176
SA Firefighter General / Re: Interesting Fire and Emergency Related Paging
« on: June 25, 2010, 09:55:46 AM »cant help but plug the new..5 second delay paging feed and the african response tone.. must be from Tonga?
South Africa I think.
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South Africa I think.
177
SA Firefighter General / Re: Volunteer charged with DUI
« on: June 23, 2010, 11:48:14 AM »
Idiot.
178
Country Fire Service / Re: Booster Commisioning
« on: June 09, 2010, 02:40:27 PM »(I once built a 27 in 19.45 out pump, just using Breaching Pieces.)
I once built a pump with 1 in and 0 out using breaching and collecting pieces. It wasn't very useful.
179
Country Fire Service / Re: Booster Commisioning
« on: June 08, 2010, 04:02:42 PM »FIP's aren't something you can just do a course on. 12 main manufacturers each with about 10 designs that are different...
Isn't that like saying fire fighting isn't something you can just do a course on, because every fire is different?
180
Country Fire Service / Re: Booster Commisioning
« on: June 06, 2010, 10:13:22 PM »
I can't answer for sure, but I thought it had been rolled out. I did it last year and at the time I understood the plan to be that they'd run it whenever they could find instructors and time at STC, and in then build up a group of instructors that could go out to brigades and run the course onsite. I don't know where it's at with that though.
181
Country Fire Service / Re: Booster Commisioning
« on: June 06, 2010, 04:09:51 PM »Whats the Check Installed Fire Safety Systems course?
It's the awareness level training in fire safety systems, (fire alarms, FIPs, EWIS, basic sprinkler setups etc). The CFS started running it last year.
http://www.afacshop.com.au/catalogue/c66/p297
182
Emergency Vehicles / Re: New Rescue van for CFS
« on: June 04, 2010, 10:39:22 AM »Does anyone have any pictures of this van?
CFS Van:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/50838686@N08/?saved=1
SES Van:
http://www.safirefighter.com/boards/index.php?topic=2486.0
183
Emergency Vehicles / Re: SA SES Ford Transit
« on: June 04, 2010, 10:37:36 AM »
Looks like a pretty good setup actually - I assume it'd be taking more stowage when it's on the beat?
184
Emergency Vehicles / Re: New Rescue van for CFS
« on: June 03, 2010, 04:26:51 PM »
Wouldn't mind seeing some photos of the SES van if you have any...
185
Emergency Vehicles / Re: New Rescue van for CFS
« on: June 03, 2010, 12:28:15 AM »
Thanks for the pics. It does look pretty light on for stowage... is there much in the way of stabilisation, hand tools or casualty protection? and is that only 1 ram I see?
186
All Equipment discussion / Re: PBI - Hated by CFSHQ Since 2005
« on: May 21, 2010, 10:35:35 AM »Or rip your liners out en route.
I think CFS have been hassled several times at least about looking at lvl 1 shirts, but nothing ever seems to happen.
Isn't the next batch of field uniforms supposed to take that into account? or is that just wishful thinking...?
187
SA Firefighter General / Re: Minimum Response Standards.
« on: May 18, 2010, 12:32:13 PM »WE'RE A FIRE SERVICE NOT A SOCIAL CLUB!
Couldn't agree more!
..but we're also a fire service that is struggling with low membership, poor training, low morale and next to no funding. If we don't keep the members we have happy, it's going to be even worse for the community.
If someone can only have an hour away from work per week to attend fire calls, would you rather they used that up coming to an alarm call, or helping out at a cranking structure fire that needs all hands?
(By the way, I'm not saying we shouldn't send 2 appliances to all alarm calls, I'm saying the brigades that don't may have good reasons not to).
188
Country Fire Service / Re: New CFS pumpers
« on: May 17, 2010, 11:38:21 AM »They are just the normal pumps 14's come with, can run 2x38's and have 1 inlet, not anything like the current very old 12's.
If it's just the normal pump 14s come with, how does that make it any different to a 14? JJD?
189
SA Firefighter General / Re: Minimum Response Standards.
« on: May 17, 2010, 11:29:07 AM »Is it just me or is anyone else fed up with seeing single appliance responses to incidents?
...
So why are we not following our own service SOPs, and common sense? Brigades doing this are only endangering the communities they clame to protect.
Back to the original topic....
While I agree that we should be following SOPs and playing it safe for our community, we also need to remember that many brigades are struggling for volunteers and crews, so we don't want to burden them unnecessarily. You know, the boy that cried wolf etc. etc.
Playing devil's advocate here... If a nursing home's alarm goes off every week, and it's always a false alarm, is it really better for the community to take 12 people away from their jobs or families to go and reset it when you could achieve the same with a crew of 4?
It's true you can always stop extra resources, but is it worth the cost on volunteers? Maybe it is, but I'm guessing a lot of brigades have decided it isn't...
Baring in mind I come from a group that goes to the other extreme and responds a thousand appliances to anything, so I might have it all wrong...
190
Country Fire Service / Re: New CFS pumpers
« on: May 17, 2010, 10:45:23 AM »Rumour has it, the CFS don't actually know the first thing about Appliance build ups, or how to actually put a 'Fire Truck' together...
Are you sure that wasn't from a reliable source, and not just a rumour?
I like the idea of these "Village pumpers". Sounds like a good replacement for the ageing 12s in the fleet, and especially good for those areas with urban assets and narrow streets.
191
Country Fire Service / Re: Blue vs. Green shirts under turn-out gear
« on: March 09, 2010, 10:22:49 AM »I think the green is good to look at who wants to look like another service some may say it it is a form of jealousy.
As Bundy said, if we wear green we'll look like SAAS, if we wear blue we'll look like SAMFS. Wouldn't it be better to look like a fire service?
Have to disagree there, Some countries have blue fire appliance does that make them look like police cars, no, so CFS wearing green won't make us look like SAAS
So why does wearing blue make us look like SAMFS?
192
Country Fire Service / Re: Blue vs. Green shirts under turn-out gear
« on: March 01, 2010, 09:00:17 AM »Quote
Dear CFS Member,
The CFS Field Uniform is currently manufactured solely for CFS use.
It has been suggested that off the shelf clothing such as 'King Gee' or Hard Yakka' is used instead.
The Chief Officer is now seeking feedback on how many people actually have or use the current Field Uniform and what the preferred colour should be.
To gain the maximum amount of volunteer feedback a simple survey has been prepared which should only take a minute of your time to complete. It can be found on the following link:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CFS-Field-Uniform-Survey
Your input to the survey is appreciated.
This survey has been authorised by the CFS Chief Officer.
Regards,
Arthur Tindall AFSM
CFS Manager Infrastructure and Logistics
193
Country Fire Service / Re: New Fire Danger Ratings
« on: March 01, 2010, 08:56:01 AM »Interesting for a laugh, but a stupid thing to put on a media outlets page really..
It's in the opinion section, so unless you're linked to it directly, you'd be pretty stupid to interpret it as a real news story...
194
Country Fire Service / Re: RSS feeds from CFS.SA.GOV.AU
« on: March 01, 2010, 08:54:02 AM »Another good option is using the power of Twitter.
There is a website called http://incidentalert.com.au/ that will email or SMS any incidents that happen in a town(s), region(s) or anywhere in the state. This service does have a cost to use, but covers SA & Vic.
The other option is use the power of Twitter. The website above also updates incidents onto Twitter, with a different Twitter account for each region & state. You can then have Twitter SMS this message to your mobile for free if you are with Telstra. I find this works really well for finding out whats happening around the area and for what could be heading our way.
Check out http://twitter.com/IncidentAlertS1 for the Region 1 incidents.
There's also this twitter account pushing out info: http://twitter.com/sacfsincidents
195
Country Fire Service / Re: CFS Appliances involved in MVA
« on: February 16, 2010, 10:39:14 AM »I think it may be an insurance issue that everything is left on the appliance. I know when your personal car is involved in an accident the insurance company owns eveything and you have to write to them for permission to remove any part of the vehicle i.e. exhaust, alloy wheels etc.
I though the CFS was self insured?
196
Country Fire Service / Re: Time for action
« on: February 13, 2010, 11:24:26 PM »If it was at Stirling Station, then it would have been the Opposition launch of their policy...or at last the response to the Government's announcement....
Pip
Correct, $13 Million over 4 years for CFS and SES:
http://isobelredmond.com.au/News/MediaReleases/tabid/70/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/416/Redmond-priority-CFS-SES-funding.aspx
197
All Equipment discussion / Re: PBI - Hated by CFSHQ Since 2005
« on: January 29, 2010, 12:58:24 PM »
Thanks for that post Alan, as bittenyakka said, it's nice top have a well thought out and apparently researched post! I do want to correct you on one thing though:
Lion's PBI Gold's moister barrier is achieved with two layers of GORE-TEX® membrane, which is, (allegedly), completely breathable. I believe it is expected that fluid cannot penetrate the garments, but sweat vapours can escape, so while it's not as breathable as lighter fabrics might be, it's not a fully encapsulated suit.
Are you arguing PBI shouldn't be worn with widlfire gear because you'll get too hot, or because your ensemble won't meet the Australian Standard? I can appreciate that some members would overheat and run into trouble, but I'm not convinced that's ground enough to blame the PPE and ban it...
I'd have to see it first, but probably :p
Although that would mean carrying 2 helmets and 2 sets of gear to every job, which doesn't really appeal.
Structural PPE is intended to completely insulate the wearer from a lethally
hot atmosphere for a period of time. It therefore must not breathe at all. If
it breathes, it allows that hot atmosphere inside. Bad karma man. Clothing
that doesn't allow outside atmosphere in, also prevents inside from getting
out. Your sweat evaporates until the atmosphere inside your sauna suit is fully
saturated. Then it ceases to evaporate & just heats to body or exterior temp,
giving no cooling effect whatsosever. Hopefully, by the time it gets to be a
real problem, you have blown your CABA cylinder and can come outside to cool
down again.
Lion's PBI Gold's moister barrier is achieved with two layers of GORE-TEX® membrane, which is, (allegedly), completely breathable. I believe it is expected that fluid cannot penetrate the garments, but sweat vapours can escape, so while it's not as breathable as lighter fabrics might be, it's not a fully encapsulated suit.
Are you arguing PBI shouldn't be worn with widlfire gear because you'll get too hot, or because your ensemble won't meet the Australian Standard? I can appreciate that some members would overheat and run into trouble, but I'm not convinced that's ground enough to blame the PPE and ban it...
So if we made a Structural helmet shaped lv1 helmet would that satisfy all of you who think the bushwacker hat looks stupid
I'd have to see it first, but probably :p
Although that would mean carrying 2 helmets and 2 sets of gear to every job, which doesn't really appeal.
198
All Equipment discussion / Re: PBI - Hated by CFSHQ Since 2005
« on: January 28, 2010, 11:38:27 AM »Simple.
L3 garments do not have the metabolic heat dissipation function of L1 garments. Therefore, your L1 protection is compromised.
I always thought Australian PPE standards were in relation to what level of protection you got from external hazards only. If not, wouldn't wearing long sleeved shirts or pants under your wildfire PPE "compromise" your protection and effectively mean you're not wearing gear that meets the standard?
Same is true of using structural helmets at bush fires.
Remember your basic fire safety - not all hazards are external.
And yes I'm in a Group which only issues structural helmets.
Isn't the issue with structural helmets that they're heavier, not warmer?
199
SA Firefighter General / Re: Interesting Fire and Emergency Related Paging
« on: January 22, 2010, 02:16:06 PM »Just the pure amount of people in one location increases the fire risk. i beleive huge amounts of planning went in to today re having appliances on standby at strategic locations!
Media put this out this morning:
"South Australia?s fire and emergency services personnel will be at a heightened level of response today, Friday 22 January 2010, with Extreme fire danger ratings forecast for the Mount Lofty Ranges, Eastern Eyre Peninsula, Flinders and Yorke Peninsula as well as Catastrophic fire danger ratings forecast for the Murraylands, Mid North and Riverland.
Some of these fire danger ratings will impact parts of the Santos Tour Down Under and the Mutual Community Challenge cycling event. This means an increase risk to the community with cyclists travelling through the Murraylands as well as the Mount Lofty Ranges, from Cudlee Creek through Lenswood, Woodside, Mount Barker, Strathalbyn, Langhorne Creek and Milang, ending up at Goolwa.
Due to the forecast fire danger rating of Extreme for the Mount Lofty Ranges, the CFS has pre-planned fire stations along the route as well as pre-positioned resources, including aircraft, at strategic locations to provide immediate fire coverage. The additional resources are in anticipation of the large crowds expected in the area ? likely to be in excess of 25,000 people.
If you are planning to head to the race as a spectator, or are a resident of one of these areas, please take the following precautions:
- Take extreme care on the roads as there will be traffic congestion and road blocks
- Familiarise yourself with road closures in the area
- Residents in areas of Total Fire Bans should activate your Bushfire Survival Plan.
It is also important to remember that on days of total fire ban:
- The lighting of barbecues is not permitted
- Vehicles should be parked away from high-grass areas, as exhaust pipes can start a fire
- Care should be taken to properly extinguish and dispose of all smoking materials.
Please consider your movement and actions as a spectator or a rider. Ultimately if you do not feel comfortable to enter the area or are concerned about your safety, it may be best not to attend, and to instead watch the Tour from your television at home, or from a safer place.
Stay tuned to ABC or FIVEaa radio for updates on any going incidents. For further information on incidents or bushfire safety, visit the CFS website www.cfs.sa.gov.au or call the Bushfire Information Hotline on 1300 362 361. As always, in the event of an emergency call Triple Zero.
Please enjoy the day, but most importantly, remain safe."
200
SA Firefighter General / Re: Interesting Fire and Emergency Related Paging
« on: January 22, 2010, 12:30:04 PM »CFS: *CFRES: FIREBIRD 504 & HELITAK 534 / 574 RELOCATE TO STRATHALBYN SHOWGROUNDS 180DEG 33KMS FROM WAB- SARC CANT > 22/01/2010 10:11:29 AM CFS HQ Air Ops Response
Why would they be heading to the strath showgrounds i wonder?
Coverage for the TDU I'm guessing...