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Topics - oz fire

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1
Country Fire Service / Apathy for Volunteers
« on: October 11, 2006, 02:44:16 PM »
From the Advertiser - Tuesday 09/10/2006

CFS volunteers are refusing to drive new trucks because of safety concerns, just one week before the start of what is expected to be one of the state's worst fire danger seasons.

At least two of the trucks have been pulled off the road, and one will undergo expensive modifications.
Volunteers claim some trucks bought about two years ago are "undrivable" when loaded with firefighting equipment.

Separate sources told The Advertiser yesterday the 11 trucks in question, costing around $300,000 each, are "overweight and unsafe" when water tanks and equipment are installed on them.

The appliances have been allocated across the state but, with a heatwave expected this week, the McLaren Flat appliance is sitting in a Murray Bridge engineering yard while the Kangarilla truck is sitting in a private shed after being slapped with an internal CFS defect notice.

Arthur Tindall, CFS manager of infrastructure and logistics, said yesterday independent reports showed nothing wrong with the vehicles. Instead, further driver training was required to get them used to handling the trucks, he said.

Despite this, Mr Tindall said the CFS was undertaking extensive modifications to at least one of the trucks to "appease the volunteers" and "overcome perceived issues".

"The volunteers will say they weren't consulted but you can't consult 15,000 people," he said.

He said further driver training would be conducted.

Sources said despite complaints and concerns by CFS volunteers, those in the city headquarters "don't give a s--t" and nothing was done until volunteers would no longer drive the trucks.

CFS members say it is placing not only homes and lives at risk, but also the volunteers. There was no planning or forethought," a source said.

"The next group of appliances (purchased about six months later) are fine - it's like they realised the mistakes and fixed it on those ones.

"But with the 11, they built them, gave them to us and said 'there you are, be happy with it'," he said.


Nothing like supporting one another and working together to find a solution. Appeasing people is one thing - insulting their intelligence and their commitment is another - how quickly people forget their origins.

2
SA Firefighter General / Driver Age
« on: April 20, 2006, 09:12:58 AM »
There was a debate this morning on TV about raising the driving age and standardising 18 Australia wide!

What do people think?

My view - great idea. I may be generalising, however it is interesting that the 16 - 25 age group make up a little less than 15% of the population, however account for in excess of 35% of accidents and 45% of serious accidents (sourced from MAC). I personally have attended numerous accidents and an increasing number of serious/fatals where inexperience and age have been the major factor!

After all you need to be 18 to vote and 18 to drink - yet you can openly drive (with a passenger) a one tonne steel machine on populated roads from 16 with little instruction.

The other side to the argument is - Who should be responsible for young drivers education and the vehicle they drive. Maybe a standard in education and restriction in vehicle types is the answer (similar to motor bikes)

Now before people get fired up ... I am not having a go at anyone, however this is a serious issue and as emergency service workers something that we should have an open and honest opinion on!

3
Country Fire Service / Back burning
« on: January 05, 2006, 09:42:49 AM »
I have followed with some interest the recent fires in New South Wales (having attended there a few times to help) and noticed their exceptional use of backburning to contain fires.

It raises the question why we don't do more of it????

Speaking to someone from NSWRFS the other week (following the first Xmas fires) they stated that they are proactive with backburning as it reduces the risks to fire fighters and appliances when entering difficult terrain. They stated that in their planning they choose appropriate roads, tracks, land marks etc and decide that they will hold the fire there by putting in back burns (except where homes/buildings are between the fire and back burn). They said that this allowed crews to put in control lines along the flanks of fires and prevent their spread and reduced the risk of burn overs, fire fighter injury and appliance problems.

It was a long discussion but had sound logic - that I think could easily be applied to the majority of rural fires here???

OK maybe we burn a little more, but in the long run it must be safer for all concerned and also allow us to have excellent containment areas that we manage, rather than the fire burning out to us  :roll:

4
SA Firefighter General / Early start to Fire Season
« on: October 07, 2005, 11:55:02 AM »
It appears that the eastern states are already busy, with numerous fires across New South Wales http://www.bushfire.nsw.gov.au/dsp_more_info_latest.cfm?CON_ID=2331
Likewise in Queensland http://www.fire.qld.gov.au/news/view.asp?id=1148

Already we are seeing predictions for weather experts about another dry and long summer.

How is your brigade going for it's summer preperations.

5
SA Firefighter General / Sentencing for Arsonist!
« on: September 22, 2005, 11:19:26 AM »
Below is a report from the Tiser!!!!

10 years - repeat offender, don't know about you but I think he got off lightly - nice to see a longer sentence (than his previous 32 months) but 20 years would have been nice!

Ten years' jail for serial arsonist
By Court Reporter ALEXANDRA ECONOMOU
22sep05
AN ARSONIST who set a national park ablaze in January has been jailed for 10 years under tough new laws.

In sentencing James Andrew Phillip Aplin in the District Court yesterday, Judge Michael David said it was lucky no one died when he caused a fire at the Para Wirra National Park, near Kalbeeba, north of Adelaide.

Aplin, of Ascot Park, was the first person sentenced under "zero-tolerance" bushfire laws, introduced in 2002, which carry a maximum 20-year jail term. His sentence has a non-parole period of four years.

Judge David said Aplin, 36, lit the fire on a windy 35C day and caused 6.5ha of the park to be burned. "The fire, although it was brought under control, came quite close to at least one residence," he said.

"Although, luckily, nobody was hurt or injured and there was no real property damage, nevertheless, that was no fault of yours.

"Bushfires, as we know, have a mind of their own and the fact is that anything could have happened and a life could have been lost."

The court previously heard Aplin was of low intelligence and had harmed himself by consuming rat poison and mercury. "There is some suggestion that the lighting of this fire . . . was, in fact, a suicide attempt," Judge David said. "It is clear that the public needs protection from your clear propensity, for whatever psychological reasons, to dangerously light fires."

In 1996, Aplin was jailed for at least 32 months for lighting fires at Greenhill and Heathfield that burned more than 400ha of land, threatened more than 20 homes and caused $400,000 damage.

A CFS officer was also injured in the fires.

Judge David said the January fire occurred about seven months after Aplin's parole expired.

"Your counsel tells me that the catalyst that caused you to commit this offence was a feeling of rejection and indeed a cry for help," he said.

"It is no consolation to victims who might get killed or . . . lose their entire possessions that the person who caused that by lighting the fire has deep psychological, if not psychiatric, problems."

6
Country Fire Service / Permits - for fire
« on: September 20, 2005, 01:17:28 PM »
Speaking to a friend in Queensland yesterday, and they require a permit, for a fire 365 days of the year is it's outside the following:
A “Permit to Light Fire” is not required for:
burning a carcass of a beast;
a camp fire;
burning sawdust or residue from a sawmill; or
an outdoor fire enclosed in a fireplace.

What a good idea - they also have a HUGE network of permit officers (2500+) but it means they keep a control on what occurs all year round.

Now living in the driest state, in the driest continent, I think this would be a good idea for SA. Do away with the various options under the clean air act and have a year round, standard system that the public, fire services and police can easily follow!

What do others think?

7
SA Firefighter General / In the line of Duty
« on: September 02, 2005, 10:51:57 AM »
This really makes you wonder ........... why??????

An article from Melbournes Sun Herald yesterday

Van guard drew gun on fireman
Holly Lloyd-McDonald
01sep05

A FIREMAN who confronted an armoured van crew because he was cut off and then almost run down was stunned to find himself looking down the barrel of a gun.
The armoured vehicle allegedly cut across a fire truck on High St, Northcote, on Monday.
Slamming on the brakes, the fire truck driver blasted his horn in protest as the armoured vehicle stopped in a service lane.
The fire crew, on general duties, say they received a barrage of abuse from the van driver and a male guard sitting in the passenger seat.
Minutes later, the MFB crew arrived at their Clifton Hill training centre and the 15-year veteran who was driving the truck got out to cross the road.
He says his life flashed before his eyes as the armoured vehicle allegedly drove straight at him.
MFB director of operations Tony Murphy said he was a little disappointed at the guards' "ridiculous" conduct.
"Our member noticed the vehicle driving straight at him in a menacing fashion," he said.
"So much so he had to jump back on to the truck's step."
The fireman watched as the armoured vehicle stopped at traffic lights nearby and he decided to approach the Brinks van.
"He got up there, took down their licence plate and said he was unhappy with their conduct," Mr Murphy said.
"That's when one of the men showed him a gun and then he pointed the gun right at him."
Mr Murphy said the member had been deeply affected by the threatening confrontation but was happy with how the situation had been dealt with.
Police said they were investigating the incident.
Brinks Australia had no comment for the Herald Sun yesterday.



The things people confront in the line of duty ..... thankfully they were not priority one!

8
SA Firefighter General / Silent Acknowledgement
« on: August 19, 2005, 03:41:22 PM »
I'll Show You A Volunteer
 
Show me a person who spends endless hours in training w/o pay, And, I'll show you a volunteer.

Show me a person where a cry for help brings split-second dispatch, And, I'll show you a volunteer.

Show me a person who is devastated when lives are lost or maimed, And, I'll show you a volunteer.

Show me a person who is graciously welcomed as a next-door neighbor, And, I'll show you a volunteer.

Show me a person who often takes more ridicule than compliments, And, I'll show you a volunteer.

Show me a person whose car is garaged w/ the grille facing out, And, I'll show you a volunteer.

Show me a person who sacrifices home life, T.V....even tender moments, And, I'll show you a volunteer.

Show me a person who may be asked to give more than just dedication, And, I'll show you a volunteer.

Show me a person who is asked to give more... and more... and more, And, I'll show you a volunteer.

9
Country Fire Service / Training
« on: August 16, 2005, 12:31:13 PM »
I have read in may posts, about new, current, old ..... training standards.

So before you answer the poll - training standards includes:
- Meet their SFEC perscription
- CABA: All operators current (within their 3 month wear)
- RCR: All operators within their competency period
- Hazmat: All operators within their competency period
- First Aid: Got your numbers - current competency
- O2 Therapy: Got you numbers - current competency
- Chainsaw: Got your numbers
All Brigades - All members who have severed more that 6 months completed BFF1

10
The Humour Zone / JOKES
« on: August 15, 2005, 11:45:56 AM »
Everyone needs a little humour to help the day along!
The world is full of jokes from the eneregecy service industry!
What a great place to share some  :-D :lol: :-P

11
Country Fire Service / CFS Comps
« on: July 29, 2005, 10:45:06 AM »
The CFS Competitions are on in less than a month (28/08/05) at Callington, just east of Adelaide.

Any one going???

Time that Nooriupta, Waikerie and Sailsbury were give some competition  :evil:

Always a good day - even if you don't compete - lots of action, stalls by all the suppliers and good chance to see all the new equipment that CFS has!

12
Compartment Fire Behaviour / CFB Book Release
« on: July 01, 2005, 10:05:51 AM »
Some of you would have read about (previous Volunteer Mags) or been fortunate to meet Station Office Shan Rafell from Queenslands Fire and Rescue Service during one of his visits to Brukunga to instruct in and use the CFS CFB Live Fire Training facilities.

Shan with SO John Mc Donough (NSWFB) and two overseas CFB experts (Paul Grimwood, London Fire Brigade and Ed Hartin, USA) have just released their new book on 3D Fire Fighting, Training, Techniques and Tactics.

To view Shan website - extremely interesting and definitely worth the time goto: http://www.uq.net.au/~zzsraffe/

I have ordered the book and will give you a review in a week or three when I have read it.  Reading some of the initial papers, that were going into the book, it should be an excellent read and yet a further eye opener into what we do, the dangers of it and how little we really know when it comes to fire fighting and ultimately inspiration to learn more.

13
Country Fire Service / Equipment Issue (Personal)
« on: June 20, 2005, 10:42:17 AM »
"Disclaimer: I don't want this to be, yet another debate and witch hunt over money, rather a reflective post, one to get us all thinking and questioning our Group and the CFS hieracy about what is fair , equitabel and reasonable under a duty of care,. Please don't stste your group or brigade" All said and done here we go:

What equipent does your brigade/group issue to you as standard - for your use only?

What equipment do you think they should issue?

14
Country Fire Service / Appliance Driving
« on: May 26, 2005, 01:46:53 PM »
What are brigades doing about training appliance drivers for emergency response??????????

I know CFS undertakes "basic training" with new appliances and I know some brigades have in-house formal tests and stages.

What does your brigade do?
How would your drivers stand up in court if challenged as emergency response drivers?

Should CFS have a course and teach emergency response driving - after it's one of the very few skills we need for every incident

15
Women of the Fire Industry / Why?
« on: May 26, 2005, 01:29:47 PM »
Take off your CFS/Fire Service hat (ok Helmet) for a moment!

Now stand back as Joe Public at the scene of a fire and watch the fire fighters.........

what grabs your attention ...........

The way they do their job
What they do
What they do to help others and
How well they do it!!!!!!! :-D

Not - what sex they are, what colour they are, how old they are, what physical attributes they have!

Unfortunately some CFS members (as with many other services) bundle people into minorities - to stereotype them and make themselves feel comfortable.

The challenge to YOU is to break the mold - when we put on the uniform we are fire fighters and we all have areas of expertise and challenge.

The issue of male or female, black or white only becomes an issue if you let it.

So set the example and promote fire fighters - not stereotypes of fire fighters!  8-)

16
Country Fire Service / When is a Volunteer a Volunteer
« on: May 24, 2005, 01:05:29 PM »
A topical Question. At a forum recently I heard a senior CFS member state: As a volunteer you have two choices, you volunteer to join and you volunteer to leave. When you volunteered to join you volunteered to abide by and foillow the SOP's, SAP's and values of the CFS!
What do you think - if this was followed may solve many many problems and would address those who "don't like it" and have to "we will do it our way".  :?
So when is a volunteer a volunteer and when should they become part of the greater CFS and help to constructively build CFS and follow the CFS processes???????? :evil:

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