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Topics - bajdas

Pages: [1] 2 3 4 ... 7
1
SASES / SA SES Recruitment advert
« on: January 27, 2013, 02:00:23 PM »

2
SASES / change in SES SCC
« on: July 02, 2012, 01:58:22 PM »
Yesterday marked a significant change in my volunteering.

Not sure of good or bad (I have some personal opinions which will not be aired), will wait and see if the Unit is allocated a regular response role.

MFS Comcen (Adelaide Fire) will now process all CRD functions for SA SES. No volunteers to be involved.

Good luck MFS Comcen operators when the next multi-incident event occurs. Bye bye end of a era that has been ongoing for approx 15 years.

3
All Equipment discussion / Sirens on american vehicles
« on: March 18, 2012, 09:02:25 AM »
Just viewed the YouTube clip "Richmond Fire-Rescue Quint 1 responding to medical call"
Richmond Fire-Rescue Quint 1 responding to medical call

The extra siren plus air horn they use at intersections must be deafening
No wonder they are wearing headsets.

5
SA Firefighter General / GPS co-ordinates & SACAD
« on: January 01, 2012, 11:31:18 AM »
I am expanding my knowledge on modern GPS devices & how latitude / longitude co-ordinates can be displayed easily on the device of your current position.

I know in Google Earth you can input the co-ordinates & you will see where the person is. I am learning if I can do that OziExplorer(incl Android version) & other products.

A question for MFS ComCen operators:-

If you were given the South & East degree co-ordinates position (degrees, minutes, seconds) of a incident, could you plot that & thus respond resources ?

Would another format of the position work better (eg UTM)?

Thanks,

6
Other Government Agencies / NSWFb chnaged name to 'Fire & Rescue NSW'
« on: December 12, 2011, 06:57:47 AM »
I was reading about the new fire truck on http://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/news.php?news=2075 and noticed that 'NSW Fire Brigade' have now changed their name to 'NSW Fire & Rescue'.

I also noticed that their full-time fire fighter recruitment closes in two days.

Just interesting....

7
SA Firefighter General / EMA phone app
« on: December 08, 2011, 09:09:38 PM »

8
SAMFS / How old was the BOMS system ?
« on: December 01, 2011, 01:46:32 PM »
Does anyone know how old the BOMS system was before it was decomm'd last night by SACAD ?

9
SASES / Flood review in SA
« on: October 24, 2011, 05:39:38 PM »
Will be interesting if this review changes anything. Article started in front page of today's Advertiser http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/weather/taskforce-slams-south-australias-flood-prevention-strategies/comments-e6frecil-1226174631412

Most of the comments from readers were about new developments being allowed at Buckland Park and nearby areas. Also about lack of maintenance in the RIverland flood levy's

10
Country Fire Service / New CFSVA President
« on: October 20, 2011, 11:56:40 AM »
I see on twitter "..CFS Volunteers welcome Roger Flavell from Lenswood as the new CFS Volunteers Association President.."

Yet it is not on the Current News website http://www.cfsva.org.au/News/tabid/71/Default.aspx

????

11
Country Fire Service / Adelaide Hills newspaper article
« on: August 19, 2011, 01:04:28 AM »
Three things interested me on this article & I have some questions

1/ Is the dead trees more prominent ? Are they only worried about near access roads or properties ?

It is good that both opinions (for & against) on the amount of dead trees are listed in the article.

2/ Interesting that people complain about the 4 to 5 metres clearance when CFS website http://www.cfs.sa.gov.au/site/bushfire/news/native_vegetation_management/new_rules_for_native_vegetation.jsp details up to 20m from a building and up to 5m from a structure.

3/ The fire summit is mentioned, but the AFAC 2011 summit is in Sydney according to http://www.afac2011.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58&Itemid=70. Does anyone know what summit this is ?

--------------------------------------------
Adelaide Hills councils clear dying trees ahead of fire season

Source: http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/deadly-problem-for-hils-dwellers/story-e6frea6u-1226116955114


AUTHORITIES in the Adelaide Hills are waging a winter war on overgrown trees ahead of the bushfire season.

Hills mayor Bill Spragg said the number of dead trees had risen 200-300 per cent higher than usual and the council had begun the huge task of clearing fuel loads.

He said there were more dead trees in his council now than in the 30 years he had lived in the area.

"I have not seen the levels of dead wood reach this extent before, it is going to be an issue, they appear to be dying all throughout the Hills," he said. "They are all dying because of the drought two years ago, they have succumbed to the stress and have never recovered."

The council has begun slashing "substantial" numbers of the trees and vegetation, and clearing up fire tracks in preparation for the potentially dangerous season ahead. He said between 60 and 70 per cent of trees in the Cherryville area, near Montacute, were dead.

Some Hills residents, however, feel the council has gone overboard.

"I have never seen the clearance levels so severe, they will always throw the bushfire threat in our faces but some of the trees they are hacking, like my radiata pines do not grow back," a Crafers resident said.

He said some vegetation had been cut back 4-5m from houses and every other day there were traffic delays as workers hacked into trees.

Arborist Marcus Lodge, of Arborman Tree Solutions, agreed vegetation in the Hills was "thick" but disagreed that dead tree levels were at an all-time high.

"There are areas in the Hills where some of the trees are dying off in patches, and that can look quite bad, but I do not know if the number has actually increased," he said.

Country Fire Service manager operation services Rob Sandford said Hills homeowners should start their fire preparation now.

"While it is too early to predict spring growth and the subsequent severity of the upcoming fire danger season, the CFS always recommends that people use the winter and early spring months to prepare their home from the risk of bushfire," he said.

"It is good practice to start preparing your bushfire survival plan now, well ahead of any fire danger, as you must make important decisions about what you will do in the event of a bushfire, before the fire season starts."

Adelaide next week hosts a national fire safety summit to identify the dangers of the upcoming fire season.

12
SA Firefighter General / State-of-the-art weather station for Ceduna
« on: July 20, 2011, 06:29:12 PM »
http://www.environment.gov.au/minister/farrell/2011/mr20110719.html

A vertical wind profiler, which replaces upper air wind observations using weather balloons, has been installed as part of a new, purpose-built meteorological office at Ceduna on South Australia’s west coast.

Officially opening the new Bureau of Meteorology office today, Senator Don Farrell, Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water said Ceduna is the first of nine offices nationally to receive the new wind profiler.

"This new vertical wind profiler enables continuous reporting of winds from 300m to 5km above the station," Senator Farrell said.

"Traditionally, upper atmospheric wind data are collected using weather balloons, released up to four times per day. The new wind profiler can produce vertical wind profiles every 30 minutes, greatly improving the ability to monitor storms and weather systems, and support accurate and timely forecasts and warnings.

"It allows the weather radar to provide a 24-hour continuous weather watch for the region, without having to switch to weather balloon tracking mode for several hours each day."

The $3.1 million new Ceduna office is part of a total federal funding investment of $34 million to upgrade 12 of the Bureau’s oldest meteorological offices across Australia, bringing them in line with the most sophisticated observations stations in the network.

Senator Farrell said the Ceduna weather station had also received an upgraded radar on a taller tower – at a height of 16 metres – which enables continuous weather surveillance over a greater range, out to approximately 150km.

"The new wind profiler and radar provide enhanced weather information of vital importance for South Australia. They also enhance the Bureau’s national network of observations across land, sea and air," Senator Farrell said.

"The new facilities help forecasters understand the weather in an area of Australia where data have been relatively sparse. The facilities will provide valuable information through the Bureau’s website for the benefit of industry, the aviation and rural sectors, local emergency services and the general public."

Operating since 1939, Ceduna is one of about fifty stations in Australia that are part of a global network of surface and upper air monitoring stations feeding data into sophisticated computer models.

The new facility has been designed to be environmentally sustainable and withstand the extreme weather conditions expected on South Australia’s west coast.

13
ALL Rescue / Results from Australasian & World RCR competitions
« on: July 20, 2011, 06:11:37 PM »
http://www.ufba.org.nz/events/reviews_results/australasian_and_world_road_rescue_challenge_results_are_in

Pity that no money available for a South Australian competition & then team to the Nationals. Hopefully now that all 3 services are learning same techniques, the $$ will pool for a future competition

*** personal opinion only ***

14
SASES / SES unit has own crisis, Tallangatta SES
« on: July 08, 2011, 11:07:09 PM »
We all complain about lack of facilities, equipment, paperwork, etc, etc

This issue with Tallangatta SES (I think Victoria near NSW border) places it in perspective for me.

http://www.bordermail.com.au/news/local/news/general/ses-unit-has-own-crisis/2220136.aspx

Reminds me when councils paid different amounts to support Units/Brigades. Some rish, some poor. I am glad for the Emergency Services Levy to even that playing field.

*** personal opinion only ***

15
In case anyone is interested and not heard about them.

The National Disaster Rescue Competitions are being held this weekend (9th & 10th July) in Adelaide.

From http://www.ses.sa.gov.au/site/news_media/events/national_disaster_rescue_competition_2011.jsp
eight teams from '...around the country being put through their paces in a series of eight staged emergency situations including an entrapment, a mass casualty exercise and a rescue from heights.'

Tea Tree Gully SES Unit is representing South Australia after they won the state competition a few months ago.

I believe the teams from interstate arrived today.

Hopefully we will get some coverage in the media.

16
SASES / New inland rescue vessels and flood response trailers
« on: May 08, 2011, 11:18:36 AM »
Commissioned at Barmera on 7th May
Photos are on facebook.
---------------------------------------------
Commissioning of inland rescue vessels and flood response trailers
Thursday, 5 May 2011

The State Emergency Service (SES) will commission three new inland boats and two flood response trailers into service this Saturday.

SES Chief Officer Chris Beattie says the three new inland rescue vessels have been strategically located at the Blanchetown, Loxton and Renmark SES Units.

“These vessels will significantly improve the operational marine capability of those units and will be a versatile resource for responding to calls for assistance,” said Mr Beattie.

“There will also be flow on effects in improving the operational marine capability at the Berri, Port Broughton and Meningie SES Units, who will receive the redeployed vessels.”

The vessels, built by Alufarm Marine at Goolwa, are 6.1 metre outboard powered aluminium tri-hull punts, with offset aft steering console, side access door and sun canopy.

The two flood response trailers to be commissioned are a package, one containing an automated
sandbagging machine and the other flood response equipment. They are part of a 12 trailer initiative to increase the SES’ capacity to meet flood-related risk.

Mr Beattie says the flood response trailers provide a significant increase in the SES’ capability to respond to flooding, and have been strategically located so that they can be transported at short notice to any part of the State to proactively meet increased risk or respond to actual events.

17
SA Firefighter General / Certified Trainer Asessor / Safety & Rescue
« on: April 07, 2011, 07:29:17 PM »
Interesting job advert at http://www.seek.com.au/job/19485948

Certified Trainer Asessor / Safety & Rescue position that details:
Height Safety
Confined Space
speciality high risk training
demonstrated vertical rescue

Even lists SES & CFS in the condidate desirable

Something different for Adelaide....

18
Country Fire Service / end of 2011 Fire Danger season dates
« on: March 07, 2011, 04:05:50 PM »
Just curious on other peoples opinion, because I am only seeing a small part of the state.

Would the CFS shorten the 2011 Fire Danger Season by nominating a early end date ?

I can see green under the grass through the Fleurieu Peninsula & thus I think it would not burn fiercely if on fire.

But CFS at 1205 today went to Severe LOP for the state. I assume this was for lightening risk ?

What are your observations & opinions ?

19
SA Fire Fighter Events / EmComs Cert II course
« on: March 03, 2011, 11:12:16 AM »
If anyone is interested, the 'Wireless Institute of Australia' has organised a Certificate II (PUA 20500) in Emergency Communications course.

This is being run via state based WICEN groups.

The SA course is being run in a few weeks and details can be found at http://www.sa.wicen.org.au/calendar/calendar.php

You do not need to be a Amateur Radio licensed holder to do the course.

20
Incident Operations / Earthquake in Christchurch NZ 22nd Feb 2011
« on: February 22, 2011, 11:29:19 AM »
Just seen on news websites that a 6.3 earthquake has hit Christchurch New Zealand. 6.3 magnitude and multi-buildings and deaths being reported.

See http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/22/3145320.htm?section=justin and www.adelaidenow.com.au

21
Other Government Agencies / DENR Black Hill
« on: February 17, 2011, 09:20:13 AM »
Saw this article http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/15/3139501.htm "...new firefighting facility at Black Hill Conservation Park..."

http://www.fire-brigade.asn.au/Station_Display.asp?Service_Code=NPWSA&Station_Code=NPBH details alot of vehicles.

Does anyone have details on the facility ? It looks a huge building.

22
Hypotheticals / Which do you save ?
« on: February 13, 2011, 07:47:58 PM »
I will be interested in opinions, because it has started alot of conversations with friends. This is a hypothetical situation:

In a small rural township you have an emergency situation. You have limited equipment and resources.

All people and animals have beem moved to a safe place and thus no life risk.

At risk is six houses and a temporary grain storage facility on the outskirts of the township.

The storage facility has approximately $1 million worth of grain recently harvested under tarpaulins. The houses if lost will affect the owners.

You have the resources to:
1/ Ensure you save the houses, but loose the grain storage.
2/ Ensure you save the grain storage, but loose the houses.
3/ Split your resources & take a chance on loosing both or minimising the impact to houses & grain storage.

Which do you choose and why ?

I do not think there is a right or wrong answer.....

23
SA Firefighter General / Minister's changing
« on: February 08, 2011, 09:30:48 AM »
From the annoncement I read, Kevin Foley becomes "....becomes Minister for Police and Emergency Services...." (see http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/08/3132646.htm) and then "...plans to quit politics at the next election in 2014..." (see website ref)

Personal opinion, this could be an different Ministerial leadership style than predecessors which could flow down the chain of command.

Add in the two new Chief Officers and that is alot of management change in a short period of time for emergency services.

With less staff in SAFECOM due to the cuts it could be interesting.

24
SASES / Victorian Floods
« on: January 21, 2011, 07:52:47 PM »
This is abit old but thought others might be interested. I think three sets of crews to QLD and one to VIC thus far, over a period of a few weeks.
============================================
Media Release
State Emergency Service

For media enquiries telephone the SES Media Line on (08) 8211 6176
For SES response in storms or floods telephone 132 500. If the matter is life threatening telephone 000
For further information on the services provided by the SES go to www.ses.sa.gov.au

SES crews provide flood assistance in Victoria
Monday, 17 January 2011

The South Australian State Emergency Service (SASES) has begun the deployment of staff and volunteers to assist flood-affected communities in Victoria.

The first contingent comprising five Incident Management personnel, three SES volunteers and two staff members left Adelaide tonight and will arrive in Horsham tomorrow morning.

Another group of 20 volunteers and a staff Task Force Commander will leave from Murray Bridge tomorrow at 7.30am.

SES Chief Officer Chris Beattie said the exercise follows another deployment of South Australian SES crews to flooded areas in Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley in Queensland last week.

“This level of response at this time of the year is unprecedented and our commitment to assist our interstate counterparts is matched by the willingness of our volunteers to be deployed on short notice,” Mr Beattie said.

“The first group comprising the Incident Management Team will arrive in Horsham at 8am after an overnight stay in Nhill, with the second team leaving tomorrow and expected to arrive around midday.”

The SES volunteers will assist their interstate counterparts with sandbagging and evacuation tasks in Horsham and surrounding areas.

“They will face a challenging task and will be confronted with devastating scenes but no doubt their presence will be welcomed by the many victims of flood ravaged areas across he border,” Mr Beattie said.

“I am pleased with what we have been able to achieve over the past few days through our deployments in Queensland and now in Victoria which is a credit to the volunteers involved who will be proudly reflecting goodwill and mateship that is characteristic of South Australians.”

The second deployment will depart from the SES centre in Thomas Street, Murray Bridge at 7.30 tomorrow morning.

25
SASES / Queensland floods
« on: January 11, 2011, 12:50:03 PM »
From: http://www.ses.sa.gov.au/site/home.jsp

News Release
www.premier.sa.gov.au
twitter.com/PremierMikeRann

Premier Mike Rann
Minister for Economic Development
Minister for Social Inclusion
Minister for the Arts
Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change
Tuesday, 11 January 2011

FURTHER SA HELP FOR QUEENSLAND FLOOD VICTIMS

Premier Mike Rann has announced that South Australia is today sending SES crews to assist with the emergency relief, and increasing its contribution to the Queensland Premier’s Flood Appeal to $1 million dollars.

Mr Rann said the thoughts of all South Australians go out to the victims of the floods, which have seen the tragic loss of so many lives, and entire towns devastated.

“The scale of the floods in Queensland is unimaginable, and all Australians have all been shocked by the scale of the destruction,” Mr Rann said.

“Last week, I announced South Australia would kickstart our assistance with $300,000 to the Premier of Queensland’s Flood Appeal.

“As the floods continue to worsen and more towns and lives are so badly affected, I have this  morning contacted Anna Bligh to reiterate our offer to assist in any way we can.

“Today, I have increased our contribution to $1 million dollars, and the SES will be sending a team of 21 to assist the emergency teams working in Queensland.

“Twenty SES volunteers and one staff member will head to Queensland, likely late this afternoon, for a five-day deployment, and we have offered any further assistance as required.

“The SA volunteers have been selected for their expertise in dealing with flash flooding response.

“The volunteers and staff will provide support in areas from Brisbane to Toowoomba, and will be undertaking various tasks to support the Queensland SES in managing the flood and its impact on the communities affected.

“Queensland crews have been extremely busy over the past few weeks, and the severe weather across the state is expected to continue for the foreseeable future. Providing relief for their volunteers is critical.

“Within a couple of hours of putting the call out to our South Australian personnel, we were able to pull together twenty volunteers and one staff member who will provide support to the Queensland State Emergency Service.

“I, along with all South Australians, thank the volunteers for generously giving their time to provide vital assistance in Queensland’s time of need.

“South Australians wanting to make a personal contribution can do so at www.qld.gov.au/floods.

“In Australia, we have a great tradition of joining together in times of disaster, and helping our fellow citizens.

“Poignantly, six years ago to the day, we saw nine South Australians lose their lives in the Wangary bushfires, and at that time, other States came together to offer us assistance as our Eyre Peninsula community came to grips with the tragedy.”

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