A GURDIES local, who watched the fire arrive at his doorstep, is urging everyone to listen to the advice of authorities and leave early when it comes to bushfires.
Glenn Skrobalak was at his home in The Gurdies on December 20, 2024 when the large bushfire burning in The Gurdies started to unexpectedly head towards his home and property.
People were advised to evacuate the area, but despite having a bag packed ready to go Glenn decided to stay, a decision he says he now regrets.
"My initial thought was to stay and defend the property and I probably regret that now seeing how severe it was and how fast it came I don't think I would be doing that again," Glenn said
"I thought I was well and truly capable having been in other high-pressure situations and handled them well, but this was totally different.
“I was just exhausted. I can work all day outside, but seven minutes of that I had well and truly had enough.
It was at that point Corinella CFA captain David Cox and Kernot-Grantville CFA Lieutenant Andrew Blackney were driving past, as part of the fire response at the time.
Despite not having a truck David saw Glenn standing in his property "looking panicked" and swooped in to help.
"We could see Glenn just standing out there by himself, we could see the panic starting to come and I said 'we have to go and help him'.
"Anyone out there that day would have done the same thing. It's just our instinct."
David approached Glenn and using Glenn's fire pump and hose got to work fighting off spot fires and defending the property.
Glenn said watching David work was incredible and it really opened his eyes to how much skill is involved in fighting a fire.
"I never would have thought to do the things that he was doing," Glenn said.
"I have never experienced a bush fire before and I was just so overwhelmed by how incredibly trained David and the CFA were and when the situation changes how quickly they react to it.
"I really do believe he [David] stopped it from not only engulfing our place but all of our neighbours.
“I don't really have words to describe how grateful we are.”
A short time later the Glen Alvie brigade was able to get some appliances into Glenn's property and completely tackle the fire.
Both Glenn and David said this incident highlighted the importance of listening to advice and leaving early.
"We would rather people are not there it does hinder our firefighting abilities," David said
"Things can be replaced but imagine never getting to hug your loved ones again, imagine never being able to see them again.”
Glenn said he was extremely grateful for the work of David and the other firefighters that day.
"Don't stay, it's not worth it," he said.
"I chose to stay, and I won't be doing that again.
"Take off and you can hope for the best but at least you will be safe."
Tips for leaving early:
• On a Catastrophic day, leaving high-risk bushfire areas the night before or early in the morning is the safest option.
• You can go to family or friends in a low-fire-risk area, a shopping complex, library or another community building in a low-risk area.
• Plan your route and ensure your car has enough petrol so you don't need to stop.
• Read more about leaving early at cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/before-and-during-a-fire/leave-early.
