SA Firefighter
General Discussion => Country Fire Service => Topic started by: Red Truck Wonderland on July 31, 2007, 07:32:00 PM
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I had the oportunity to spend some time in hamely bridge CFS, In my opinon they are doing it hard. They need to move things around to squeeze in the trucks. Toilet i feel they should have a new station.
Does anybody else think they deserve a new station additions???
I feel this could be a positive way to support some of our poorer cousins.
anybody think of any others???
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There are a large number of CFS stations right around the state that need new stations,when you look at SES stations that are being built and all they do is tow cars of the beach and the poor CFS station down the road that does 100 plus calls a year is in a run down station then you have to wounder why is this so???
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Where would you like to start with Stations that need maintenance?
Have a look at the Promo Website - have a look at the many stations on there in need of upgrading - I'd suggest only a minority have toilets, many stations need more space than what they have - many have no meeting room, some don't even have power connected.....
The new Clare Station, officially opened on the weekend, was reported in th paper as costing $845,000 to build - 6 bays, meeting room, toilets, kitchen, radio room and a few small offices. I am not suggesting that they shouldn't have it, but CFS needs to look at the cost of building these stations......if the cost of building them was less per station, there would be more money to be shared with other brigades also in need.
The Government goes on about how much it supports it's volunteers...perhaps they need to stop talking about it, and provide further funds for capital works...so that brigades have suitable facilities to meet their needs.
I don't suggest that every brigade needs the same facilities - far from it, but brigades do need facilities to meet their individual requirements.
Pip
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I vote Basket Range Pip :-D
Closely followed by
Hamley Bridge
Tarlee
Manoora
Farrel Flat
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I was told there is a ten year list of who is getting a station has anyone seen this?????????
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I think most stations over 1/2 hour from Adelaide could use some patching up.
and many that are closer
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....The new Clare Station, officially opened on the weekend, was reported in th paper as costing $845,000 to build - 6 bays, meeting room, toilets, kitchen, radio room and a few small offices. I am not suggesting that they shouldn't have it, but CFS needs to look at the cost of building these stations......if the cost of building them was less per station, there would be more money to be shared with other brigades also in need.
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For my curiosity, how would you suggest to reduce the size and thus cost, given that the new Clare HQ is housing three entities. This is SES, CFS and CFS Group.
The capital and ongoing costs would also be shared between the organisations.
I admit I did not see the vehicle sheds, just the building at the back during a two day meeting.
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...when you look at SES stations that are being built and all they do is tow cars of the beach and the poor CFS station down the road that does 100 plus calls a year is in a run down station then you have to wounder why is this so???
Why didn't they combine HQ facilities like SES & CFS have in other locations ? Was it volunteer politics ?
I do not know which township you are referring to (I guess either meningie or Kingston SE). If Kingston SE, then I guess it is for the SES preparing for the marine rescue boat to be transferred within 12 to 24 months.
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I am suggesting that the price of some of these buildings are way over what, say, a farmer, would pay for an equivalent shed, based on prices I have seen offered around the place.
Basically the Clare Station, like many others around the place is simple a big shed, concrete floor, with a transportable building dumped on the block, containing meeting room, toilets, kitchen and a few smaller offices.....
Pip
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I am suggesting that the price of some of these buildings are way over what, say, a farmer, would pay for an equivalent shed, based on prices I have seen offered around the place....
Agreed. But I thought that was because the local building contractors charge more because it is a government paid job.
This I thought was to cover slow invoice payments, warranty claims (eg electrical fault in ceiling of meeting room at Clare), more intensive OH&S requirements, travel costs to remote location, trucking costs for remote location, etc, etc. Aside from profit opportunity....
If ever the Clare HQ needs to be a staging area or AIIMS team base, wow....
Sorry about diverting the topic off track.. :-D
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I think the last thing we want to do is ask the CFS to start cutting costs with anything to do with capital works, they do that enough with the current appliances being produced. That will just end in trouble and an even bigger maintenance list.
The more appropriate thing would be to lobby the government for more funding for capital works.
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well how about the CFS starts giving brigades the funds to build their own stations and then it is the brigades job to find builders get quotes etc. I know it is a lot of work but most of the time the public is willing to support CFS brigades when they could just bill the state govt and i bet many CFS brigades would put that extra work in for a year and then be happy because they got the station they wanted.
Of course the other problem and this is facing my brigade is getting the funding to buy or lease land.
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I had the oportunity to spend some time in hamely bridge CFS, In my opinon they are doing it hard. They need to move things around to squeeze in the trucks. Toilet i feel they should have a new station.
Does anybody else think they deserve a new station additions???
I feel this could be a positive way to support some of our poorer cousins.
anybody think of any others???
Red Truck, I have to agree with you that Hamely need a new station, they have approxiametly 25 females in their brigade- cadets and firefighters. Balakavia are "supposedly" getting a new station, a head of Hamely, yet they have facilities for both males and females, and they have locker space. At Hamely they are crammened in their little shed, one toliet, no wear to change, those are just the beginings of the complants that I know the members of Hamely have about their station.
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The trouble is, its a fire station, as soon as you put emergency services in the quote, the price goes up, and I think the new one's still aren't that flash, they are still tin sheds with a few office spaces, I can't beleive they still haven't gone to drive through engine bays, the blocks of land are big enough !!
On the other hand, have they gone overboard in some more rural area's, some 1 horse town stations I think are to much, for 1-5 calls a year, you don't need much. Like some have mentioned though, the high prices are usually for group bases with SES involved, so they are gonna be big. But maybe thats where we nee to look at why we need 8 engine bays, do we need all those resources.
Ahhhhh well, I am sure the goons in HQ know what they are doing........
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i think you will find that the reason that it cost more to build emergency service stations that sheds for farmers is because we have to comply to the Australian building code IE handicapped toilets and all the other stuff because it is a public building etc as for old stations if they do minor works to those that didnt comply they then have to outlay money for those changes even that some are not necessary
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I vote Basket Range Pip :-D
Closely followed by
Hamley Bridge
Tarlee
Manoora
Farrel Flat
One must not forget that Kalangadoo CFS is stationed in the old council dual bay shed although were on the list for a single bay station in 2010/2011
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I vote Basket Range Pip :-D
Closely followed by
Hamley Bridge
Tarlee
Manoora
Farrel Flat
Chuck in a vote for Lyndoch - worst station I have seen for a brigade doing 100+ calls a year...
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This thread shows that while people may be unhappy with their stations etc they should also think about some of those brigades less fortunate. Is it Kiki, down the Sth East just a tin shed, with a rain water tank O/S. I have driven past it a few time and thought how fortunate i really am.
The CFS is well ahead of most other services in Australia. Ok CFA gets a mention by many people but let me assure you they have alot of station also in a poor state. as for NSW, I've been there as well, there the segrigation is east or West of the blue mountains. After being involved in a rural NSW sation, i was glad to join the CFS. Training, upto date appliances oh yeah and anybody who went to NSW would remember those garden hoses they use. As for QLD, Well thats another story.
If your in the CFS your in a better situation than you think. SAMFS on the other hand are behind both NSW QLD and Vic, although things are changing on that front esp if you look at the USAR equipment and new CABA stuff. It's just a pitty they still need to use Oten for a lot of the Qualifications......
RTW
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CFS stations right across the state all have their own problems and their is also a waste of money in community's that have ses/cfs/saas/mfs... We have community's that can no longer support 3/4 volunteer services as there are not enough members to go around...So rather than allow these services to become one service CFS/MFS they build them a new station.As for the cost involved it is true that once you say its for the government the price does go up as for complying to AUST STAND for new stations I would have to disagree there where in the last two years has there been a station/shed built that has disabled toilets?? or disabled carparking????
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If your in the CFS your in a better situation than you think. SAMFS on the other hand are behind both NSW QLD and Vic, although things are changing on that front esp if you look at the USAR equipment and new CABA stuff. It's just a pitty they still need to use Oten for a lot of the Qualifications......
RTW
Red,
Interesting, Could you explain this further please
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I dont think that MFS are being hard done by,look at Elizabeth,Golden Grove,Mt Gambier,Renmark, and the soon to be completed Beulah Park stations. :?
CFS are a long way behind in comparison :wink:
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I dont think that MFS are being hard done by,look at Elizabeth,Golden Grove,Mt Gambier,Renmark, and the soon to be completed Beulah Park stations. :?
CFS are a long way behind in comparison :wink:
I think he/she is getting confused about what the thread is about?
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Hi 24 Pumper, Firstly lets compare apples with apples. The cfs is by my experience the best Vol service in Australia. correct me if i'm wrong but we swapped training pakages to our advantage with other services in australia. Promote and Assess nationaly recogniosed qualifications, Just look at the BFF1
CFS Equipment is exceptional and state of the art. just have a look at the NSWRFS, CFS strategicly have had good management conversley I question wether management is currently focused in the correct direction as i have previously stated in another thread, becomming too urbanised.
The statement made was intended to be a positive one, that suggests we are in a great position but like with anything you can make improvements.
RTW
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Hi SA Firey,
Ok get your blinkers off you have looked at recently built MFS Stations, MFS have been smart in that they are building stations for the future (Room to move). have you been down to their training centre at angle park? quiet impressive. Don't fool yourself and attempt to compare them with current CFS Stations, they are build different because they are used differently. Thats the like putting 14's or 24's in all mfs stations and only pumpers and skyjets in cfs stations.
Many MFS stations are now outdated and in need of repair - extentions. I have no doubt that in the future more new stations will be built, like a new Northen and Sothern HQ, that would have say ten trucks in them. Maybe this is closer than we think. Why did Station 33 get rebuilt and not station 32? could that be planned as the new nthrn HQ? and similary down sth with the strategic placement of a station at seaford. The current HQ would look after east and west.
All to often on this forum, people think that CFS is the same as MFS. Well you're NOT.
RTW
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Hi Red Truck
No blinkers on here mate...I was merely commenting in response to your comment of SAMFS being behind NSW QLD and Vic.
I started at a station over 25 years ago which still doesnt have enough room to swing a cat,and we all know that there are a lot of CFS stations doing it tough in terms of space,facilities and amenities.
So hopefully there will be some welcome upgrades to stations in 2007/2008
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I was told there is a ten year list of who is getting a station has anyone seen this?????????
yes apparently cfs stations ln chaffey group should be next so i have heard from adelaide :-o
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[/quote]yes apparently cfs stations ln chaffey group should be next so i have heard from adelaide :-o
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Thanks for that info Hope it come up soon there is a few stations in need of repair or replace
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As to what Sa Firey Said. To many CFS Stations even ones that have been upgraded in the last 10 - 15 years are still not up to specs with current Trucks etc etc. I find at many stations they have trouble being able to fit Trucks, PPE, Etc Etc Due to space restrictions and Half assed Contruction in the first place where Stations wern't built as long or as tall as they should have been.
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This could do with replacement. Brigade (Compton) does over 50 calls a year and is EMA support to Mt Gambier MFS. Station doesnt even have toilets.
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Holy filtered!! over 50 calls a year and EMA?!?!
They deserve a three bay station AND the Dennis once SEAFORD are finished with it.
PS technically "EMA" doesn't exist anymore.
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Well this brigde did 30 calls last year...
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And the point being?? Kingston brigade is in a area that in the south east is seeing large amounts of housing taking place at cape jaffa/robe and right along the coastline.This brigade will become more busy in years to come.There station is co- located with ses and I would hope that sooner or later the brigade would get a 34p due to a number of booster systems that will be in stalled in the area in the next year.
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.This brigade will become more busy in years to come.
Can hear the cries now: "MFS must go in, danger to the community!" :-D
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Well where do you draw the line as to who gets a new station and who doesnt then??
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I just want a station to put our Pumper in,, and a loo would be handy I suppose. Do they still do them with firemans poles?
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well the birds can get into our station and i wouldn't use our loo if i wasn't male :-o
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well i spose time will come to those in need.
but you know wat i like about this. this conversation shows, that even though these brigades might not have the best station, they are still in it to help the community. i admire people in those little country towns, coz they stick together and help others in need. and thats wat volunteering is about. :-D
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About new stations i was told that if a brigade self funded or for the same price as the CFS standard station their own design they wouldn't be allowed to build it?
can someone confirm this and if it's true Why? one of the most proud things in CFS is custom stations and trucks especially when people get to see what they have made working well on the fireground
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In short the answer is NO,we have a brigade that has the money and skilled members to build the thing but thye have been tolled sorry you can't do it....
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In short the answer is NO,we have a brigade that has the money and skilled members to build the thing but thye have been tolled sorry you can't do it....
y is that though? thourght that they would be happy for that to happen?! :?
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I guess CFS where not happy that a brigade could fund and build a station cheaper than than what it cost them??? Not sure but i will find out..I think if a brigade can fund and build their onw station they should be able to charge rent to the CFS for the use of the station for housing a fire appliance... :roll:
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About new stations i was told that if a brigade self funded or for the same price as the CFS standard station their own design they wouldn't be allowed to build it?
can someone confirm this and if it's true Why? one of the most proud things in CFS is custom stations and trucks especially when people get to see what they have made working well on the fireground
To paraphrase a SAFECom staffer at Goop meeting the other night, it is most often because everything anyone does to building or vehicle has to be assessed for health & safety, & neither CFS nor SAFECom have the resources to do that for every custom proposal. So rather than the RC or whoever taking a risk, it is (career) safer to say "no" if there is an 'approved' alternative like a standard-design building.
He also indicated there are sometimes other external factors. He gave an example of a brigade that wanted to refurbish & extend, but hadn't been told that highways wants their land for road widening. They'll get a 'new' station elsewhere in a year or three rather than an extension now.
There was also some muttering about unknown work quality, & preferring to deal with registered providers on commercial terms so that there is legal & warranty come-back if all is not tickety-boo. Not pretty for SAFECom to be sueing a volunteer to make good a defective building.... risk of career-limiting horrific PR.
This is the modern politicised public service - fear over-rides risk.
Out-sourcing is paying someone else to take the blame.
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that OHS&W is just anoying we can go into burning buildings but can't look after ourselves in a station??
I did mean that all the individual brigade would do is design the building the actual construction would be outsourced.
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I had the oportunity to spend some time in hamely bridge CFS, In my opinon they are doing it hard. They need to move things around to squeeze in the trucks. Toilet i feel they should have a new station.
Does anybody else think they deserve a new station additions???
I feel this could be a positive way to support some of our poorer cousins.
anybody think of any others???
They are getting one soon, They already have the block of land picked out
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I vote Basket Range Pip :-D
Closely followed by
Hamley Bridge
Tarlee
Manoora
Farrel Flat
Balaklava are 1st the n Hamley Bdg
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Red Truck, I have to agree with you that Hamely need a new station, they have approxiametly 25 females in their brigade- cadets and firefighters. Balakavia are "supposedly" getting a new station, a head of Hamely, yet they have facilities for both males and females, and they have locker space. At Hamely they are crammened in their little shed, one toliet, no wear to change, those are just the beginings of the complants that I know the members of Hamely have about their station.
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Balak has only one unisex toilet and are ahead of hamley because they are group base and more importantly being eaten out by white ants. As for Hamley their main problems are location and lack of space
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judging from the CFS promo site salt creek R3 could do with a paint job
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They need new members before a paint job..........
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they are in for new appliances over the next year or 2..offer has been a Light Rural and 14 appliance. went down there way to show them a Canter 14 earlier this year.
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So they will only have one appliances??? the i4 would be good for the sand....
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no, the offer would be two appliances, 450L Light rural AND 1000L 14, but the lack of water supply issue is big down there, so they are prefering a new 34.
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Zippy am I right your talking about Salt Creek R3 (2005-06 5 tasks). Two vehicles to replace one, where would they put them? The shed looks too small & should be condemed. I'm sorry if I'm wrong but I just find it unbelievable that this idea makes sense.
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I remember hearing about a DEH facility only 2mins from there current location, which had enough space.
But i dont think much has changed in several months.
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Thanks mate - good on them if it happens. Just doesn't make sense to me, but what would I know I'm not a firie :-D
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As long as the have the volunteers give them a better station a new 34 and a 14 they need it as they have such a remote area to cover as well as doing the SAAS work....Yes water is a big problem in that area and will be till someone does something about it....
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Why then not give a Brigade with over 100 callouts and having members sent home because the 34 went with a full crew no way to get another 8 members out another unit.
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The DEH regional office is in Salt Creek, that is where the fire (aka burnoff that went pear shaped) was run from a few years ago.
I believe Salt Creek are also involved in the SAAS first responder program, so a quick attack vehicle could possibly be useful for that as well..
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There are a number of issues with in that area and one is the lack of NEW BLOOD into the service and the declining farmers,the area is isolated with SAAS at meningie or from kingston both are long drives..the brigade has for a number of years been part of a program to provide SAAS duties in the area till a ambulance arrives. the brigade is very lucky to have a nurse/ambo in the brigade who is able to provide training.Last time i called into see them they where talking about having a auto defib and some or gear on the applinces.the bulk of thier SAAS gear is kept at the local shop...
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Salt Creek (R3) are in my Group. Negotiations are still underway regarding the appliance(s) with CFS and the new/relocation of a station is still being consulted with CFS and DEH. This Brigade won't be pushed into something they don't want and good on them for sticking at it.
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Salt Creek (R3) are in my Group. Negotiations are still underway regarding the appliance(s) with CFS and the new/relocation of a station is still being consulted with CFS and DEH. This Brigade won't be pushed into something they don't want and good on them for sticking at it.
when your a little brigade like that, that takes a lot of cajones to say no. good on em.
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we have just received our new station which cost a fair amount and we still have to try and find space for gear once we put the two trucks and the cruiser in there is very little room for the floats and trailers how ever we will manage the interesting point is that we got a quote for a shed and it was less the 1/4 the price of the shed we got the quote was for a bigger shed aswel. yes there is alot to be done to some ses and cfs stations.