SA Firefighter

QuoteMFS: *CFSRES INC041 21/11/08 14:33,RESPOND Vehicle Fire,SOUTHERN EXP,HACKHAM WEST MAP 186 D 14 TG182,NEAR HONEYPOT RD OVER PASS,CDN439 SEAF00 MRPH00 STM401

439 and Seaford were responded because that road is partly MFS and partly CFS area, Morphett Vale would have been responded because 43 only had one truck in station and therefore they would have been going as 43's second truck (C Class risk now those pesky car fires) and then I can only assume 401 (which was at 42) went because you cannot use CFS as your second truck without responding another MFS pump as well.

Also there is a response plan in place for Stage 2 of the Southern Expressway (Becah road South to Main South road) that says that all CFS appliances respond to the Southern end and MFS appliances to the Beach road end, that way whichever direction the traffic is flowing they will still be able to get onto the Expressway. It was actually for this one and only reason that Seaford were issued with the rapid intervention gear, the theory being that if the Christies trucks were unable to go against the traffic or the Expressway was blocked with cars that Seaford would still be able to make a start from the southern end.

Maybe I missed something, but wasn't one of the original posts in this thread stating that the SAAS pager messages are still freely available on http://sagrn1.accessdigital.com.au:8000/public.html just use that one if you want SAAS stuff.

And if that one crashes it really is not that hard to setup PDW on your own pc at home.

QuoteIf you are working in an area with a substantial amount of dieback, watch where you are going and throw a few more red flag warnings out.

It was made clear to us at a recent Divisional Commander workshop that Red Flag warnings should not be used for potentially falling trees / limbs. The comment was made that anyone on the fireground that cannot remember from their BFF1 that when trees catch fire they fall over and drop limbs, really shouldn't be on the fireground in the first place.

The overuse of Red Flag warnings for 'minor / normal' situations results in undue radio congestion and also lessens the impact of them for actual changing situations.

Just passing on what we were told in pretty clear terms.

This was pinched from CFASTREAM and modified for SA, It's scary how many of these apply to my brigade  :lol:


You've ever wanted to fit a smaller tank to your Tanker so that you
could carry more gear.

You've ever considered not responding to a call-out because you've
just hot-waxed the tanker.

Your last three captains have moved on to Region positions, or are now
working at HQ.

You have conducted a serious debate on the relative merits of hard
and soft suction that lasted for over 90 minutes,, your SOP on this issue
changes annually......... but you're a little vague on open-source
draughting.

All of your 4wd vehicles are fitted with "h" speed-rated highway
tyres.

Your station is double-brick and has a recreation room that is
larger than the garage-space.

Your station is equipped with a full-sized billiard table and a
coke-machine that dispenses at least six brands of beer.

You have a spare set of yellows and boots that are kept clean for
wearing when the Cheif Officer visits.

You are on first-name terms with at least 75% of the inmates of
The big Shed and the Chief officer recognises you when you're "out-of-uniform".

You've suggested that CFS merchandise should include approved
underwear that are Proban treated and embroidered with the CFS crest.

You think that such underwear would be "sexy".

You can turn directly to any location in your UBD Directory
without consulting the index map,,,, but have difficulty folding a
map-sheet.

You consider it a weakness that your GPS doesn't give map references
in UBD format.

You keep your Strike Team bag packed all year round.

Your tanker's kit includes a cricket bat and ball...... permanently.

Your brigade holds an annual brainstorming session to find uses for the budget surplus.

Your captain holds 37 different qualifications but has not
experienced a bush/grass-fire larger than 2.8 hectares.

You go to a fashion show and come home with at least 3 different
ideas for the design of PPE and CFS merchandise.

The last debate on "one piece" vs. "two piece" was with regard to
the official swimsuits to be worn by the female members crewing the fireboat on PR exercises.

The Smog Index is more important than the Fire Weather Forecast when planning burn-offs.

You've ever had a water-fight with a neighbouring brigade/service
because they attended an incident in your territory

You've ever had a fist-fight for the same reason.

You've ever been to court for the same reason.

All of the above, but you were in their territory.....

MFS considers your territory worth taking over.

You've ever reported your barbecue as an "incident" to boost your
tally.

Visitors from the country get strangely excited when you allow them to
salvage gear that you were going to cart to the tip next weekend.

When showing visitors from the country around your station, you
consider it prudent to give them a two-person escort at all times and a body search when they leave.

You find the 1995 SOPs and are shocked to see that three of them
have not been changed in the last 10 years.

Your book of radio codes has expanded to 87 pages,, but you still
maintain that it "simplifies communications".

Your wife has been heard to express annoyance at your use of numeric codes to define the status of the baby's nappy, the roast in the oven,,,, and her new hairstyle.

You consider CFS merchandise suitable apparel for weddings and
funerals.

You average more than 10 posts a week on Firefighter Discussion Boards.

Your VFBA branch meets monthly.

You have a list of EPA tested and approved sources of water for use
in "Sensitive" areas.

You have at least a dozen alternative meanings for the acronym
"GRN",, 90% of which are derogatory.

You feel that the bull-bar on your new tanker "spoils its
lines" and that it doesn't have any real purpose.

You can't recall seeing a tanker with more than 5,000 kilometres on the odometer outside of a museum.

Your family Commodore is "Fire Brigade Red",,,, but only because
"Bushfire Orange" is not an option that Holden offer.

Keeping up with the brigade next door is considered a valid reason
to upgrade your two-year-old Isuzu.

You've declared a tanker Unfit for Service because the
air-conditioner broke down.

You think that 5 years in the brigade should qualify you for a
long-service pin.

Your pumper is the primary vehicle to all incidents including grass and scrub fires.

When your supporting another brigade to a G&S and are asked to return your Pumper to station and bring your Tanker you argue the point.

All your Rakehoes are the screw together type.

QuoteInsert Quote
Good for your brigade getting them, but sorry, id love to know how this buullshit happens when there is not even a HAZMAT resource in your group or surrounding area for them to respond on, except for MFS, who should be using there own equipment....

One of our nearby CFS Hazmat brigades have been struggling of late, so Region put forward a proposal to allow some members from a couple of brigades in the Mawson group to train in Hazmat and dual respond with that brigade when they can't get a crew. I believe the same thing is happening in a number of Groups in Region One, this is just stretching it out a little further as the Group that the particular brigade is in may not be able to provide enough people themselves.

Quoteah there may be Hazmat operators tho   They could respond with the nearest Hazmat Brigade, not sure about MFS hazmats tho.

And there is about to be a few more in this category in our Group  :wink:

QuoteInteresting topic....In my group, we have a rule, the primary brigade can respond 2 trucks, and the back up responds 1 unless told otherwise. Makes for a far more manageble incident. Stops alot of this sending everything business. Leaves something in the station for further calls.

Thats right, it's been that way ever since I can remember. The only time we send two trucks to another area automatically is our 14 to a rural fire in the FDS. It goes because it is not classed as an appliance (as per the SOP's it takes two QAV / 14's to equal one appliance) and too often if we are requested into MFS area for a grassy it is because they can't get to it so our 14 is ideal.

QuoteWe wear to everything except rural and hazmat

You might want to check that Jeff, I was at the meeting where it was explained by the Group Officer and the rules are no rural fires and not to wear it at a Hazmat if you are going to be wearing an encapsulated suit.

You would wear it to a Hazmat initially as it the only thing we have that gives you complete level 3 protection, however if you are going to wear a suit then it comes off.

QuoteThat is interesting Matt a few months ago you were saying the poster said Pbi could only be worn to structure fires or car fires but can be worn at OIC discretion.

I think the position changed substantially once some of the HQ gurus became involved, their thoughts were that it was paid for and provided to be worn - not sit in a station because it might get dirty.

If it gets dirty send it in for washing, if it gets damaged send it in for repair, don't compromise firefighter safety because of a budgetary concern.

Our Group Officer was on the working party that was putting together the poster (the one that still hasn't been printed) on what you can wear to each incident type. He has instructed us that the rules are that you can wear PBI to anything apart from a rural fire or when you are going to wear a Hazmat suit.

We have now been wearing it to everything for the last couple of months and it hasn't killed us yet. Interesting to see the Lofty group still going down the path of wearing PBI pants and a Nomex coat to some jobs.

http://www.fire-brigade.asn.au/gallery/pages/mylorfire210908/pages/DSC_3398.htm

We were given a couple of Powerflares to trial, so far they have worked very well. They are extremely bright and the adjustable flash pattern is pretty cool. You can just chuck them out of the appliance if you want to mark a gate or entrance without any fear of damaging them. They also roll for miles if you get bored at MVA's :)

I'm not sure on the price but they work fine for us, I would say a combination of Eflares and the Powerflares would be ideal, if I could only have one I'm not sure - it is 50/50. The Eflares are good because you can clip them on things (road cones, people etc) but the Powerflares are good because I reckon they would be pretty much indestructible, apparently you can drive over them with a truck without any damage.

Probably didn't answer your question but I don't think you would be disappointed with the Powerflares, let us know what the prices are - that might help make a decision.

QuoteIf you want to talk about closest, most appropriate resources, then you would only ever have Burnside, Happy Valley, Stirling, Mt. Barker and Morphett Vale doing CoQ because they're the only brigades that are close to the CBD, have the equipment and a majority of competent members to provide a semi-professional service to the CBD.

Mt Barker closer to the city ??? Maybe a bit of a typo or has Barker moved recently.

There is an SOP on Change of Quarters, I guess a fair few of those brigades listed were already involved in the actual job so that does cause some problems. Still the job was done and everything was covered so all is good.

Change of Quarters
• The procedures to respond CFS appliances to MFS stations are as follows:
o Adelaide Fire will advise the CFS DSC, who will advise the appropriate Regional Coordinator that assistance may be/is required.

o When requesting CFS appliances to change quarters to an MFS station Adelaide Fire will provide the CFS DSC (who will advise the CFS Regional Coordinator) with the following information:
MFS Station(s) require assistance
Number of CFS appliances required at each station
MFS talk group/radio frequency for each appliance
Possible duration of change of quarters
o The MFS will provide regular Sitreps to the CFS DSC/RCord.
o Predetermined CFS appliances to cover MFS stations are:

MFS Stations  CFS Brigades
Glynde - Athelstone
Wakefield Street - Burnside / Belair
Glen Osmond - Stirling
St. Mary - Eden Hills
O'Halloran Hill - Happy Valley
Christie Downs - Morphett Vale

MFS Stations CFS Brigades
Gawler - Dalkeith
Elizabeth - Dalkeith
Salisbury - Salisbury
Oakden - Tea Tree Gully
Golden Grove - Tea Tree Gully
Prospect - Burnside

Quotenah...it just seems to becoming more obvious...eg being called to do a Medical case as first responder recently.

MFS: *CFSRES INC036 14/09/08 10:43,RESPOND Assist SAAS,20 GRANTLEY AV,VICTOR HARBOR MAP 309 Q 10 TG195,,VHB719

Interesting job on the weekend, SAAS had a Cat 1 job at Victor Harbor, from what I could tell on the scanner the closest cars were at Willunga. Comm's called up and relayed to the crew that firies (MFS) had been responded as there was no one close by and they had an AED, SAPOL had also been responded to assist.

First time I had heard them actually admit to responding the fire service as a first responder, I guess when you have no other option though. As it turns out I think they got an off duty crew into Victor to assist and they got there before the other cars.

I know that SAAS are keen to expand the first responder program and will likely target vollies from other emergency services in the rural areas. Should be interesting to see what eventuates.

I know the feeling Pip, another Saturday night wasted here at work. With luck it will be quiet though as I have a heap of CFS to work catch up on.

QuoteIn theory the system of brigade members having UHF CB Radios in their own vehicles and calling the base say they are responding to the station e.t.a of such and such is a good idea but getting the approval from group officers and the regional offices would be difficult if you wanted to put this system into practial use

Robert, why would you need approval from the Group Officers or Region to install a UHF radio in your fire station ?? And why would they knock it back ??

We have been running this system for a number of years now with our more distant members and day crew guys calling up and advising their ETA to the station, seems to work pretty well for us.

No worries, I guess if it works for your brigade then all is good, I wonder what would happen if someone kicked up a fuss after being booted out of the brigade after six months though, given that this is only a new policy in draft mode at the moment - would CFS back you up ?? Having said that the lady from Seaford that did the training with us on Monday said they also do the second vote as well, obviously it is not a completely new concept.

QuoteHeres the process a new firefighter goes through, in my local brigade.

Sign up -> Police Check -> Induction Night -> L1 Gear/Pager -> Trains with Brigade until next available -> BFF1 -> Active Firefighter

Takes anything from 30-90 Days to complete the process.  A vote isn't done, nor is there a probationary period. Any Issues get addressed as soon as possible.

Hey Zippy, As per the volunteer admin and finance manual - once an application is received it must go to a vote through the brigade. This was re-inforced to us last night by Andrea Haigh (VSO) at a recruitment and retention workshop.

We don't get anyone to fill out an application form or sign anything because of this, all they do in our brigade is complete an 'expression of interest' form, that means our operations and management committees can still do some vetting prior to taking any applications to the brigade (we get around 30 - 40 applications a year - dealing with them all at brigade meetings would be impossible).

The other interesting point is that all members are classed as being on probation (according to TAS) until they have completed their BFF1, there is currently some re-working of the application process being discussed with a draft workflow diagram currently floating around of how it may work. There is a proposal to have to vote people in the first time (as it is at the moment) and then have them do BFF1 etc and then re-vote that they stay in the brigade after six months - good luck if the brigade decides that they don't want them. You have already signed them up as a member, imagine then being told we don't want you, that's going to go down well - especially in a small town.

If this all sounds crazy and far fetched then check with your VSO, we found it hard to believe as well - luckily it is only being discussed as a draft at the moment but they want to get feedback from brigades on this so please let your VSO's or the Volunteer Management Branch know your thoughts on this.

I can see your point Katrina however you should be able to get a Command car for this sort of thing, even better if you can get a couple of you from the area to attend.

I guess it will normally fall to those that are within reasonable travelling distance to do these sorts of things, I know our brigade are pretty much looking after one of the days.

Also the idea is that the system is not dependant on any other infrastructure or software, given that it is being used for turnout and dispatch of emergency resources it needs to be reliable and dependable. Having said that the ability to link Google Maps streetview into would be brilliant, might be something to think about down the track if the licensing could be sorted out.

QuoteSo to get back to the original topic, does anyone have minimum requirements for responding into MFS area regardless of the call?
(For example, do you always have 2 BA operators even if you're going to an MVA?).

We always do, if we don't have a minimum of 2 BA then we ring Adelaide Fire and advise them, the couple of times it's been an issue they have said just go anyway.

It looks as though the maps will come from the UBD street data CD, I believe a licence agreement is currently being sorted out.I guess it's up to brigades as to how often they update these.

We have found that we have about twenty pages of the UBD stored on the hard drive and have not really needed any others, if you are going that far out of your area then you have enough time to pull out the UBD and look up where the job is.

The official word on AED's from the Chief Officer.

QuoteCFS has moved to support the use of Automatic External Defibrillators (AED's) within the CFS as approved 'Prescribed Equipment'. This decision clears the way for AED's to be carried on CFS Vehicles - it does not mean that CFS will be purchasing and/or specifying AED's as part of the stowage kits on vehicles. Essentially, if a Brigade or Group has an AED, (ie: it may be donated to them) this decision clears the way for that equipment to be carried on appliances as approved equipment. Training for AED's is now part of the Senior First Aid Certificate.

QuoteSpot on Bill!   Not only can AED's and Oxy set's benefit us to jobs that we typical respond to....It potentially can create further resources for SAAS to utilise for First Response to Cat1's.

CFA have been running a trial with first responders from CFA brigades responding to CAT 1 (not breathing / no pulse) since about the start of the year. From what I have heard there has been a couple of good saves with most people thinking it is generally a worth while exercise. You do have to pick people that are appropriate though as there is obviously going to be some fairly nasty situations that you would be sent to.

The way the SAAS manager was talking the other night at training it sounds like they are keen to significantly increase the number of first responders around the state and will be targetting people from the local CFS / SES/ Retained MFS stations for this sort of training. It doesn't sound like this will be a joint partnership with CFS and SAAS like the CFA model but more of 'do it if you want to' arrangement. I guess if people have the time to do the training and respond to the occasional call then it can only be a good thing.

Quoteand who's going to update that database every month?

Which database ?? TIM will hold info on specific risks - the same data we collect for our specific risk plans (A and B risks). As far as I know most brigades only update this data once every couple of years, and generally it doesn't change a great deal (normally only names and numbers).