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Messages - vr_driver

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1
SASES / Re: from a victorian
« on: February 19, 2008, 10:46:12 AM »
Thanks for the kind words.

I also just read in the local Barrier Miner (Broken Hill local newspaper):

SA Country Fire Server / SA State Emergency Service NOTICE OF MEETING In relation to Cockburn SES Unit and CFS Brigade Notice is given that a metting of SASES /SACFS personal Cockburn SES / CFS members, community members and other interested parties. To make the final arrangements for closure of Cockburn SES Unit and CFS Brigade.


So does this mean that that region will be without fire suppression then?

2
SASES / Re: from a victorian
« on: February 11, 2008, 02:25:22 PM »
Hi guys and girls,
Thanks for all the help recently about Kapunda. I've learnt a bit about how things work in SA. However, I've since accepted a job in Broken Hill, so will probably end up with the NSWSES up there at some stage.
Cheers,
Steve.

3
ALL Rescue / Re: Windscreens
« on: February 02, 2008, 10:38:41 PM »
Yep, Rescue Snips. http://www.yourtasmania.com/rescuesnips/

I don't have time to respond correctly, but there are a nice tool to use. Very handy. But are dusty...

4
ALL Rescue / Re: RCR Ages
« on: February 02, 2008, 10:36:59 PM »
back to the original question and an earlier topic.

My view is 18 should be the minimum age. You can drive a car, buy smokes, gamble, buy grog at that age. That's the age you are an adult in the eyes of the law. Let that be the age.

The other thing I read, was about cutting glass.
I've used these glass cutters.
http://www.yourtasmania.com/rescuesnips/

They create bit dust, but they are really good.

5
ALL Rescue / Re: 'Heavy' Rescue
« on: February 02, 2008, 10:33:32 PM »
I would have thought they term 'heavy rescue' would be given to units/brigades that could lift trains and things with 100t rams etc.

6
SASES / Re: from a victorian
« on: February 02, 2008, 10:00:44 PM »
There are also some rural units along the Hume & Calder Hwy's that get busy.
Yes, that would be Sunbury.
Quote
Sadly Frankston is on the way to Phillip Island Hastings/ Western Port & Sale.
No, that's Pakenham. Frankston is on the bay, South of Melbourne. It's about 40mins from Paky.  :-D

7
Emergency Vehicles / Re: VICSES 2 of Pakenham's trucks
« on: February 02, 2008, 09:57:24 PM »
Hey Chook, Yes, there are 3 vehicles shown here. 2 350's and a 450. No 250's shown there. I put photos of the old 350 on (a 1992 Custom F350), just to show the body of the truck. We put in on to a new f350, which we currently are using. The old one used to run on premium unleaded, and after a hot run to one end of our patch, we would have used nearly half a tank! Glad it all runs on desiel now. They are much more fuel efficient!

8
SASES / Re: from a victorian
« on: February 02, 2008, 09:52:09 PM »
Oh boy, I didn't realise how busy this forum is!

Yeah, Paky is a busy unit. It has slowed down a little recently with the nearest responder thing coming in to play.

But, we are a busy semi-rural/metro unit.

From what I understand these are/were the top rescue units in Vic exluding metro MFB.
In no particular order: Dandenong CFA, Frankston SES, Knox SES and Pakenham SES/Nar Nar Goon CFA.
Frangers get's a lots of jobs. I don't know exact details of other units.

Now my understanding is that Dandenong CFA is the busiest. But I can't confirm this, but it'll be due to staffed turnout times.

We were getting around 100 RARs each year. with about 60-70% cut out rate. I'm one of the regular ones available to turnout too, so I've seen my fair share of nasties. Many of the crash out this way are single vehicles into trees, power poles etc...  or rollovers.  The trouble is people come out from the city, fall asleep and crash, or drink too much.


The reason I'd probably join the SES of CFS, is familiarity. You naturally go to what you know.
As far as fires? Put the wet stuff on the red stuff. :) Nah, I'm not a firey. Too many factors I can't control. I've got a lot of respect for firemen. I love a log fire, but when a fire's out of control... I won't be there! Too dangerous for me!



9
Emergency Aircraft / Helimed in Traralgon, Victoria
« on: February 02, 2008, 01:09:54 PM »

10
Emergency Vehicles / Re: VICSES 2 of Pakenham's trucks
« on: February 02, 2008, 01:04:43 PM »
Oh, yes... that was just one of many issues. :)

There's been plenty of mechanical issues.

Ours alone has been put off the road at least half a dozen times because of serious failures.
These have been:
broken cam housing in the engine,
broken gear change cable (column shift),
a bolt came loose in the back diff - creating a big hole as it spat it out and crunched everything inside.
the truck had to get new springs
a steering pin snapped from the LHD conversion to right hand drive.
air conditioning not working
Fuel leak (current problem at the moment - yes it's off the road) -again!

But they are good trucks...

I know of another unit where the entire back axle came off.


Here's a couple more of Rescue 2.

This shows how big it really is. Couldn't really find anymore of it in use. But, yes, you can put a ladder straight up the guts of it.

Rescue 1
These photos are old, and there have since been a few mods done to the truck. But it gives you a good idea of what it's like. These photos were also taken at our old headquarters.







This drawer retracts back under the body to create a tighter truck.








I couldn't find a picture of it, see the handle at the back, that opens up a roll out tray that comes all the way out, 2/3 of the length of the body.



This bottom and last photo shows our current headquarters with the vehicle line up. (gotta love a state government showing off with it's first ever government built, joint premises. We share with the CFA and the police.) It's very cool. Swipe cards and all. We are around the back of the building and come out for jobs through that side gate on the left.





11
SASES / Re: from a victorian
« on: February 02, 2008, 12:32:28 PM »

Hey mate, anything you can think of that I should/need to know. :) How many people? Rotating roster? Everyone having a pager? Friendly, or a tight bunch?  :roll: :) Rough age of everyone. How many vehicles, jobs per year, types etc... I don't know! HA HA I'm just running of junk.
Seriously, whatever. :)
I was just interested. I've applied for a job over there, and I've got an interview. So out of hours, I may be available. Who knows at this stage. We are probably talking 2 months at least.

12
Emergency Vehicles / Re: VICSES 2 of Pakenham's trucks
« on: February 02, 2008, 10:21:58 AM »
Yes, I'll try and find a copy of them later this afternoon for you.

13
Emergency Vehicles / VICSES 2 of Pakenham's trucks
« on: February 02, 2008, 08:19:43 AM »

F350
Vehicle: Ford F350 Single Cab XL with custom body
Purpose: Primary Rescue truck. Road and general rescue
Engine: 7.3 Litre V8 Intercooled Turbo Diesel
Power, kW @ rpm: 175 @ 2600 rpm
Power, Hp: 234
Torque, Nm @ rpm: 684 @ 1800 rpm
Vehicle Occupants: 3
Year In Service: 25th October 2002
Length: 6 metres
Width: 2.4 metres
Height: 2.0 metres
GVM: 5.08


F450
Vehicle: Ford F450 with custom built pod.
Purpose: Road and general rescue/storm damage
Engine: 7.3 Litre V8 Intercooled Turbo Diesel
Power, kW @ rpm: 191 @ 2850 rpm
Power, Hp: 256
Torque, Nm @ rpm: 693 @ 1700 rpm
Vehicle Occupants: 5
Year In Service: 25th October 2002
Length: 7.8 metres
Width: 2.500 metres
Height: 2.750 metres
Weight: 6.810t loaded
Turning Circle: 22 metres

14
Emergency Vehicles / Re: Sturt SES
« on: February 02, 2008, 08:12:17 AM »
what's the turning circle like on it?

I know that a 450  is 22 metres.

15
SASES / Re: from a victorian
« on: February 02, 2008, 07:27:10 AM »
Hi guys,

Thanks for the welcome and the quick replies.

I know this is a website for firemen, so thanks for letting me crash here for a while! (No pun intended) ha ha

Hi Chook. A familiar name!

Yes, I've got my RAR cert and a whole bunch of others. Have had it for a few years now and it still gets used. It's been pretty slow the last several months which is good.

But if I move over there, when I get settled and things, I may join up. Be a good way to meet people and stuff.

16
SASES / Re: from a victorian
« on: February 01, 2008, 01:23:50 PM »
Thanks for the prompt replies. We've recently started closest responder here too.

Well, that answers my questions well.
Ta.

17
SASES / from a victorian
« on: February 01, 2008, 12:53:20 PM »
Hi guys,

I'm new here on this board, and in the next little while, I may be moving to SA to the Kapunda region.

I come from a busy metro SES RAR unit in Melbourne, and I was just curious if there are any RAR units near Kapunda?

I've done over 7 years of rescue at my current unit, and was wondering if my services would be wanted/received well.

I saw there is a horsey mounted group in that area... but that's not really my thing. :)

Anyway, any thoughts or comments would be nice.

How does road rescue work in SA? Is it a combination of the SES, CFS and the metro fire service?

I've really got no idea with how your state works in regards to this.

Many thanks,
Steve.

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