SA Firefighter

I say keep it simple any rural jobs I wear my rural gear with a structural helmet. My PBI gold is in a bag in the truck or behind the seat.

Anything else PBI gold, why some may ask it's been a few times we have been at an MVA no entrapment's and we have just finished the make safe deal then our pagers have gone off for either a car or structure fire. So why look like a gong beater changing your gear on the side of the road!

Plus we have no drama's with our DGO's or GO as a brigade Lieutenant they just let us get on with the job and even when they arrive at incidents if it's going all smooth they don't come in and take over command if you don't require it.

At the end of the day as the OIC you are the person responsible for your crew's safety!

Have a listen to some of you lot, like a pack of little teenage girls.

So you dedicate 10+ years to something which is a big call as it impacts on your work, family and social life especially if you're in a busy brigade.

So the CFS decide to show a bit of appreciation, what a nice thing to do. I'd place a bet all you on here that are having a cry will still be lining up at your stations to receive it!

Man up and get on with the job!

I'm not doubting the crew at Mount Barker do anything but a sterling effort but why is there such an out cry from punters on here about having MFS (paid) in such a large country town. So what if a paid station costs money is that not a bad thing to create employment and take some of the heat off the CFS guys at Barker.

Pity CFS corporate does not push for paid or retained CFS stations, there is only so much you can expect for free!

This is only my opinion and how my brigade operates.

For EMA incidents or COQ you should have 4 x BA operators on the appliance (obviously this would not be a requirement with some CFS brigades only having 2 x BA sets on some appliances) and if the appliance has RCR equipment on it crews both current in BA and RCR. Plus a Lieutenant OIC on the appliance. Also I think these appliances should at least be a 34P into urban areas.

Also these CFS stations should have their crews trained in the public safety module on operating fire alarm and suppression systems (I forget the proper module name) and I believe CFS now supply the course. These brigades need a sound understanding of SAMFS communication systems and procedures.

I think the Kilburn plastic fire not every appliance was were it should have been i.e. Hermitage's rural appliance covering an urban area. There were CFS appliances at the incident that usually cover a lot of COQ at MFS stations and Tea Tree Gully 34P was the only rescue appliance between Adelaide and Gawler for some time. So incidents of this size I think there will always be some anomalies in the response due to stretching the resources. Which will happen.

As for COQ I beleive it's something CFS could do better in the past there has not been a great history of it and was there any COQ to those urban fringe brigades that are busy stations from any other CFS stations further out?

I think your dream will stay a dream, and they don't give a rats about COQ, look they sent Hermitage, so clearly they don't care who goes.

I thought this topic was about Rapid Intervention not sticking the boot into the Hermitage brigade and plus you really don't need to as they are trying to fall on their own sword as we speak!

Alan and Matt B's comments make for a very good argument as well why have RIV gear so close to rescue brigades? Plus having over confidence in the ability of RIV gear can be a dangerous path to follow, imagine that not calling a 2nd rescue appliance to 2 confirmed entrapments, if it went wrong I'd hate to think of the consequences!

Maybe we need more paid staffin the CFS like retained groupies and captains

I think we need more paid staff as the CFS ratio of paid to volunteer is very low.

Plus the idea of having paid Captain's can work I know of some CFA brigades that have one or two paid staff that do the day to day operation of the station and a lad I know did this job for a while said it worked.

Maybe even paid CFS stations (I know it will be a long way off) but the principle of having this sort of stations strategically placed in CFS areas could potentially work instead of handing the area over to MFS when the time comes. Obviously they can respond to the urban, rcr and hazmat incidents but also they would have the benefit of having the equipment and experience of rural firefighting plus the quicker response capabilty.

One dares to dream!

Come on which big noting self absorbed tool was it?

there are more and more pics of this type of truck popping up on ozfire. looks like a good starting point but only has 2ba in the ones i have seen. also all most of the hose is flaked and i don't know how that would be accepted in CFS.

Flaked hoses aint a bad thing Yakka I've worked from an applaince that had flaked 64mm hose so it was quick to run out those hoses from the appliance to a hydrant.

Good to see your only interested in taking the piss Crash. So no familiarisation of another agencies station is a good idea? of course it does not have any spin off affects as fostering a better working relationship and where I am it was an idea from one of there S/O's.

Plus putting CFS fire fighters through Check installed fire safety systems PUAFIR206B is not a good idea either I guess not.

I suppose we can just sit in our own little CFS bubble and not try and progress in any knowledge and when you go do a fire alarm and try and operate the FIP wouldn't it be a good idea to be proficent in it's use so you don't look like a hick!

PIP & ITDAN

I said the idea was viable for some brigades not all.

Yes Pip I was fully aware the Dennis was a a trial appliance but who in their right mind buys an ageing appliance has it retro fitted to meet service and Australian specifications which could have been resolved at the case study level to realise it was not a good idea.

How many brigades would actually use a small appliance like this and just asking?

From a brigade who currently has a 12 pumper appliance, I think it is a great idea for cfs looking at building 12 pumper appliances.

Besides the current 12 which we have is a bit slow on response due to the weight on the vehicle, they are a very versatile appliance.

These type of appliances are good in our area where vehicle access is tight.  Majority of our area of response you would find it difficult to drive a 34 or 34p in driveways etc.

These appliances can be used for a urban and rural response with asset protection.

Well Done to CFS for looking at this !!

They may be viable for one or two brigades, our brigade got rid or our little pumper for the fact it had shocking acceleration away from intersections and torque for climbing hills, cramped for crew, PTO pump was to small not big enough for a real pumper and I think you'll find the stations that have got these little appliances left like Stirling have a real size pumper in the station as well (I'm not just talking actual cab/chasis size!)

Plus if there are driveways in your area that you can't get an appliance down just do what we do inform the resident and you'll see changes if they're serious about their property's protection. Should we be taking appliances in such tight areas?

This whole small pumper thing if it happens is just a smoke and mirrors deal from CFS corporate as they have not got the balls to ask for whats really needed. So to look good for the government ministers we get a sub standard product. Hence let's buy a second-hand Dennis then jump through hurdles!

Look at how offen they change tenders and the lack of quality on the appliances. If cheap as chips could build them CFS infastructure and logistics would be giving them a contract. Another question when is it that CFS has purchased a fleet of vehicles and there has only been slight teething issues? Not for a long time!