SA Firefighter

First fire and job.
20Ha fire. Started as a dump fire, quickly spread to a running grass fire, jumped the road and burnt 20Ha of scrub just behind the township. Left school to attend. What an insight into the CFS. Trucks from everywhere, a bomber and command cars racing everywhere. Almost ten years ago. I guess first impressions do impress!!!
Adam.

Region Three Headqaurters in Murray Bridge houses the SES head honcho.
Definate disadvantages. Guess the advantages are economic, can't really think of any others. Although the VSO there serves both organisations so I guess that is handy for organisational leaders.

The office used to be stunning example of a volunteer friendly environment with a volunteer lounge/tea/coffee/water facilities, fire/rescue library.

I guess in the interests of efficiency, it is now a place you would avoid like the plague, complete with counter to ceiling bars separating the staff from it's onery clients.

Not any more Kat.
The SES heads have moved to Mount Barker. The SES signs have all been removed from the building (you can still see the silastic where they used to be).
Not sure of the reason!!
Adam.

No probs mate,
It is against policy to cart water for drinking or for stock (cattle), but carting water from a lake to a tank for firefighting purposes isn't.  It's a bit like filling a floating collar dam for use at an incident.
Adam.

I was browsing the Nova 91.9 radio station website and noticed that they have a posting on one of their pages that they are Adelaide's official bushfire warning station.  We listen to Nova all day at work i have not heard one bushfire warning.  With the amount of warninigs issued in the past few days i would have thought i would have at least heard one! I know the ABC is very efficient in issuing warnings and this is the station the CFS advises to listen to for warnings. Have Nova done this off their own back??
Go to nova919.com.au the on air and scroll down, you will see the CFS logo.
Adam.

Believe this is against CFS policy due to the problems with health related matters.  !! ??

The water carting is actually filling up a tank which the local Brigade uses to fill appliances. A member of the public turned on the tap and let it all run out.
Adam, Meningie

Hi Robert! Good to hear from you.
At Meningie, about two years ago, we ran a fairly large recruiting campaign as numbers in the Brigade were quite low, especially during the day. We have a local paper which we submitted an article into explaining the problem the Brigade and Community may face if a crew could not respond. We pushed it hard that the CFS is YOUR (as in community) fire brigade and also explained that if we couldn't get a crew it would be at least 30 minutes before the next Brigade could assist. We submitted a 'shock tactic' article on a recent job we responded to or rather nearly didn't respond to. Flyers went up in every shop in town, the CFS Recruiting now banner went up in the main street and we held an open night. At the open night we had about 25 people attend and of those the Brigade retained 7. The key with the open night is to ensure that you advertise it and the problem for weeks before the actual night. Since then we have had a few join also. We try to get involved with every town function to show the colours and let people know we actually do other stuff apart from fight fires! Our Brigade is mostly tight nit so that helps also. This is just an idea that worked for us but may not suit every Brigade or town. Good luck.
Adam.
PS: Footy and netball season is still a killer!!!!!

I just received a heap of member ID's back, but no CFS lanyard  Are the lanyards only for CFS staff? if not where do i get them from?
Adam.

Hi Matt,
Makes very interesting listening. Good job.
I have a question. We had a job on within our group at the same time i was listening to the stream for the first time. I heard SHQ telling an appliance to go to our group talkgroup (thats how i knew the job was on) but i couldn't hear anything from the people on scene. Does the scanner only pick up stronger signals ie Adelaide area.
Cheers.
Adam

How many on this list actually saw the competition nomination form......not me!!
Adam

*Every* telephone call is traceable.  Calling Line Identifier (CLI) is recorded by Telcos for *every* call made through their network.  They use call origin, destination, time & duration to calculate their billing, so it's very important to them.

So does this mean we can trace a call that has been made to our local ALERTS number even tho it has gone thru the telebridge.
PS is it Telstra we contact to trace a call thru the telebridge and what info do they need to start tracing?
Adam

Believe Doug Spry (old Coonalpyn Group GO) is new supergroup GO and Sue Mickan (old Coonalpyn Group DGO) is DGO. Not sure what happened to former Coorong Group GO, former Coorong Group DGO was in Tailem Bend Brigade so now a happy white helmet in the relocated Brigade (and can't get him off front of hose).

Yes, Doug Spry is new Coorong GO, Ray Squires (former Coorong GO) is now Deputy 1 and Sue Mickan is Deputy 2.
Adam.

The reason for groups joining is vast and varied and i would be here all day typing examples.
Ultimately it is the RC's decision.
Adam.