SA Firefighter

MEDIA RELEASE: CAMBRAI BUSHFIRE UPDATE
4:30 PM 11 January 2006

SA Country Fire Service volunteers are yet to contain a fire burning west of Cambrai and Sedan in the northeastern Mount Lofty Ranges.

More than 80 CFS volunteers and 15 fire tankers are at the scene of the blaze, which started shortly after 12.30pm today off Pinehutt Road.

Steep terrain and scrub has made it difficult for crews to gain access to the fire, which has so far burnt more than 330 hectares of grass and scrub.

Six aircraft are also in attendance, including three fixed-wing and two helicopter water bombers, as well as the Rescue 53 helicopter which is providing support to ground crews as an aerial platform.

A Bushfire Information Message was issued shortly after 2pm for the blaze advising residents that the fire did not pose any direct threat but was generating a significant amount of smoke.

The message is still current and advises residents to close all doors and windows and stay indoors if residents suffer from any respiratory conditions.

Motorists are being urged to avoid the area, which includes the Angaston to Sedan Road in the area of Sedan Hill where the fire has crossed in several locations.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

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Pager messages from website. Personal details have been removed.
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12:40:26 11-01-06 SHQ: *CFSRES: CAMBRAI RESPOND GRASS FIRE PINE HUT ROAD BELOW GRID REF 371 679

12:52:26 11-01-06 SHQ: URGMSG CAMBRAI & SEDAN RESPOND GRASS FIRE PINE HUT ROAD BELOW GRID REF 371 679

12:56:25 11-01-06 SHQ: URGMSG SWAN REACH & WALKER FLAT RESPOND GRASS FIRE PINE HUT ROAD BELOW GRID REF 371 679 CAMBRAI ***CAMBRAI & SEDAN ALSO RESPONDING***

12:57:59 11-01-06 SHQ: *CFSRES: CAMBRAI RESPOND MORE CREW REQUIRED

13:09:16 11-01-06 SHQ: *CFSRES: KEYNETON RESPOND GRASS THREE CHAIN ROAD SOUTH OF PINE HUT ROAD CAMBRAI

13:49:37 11-01-06 SHQ: URGMSG PALMER RESPOND GRASS FIRE THREE CHAIN ROAD SOUTH OF PINE HUT ROAD CAMBRAI BELOW GRID REF 371 679 ***CAMBRAI, SEDAN, SWAN REACH & WALKER FLAT ALSO RESPONDING***

13:58:27 11-01-06 SHQ: *CFSRES: HELITACK 533 & 534 RESPOND GRASS FIRE CAMBRAI 

14:31:48 11-01-06 SHQ: *CFSRES: EDEN VALLEY & ANGASTON RESPOND GRASS FIRE TOWARDS SEDAN HILL...

14:36:26 11-01-06 SHQ: *CFSRES: NURIOOTPA & TANUNDA RESPOND TO ANGASTON GROUP BASE FOR STRIKE TEAM TO SEDAN

14:40:03 11-01-06 SHQ: *CFSRES: SPRINGTON & MT PLEASANT RESPOND GRASS FIRE GRAETZ TOWN CONTACT RIDLEY CAR 1 ON TALK GROUP 207 ***MT PLEASANT AND EDEN VALLEY ALSO RESPONDING***

14:42:58 11-01-06 SHQ: *CFSRES: BOMBER 581 AND 582 RESPOND SCRUB FIRE, CAMBRAI. 

14:46:48 11-01-06 SHQ: *CFSRES: KERSBROOK AIR SUPPORT CREW RESPOND AIR STRIP MT CRAWFORD FOR GOING FIRE

14:47:09 11-01-06 SHQ: *CFSRES: WILLIAMSTOWN RESPOND 34 TO SPRINGTON STATION STRIKE TEAM CAMBRAI AREA 

15:00:50 11-01-06 SHQ: SIG INC: FYI: BUSHFIRE INFORMATION MESSAGE ISSUED FOR PINE HUT ROAD CAMBRAI

15:05:44 11-01-06 FOR INFORMATION, MT PLEASANT 24, EDEN VALLEY, SPRINGTON APPLIANCES ASSISTING RIDLEY GROUP WITH FIRE NEAR CAMBRAI. WMSTN 34 COVERING AT SPRINGTON STATION. : BAROSSA CONTROL

15:11:35 11-01-06 FOR INFO FIRE GOING NEAR SEDAN 8 BRIGADES FROM REGION 2 RESPONDING TO ASSIST FROM R2HQ

15:17:35 11-01-06 FOR INFORMATION ANGASATON GROUP HAS A STRIKE TEAM AT SADAN HILL....

15:19:46 11-01-06 SHQ: KATHY MT CRAWFORD AIRSTRIP IS NOW OPEN

15:20:37 11-01-06 ANY CREW AVAILABLE TO RESPOND WITH WMSTN 24P IN CASE OF INCIDENT WITHIN THE NEXT FEW HOURS......

15:31:29 11-01-06 ANY AVAILABLE CREW FOR FURTHER CALLS PLEASE CONTACT NURI STATION WITH STATUS...

15:34:33 11-01-06 2 personnel required as scribes for going grass fire at Cambrai. Respond to Region 2 HQ.

15:59:53 11-01-06 AVAILABILITY OF PERSONNEL PLS RING ANGASTON STATION

16:12:27 11-01-06 AVAILABILITY OF PERSONELL TO PHONE INTO ANGASTON STATION

16:18:22 11-01-06 PLS CONTACT TANUNDA STATION IF AVAILABLE FOR THE REST OF THE EVENING

16:28:33 11-01-06 MEMBERS NEEDED FOR CREW TO GO TO CAMBRAY ON STRIKE TEAM ON MONARTO 24P.......

16:29:18 11-01-06 INFO:BLT: 11 Jan 16:28 SHQ: *CFSRES: MANNUM AND BLANCHETOWN 14 RESPOND SCRUB FIRE, CAMBRAI AREA.......

16:29:44 11-01-06 SHQ: *CFSRES: ETTRICK, JERVOIS, MYPOLONGA, MONARTO & MURRAY BRIDGE RESPOND STRIKE TEAM REQUIRED FOR CAMBRAI FIRE.....

16:31:22 11-01-06 SHQ: ON CALL MAPPING SUPPORT PERSONS REQUIRED AT CFS SCC ASAP....

16:41:27 11-01-06 SHQ: *CFSRES: PARINGA, MONASH, BARMERA & WUNKAR RESPOND STRIKE TEAM TO CAMBRAI.....

16:55:05 11-01-06 R1HQ: Athlestone Brigade - Six Air support personnel required to attend Mt Crawford, respond to Station.

16:56:20 11-01-06 RELIEF CREW MAY BE REQUIRED FOR FIRE AT CAMBRAI - PLS RING IF AVAILABLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.....

17:02:43 11-01-06 SHQ: AMR, HELIAIR & AIR CREW INFO: FDI'S FOR 12/01/06. MT CRAW: 20 & 19, KUITPO: 16 & 13, STRATH: 18, 2ND VALLEY: 17 & 9, MT GAMBIER: 16 & 13, CNAWRA: 19 & 18, COLES PT: 26, LINCOLN 16 & 14, WUDINNA 37 & 35 . < 11/01/2006 17:02:32

17:03:29 11-01-06 PARINGA 14 AND CREW OF 4 INCLUDING GREG TO SEDAN

17:07:35 11-01-06 ATHL: *CFSRES: MORE CREW REQUIRED RESPOND ATHELSTONE STATION

17:08:50 11-01-06 PLS PH .........WHEN CONVENIENT RE CONTINGENCY PHONE LINES FOR REGIONAL COORDINATION CENTRE

17:11:35 11-01-06 wallxxxs:total bans for northeast pastoral only

17:13:56 11-01-06 SHQ: SIG INC: FYI: BUSHFIRE INFORMATION MESSAGE ISSUED FOR PINE HUT ROAD AND SEDAN-ANGASTON ROAD, CAMBRAI

In regards to people moving to follow work or for other reasons..

Does the CFS have a paper system where the Brigade closest to where the ex-member is moving to is notified ? The notice could include a training record, length of membership, significant incidents attended, etc, etc.

Then perhaps they could be approached into joining the nearest CFS Brigade to their new home. At least they would feel welcome into the new area by being approached. So instead of a resignation it turns into a possible transfer.

The same with resignations. Could a paper system work that approaches ex members in six months time to offer a position in Operations, QuarterMaster, Communications, etc. Or maybe the reason for resignation has passed and they might re-join if pushed slightly.

From personal experience I know SES do not do this well, so would it work in CFS ?

I understand the reduction in SES regions is part of the changes implemented by the new Chief and is for better efficiency.

Personally I think SES in SA is growing, not shrinking.

This one I like from today. How much embarrassment and stirring could you do to the person who bogged the vehicle.

1928013 23:06:06 28-12-05 SHQ: *URGMSG: PT AUGUSTA SES UNIT RESPOND POLICE CAR BOGGED WESTERN END OF NEWTON ROAD PT AUGUSTA CALL SGT ##further details removed to for privacy## < 28/12/2005 23:05:51

Just guessing here...but maybe Nova are filtering the warnings and will broadcast a warning when the fire incident is within their broadcast area !!

They do state ADELAIDEs Official Bush Fire warning station, so maybe Nova do not believe people travel from the Adelaide metropolitan region to country regions. Maybe the people travelling might be interested in knowing of a incident before they get to the destination.

Oh well, I will drive my kids nuts in the back of the car listening to ABC Radio during a caravan holiday.

Incident STATE-WIDE INCIDENT UPDATESTATE-WIDE INCIDENT UPDATE
4:30 PM 23 December 2005

While more than 110 SA Country Fire Service volunteer firefighters are still battling a blaze at Burra today in the State’s Mid North, another fire has been reported at Hawker near the Flinders Ranges.

The fire was called in around 2pm and is burning along Willow Waters Road near Hawker.

The fire is travelling in a North Easterly direction towards Warcowie Road and has burnt about 160 hectares.

More than 30 personnel from the CFS and the Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH) are currently at the scene.

The CFS has issued a bushfire information message to alert those in the area.

Meanwhile, more than 120 CFS volunteers continue to battle the blaze at Burra, which has burnt more than 1000 hectares.

Arcing power lines is believed to be the cause of the fire, which started shortly after 10am today near Boards Corner, inland from Burra North Road.

Three fixed wing aircraft are providing water-bombing support while a helicopter is providing aerial intelligence to the ground crews.

Earlier today the fire jumped across Kooringa Road and has now crossed the Burra to Morgan Road, and Burra to Roberstown Road.

The Morgan to Burra Road is closed.

An additional 100 personnel from CFS, MFS and Department for Environment and Heritage are heading up to Burra to assist.

The CFS is advising residents in the area to take shelter in their homes or a solid structure, close all doors and windows, stay inside and stay off the roads until the fire front has passed.

Road users should avoid the area affected by the fire. It is dangerous to be near a bushfire on foot or in a car if unprotected.

Residents should not attempt to enter or return to the area at this time, as access is restricted and the roads may not be safe.

In the early stages of the fire near Burra, two of the 16 CFS tankers at the scene provided asset protection for a house, known as the Princess Royal Property, which was in the path of the blaze.

The threat to the property was reduced when a wind change caused the fire to travel away from the property.

To 4pm there was no report of injuries or damage to property or personal injuries.

Minor grass and scrub fires have also been reported today at Currency Creek (Fleurieu Peninsula), Kapunda (Mid north), Sheringa and Yeelana (Eyre Peninsula), all of which have now been contained.

The public are reminded that TOTAL FIRE BANS have been declared for the entire State of South Australia for today, Friday 23 December 2005.

For more information about fire restrictions or bushfire safety and survival contact the CFS Bushfire Hotline on 1300 362 361 or visit www.cfs.org.au


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Media Contact: CFS Public Affairs
Contact No: (08) 8463 4206
Contact Email: [email protected]

At the beginning, the bushfire warning messages were going to be immediately read upon receipt by ABC Radio 891, 5AA and NOVA. Then they are meant to be read every 15 minutes.

The CFS media announcements on the website now state "...Stay tuned to your Local Radio Station or Local ABC Radio on a battery-powered radio for more information about bushfires in your area.."

Damn, the music would have been a bit better than constant talk-back radio.

Has anyone heard the messages on 5AA ?

I suspect Riverland area and Murray Bridge have co-located Headquarter buildings. Not confirmed though.

A friend was driving near the accident scene on South Road, with two kids onboard, after the accident had occurred.

Has she slowed down to approximately 20kms/hr her three month old Corolla was hit in the rear by another vehicle's bull-bar. The vehicle was large and towing a large trailer.

Thanks to passerbys they got the kids home and the car is being assessed. Hatchback is badly damaged.

I hope all families affected by any accident this 'silly season' can recover as best they can.

What was the name and manufacturer of the computer game ?

"...how often has a trench or collapse rescue been caled in, its not a very regular occurence in this state..."

The USAR techniques have been used by metropolitan SES Units for many years and they are used often. The 'shoring of unstable structures' techniques is used in car vs building incidents, Riverside Golf Club collapse, Karoonda storm, Mercury05 exercise, etc.

From my understanding the only SES Units to have BA and USAR trailers are Tea Tree Gully, Sturt and Noarlunga. All of them are metropolitan Adelaide SES units, not in the country areas.

I understand that training officers from multi-agencies are working through the issues re USAR training and equipment for South Australia. I would hope that the techniques would then be applied consitently to all emergency service organisations.

I personally do not see where the duplication of equipment is ! In metropolitan areas, MFS provide the initial incident management, then SES volunteers provide the cleanup incident management. Thus paid staff are available for quick fire response. This was the case with the Riverside Gold collapse. Is this not a good use of resources ?

As for BA and atmospheric monitoring, no-one should enter a confined space area without proper equipment to make the operator safe. So SES volunteers are being safe.

SES BA operators are trained to standards and regularly undergo re-accreditations.

The sharing of equipment, skills and resources at incidents is what I thought should be the aim. Look at the Long Plains silo rescue, Eyre Peninsula fires and Virginia flooding as examples. Everyone has a skill set required to achieve a safe outcome for the community of South Australia.

Just for my curiosity and IT technical reference. What company are you using to host this website or is the hosting being done privately ?

I am an IT engineer and beginning to investigate a hosting facility for volunteer SES Unit websites.

Thanks,

I am sure some SES Units will have SOP's for the disc cutters carried on the heavy rescue trucks.

The blade types and changing blades procedure might be different depending on the model cutter your Brigade carries. But the use and safety procedures, including wetting agents, I imagine would apply to all motorised disc cutters.

At least it will be a start for you rather than starting a SOP from scratch.

Maybe this is a inter-agency training opportunity ?