SA Firefighter

One observation I have had on many occasions is that those driving a manual diesel truck have no idea how to use the torque of a diesel and insist on running the engine well into the buzzer before changing gear.

You can make quicker progress by not trying to 'rev the nuts' off a diesel, save that for the petrol engines.....

For that reason, as stated in some posts above, auto makes a bit more sense where many drivers are 'occasional' and/or inexperienced.  Or, better education!

This is a bit like a Ford/Holden debate, there will never be a winner as both have their plus points and minus points, however, why let that get in the way of a healthy heated debate!!

For reference, I'm a manual man through and through, however do enjoy driving the Hooker (R3 Hook Truck) which is auto but this is a truck that should not be doing any extreme off roading!

Fairly hefty process to employ anyone to work in state government, even a temp.

Firstly, it is not always guaranteed that when someone leaves a position, that the position will be continued or re-filled.

The normal process, once approval is gained to refil, depending on whether it is ongoing or a time-based position (eg to cover someone going on long service leave/maternity etc), the position is then 'called'.

The initial call can be made internally at first which means only other state government employees can apply.  If a successful applicant is not gained, the position is then called externally (often these days the external call is made in parallel with the internal).  These jobs appear on www.vacancies.sa.gov.au and are open for a fortnight normally.  The site is updated once a week.

Most jobs these days are also advertised in local press for the area and often in the Career One supplement of the Advertiser.

This is where it can really get confusing with the requirements of an application which can range from just a CV to all manner of other things such as written responses to the main criteria of the job.  There is a fine art to a job application for the state government!!!!

Once all of this is done, including panel interviews etc, only then (in theory) if a suitable person is not identified, then an agency can be approached to supply someone on an hourly rate......

Although the system is aimed at being impartial and gaining the most appropriate person for a job, there is plenty of room for manouvre, if you know what I mean!!! 

...and a whole load more government agencies such as PIRSA, Health, Families, Transport, SAPOL, SES, Councils etc etc etc

Spent the day in the ZEC in Mt Barker police station.....

Exercise was roughly based on the Ash Wednesday fires in the Adelaide Hills and the South East with several other issues thrown in for good measure (such as bus based road crash with multiple injuries, environmental issues of various stuff burning such as fencing posts and 60000litres of diesel at Aldgate bus depot etc)

Main focus on working with the SEC in Adelaide and looking at recovery actions....

That's awesome!

I (and my employer) get huge value out of the pager site.

I work for a large statewide provider of roads and road related assets and services.

In the past, we regularly only found out about crashes (major/fatals/loose stock type etc) when one of our own staff rang in while listening to the radio....  I found it very poor that there was no tie-in to what other government agencies were up to....

However, we are now able to be much more proactive in our response to incidents and able to offer support to SAPOL with traffic control or to despatch relevant staff to perform our own investigations or fix up damaged assets (signs/guardrail etc) once SAPOL have finished with the scene.

"Think its time the vollies started getting more of a say on vehicle design and placement in the state!"


Regarding the above, while I agree with the sentiment, would surely prove to be completely unmanageable in practice - how long would the consultation process be? There would never be 100% agreement between some people on one or more items so someone would have to make a choice which would lead to some people taking the 'I said something but no-one listened to me' line etc etc

Many volunteers would also have no idea on how to take the wider picture on other areas needs (and I mean needs, not wants) and all would be vying for the best equipment (which is fair enough), but there will never be enough to go around and someone somewhere will end up with an truck which is 'older than someone elses' or doesn't have an X or a Y on it etc.

Let's face it, even if substantial funding was to be found to upgrade everything now, how long before half of it was ready/built/provided to the brigades, by then, half of them would want something else/newer/different......

I'm certainly not defending the current ways of working and there is certainly room for improvement, but opening the system to every man and his dog would be even more stifling to the production and supply of equipment??

Jervois BW17 has been requested and is due to be delivered on Sunday to the area, believe a new airstrip has been created for the bombers??.....

Could be a good way to make some cash...

The old Jervois 24 sold at the government auctions for $20k.

Recently the new Jervois 34 went for its first service at CMI Hino and guess what was on their forecourt??

The old 24, body removed, coat of paint, tyres changed for old worn out ones, other bits and pieces removed, light bar taken off and the silicon used to fill the holes not even smoothed out.  How much..... $42k..... yep that's right, forty two thousand dollars......

I believe it has now been dropped into the high 30's.......

I'd agree with about 2 minutes from recent experience....

Was in the station when the alerts phone rang, was able to get the details, get my gear, open both doors and get both appliances fired up ready to go by the time the pager went off.

For info, for those of you in areas that may experience a ferry closure impacting on you, the following is a copy of the letter that has been sent by DTEI to all ferry operators/contractors with regards to operating under weight restrictions.  As mentioned before, if you are concerned, please talk to your local ferry operator first, if they are unable/unwilling to help/assist, ask them for further contact details of the relevant person here at the department, or PM me and I will give them to you......

OPERATION OF A VEHICULAR FERRY ACROSS THE RIVER MURRAY AT XXXXXXXXXX,
APPLICATION OF 12 TONNE WEIGHT RESTRICTION

The Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure advises that it may be necessary to impose a 12 tonne weight restriction to the ferry service.

A 12 tonne limit was selected for the safety of users and will allow the majority of local traffic such as light farm vehicles and local delivery vehicles to cross but deny access to heavier vehicles such as semi trailers and tandem drive vehicles with low under belly fuel tanks.

There is some flexibility with the 12 tonne limit to allow slightly heavier vehicles access to the ferry but in most cases, the limit should not exceed 15 tonne.

Prior to loading any heavy vehicle, operators will be required to check the following:

•   The landing is adjusted to the correct setting.

•   The vehicle does not have a low hanging fuel tank which may catch on the flap/landing area while loading or unloading.

•   The vehicle does not have a low crash bar fitted to the front or rear that may scrape and cause damage to the ramps, landing, and ferry during loading or unloading.

•   The weight of the vehicle loaded allows enough movement for the ferry flap to release from the landing and relatch when required (flap ram chains may need to be adjusted).

In emergency situations the wooden bus ramps may be used to help in raising the rear of a vehicle.

Access to the ferry should not be provided to any vehicle that may be damaged or cause damage while entering or exiting the ferry.

Directions need to be provided to the driver of the vehicle which is denied access to a more suitable crossing point.  The registration number and owner details must also be recorded in the ferry log. 

Here you all go, copy of the press release issued recently with some supporting notes.
Note that the 12-Ton limit has not been chosen as an 'absolute' max weight, the issues are due to the ground clearances and angles created by/at the ferry by heavier or low-slung vehicles.  A letter is currently being drafted to send to all of the contractors that operate the ferries regarding this issue.

Media Release

Friday, 16 November 2007

DROPPING RIVER LEVELS THREATEN FERRY SERVICES

The drought’s impact on the River Murray will be further felt with the upstream Mannum Ferry to close as soon as next week - the first of six now under threat from dropping river levels.

DTEI’s Director of Road and Traffic Management, Flett Steele said the situation is now reached a point where this service will have to be suspended soon for the safety of all users.

“The on-going drought conditions have left us with little choice but to prepare everyone in the area that Mannum upstream ferry will have to close,” Mr Steele said.

“Fortunately the downstream service remains viable and by increasing the number of people working on this service during busy periods it is our intention to reduce any delays that may be experienced.”

“However, we must also be prepared for the potential impacts on other ferries downstream of Lock 1.”

Falling river levels are the primary reason services are impacted and a 12 tonne weight restriction is applied – predominantly applying to semi trailers and truck/trailer combinations.

Based on river level modelling ferries at Tailem Bend, Walker Flat, Purnong, Swan Reach will soon be subject to such weight restrictions.

Predicted weight restrictions are likely to be effective from:

   December 2007   Tailem Bend      (Alternative – Swanport Bridge)
   January 2008      Walker Flat, Purnong  (Alternative – Blanchetown/Swanport Bridge)
   March 2008      Swan Reach      (Alternative – Blanchetown Bridge)

Wellington and Narrung ferry services should continue to operate unrestricted for now.

“It is vitally important we give all stakeholders the opportunity to be as prepared as possible because the reality is river levels continue to drop,” Mr Steele said.

“Any vehicles above the 12 tonne weight limit will need to make contingency plans.”

The Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure will work with emergency services, primary producers and school bus operators through this period.

At this stage ferry services above Lock 1 will not be affected.

It is important to note that at this point only the upstream ferry at Mannum will be affected and the other ferry at Mannum will continue to operate without restrictions.

As well, the drought effect predictions are based on the worst case scenario provided by DWLBC and as experience at Mannum has shown, these effects can be delayed if weather conditions are milder than anticipated.

One other influence on these predictions is the additional effect of prevailing winds.  North winds can temporarily lower the River level by up to 300mm and conversely winds from the South can temporarily raise the River level by up to 300mm.

PUBLICITY

The Department for Transport Energy and Infrastructure has a communications plan to advise those most likely to be significantly inconvenienced by restrictions to the ferry service.

This plan includes:

   Emergency Services (CFS, SES, SAAS, SAPOL)
   Local Councils
   Department for Education and Children’s Services and the Passenger Transport Board re: school bus access
   Local Schools
   Local communities
   Local transport operators

This communication is provided either directly via email/fax/telephone or indirectly through media releases.

Part of the plan includes the establishment of additional signs temporarily located at strategic points on roads in the affected area giving advice of disruptions and providing alternative River crossing routes. This plan is now in its final stages of introduction.

Information updates on drought effects on the ferry system will be provided as the situation changes.

Finally the Department is in the process of establishing a web site that will provide general information on the ferry system and will include any publicity on drought effects and disruptions.


A  FEW FACTS

   Normal pool level of the Lower Lakes is 0.75 mm
   Murray Darling Basin Commission weekly report advises pool level for week ending 14 November was 0.12 (a drop of 0.63)
   On current DWLBC river level predictions the upstream ferry at Mannum is the only one where service will be suspended.
   There will be a 12tonne weight restriction applied at Tailem Bend, Purnong, Walker Flat and Swan Reach but these ferries will otherwise remain in operation.

Pictures of the new Region 3 Hook Truck in operation.
Cracking truck with 6-speed auto box.

Will be based in Jervois, plans are to have a tanker pod (approx 12,000litres), the IMT/Staging pod as shown below and probably a tray.

Once tanker pod is built, will mean the current semi-tanker (BW17) will go elsewhere.