SA Firefighter

 I don't see a problems with the courses that they offer and those brigades that have a specialist function should be pleased with what is on offer. The problems of concern is for brigades that don't have a specialist function or those that attend a variety of incidents but need that bit extra of training to be effective. A couple of courses that may be of benefit to these brigade include

PUAFIR202A Respond to isolated/remote structure fire
PUASAR001A Participate in a rescue operation
PUAFIR309A Operate pumps
PUAFIR206A Check installed fire safety systems

oldskool maybe the odd balls that you refer to are not that odd considering what has been through the door at Iron Knob. You shouldn't forget that saying about the kettle calling the pot black which maybe the case here. You don't need to worry about the AGM as malleefire already said that it is in the hands of region and, at this stage the no open day will occur but certainly a public meeting. Maybe it is time for some members of the Iron Knob community to take the time and reflect and get past some of the divisions that have been created. As you know some people in the community like to enforce their will on others while not allowing the baton to be past on to the next generation or discriminate against those that don't fit the mold.

Its an old chestnut, but still odd, that the SES is getting trained in C/S, yet the gear you should have eg: BA sets and Gas Detectors and pretty fire service specific. 

The other aspect that has yet to be looked at is that of mining aspects do brigades that have mining in their responce area will they need some form of rope training. As 6793264 points out where does the SES and CFS role stop and start. I know this sounds like a post of cross posting that should be else where but the types of emergencies that either service is attending is changing over time.

Was a group officer involved and if so what did he say or do or are you still waiting for his reaction.

The group officer was present and did not offer any comment on the night. I'll pass on the stuff about whyalla council to the captain to see if he is able to dig up up anything. I spoke to the admin officer last night and who said that on the weekend a door knocking campaign will done to recruit members and support for the Brigade. I think at training we will be having a bit of talk about where we will be heading and what we will be doing. Why73 your right about a responce some form of responce is better than none and in some instance our responce times have not been the best but other times we have got there before the MFS  in whyalla.

We have spent the last 18 months struggling for everything (you name it we most probably don't have it) and now I can see why they made life so difficult for us they just don't want us.

Last night at our AGM the Regional Commander turn up considering we don't get regional officers at our AGM unless invited. The captain, and the other officer from the look on their faces said concern and panic as this was an out of the blue. We did not have quorum and as a consequence we were told unofficially that we will be going down the path of having our operations suspended. His reason for taking this action was their are not enough volunteers living in the town and that our responce time were not up to scratch. What do they expect when you just cant get ppe, pagers or anything. What do they expect from small rural towns where the jobs are 60 km away yes their will be a delay if your employer will allow you to go. Where do you find volunteers when the age of the townpeople is hitting it mid 70's.

With the rant now over how well does this sit with concepts of project sherpa more importantly no advice was given in how to rectify the problem i.e. who to speak to or what tools would be available. How value do you think we now feel in the cfs as we are all keen to carry on. The captain is speaking to the members and what I feel is that their is more of resolve now to maintain brigade as we all still want to be members.