Mr Lamond said families must also have a bushfire survival plan and understand when to leave.
He encouraged residents to assess their homes and farms from a firefighter’s perspective, considering access, available water and potential fire hazards.
“I’d also encourage everyone to look at their property from a firefighter’s perspective. Can we get our appliances in and out safely? Is there a reliable water supply? Have you done everything practical to reduce the fuel around your home and sheds?” he said.
“And importantly, make sure your family has a bushfire survival plan and understands when to leave rather than relying on a fire truck turning up.”
His message to the community is simple: the time spent preparing now could make all the difference when a bushfire strikes.
“At the end of the day, the more preparation people do before a fire, the better chance we have of protecting their property when it matters most.”
Caption: Mount Gambier Country Fire Service (CFS) Group Officer Jonny Lamond. Picture: Supplied.
