March 30th, 2025Specialist CFA unit rescues horse from pit
The rescue of a trapped horse earlier this month demonstrates the great range of skills that CFA volunteers have, with local CFA units in the Hepburn Shire among those keen to welcome new members.
On Monday March 10 the CFA responded to calls for a rescue about 3.13am on Chipperfield Drive in Moolap.
When crews arrived, they found a 380kg horse had become trapped in a deep mechanical pit full of water.
The pit was inside a shed to which the horse was able to gain access.
CFA and FRV crews worked together to try and get the horse out of the pit. They started by draining the water and then attempting to use a wooden ramp to guide the horse up.
However, they were unsuccessful as the ramp was too steep for the horse to get up.
Eventually CFA’S large animal rescue unit from Arthurs Creek was called to assist and were able to build an earth ramps for the horse to get out.
Arthurs Creek Large Animal Rescue unit is one of only two CFA brigades across the state that specialises in large animal rescue, along with Macclesfield Fire Brigade.
Brigade members undertake regular training to ensure they maintain this specialist skill, for what are some of the most dynamic rescues attended by CFA firefighters.
A specialist trainer from the United Kingdom provides the highly specialised training that this unit needs.
The members of the Arthurs Creek unit are also all horse owners and are passionate about providing the best care for the animals.
The rescue took about four hours and despite being stressed the horse was deemed healthy.
Commander Gavin Fitzgerald said the incident really showed the wide range of skills CFA volunteers have.
“This incident highlights that while yes we are firefighters, we are really problem solvers,” he said.
“We are faced with situations, and we have to work out the best way to handle them.
“There were mostly young people out on this job too and they all did a great job.”
This story based on a CFA report. Images: Supplied, CFA
