Swan Reach has become a new home for emergency service personnel who are continuing to fight fires throughout East Gippsland.
The massive deployment of emergency service staff is being accommodated at the Base Camp, which has been operating since December 18.
The Swan Reach Recreation Reserve has been transformed into an interagency tent city, with 440 personnel from across the state’s emergency services sleeping at the site, with more travelling to and from the site each day.
The Base Camp took three days to establish in order to accommodate personnel who have been fighting fires that have been burning in the region since November.
Almost all services, produce, and equipment has been sourced from businesses in the region to ensure local businesses are supported during this difficult time.
More than 5000 litres of fuel is being used each day at the camp, refuelling fire trucks and vehicles, and ensuring generators keep powering the site.
Crews are also consuming 1200 bread rolls, 140 kilograms of fruit, and 60 kilograms of sandwich meat per day.
Hygiene has also been taken into consideration, with 30 toilets being emptied twice a day, and more than 50 industrial loads of washing being done to ensure staff have clean bedding. The Swan Reach Base Camp will remain as a home for the state’s emergency services as the fires continue to burn throughout East Gippsland.
