When the Black Saturday fires tore through Victoria, hundreds of firefighters across the state rushed to affected areas to battle the blazes.
Among them were 28 volunteers from the Werribee brigade, who received National Emergency Medals last week to recognise their efforts.
Werribee captain Michael Wells, deployed to Doreen, remembers the fires well. As he left Werribee and headed north, he began to get a grip on the situation.
“There was nobody driving towards the area, but the freeway on the opposite side was full. That made it clear just how bad it was,” he said.
At the fire ground, his task was to protect the township which, in fact, was saved.
“There was a lot of smoke. It was like we were in a permanent state of dusk even though it was during the day,” Mr Wells said.
“I remember the animals running to escape, and the radio … everyone was calling for help. It was overwhelming, just horrendous to listen to.”
Another memory that sticks in his mind is that both staff and volunteer firefighters fought together.
“We all had a common goal.”
On receiving the medal, Mr Wells said it was nice, but no volunteer puts themselves out there for the recognition.
Leaving a death toll of 173 people, the Black Saturday bushfires have been labelled Australia’s worst.
