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General Discussion => SASES => Topic started by: jason on January 14, 2010, 02:34:20 PM

Title: Murray bridge SES
Post by: jason on January 14, 2010, 02:34:20 PM
Does anyone know why Murray Bridge SES is folding? Been told they will be fully closed by mid this year? They have already handed over RCR to MFS...

Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: Darren on January 14, 2010, 02:57:43 PM
What the, is this fair dinkum, bit of a risky area to not have SES for their boat capability ?
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: Baxter on January 14, 2010, 03:01:29 PM
If it is is true I would suspect that it has become a victim of lack of volunteers. The unit is quite strategically placed in the mallee and service a large area besides the Brigade
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: Baxter on January 14, 2010, 05:25:31 PM
Just had a bit of a look and found no official indication that this unit has disappear in fact it looks like it still open for business.

I hope this utterance is not based on a page message that responded MFS to a MVA if so it may be a case of MFS being responded to something that is inside the town. This is no different to what occurs in Whyalla where the MFS respond to in town incidents and a joint SES / MFS responce is given for outside town incidents.
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: Darren on January 15, 2010, 07:39:36 AM
I also enquired with a local and he was of the opinion they are VERY low on numbers, hence the regular off lines.

It happens, hope they can get though it.

By the way Mallee Fire,there is no dual response for RCR in whyalla, the only reason they ever go is for lighting or if the MFS are already busy, but Pt Augusta go for COQ if they are busy so thats rare. Often when they are responded off the bat is a mistake.

If SES in Murray Bridge is offline Murray Bridge MFS is default rescue for all of the SES area.
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: Zippy on January 15, 2010, 08:57:31 AM
Arent CFS and SES....in the same building???
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: Baxter on January 15, 2010, 10:22:39 AM
Arent CFS and SES....in the same building???

I think they are next door
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: mengcfs on January 15, 2010, 10:46:29 AM
Yes, next door.
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: Zippy on January 15, 2010, 12:03:24 PM
Yes, next door.

Well thats dumb to shut up shop then....the SES should just approach the CFS brigade management and ask, for a merger.   There are integrated station examples in region 1.

CFS and SES Management Commitee's would continue to exist separately, but the membership would be dual.

I bring mr kiesslings good word's of united we stand....into a Inter-Service respect.
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: BundyBear on January 15, 2010, 01:17:49 PM
It is a little sad if they have closed down but I'm sure the MFS and CFS in Murray Bridge can handle any immediate response that may cause injury or a fatality and anything larger scale you bring in SES units from further out.

How do these dual membership brigades work? Do they still have CFS and SES resources sitting next to each other and cross man them?

How about stop flogging a dead horse and if these SES units can't survive let the local fire services take over so the community is not paying for resources that are hardly used and then if these SES members still want to volunteer join the fire service.

Sometimes you got to take the heart out of a decision and provide what the community needs and unfortunately if that is a service that can't respond so be it!
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: Darren on January 15, 2010, 01:21:30 PM
You still have to be a member of SES, but in the case of Onkaparinga group you don't, just use the SES trucks.
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: Mike on January 15, 2010, 03:57:29 PM
in the case of Onkaparinga group you don't, just use the SES trucks.

Not quite as true as it used to be.... State(SES) decided to make as many of the group as possible SES members - and conduct basic training for them.

Was fairly well attended i believe.
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: Darren on January 15, 2010, 08:28:07 PM
Yeah but good luck finding someone in orange !! Also doesn't change the fact that the CFS rescue gear is on the SES rescue truck and that its always full of yellow people.
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: boredmatrix on January 16, 2010, 07:06:15 AM
it's a wonder state fleet hasn't jumped in and introduced a generically badged vehicle (of varying classes)  for MFS/CFS/SES yet- negating the need for duplicating spare trucks in 3 different services....

...imagine the cost savings!!

imagine the carry on..... :evil: :evil: :evil:
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: BundyBear on January 16, 2010, 09:07:07 AM
Yeah but good luck finding someone in orange !! Also doesn't change the fact that the CFS rescue gear is on the SES rescue truck and that its always full of yellow people.

Well that follows my line of thought if SES in areas can't supply manning for rescue get rid of the SES appliances stow the rescue gear on a CFS or MFS retained appliance and the jobs done. Plus the attending Fire appliance in country areas (where crewing can be tight) has then got fire cover for the incident until the 2nd appliance arrives from the same brigade or the next brigade in another town.
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: bajdas on January 18, 2010, 11:45:27 AM
Yeah but good luck finding someone in orange !! Also doesn't change the fact that the CFS rescue gear is on the SES rescue truck and that its always full of yellow people.

Well that follows my line of thought if SES in areas can't supply manning for rescue get rid of the SES appliances stow the rescue gear on a CFS or MFS retained appliance and the jobs done. Plus the attending Fire appliance in country areas (where crewing can be tight) has then got fire cover for the incident until the 2nd appliance arrives from the same brigade or the next brigade in another town.

Been there....discussed that...look in old threads...
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: Mike on January 18, 2010, 12:50:47 PM
Yeah but good luck finding someone in orange !! Also doesn't change the fact that the CFS rescue gear is on the SES rescue truck and that its always full of yellow people.
Yeah, fair call, I cant argue with that.


Murray Bridge very recently suffered a death in the 'family', and I believe it has knocked them about a bit.
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: Shiner on January 18, 2010, 02:03:10 PM
Well fella's, they just responded to their page to a crash the other side of Murray Bridge and went up Thomas Street priority 1 albeit a few minutes after the CFS truck.
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: bajdas on January 19, 2010, 08:17:03 AM
Yeah but good luck finding someone in orange !! Also doesn't change the fact that the CFS rescue gear is on the SES rescue truck and that its always full of yellow people.

Hmmmm...I might be wrong but I thought it was the heavier duty SES RCR equipment on the SES Onkaparinga truck. Last I heard some CFS gear was on the CFS truck so it was a bit of a double up.

Yes, they wear CFS PPE but who cares...the community is served.
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: Zippy on January 19, 2010, 08:22:56 AM
Yeah but good luck finding someone in orange !! Also doesn't change the fact that the CFS rescue gear is on the SES rescue truck and that its always full of yellow people.

Hmmmm...I might be wrong but I thought it was the heavier duty SES RCR equipment on the SES Onkaparinga truck. Last I heard some CFS gear was on the CFS truck so it was a bit of a double up.

Yes, they wear CFS PPE but who cares...the community is served.

All the rescue gear is on Loby Rescue, with a spare set for Loby 24P on it sometimes.      Trained by CFS for Road Rescue...but now that MFS/CFS/SES do road rescue training under the same banner...no diff now :)
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: Darren on January 19, 2010, 11:57:06 AM
Oh well if no one cares can I order a new truck from the SES but not stow it with SES gear or have any SES people on it. Its just a clear ploy for extra gear that the CFS won't provide.....
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: bajdas on January 19, 2010, 03:25:02 PM
Oh well if no one cares can I order a new truck from the SES but not stow it with SES gear or have any SES people on it. Its just a clear ploy for extra gear that the CFS won't provide.....

Except the SES have no capital budget to give you the truck or equipment as a new Unit.....
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: mengcfs on January 22, 2010, 09:45:10 AM
SES in my town were struggling for a while, with local CFS and SES members meeting with an outcome of dual response, to RCR's. I don't like to use the words SES to close down, or the CFS pushing them out but all were in agreeance at local level.  However, when put thru the chain of command there was no way one of the services would sign off.  It has happened now but it seems silly that two agencies in one town have duplicated equipment. I thought this is what SAFECOM were all about.  Hence to say, one of the services mentioned chooses what jobs they respond to!
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: drmz on January 22, 2010, 02:01:49 PM
safecom what has it done????????? Cost vs benefit? We still have duplication.
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: Darren on January 23, 2010, 10:57:10 AM
That is a joke MengCFS, here we are saying we need more money and stupid things like that are still happening!!
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: chook on January 23, 2010, 04:15:17 PM
Isn't it amasing what a little internal politics can do to a unit/brigade? And some people who have a big ego or think they can run a unit better? Just a small group of disgruntled individuals almost destroyed that unit. And my understanding of the situation at the time, it wasn't the SES that was the fly in the ointment re: dual response  other things:wink:
Back to Murraybridge a great unit & I was sadden to hear of their potential demise - I am glad it was just rumour & possible empire building (again).
Finally when are you guys going to be happy with what you have? Every time I come on here its another round of "lets get rid of the SES".Halfarsed rumours & accusations & other bollocks! For filtered sake! do you really think you would benefit at all? No of course not! The organisation would still exist to satisfy disaster requirements - just like it does in every other state & any money saved would go into general revenue not CFS coffers. And all up its only worth a few million anyway - not enough to buy every brigade new appliances & buildings to rival SAMFS! Maybe the government should start looking at where all of the money actually goes in CFS & a different funding model that makes towns and councils a bit more accountable. Anyway thats all I've got & again I'm glad to MB is still active
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: jason on January 23, 2010, 07:12:20 PM
Isn't it amasing what a little internal politics can do to a unit/brigade? And some people who have a big ego or think they can run a unit better? Just a small group of disgruntled individuals almost destroyed that unit. And my understanding of the situation at the time, it wasn't the SES that was the fly in the ointment re: dual response  other things:wink:
Back to Murraybridge a great unit & I was sadden to hear of their potential demise - I am glad it was just rumour & possible empire building (again).
Finally when are you guys going to be happy with what you have? Every time I come on here its another round of "lets get rid of the SES".Halfarsed rumours & accusations & other bollocks! For filtered sake! do you really think you would benefit at all? No of course not! The organisation would still exist to satisfy disaster requirements - just like it does in every other state & any money saved would go into general revenue not CFS coffers. And all up its only worth a few million anyway - not enough to buy every brigade new appliances & buildings to rival SAMFS! Maybe the government should start looking at where all of the money actually goes in CFS & a different funding model that makes towns and councils a bit more accountable. Anyway thats all I've got & again I'm glad to MB is still active

Lol... chook get ya hand off it and go sharpen your chainsaw. RIP MB SES
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: Andrew K on January 23, 2010, 07:40:39 PM
well said chook,

the bit i find really funny is you hear all these cfs and some mfs guys wanting to get rid of ses or take there response areas and tasks, were as i don't see many ses guys hoping cfs units shut down.

the way i see it is we are all supposed to be serving the community whatever service we are with, and we should be working together to achieve it not going on with politcal bitchfights.




Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: Darren on January 23, 2010, 10:18:16 PM
I lost my respect for the SES when I was involved in the CFS in Mt Barker in the 80's, they started an SES that wasn't supported by the council, the council told them we fund the CFS for this role we won't fund you, the SES got no funding, then had the gall to whinge in the local paper. The council said time and time again we have the CFS for this we don't need another service.

Here we are all these years later and they are still flogging that dead horse!!

You will always need the fire brigade.
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: Benji on January 23, 2010, 11:03:40 PM
Well things have changed a lot since the 80's & even the 90's. Yes we agree there was some real scheiße that went on back then, but the unit has changed a lot. Sure there is still the odd issue, but who doesn’t & they are no where near the size they used to be. For example our relationship with Heysen group as a whole has improved a remarkable lot over the last year or so whilst 'under new management', as have a number of other supposed issues with the unit. At unit level at least, the dead horses have gone.

If you are ever in the area, give us a call and come drop in one night (we train Tuesdays).
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: chook on January 24, 2010, 11:49:24 AM
Thanks for the invite - not sure if I will ever be able to take you up on it though :wink:
Sorry Jason - I don't use chainsaws any more - others do that for me (we tend to use RFS for that). AS for the hand off it comment - well whatever. Yep things have moved on heaps, maybe for the better - maybe not! And quite right Andrew only ever heard of an SES unit wanting to take over a CFS role once - and that was a joke after a local group officer said he was going to take RCR off the said unit! We were going to buy a bigarse appliance just to prove a point! (And the unit could afford it too :wink: ). A lot of the internal problems are the lack of "people management" skills, it is a real pity the neither service (SES/CFS) bothers to train its vollie managers how to manage its most important asset. If they did a lot off the problems which plague units/brigades would be nipped in the bud! And for you CFS types your world is not perfect either - so as I said earlier you need to look at yourselves before commenting on other services! Past behaviour of some of your members was less than ideal & if they were in my unit would have scored them an official warning for breaches of the code of conduct (do you guys remember that document?) Anyway enough said bye4now
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: crashndash on January 24, 2010, 02:34:24 PM
an official warning for breaches of the code of conduct

oooerr ...shaking in my boots.....
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: Andrew K on January 24, 2010, 04:01:25 PM
Darren attitudes like that gripping about something that happened 20 years ago is what keeps all the sniping, whinging and moaning going.  the ses did this 20 years go for gods sake let it lie. if thats one unit you've got a problem with don't think the rest of the serivce is like that.

as for always needing firies well i'd like to see you keeping up with our workload during the storms with only 1 truck on the road when we've got 3 going, good luck there or funny thing is who do you leave to do all the shoring at a building impact?

if you want to go on about the quality of the vollies i've seen plenty of numpties in the cfs as well as the ses and a few in mfs a well so we've all got them,

how about you come down to our unit at some stage and say hello, you might see that the ses units are anything like mt barker 2o years ago
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: Darren on January 24, 2010, 05:52:24 PM
 :-D I never said we can't have all of them, I was just making a point about the way some of these things are done, like adding another service to a town that doesn't want or need it.

By the way, we had our 3 trucks out on a storm day as well. Most jobs were left to the council.
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: chook on January 24, 2010, 06:56:27 PM
I gather Crash you work in the public sector - say what you like & can't be sac ked :wink: The point I was trying to make is if you want a truly professional service then if rules are broken the there should be repercussions, & a mature attitude to all of the emergency services by all instead of this constant sniping - as some of those who I used to manage found out! And the only reason in the old days some councils went down that path was a)cost & b)special interests - just like an ex - emergency service minister a few years ago :wink:
It was misguided & now other towns have to cover when it all turns to crap! And if you think I'm talking scheiße then you haven't been around too long :wink: Theres a lot more to storm & flood than you might think! And then there is disaster management as well, so while some of you will bitchnwhinge until the cows come home - guess what? it won't change SES will be around for a while yet :-D cheers
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: crashndash on January 24, 2010, 09:25:28 PM
I gather Crash you work in the public sector - say what you like & can't be sac ked :wink: The point I was trying to make is if you want a truly professional service then if rules are broken the there should be repercussions, & a mature attitude to all of the emergency services by all instead of this constant sniping - as some of those who I used to manage found out! And the only reason in the old days some councils went down that path was a)cost & b)special interests - just like an ex - emergency service minister a few years ago :wink:
It was misguided & now other towns have to cover when it all turns to crap! And if you think I'm talking filtered then you haven't been around too long :wink: Theres a lot more to storm & flood than you might think! And then there is disaster management as well, so while some of you will bitchnwhinge until the cows come home - guess what? it won't change SES will be around for a while yet :-D cheers

nope, just interested to see that someone who bangs on constantly about the need to manage volunteers better and how great it is done in other services or over the border would fall back on threatening someone with a bit of paper that frankly isnt worth jack.....if u have to charge someone then the Manager has lost the war, let alone the battle.

That paramilitary approach went out years ago....St John is a good example of how it inappropriate these days....but then much of the SES reminds me of St John.....
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: chook on January 25, 2010, 11:55:29 AM
No Crash - modern people management! Set expectations e.g. Code of Conduct,train people in those expectations - induction, monitor & if an individual behaves in a manner which is in breach of those expectations. ask the question why? Do they understand what is expected? Then in consultation with the individual develop a plan to prevent re-occurance e.g re-training, coaching, mentoring etc. Second breach - formal warning documented, then if there is a third? Show due cause! That is not the military way - I can speak from 12 years experience :wink: (extra duties, charges, confine to barracks etc). So why is the code a crock? Other organisations have rules that must be followed (we even have the thall shall not consume other companies beers at offical functions!) So if the code is scheiße, maybe because its never enforced - don't want to upset the vollies or people don't know how to! Point is most people actually like to know what is expected, where the boundries are & if there are breaches then people are treated fairly, equitably, transparently & consistantly. Finally yep I tend to share the good stuff I've learn't or have seen. It's about learning & growing - not sticking our heads in the sand or up our collectives arses :-D cheers
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: oz fire on January 28, 2010, 07:05:14 PM
Doesnt appear that MBSES is closing at all - they have been extremely busy over the last week with a couple of serious RCR incidents.

Funny that people rumour closing of a servis rather than getting more people in to help. We all suffer from poor response numbers some times or hardships or challanges within our services, yet we dust our selves off, get back on our feet and serve our community ..... well at least that was and is one of my motivators for volunteering ....... filter slandering each other - we we need help, it is often the SES or MFS from neighbouring towns that happily support us and we of course readily return the favour!
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: Bagyassfirey on January 28, 2010, 07:47:00 PM
Doesnt appear that MBSES is closing at all - they have been extremely busy over the last week with a couple of serious RCR incidents.

Funny that people rumour closing of a servis rather than getting more people in to help. We all suffer from poor response numbers some times or hardships or challanges within our services, yet we dust our selves off, get back on our feet and serve our community ..... well at least that was and is one of my motivators for volunteering ....... filter slandering each other - we we need help, it is often the SES or MFS from neighbouring towns that happily support us and we of course readily return the favour!

FILTERED best post read on ere in months.. Touche buddy!!
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: fly on February 04, 2010, 08:02:28 PM
Hey Guys,

Hope you are you all? traveing well?
Im from the Murray Bridge SES, despite all the rumors we have not closed down and will not be. We had a sudden death of one of our unit members causing us to need to defult to MFS for a few days over the funeral.
We also had one of our "main" team members off due to an injury for three months.
As i hope you guys know "scheiße happens" we just have had a bad few weeks. But everything is going well now and the member that was off injured is now back to full duty which have made things easier.


Keep up ur good wrk guys

 :-)
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: chook on February 04, 2010, 08:20:28 PM
Excellent to hear you guys are still supporting your community mate - sad to hear of your loss though. Had a lot of time for your unit managers both past & I think present (will contact Terry & find out) :wink:.Keep up the good work & all the best for the future!
cheers
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: 2468 on February 05, 2010, 09:38:48 PM
Well holy scheiße! Seems that the death by a thousand cuts by people on hearsay and rumours doesn't do shite to the MBSES... filtered good show guys! Keep up the good work :D

Btw Sorry for your loss :|
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: fly on February 06, 2010, 10:01:05 AM
Well holy filtered! Seems that the death by a thousand cuts by people on hearsay and rumours doesn't do shite to the MBSES... filtered good show guys! Keep up the good work :D

Btw Sorry for your loss :|

Thanks for the great comment mate.  :-D

Were here to stay! :wink:
Title: Re: Murray bridge SES
Post by: bajdas on February 09, 2010, 08:53:11 AM
10:05:14 09-02-10 MRB REMINDER PLEASE BE READY TO START TRAINING AT 18:30 IN FULL KIT AS WE HAVE MULTI-AGENCY RCR TRAINING TONIGHT. FROM UNIT MANAGER. SES Murray Bridge

It is great to see that at least the emergency services within the area are training together.