Survivor speaks about devastating fire legacy
A survivor of last year’s devastating Two Peoples Bay fire says she has no hesitation in returning to the fire ground after she completes a long recovery from serious burns to almost a quarter of her body.
Twelve months on from the fatal fire which took the life of her colleague Wendy Bearfoot, 25-year-old Charlene Hordyk has spoken to the Albany Advertiser about her recovery and pending return to her core duties as a conservation worker.
The Department of Parks and Wildlife employee has been limited to administrative duties since suffering serious burns to 23 per cent of her body, but “can’t wait” until the day she is allowed to return to her former role.
The date of November next year is firmly in her sights after she was told by burns specialists she must not venture into the sun for two years.
“I can’t wait for next November when I can go back to firefighting and all sorts,” Ms Hordyk said.
Having suffered serious burns to her hands and legs from the fire on October 12 last year, Ms Hordyk remarkably returned to work two months later.
“The burns unit is just the most amazing place. The staff are so dedicated and skilled, and just incredible, they really are,” she said.
“Now I still have two massages a day for my scars and I’ve had two laser surgery operations and I’ll probably have another one.
“Prior to that I had two skin graft operations.”
Ms Hordyk was rushed to Royal Perth Hospital with Mrs Bearfoot after a wind-change trapped two Department of Environment and Conservation firefighting units in the path of the blaze which burnt through 1300ha of private property and the Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve.
Sadly, several weeks after the fire, Mrs Bearfoot lost her fight to survive. Her funeral was attended by more than 500 mourners, including more than 100 firefighters.
Ms Hordyk said she owed her life to colleague Shaun McHenry after the two were trapped by the fire.
“Shaun saved my life. I was very fortunate,” she said.
“You never expect to go to work and come back in an ambulance.
“It’s happened and I can accept that. I’m not scared of fire. It’s not out to get us.”
A conservation worker for the past five years, Ms Hordyk said the support from her family, friends and colleagues had helped her overcome her ordeal.
“I’m doing really well now,” she said. “My mum is amazing, my work colleagues and family also.
“I’m really thankful to God, mostly for giving me courage and strength.”
While Ms Hordyk looks forward to the day she can return to fighting fires, an army of more than 1000 bushfire brigade volunteers are preparing for the upcoming fire season.
Among the 16 brigades across the City of Albany are a new generation, attracted to the role of protecting the community at a time when an ageing demographic continues to be the backbone of fire response.
Volunteer firefighter Tash Korthuis, 21, joined the Highway Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade four years ago after being encouraged by family friends at the brigade.
Intense training prepared her for what she faced in October last year at Two Peoples Bay.
Fighting her first major fire, Ms Korthuis witnessed her friend Ms Hordyk suffer serious burns to her hands and legs after being one of the first people to attend to her.
“I was there … it was really tough. You don’t know your fears until you face them,” she said.
“You have to stay strong, obviously the adrenaline kicks in.”
City of Albany chief bushfire control officer Ross Fenwick said brigades were encouraging younger residents to join to rectify the ageing demographic of volunteers.
