SA Firefighter

1909230 23:38:04 17-02-06 SHQ: *CFSRES: KINGSTON RESPOND TOILET BOWEL FIRE AT APEX TOILET BLOCK, OPPOSITE SERVICE STATION, KINGSTON < 17/02/2006 23:37:51

Time to lay off those baked beans! 

It does happen.

During a recent electrical storm, our brigade (Mawson group) had all three appliances out to fires, small and large, with calls continuing to come in.  An appliance from Sturt group was brought in and parked on our apron for a while until things settled down. They returned to their own patch once one of our appliances was freed up and was able to respond within our area.

In further response to P.F's comments.  My optinion only

Both MFS and CFS have a job to do, wether it be as a professional paid service or as a volunteer service.  Both services respond to the same nature of incidents, within limits of equipment and training capabilities.  Any one incident/call/page is and should be treated with the same urgency.  Be it a tree down in Unley, a house fire in Wudinna, or anything in between.  The nearest and most practical service should be responded.  No legitimate call to any fire service should be passed to another service on the principle of "what if something bigger comes along".  As previously mentioned, if another call does comes along that is deemed to be of greater urgency, then the current incident would be made safe and crews responded asap to the next job.  Taking into account COQ, the next job may already be adequately covered anyway.  If a tree down is considered to be hazardous, then the nearest service, or the service that can respond the quickest, should be sent.  Be it MFS, CFS or SES.  In areas that are covered by both CFS and MFS, mostly referred to as EMA areas (Enhanced Mutual Aid), both services will be responded equally to most incidents, including house fires.  My limited experience would suggest it is the task of the MFS Comcen call taker to determine wether a tree down in a
EMA area best be attended by CFS, MFS or SES.  There could be a number of different criteria taken into account to make that decision, including risk, urgency, location, availability of services etc etc

The notion that MFS are the big boys, and the CFS are the smaller brother who asks if he can play, is ignorant.  Just because CFS is volly based, doesn't mean that they should leave the urban responses to the Mets, and vica versa for the Mets with trees down etc.  They do carry chainsaws too.

I get the impression that PF feels that the term "Metropolitan" and "Country" in the titles of the services determines the type of tasking each should undertake.  I know CFS means "Country" Fire Service, but that dosn't mean that a tree down is automatically their task, and that Mets should leave it.  In a EMA area, either could respond.

that my 2 cents anyway (actually, more like 22 cents!)

I am a CFS Volly. 

Cheers   

Sorry about the long winded response.

If MVL24 was responded to Willunga, it is possible that it suffered wind damage to the doors - blown shut by strong winds.  It was not the only appliance to suffer as such.  Even cab doors got blown shut.

We must remember that the CFS is a community based organisation.  We are all members of our local community, as are the local teenagers.  Cadets are teenagers, who become firefighters.  The last thing we need to be doing is scaring off our potential recruits with over zealous approaches to security.  If you are standby crew at a station and you notice kids hanging around, why not go and have a chat to them or, if permitted, invite them in and show them around the station (discreetly of course without getting in the way). You may even spark enough interest in them to join the cadets.  Of course, if they are up to no good, then get out the haligan or 64mm! 

Let me get this right...Mt Barker have got the Dennis, and are now getting an SEM type 2 Pump/Rescue as well, at the sacrifice of their 24P going to Littlehampton? Yet a URBAN/RURAL (Yes, it should be in that order) station like Happy Valley loses their Pumper for a very rural 34, to partner their, not that suited for urban risk, 24P.  To sum up....WHAT THE? 

Responded to one only the other day.  Magpie stuck in tree.  First there was the speeding, then the dangerous driving, then the wear and tear to the vehicle etc - and that was just getting to the station.

In all seriousness though, the bird WAS stuck, by its legs it would seem, and in the grounds of a Primary School, so lots of distressed kids looking on.  Just to top if off, we couldn't reach the damn thing - beyond the reach of the ladder.  Even tried to conjure up a cherry picker - but no other agency seemed prepared to assist.  Eventually hooked it with a broom/ceiling hook and it escaped.  The kids were impressed, if no-one else.

I noticed some members wearing the new caps at a recent training course I attended.  They look quite professional.  Dark green, with a band of Rd/Yl check.  Also the corporate emblem on the front, I think.  More of a 'uniform' item than a stylish casual cap or anything like that.  I would put my hand up if they were being passed around by the brigade.

I agree with Kat.  Employers are obliged to provide headwear to anyone working outdoors and I think this has to apply to CFS as well.  I have seen the yellow wide brimmed hats around with the CFS Star logo on them, these hats would be very suitable.  Not the most stylish hat around but effective.  Should be part of your kit for tasks that may not require a hard hat - lolipop duty at MVA, even Pumpy/driver could use it - just sling it in your pocket if required and don the hardhat.  The caps would not provide suitable protection against the sun but could be worn on cooler days for the same tasks.

Just my 2c

I have sent an e-mail to the journalist concerned (would you believe - a cadet journo) and informed him of the facts.  I suggested that he may like to print an apology/retraction once he has put some effort into researching the details.

I wait with baited breath for his response.  I will post it here if I get something.

Cheers,

Calspec

Since I am a newby, can anyone tell me if there is a website or on-line catalogue etc that shows products available from the "CFS Shop".  I am intereseted in things like T-Shirts, turn out gear bags etc.  Is there an acutal shop or do I need only to ask at my brigade to order gear?