SA Firefighter

I saw something resembling a uniform guide once....... single sheet of paper for where to sew badges, and examples of stripes.

I have to emphasise the word once though!!!

Any chance of getting a few pics posted..... was 4wd over near Ceduna and missed out.... Were there many new idea's being tried out this year??

All things get adapted..... "the standard appliance" is one hot on the topics at the moment.

Personally my helmet came with yellow reflective stripes already attached (no spares), and to place the senior stripes according to the standards would have been impractical (theres no point having a stripe no-one can see) as well as looking stupid! Hence I have 4 yellow refelctive strips on my helmet each with senior stripe above......

I agree that they shouldn't be using captain stipes though, doesnt take much to get a knife or a pair of sissors.

Lets keep the specifics of who where and when to a minimum though, they're not needed.....

Cheers,

A few points i believe need to be clarified:

CFS may be the only service using a BMI for BA operators, however we do not have to do fitness testing (level 9.6 on the shuttle run alone, not to mention the rest) to join or a medical that even compares to he MFS! It is interesting that stamina is also included in testing to a certain extent.

If paid staff dont pass that test, then the same rule applies for them as does everyone else.

For anyone interested in calculating it:
weight(kg) / height^2(cm) * 10000

How many BA operators (as part of an emergency service) in Australia have died period? and did fitness have anything to do with it? I dont know the answer, but i would tend to think it didnt......

Come on wake up and get with it, members need to have some fitness but how far shall we take it???

I agree there are 2 sides to every argument, we can offer the same comment for anything we do as a service. The thing that pops to mind straight away is OH&S. But, the more important side is how far do we let it go before we decide something needs to be done?

At a local level, any person willing to put time aside to asist the community (for the right reasons) is a welcome asset, and should be encouraged in every way.

But when talking about large, exended, long distance jobs where our service is on show, and we may not be working with a crew that knows everything we are capable of, I dont find it unreasonable to ask that all personel wanting to participate pass a fitness test (parks use something like: 4.5Km on level ground carrying 11Kg in 45minutes. ~i think~ Feel free to correct me!!!!)

I dont believe a test to exclude is appropriate, mearly to set a benchmark. So, if its requested that i be part of an interstate team, that i can have confidence that the person sitting next to me is capable of doing the same thing i had to do. In all honesty i dont give a rats arse what they look like be it short, tall, built like a broomstick or a brick S...house as long as i can have the confidence they can do the job....

Anyways... thats my 2c for today....

Hope everyone have a good easter

A team will be going to NZ at least........
Discount rates will be available to any member wanting to go have a look at the comps, just need to show CFS ID.......

Should be a great weekend

All food for thought really isnt it   hehe

Nah..... It just doesnt look right..... Seems a little out of proportion. However the aerial unit would look good no matter what colour it was!

The fitness of some of those that went was definately to be desired, and the main point of me starting this thread was to query the safety and well being of those involved.

However as another side issue, how does it reflect on the professionalism and appearance of the service as well?

I Like it Could see lots of people asking state to upgrade their licenses to HR though......

I can see it causing issues, however, as an existing member it shouldnt change why your there. You would also need to look at lot closer at new recruits, and what they're in it for!

Just wondering if anyone knows whether the new PBI stuff is water proof or shower proof?

Gortex was originally designed as breathable wet weather gear.... as it evolved, hybrids incorperating nomex were released for fire applications.  Its one of the best types of wet weather gear on the market. Hard wearing, comfortable, and actually keeps the water out!

In short...... yes. The PBI itself may hold water (that i dont know!), but the liner will definately stop you getting wet......

After much waiting I finally got measured for the new gear. I have to say it is quite comfortable to use, even if its a little heavier than nomex.  
There's a very good range of sizes as well.

Apparently no contract has been set down as to the maintenance yet. Although Lion are asking that they inspect it at least once a year. During the time that the gear is away they are investigation getting some of the MFS Nomex for interim use.

The answer they gave about cleaning of the gear was a little vague, but ran along the lines of "you can do it yourself, but......"
Basically they are thinking about cross contamination of personal clothing washed in the same machine, washing powders etc. etc. There was also mention of abrasion caused by varioius machines, and that people might try and tumble dry it.

It is effected by UV light, but there have been no specific tests done. The rep gave examples of brigades in NZ that have had gear in service for the last 8 years with no sign of degregation. They had also seen gear left out in a shed under a skylight that lasted less than a year......

Average life span: 6 years (expected to be much longer for CFS, with expected average use and when gear stored in lockers etc.)

As for the whole Nomex V Proban thing. Group has decided that all those being issued with PBI will retain their nomex as rural gear. Any further rural needed will continue as was (proban pants & nomex coat (with L2 liner for cold weather))

Anyways, I really do like the look and the feel of it..... cant wait till it arrives for the real test!

Well said