posted on February 15, 2009 16:55
Bruce Angus had seen devastation during his 20 years as a firefighter, but never on the horrific scale he witnessed in Marysville.
The Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteer returned to Sydney on Sunday, after 72 hours on the Victorian fireground.
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Based in the Kinglake complex of fires, Mr Angus and his crew from the southern districts of Sydney fought to contain the same blaze that had all but wiped out the small township.
At least 100 people have been killed and more than 1,000 made homeless in Kinglake and surrounding areas.
It also is feared as many as 100 people might have been killed in Marysville - one fifth of the town's residents.
Speaking to reporters at Sydney Airport, Mr Angus said he had never experienced so much destruction.
"It's a bit draining when you drive through some of the areas down there, with the scale of the event and the devastation, meeting up with the people who have been impacted has been a little bit emotional," Mr Angus said.
"The devastation of Marysville was quite significant.
"In terms of a whole town being wiped out, that was very, very big."
Mr Angus and 84 other RFS volunteer got a heroes welcome when they flew into Sydney Airport on Sunday morning.
The weary warriors were applauded by travellers as they made their way through the domestic terminal to the baggage carousel.
The volunteers left for Victoria on Wednesday, and returned utterly drained from 72 hours on the fire ground.
"It's always good to come back from the commitment down there and see your family," he said.
"Everyone's a little bit tired but certainly glad to have gone down and done something for the community."
During a brief and sombre welcome home at Gate 39, RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said all volunteers would be offered counselling.
"I've seen some of the most seasoned of firefighters come home and they're doing it tough, so I expect some of you will do it tough," he told the 85 firefighters.
"But know that the RFS family will be here to support you and help you through whatever you're enduring."
Another 57 RFS volunteers returned home to regional NSW on Sunday, on flights bound for Coffs Harbour, Parkes, Hay, West Wyalong and Cootamundra.
Another 70 RFS volunteers returning to Sydney last Thursday.
There were about 460 NSW firefighters still deployed in Victoria, Mr Fitzsimmons said.
"We expect that to last until the end of the week," he said.
16:13 AEST Sun Feb 15 2009
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