SA Firefighter

My last refresher course in first-aid competency was not delivered by St John's or Red Cross. I have found several companies (small & large) who now have a Registered Training Organisation status & can deliver the Senior First-Aid course.

One of the reasons the organisation went with the other company was the reduced cost.

Firstly, I believe all MFS and all SES people have the qualification. Is this still a restricted qualification to a few within each CFS brigade (excluding rescue brigades) ?

I am curious because another thread was talking about deployment of AED's & if not everyone has the qualification....then wouldn't the money be better spent in training the other members ?

Do people believe this is a good change in extra RTO's being able to deliver training courses in (eg Public Safety standard) better in the long term ?

Personally, I think it was great because the course included some extra components to match the audience needs, rather than 'from the book'.

1908852 12:46:35 19-11-08 MFS: ALL SERVICES RESPONDED TO HELICOPTER CRASH 8 KM FROM MURRAY BRIDGE 3 PEOPLE ON BOARD MEDICAL RETRIEVAL ON SITE DSC EDEN 19/11/2008 12:46:25 PM CFS HQ Info

1919398 12:39:52 19-11-08 MFS: MYPOLONGA ***STOP CALL*** NOT REQUIRED THANK YOU CFS Swanport Group Officers Response

1919404 12:39:50 19-11-08 MFS: MYPOLONGA ***STOP CALL*** NOT REQUIRED THANK YOU CFS Mypolonga Response

1919398 12:05:13 19-11-08 MFS: *CFSRES INC034 19/11/08 12:04,RESPOND Aircraft Light,MANNUM RD,MURRAY BRIDGE MAP 349 L 1 TG195,HELICOPTOR DOWN ON MANNUM ROAD 8 KMS FRO,M MURRAY BRIDGE NEAR WAGENEKNECHT ROAD.,1 PERSON BELIEVED TRAPPED.,MYPL00 CFS Swanport Group Officers Response

1919404 12:05:11 19-11-08 MFS: *CFSRES INC034 19/11/08 12:04,RESPOND Aircraft Light,MANNUM RD,MURRAY BRIDGE MAP 349 L 1 TG195,HELICOPTOR DOWN ON MANNUM ROAD 8 KMS FRO,M MURRAY BRIDGE NEAR WAGENEKNECHT ROAD.,1 PERSON BELIEVED TRAPPED.,MYPL00 CFS Mypolonga Response

1928012 12:00:48 19-11-08 MFS: *CFSRES INC034 19/11/08 11:59,RESPOND Aircraft Light,MANNUM RD,MURRAY BRIDGE MAP 349 L 1 TG195,HELICOPTER V POWER LINES. PILOT OUT 1 PE,RSON TRAPPED BENEATH. 8 KMS TOWARD MANNU,M NEAR WAGENKNECHT RD.,MURR00 MRB029 SES East Region

1908045 12:00:46 19-11-08 MFS: *CFSRES INC034 19/11/08 11:59,RESPOND Aircraft Light,MANNUM RD,MURRAY BRIDGE MAP 349 L 1 TG195,HELICOPTER V POWER LINES. PILOT OUT 1 PE,RSON TRAPPED BENEATH. 8 KMS TOWARD MANNU,M NEAR WAGENKNECHT RD.,MURR00 MRB029 SES Murray Bridge

1919398 12:00:37 19-11-08 11/08 11:59,RESPOND Aircraft Light,MANNUM RD,MURRAY BRIDGE MAP 349 L 1 TG195,HELICOPTER V POWER LINES. PILOT OUT 1 PE,RSON TRAPPED BENEATH. 8 KMS TOWARD MANNU,M NEAR WAGENKNECHT RD.,MURR00 MRB029 CFS Swanport Group Officers Response

1919403 12:00:35 19-11-08 MFS: *CFSRES INC034 19/11/08 11:59,RESPOND Aircraft Light,MANNUM RD,MURRAY BRIDGE MAP 349 L 1 TG195,HELICOPTER V POWER LINES. PILOT OUT 1 PE,RSON TRAPPED BENEATH. 8 KMS TOWARD MANNU,M NEAR WAGENKNECHT RD.,MURR00 MRB029 CFS Murray Bridge Response
*******************************************
from: http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24674934-5006301,00.html

November 19, 2008 12:01pm

A HELICOPTER has crashed after hitting power lines in a paddock near Murray Bridge, with three people injured.

Police and emergency services are at the crash site , 8kms from Murray Bridge, near Wagenknecht Rd and Woolshed Rd.

The pilot is understood to have been thrown clear from the wreckage while another person is trapped underneath the helicopter and another person is trapped inside.

One of those trapped has suffered chest injuries and is unconscious while the other person is conscious and speaking to paramedics.

The helicopter is understood to have been conducting power line inspections for ETSA Utilities.

A rescue helicopter is flying to the scene from Adelaide with a specialist paramedic retrieval team.

A crane also is being sent to the site to lift the helicopter off the trapped person.

The third person, understood to be the pilot, is mobile and has suffered only minor injuries.

MORE TO COME 

 
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Lightning
November 07, 2008
INTENSE thunder and lightning stuck Henley Beach in the early hours of the morning - and photographer David Salisbury captured the action.

Alternatively, you can copy and paste this link into your browser:
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/gallery/0,22613,5035650-5014156,00.html

Hi,

From another internet discussion group, I found that 'NATMAP Electronic
Maps 2008' will be available for an estimated price of $99 shortly.

I use a set of 2002 electronic maps in OziExplorer & I am looking at
updating the map set.

Details can be found at
http://www.ga.gov.au/nmd/products/maps/raster250k/

Does anyone use the previous versions of the maps (previously called
Raster maps) & can give an opinion of any pitfalls ? Do you use them
within OziExplorer or the software delivered with the DVD's ?

Thanks in advance,
Andrew Mac

Congratulations to Seaford CFS brigade..

This afternoon I was driving on Victor Harbor Rd heading towards the intersection of South Rd. We could see alot of dark smoke from the Seaford Rise area.

As we crossed South Rd into Griffiths Dr we saw the heat plume of smoke being closer.

When we arrived at the transport corridor land on Griffiths Dr to begin locating the source location of the smoke (we assumed it was on damp grass or rubbish burnoff) the Seaford CFS Pumper was coming towards us with lights & sirens going.

Spectator cars were already around, so we left the area.

When we went past the Seaford CFS Brigade shed on our way home, two MFS pumpers were driving past on Commercial Rd, with lights/sirens going.

We noticed that Seaford's 24 truck was out of the brigade shed with some volunteers in PPE.

It is a pity the end result (see news report below), but great to see the services working together and that the Seaford CFS volunteers still respond to the truck when the community requires, even after the MFS moving saga.

From a local resident, thanks....

----------------------------
http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24065351-2682,00.html

Puppy dog perishes in house fire in Adelaide's south

A WOMAN mowing her lawn was oblivious to her Seaford Rise house burning down behind her today - in which the family's pet puppy perished.

The fire started around 1.30pm, and caused about $100,000 damage.

The woman initially couldn't find her three-year-old son and it is not known if he was inside the house when the fire started. He was found safely outside the home.

The first crew arrived within two minutes of receiving a Triple 0 call from the woman and neighbours but could do little to save the Driftwood Crescent house which was completely destroyed.

About 20 MFS and CFS personnel responded to the incident.

Fire cause investigators are currently at the scene.

----------------------------------
13:41:30 23-07-08 MFS: *CFSRES INC024 23/07/08 13:40,RESPOND DOMESTIC FIRE, ??DRIFTWOOD CR,SEAFORD RISE MAP 205 M 3 TG134,,SEAF00 CDN431 CDN439 MCLV00 CFS McLaren Vale Response

13:41:30 23-07-08 MFS: *CFSRES INC024 23/07/08 13:40,RESPOND DOMESTIC FIRE, ?? DRIFTWOOD CR,SEAFORD RISE MAP 205 M 3 TG134,,SE CFS Kyeema Group Officers Response

13:41:13 23-07-08 MFS: *CFSRES INC024 23/07/08 13:40,RESPOND DOMESTIC FIRE,?? DRIFTWOOD CR,SEAFORD RISE MAP 205 M 3 TG134,,SEAF00 CDN431 CDN439 MCLV00 CFS Mawson Group Officers Response

13:41:11 23-07-08 MFS: *CFSRES INC024 23/07/08 13:40,RESPOND DOMESTIC FIRE, ??DRIFTWOOD CR,SEAFORD RISE MAP 205 M 3 TG134,,SEAF00 CDN431 CDN439 MCLV00 CFS Seaford Response

13:47:00 23-07-08 MFS: *CFSRES INC024 23/07/08 13:46,RESPOND DOMESTIC FIRE,?? DRIFTWOOD CR,SEAFORD RISE MAP 205 M 3 TG134,RESPONDING TO CONFIRMED HOUSE FIRE WITH,SEAFORD AND CHRISTIES,MRPH00 CFS Mawson Group Officers Response

13:46:58 23-07-08 MFS: *CFSRES INC024 23/07/08 13:46,RESPOND DOMESTIC FIRE,?? DRIFTWOOD CR,SEAFORD RISE MAP 205 M 3 TG134,RESPONDING TO CONFIRMED HOUSE FIRE WITH,SEAFORD AND CHRISTIES,MRPH00 CFS Morphett Vale Response

13:49:24 23-07-08 MFS: *CFSRES INC024 23/07/08 13:49,RESPOND DOMESTIC FIRE,?? DRIFTWOOD CR,SEAFORD RISE MAP 205 M 3 TG134,CONFIRMED FIRE,41 MFS Car 41

13:52:39 23-07-08 MRPH: *CFSRES: MORE CREW REQUIRED RESPOND M/ VALE STATION 23-07-08 13:52 CFS Morphett Vale Response

Lightning sparks hundreds of fires in California

source: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/06/22/california.wildfires.ap/index.html

Lightning sparks hundreds of fires in California
Story Highlights
Lightning sparks hundreds of fires around Northern California

Fire spreads across 6 square miles in Solano, Napa counties

Wildfires have destroyed at least 125 homes in Northern California this year

Fire threatened more than 100 buildings 40 miles southwest of Sacramento

SAN FRANCISCO, California (AP) -- Hundreds of wildfires sparked by lightning flared Sunday across the heart of wine country and remote forests in Northern California, the latest batch of destructive blazes in the bone-dry state.

One had spread across nearly 6 square miles (15 1/2 square kilometers) by early Sunday after starting the previous afternoon in Napa County and quickly moving into a mostly rural area of Solano County.

The fire threatened more than 100 buildings as it fed on grassy woodland about 40 miles (64 kilometers) southwest of Sacramento, said Roger Archey, a spokesman for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire.

It was 35 percent contained Sunday evening and had destroyed one home, officials said. Evacuations were ordered for some residents, said agency spokeswoman Nancy Carniglia.Watch wildfires burn in Napa »

Wildfires have destroyed more than 175 homes in Northern California so far this year. Blazes started popping up in the region just as California's unofficial fire season began in mid-May, following the state's driest two-month period on record.

Two small blazes about 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of San Jose forced several residents from their homes Sunday. Both were partially contained, and officials said most residents would be let back into their homes by Monday. Those fires were also blamed on lightning.

Thunderstorms were responsible for as many as 75 fires in Shasta-Trinity National Forest, about 160 miles (257 kilometers) north of Sacramento. None immediately threatened homes, said Forest Service spokesman Michael Odle.

Mendocino County had as many as 90 fires, charring nearly 8 square miles (21 square kilometers), Cal Fire officials said.

South of San Francisco, a fire that started Friday in Santa Cruz County and destroyed homes and closed a stretch of highway was contained after charring just less than a square mile (2.59 sq. kilometer). Evacuation orders were lifted Saturday, a day after roughly 2,000 people fled their homes.

It was the third major blaze to hit Santa Cruz County in the past month. A 520-acre (210-hectare) blaze destroyed 11 buildings in the Santa Cruz Mountains, and a fire near Corralitos covered more than 4,200 acres (1,700 hectares) and destroyed about 100 buildings.

Along the coast in the Los Padres National Forest, a wildfire burning since Saturday forced 75 homes and businesses to be evacuated. And just miles (kilometers) away, firefighters worked to stanch a huge fire that has destroyed two homes since it began two weeks ago. It was nearly 60 percent contained after charring 83 square miles (215 square kilometers).

In southern New Mexico, firefighters burned out vegetation along a forest road to stop a 67-square-mile (173-sq. kilometer) wildfire. The fire was 35 percent contained Sunday, fire information officer Deanna Younger said.

Two other lightning-sparked wildfires also had burned nearly 47 square miles (122 sq. kilometers). One was west of Roswell in southern New Mexico and the other west of Raton in the northern part of the state.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

All AboutCalifornia Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

08:39:04 05-06-08 MFS: *CFSRES INC015 05/06/08 08:36,RESPOND Flooding/Salvage,30 PIRIE ST,ADELAIDE MAP B K 11 TG182,LEVELS 10 AND 11,TELSTRA HOUSE,EAS020 ADL201

Several (I think 5) SES Units reponded. Interesting task until I read...

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23813928-2682,00.html

Telstra House in Adelaide flooded with sewage

STAY out of the "rain" on Pirie St - a building is being evacuated because of flooding caused by a blocked toilet and the mess is pouring down on to the footpath.

Staff on the tenth and eleventh floors of Telstra House were moved out just after 9am and the rest of the building has now been cleared. About 1600 people have filed out..

MFS crews and SES volunteers are attempting to stop the block and clean the floors.

I noticed on page 23 (I think) of today's (29/05/2008) Advertiser that Salisbury CFS are having a 65th anniversary open day & demonstrations.

Unfortunately the website http://www.aussiepcs.com/salisburycfs/News.htm only gives news of the 60th anniversary, so I suspect this is out of date. But hard to tell when no year is placed on the dates on the website.

Does anyone have further information ?

I have noticed in the Adelaide metropolitan area that new blue cats eye markers have been installed on the road surface near water outlet covers. I assume this is a better replacement than fire posts near the kerbs. The metal road covers have also been painted in the centre with reflective yellow paint.

Is this being installed in the country areas (eg major towns) ?

Are you finding this effective in locating the nearest water supply at incidents ?

From a non fire fighter person, it seems a great idea that is a simple system & requires minimal maintenance. The only negative is when I ride a motorbike it is another road surface hazard to miss. But that is minor.

Ohh well, another Adelaide Motor Show been & gone without a inter-service Road Crash Rescue competition held 

This would be the second year that MFS, CFS, SES and interstate teams have not competed. I believe that the paid Competition Organiser position for the three services was lost a few years ago, thus no paid staff have time.

Is this inter-service competition missed by others & do we have any suggestions on who to approach to get this happening again (eg Minister, SAFECOM, individual CEO's, etc) ??

18:59:58  15-03-08  RESPOND RESCUE FROM HEIGHT CONTACT MT GAMBIER HQ FOR DETAILS PRIORITY 1 SES Wattle Range Response

18:30:26  15-03-08  MFS: *CFSRES INC058 15/03/08 18:29,RESPOND Assist SAAS,PICK AV,MT GAMBIER MAP 0 0 0 TG195,60 YR OLD MAN COLLAPSED AT TOP OF CONTRO,L TOWER AT HARNESS RACING TRACK, FROM SA,AS, P1,MTG701 MTG029 SES Mt Gambier Response

18:12:26  15-03-08  MG181 Cat2 Mount Gambier Harness Racing . Pick Av, Mount Gambier C183 D9 DIFFICULT ACCESS SAAS Mt Gambier

I would be interested in understanding the tower construction. Was this a thin spiral staircase or a large tower with a room at the top ? How high is the tower ?

I hope the casualty is OK.

Saw the following pager message:

08:53:50 22-02-08 CREW FOR MACLEOD'S DAUGHTERS ARE <family names> BE AT UNIT BY 1.00 TODAY. SES Sturt Info

I have seen NSW SES on television soap serials previously, but now SA SES volunteers get to go...