The staff, who are also trained as volunteer firefighters, were called upon as a fast-moving bushfire broke out in the semi-rural area on 1 January.
Prison Officer Sam says they responded immediately to a radio call about lives under threat.
“We went straight to the address and found a family trying to defend their property, which was dangerously close to the blaze.”
“My colleague and I assessed the risk and determined it was safe to evacuate the mother and two children, while we stayed to help the father and a teenage son,” Sam said.
“The property had good water resources which we used to soak the gardens so the vegetation wouldn’t ignite and burn.
“Everything was dry and brittle and the wind was howling. Flames had engulfed the 100-foot pine trees along the driveway, creating a roaring tunnel of fire,” Sam said.
While the house was saved, some outbuildings were lost.
Wooroloo Assistant Superintendent Callum MacNeill says it highlights the role of Prison Officers in helping to protect the community.
“I’m really proud of our staff. It’s one of those things that prison officers do – they go above and beyond to serve when the need arises. Some staff who were on days off also came in to help.”
Shire of Mundaring President Paige McNeil underscored the importance of multi-agency cooperation.
“Collaboration between the Departments of Justice, Fire and Emergency Services, and the Shires of Mundaring and Northam was critical in being able to deploy our resources to effectively manage and contain that January 1 fire.”
One hundred and seventy firefighters worked together to combat the raging blaze which burnt through more than 800 hectares of land.
Minimum security prisoners from Wooroloo Prison Farm who are approved to work in the community, helped with recovery in the days after.
“These teams of Section 95 prisoners have been trained in Bushfire Mitigation. They cleared roads and debris, making sure it was safe for residents to return,” said Asst Super MacNeill.
“This year we are expanding this training to Dowerin Work Camp so prisoners can also assist the community out in the Wheatbelt”
