SA Firefighter

Have you just seen plans GTimes or is one in production already. Skilled/Mills Tui or Moores?

A couple of fire extinguisher can go a long way (Yeah Right!!).

Definite advantage of having BA in Cab to safe locker space. This may be an advantage with some pumpers which carry both Heavy RCR and Hazmat Stowage.

I share your believes alex about OHSW risk, but surely we can gather some information from other service (including MFS) about incident statistic from these seats.

Other point though Alex is the 60sec+ at the scene may honestly be the difference is someones life if they're trapped in a house or burning car. Emotive point I know, but I thinks it's looks professional to get of the truck in BA and have the cold stuff on the hot stuff in under a minute, not like it is now where a crew takes 2-3minutes to don BA (realistic time, training times might be under a minute, but realistic job) and then a minute or so getting hoses on the run. BA Donning/Tallies and BA control could all be done prior to arrival with BA in Cab Systems.

I see some OHS risks with a heavy duty 4wd Pumper. Alex just looking at 24P, anything stored high in your locker to me seems a risk as it's so high. Don't know if that's ever been a problem, but I'm 6'5" or 196cm tall and think I'd probably have a problem reaching some stuff up there. Let me know if I'm wrong. The answer could be airbag suspension on the back to lower the appliance, but that's big $'s. We've done it in SAAS though with the F350 Ford ambulance's in regional SA having self lowering suspension, open the back doors and it lowers 100mm, sounds great with a big hiss of air and looks impressive, but as I said $'s.

Furthermore. Increase urban risks in the CFS, mmmm, when will we see an aerial pumper in the CFS? Telesquirt/Skyjet? What sort of multistorey risks are out in CFS are? Wirrina Condo Apartments near Second Valley are 6 stories high, Top floor fire or roof fire would be interesting!

Worst Appliance...Loved it but the old Acco 34 rear entry with the big V8 petrol engine, great for running grass fires if you had broad shoulder to handle the lack of power steering! Didn't like the extra 4 auxilliary fuel pumps to try and avoid fuel vapourisation though!

I agree with Goodtimes. I think that the CFS should look at a standard Pumper, and the NSW CFA Type 2 pumper looks the goods for me, bar only one HP line and lack of BA in cab. The BA in cab can probably be rectified if needed though. As for Auto vs Manual in the Vehicle specs for the Type 2 there is an option for an Allison Auto Shift and there not bad (I think Belair Pumper currently runs with an Allison).

My view only but to run a standard fleet of the following would unify the service and make us look more professional:

- Type 2 Urban Pumper (Covering high Urban Treat and Risks, also can take both RCR - Heavy and Hazmat)
-24P (sorry Alex) but more the Izusu D/Cab with 3cylinder turbo Pump not PTO, this to cover Urban/Rural and Rural/URban areas
-34 for Rural
-14 for areas with difficult terrain (everywhere I know, but justified), or possibly a primary rural appliance in urban areas with pumpers as backup
-Tankers, but standardised. I personally like Belairs Tanker (no bias at all) but am still fond of Yankalilla's Old Forestry RFW (Rain Forest Wrecker!) Great vehicle as it can trully go where no other appliance can (6x6 with locking diffs!)
-Stand alone Rescues/Hazmat but only a few say 15 state wide, 2-3 per region.
-and of course Command Vehicles (hate to see GO's without a form of transport!)

Personally I believe QAV's should be dropped. Not enough water and not enough crew. As for CAFS, I'm not sold on it, and think there are a number of risks (i.e. 20-39 seconds at least until you get water from the nozzle and lack of ability to go to a fog quickly if you need crew protection) I am a little ignorant with CAFS though.

My thoughts only

Good concept Bill, I've been involved in a couple of Mock incidents with SAAS at the Willunga High School, going through the whole scecnario, accident, SAAS arrival, CFS arrival, fatality, SAPOL, dead body removal by coroner, Court Case, etc. Interesting results with a lot of feedback from the Students. Public Safety and indirect risk mitigation through your indirect education works well I think!

Heard that Mt Barker have finally been delivered the Re-furbished imported 13 year old Dennis Pumper which now apparently meets the ADR's and has been met with some 'interest' in the Barker brigade. I'd be interested to hear from someone in the Heyson Group what they think! I believe it looks good, but has some problems like lack of engine back/retarder and old style turnpipe lock valve instead of the 90 degree stop lever valves on most appliance

Any thought on importing further appliance to save money

How about a truck design for cold nothern hemisphere weather not 40 decree Aussie days

I been involved in systems of calling into the station, phoning an appliance or calling one via UHF CB, but see problems here, where people think that because they've made contact that they will get a bum on a seat on the appliance, and get a bit pissed that the appliance has rolled having not waited for additional crew! I've got the constant opinion that as a fire/emergency service we have a duty of care and require a prompt response in times of need, I also feel that as skilled volunteers that we do the best we can, with limited crew and sometimes not the optimum equipment! Maybe the answer to day time crewing in some areas is to increase the SFEC number of volunteer FF in a brigade. Some brigades' books are full and most (won't say every) members are active, and there's a waiting list to join. These brigades still have day time crewing issues! Don't have the answers...

I've heard that Regions are putting a stop on Brigades buying up on current Level 3 nomex gear and are going to ensure that they buy the new stuff as we have to met the Australian Standards now in place and if we don't then we're probably in breach of the OHS&W act! Bugger cos the new stuff is really hot, and you'll probably have to take 2 sets of gear to some jobs (ie Wildfire in Urban areas...)  <= we 'll end up a bit red faced, and not from embassment, rather heat!

Hi, Day time crewing has been a bit of a problem in the past with Belair, but fortunately now seems to be sorted out. They can usually get one appliance and the tanker on the road when needed. I'm one of those SAAS employees whose been fortunate with shift work to crew during daytime, but at uni for a few months (doing my Intensive Care Paramedic course) so not much use... pity cos I really enjoy getting out for the occasional response!

Hope it's quiet for a while!

Hey Alex, I tend to agree with you, but still think that 3 services could all be handled under the same management and operational budget. This might free up additional funding on the ground for better equipment and training for all involved.

As for responses I think you could avoid unnecessary call by pager streaming to crew, In Coromandel Valley having both CFS and SES in one compound I beleive you could easily page different crews or groups for different groups, this also supplies a fallback in times of limited crews for both services, hence giving volunteers the choice to respond to fires for flood or whatever.

I'd hope that if a projected one service system was ever installed that this would mitigate any interservice problems, or animosity between paid and un-paid crews, This system works elsewhere in Australia and Internationally so why not here?

I think migration of appliances through a one service system, Say New Pumper at Career station for 5 years then out to urban rural stations for the rest of it's life, would be advantegous for all. We'd be able to keep up with current technologies, and also maintain better appliance coverage throughout (ie At the moment if a brigade needs an Urban Pumper it pretty much comes new and we run it for 20 years, till it get well and truely superseded in technology and safety)

Hi All, i'd be interested to know your thoughts on appliance standards in the CFS, currently I believe we have the following standard appliances: QAV, 14, 24, 24P, 34. With a number of other appliances that aren't standard: ie. Stand Alone Rescue, Hazmat, CAFS, BWC's/Tankers and Pumpers (Stirling's pumper, Mt Barkers Dennis and the NSW/CFS Type 2 pumpers)  For a long time the Hino 24 Appliance has seemed to be the backbone of the majority of CFS operations, is it's time up? I might run a poll of the hino 24's...Should we push for more 34 appliances (more water, dual cab safety), or are they too big? Are QAV's/14 an efficient form of Firefighting? Does the CFS need Urban Pumpers, or another level of Standard appliace (ie Urban/Rural Pumper like Waikerie Pumper of Coromandel Valley 24P). Is CAFS all it's made up to be? What are your thoughts? If you want to look at any of these appliance have a look at http://www.fire-brigade.asn.au