SA Firefighter

Who has the biggest CFS station in the state?

Yankalilla Station / Southern Fleurieu Base?
Salisbury Station?
Port Elliot?

What's your thoughts?

Fred Kerr died yesterday.

Here's a chance for use to pay respects to the first Chief of the Country Fire Service.

I believe he was a founding member of the Stirling CFS in 1948.

I'm sure he'll be missed, and will always be respected.

Saw a new Skyjet at MFS HQ yesterday. Probably going to replace on of the aging 03 appliances at Adelaide (203), Mt Gambier (703) or Woodville station (303).

Looks good. Based on Mercedes Ateco Cab Chassis. BA Seats, 2x 60m HP line and better lockering are what appear to be the improvements on the older International. I'm not sure if the tank capacity or Pump size has been increased.

Produce by Liquip Industries in QLD. I think it's headed to engineering for final fitout today. Interested to see where it ends up!

Sorry didn't have the camera with me

I'm sure you've all heard by now...
London Terror Attack, 6 seperate seemingly well planned and well organised attacks on seperate public transport (soft) targets.

Current estimate on news was 45 dead and up to 1000 injured.

I think the London Emergency response looked well organised but manic as expected.

My thought go out to them all.

Could we deal with something as big? I don't what to think about it know, but will ponder it later.

Hi All,

Just want to convey some congratulations, I've been on this site now for a while and have enjoyed it! Version 2 works well and it has given many ff's out there a good platform to discuss many issues floating around.

Congrats as I saw the Visitor log has surpassed the 10000 mark!

Keep it up!

Thanks

Hi All,

Just thought I'd let you know Eden has taken delivery of the new type 2 pumper, It's come with a 750 U.S. gpm 'PTO'. I haven't seen it yet, but apparently it looks the goods!

Looking forward to seeing it in action

Catch you soon

Just in at Wakefield Street MFS HQ (Station 20) and got to see what looks to be the new replacement for 204. Looks to have the same buildup on the back as current, including the Palfinger Crane, but with a new Scania Cab/Chassis. Only new addition is a winch on the front.

It would be nice if the CFS could run similar Rescues!

Any body want to have a wager on how many Burn Off's out of control that the Fire Services will attend in the next month. There's been a few of significance in the last few days (Marble Hill and Bradbury!) I know it raining today, but I bet that won't last!!

Heard an interesting rumour the other day that a CFS brigade has an account of close to $200 000 in saved funding for brigade usage. As I said only a rumour.

It was worded to me that the brigade would like to eventually get a Scania Pumper for there station, which only has SFEC classification of Rural/Urban

Would be interested in what you think of fund raising for brigade's need (which my brigade still does), and if so should this be limited, or at leat monitored buy SAFECOMM? Should brigades still be able to purchase there own appliance, should they have the choice to unite funding with Emergency Service Levy funding for bigger better appliances, Is this equitable for other needy brigades out there? Is this ethical to fund raise to this extend if the community already pays there levys? :twisted:

Again only rumours, no substance to this, but interesting to ponder anyway!

Your thoughts!

If you haven't found it yet there are plans for the New 34P in the upcoming Volunteer Mag which can be downloaded on the CFS website, homepage (long PDF download of 80 pages plus):

http://www.cfs.org.au

similar appliance already used in WA by fesa:

http://167.30.74.10/?MenuID=101&ContentID=259

and also produced by SEM:

http://www.skilledequipment.com.au/vehicle_details.php?vehicle_id=2050

I believe that instead of the HM500 Darley pump the 34P will have a HE500 Darley which will be run from a 4cyl turbo ?Hatz motor (that will be loud I'm sure). If Burnside agree to it then they will apparently get a prototype with the HM500 pump which is PTO driven. I think HM pumps are 2 stage pumps.

They look like a bit of a development on the current 24P, but still something that I wouldn't want to swap current Pumper for (and I don't like the Pumper that much!)

Hi all, just wanting to know who's assisted SAAS with a patient lift? I've often been at work in situations where we can't get another SAAS crew to back us up for a lift, or other situation where I've had to use CFS ff's to assist with patient treatment (used one firey from Mt Compass that I know quite well and has a lot of experience to do CPR on a traumatic patient arrest once!)

How have you felt doing this? Do you think the Senior First Aid is adequate to enable assistance with patient care? Manual Handling, do you have any training with local crews about lifting techniques, SAAS equipment? Does the current situation work or is this something that the fire service should be involved in (lifting etc) what's your thoughts?

As a SAAS Manual Handling instructor I'd like to know if we need to make any changes?

Cheers

Don't know who else is there, but Belair has had Tanker responded to Wingfield Dump Fire (4th Alarm Greater). I believe that Burnside 32 has been stepped up to Wakefield Street on stand by as well. I'd gather that Salisbury have a number of resources at the Dump as well!

Hi All,

Whilst procrastinating today found a new appliance by Skilled for CFA, mark Heavy Tanker. Some of the concepts look good, Like:

-Crew Deck access from crew cab
-4000L with spare 750L for spray protection
-Mack Dual Cab with 270Hp (mmmm nice!)
-Not sure about the GAAM 325 Pump, would prefer a 750gpm 3 stage!
-Reasonable locker layout, though would prefer aluminium roll down door!

Have a look anyway:

http://www.skilledequipment.com.au/vehicle_details.php?vehicle_id=1450

Catch you soon :D

Hi All,

Just wondering what your thoughts about current Strike Team deployment systems of staging within a group area and then travelling as a convoy?

Personally I've always found this process to waste significant time for a number of brigade waiting for other's to meet (no problem with the slower brigade, as I fully understand distance, work and other requirements).

My thougths would be easier to respond Strike Team brigades directly to an incident and stage them closer to the incident. Producing team from bridages as they arrive. I have no problem working with other groups and this may be beneficial for other to see different crew and different command/leadership system!

I also like the concept of mulitgroup 'pre-emptive strike' teams (hope you like the pun!). Say a group has a third alarm fire within it boundries and can handle it with local resources. My thoughts would be to once a fire go's third alarm that one or two brigades are responded from each surrounding group to assist with fire. This could be an SOP for the SOC. Flooding a fire with resources would decrease the demand on the immediate crews, and also maintain adequate coverage in surrounding areas!

Like to hear your thoughts!

Hi all, thought you may be interested to know about the tender process for new Helicopter service in SA is now complete and I believe this will be what we're getting:

2x Bell 412 (or equivalent) set up as Rescue 51 is currently with focus on SAR and multitasking (ie Medivac, Fire Spotting, etc)

1x BK117 (replacing current Bell 217 as Rescue 52) this will be a quieter aircraft with multitask capacity. I believe a high push for more medical related set up with barn/clam rear doors for stretcher loading, winch capable, and again only heard throught the grapevine, but underbody slinging and fitting for a 1000lt Firefighting bucket! Range and speed for this aircraft will vary with layout, but about the same as Rescue 51 I believe (Max Speed 250+kmph and Range around 500kms deopendent on fuel tank confirguration)

I can see which aircraft will be request by most agencies!

I think it will all be up and running by december. Not sure whether CHC will maintain all aircraft and supply air crew, but I think BK117 is contracted from Helicopters Australia. :D

House fire on Saturday Night. Nothing really, but story as follows:

Parent woke to smoke filled house, investigated to find arching from dual fluro light in kids bedroom (4 and 6 year old asleep). Family woken and taken out of house when CFS was called. No smoke detectors activated (3 hardwired in Hallway 1 of which was straight out from boys open doorway) and safety switch didn't activate.

We just used PPV to clear smoke and made light safe (1 crew member is an electircian!)

Lucky family!

Just wondering your opinions as to whether the CFS has enough trained and equiped briagdes to deal with a large HAZMAT incident?

In current system with CBR or large HAZMAT incident in metro Adelaide MFS is committed to scene and CFS is committed to supplying Decon at Major Metro Hospitals (FMC and RAH).

I know some of the more recent HAZMAT incidents have ended up with brigades coming from large distances to assist, ie I think a Sodium Peroxide Spill on freeway last year or year before ended with Yankalilla sending a crew.

I know we don't have that many HAZMAT incidents annually, but can we cope with a big one?

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 :roll:

Any thought on importing further appliance to save money :?:

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

Belair Pumper was responded at 0130 this morning to MFS Headquarters in Adelaide for area coverage whilst the MFS had a 3rd Alarm Factory (?B risk) Fire down Port Road. They were there for about 4 hours, but didn't roll from there. Interesting for the crew was they were able to observe in the MFS comms room for the bulk of there time there. Aparently all the Staff were great towards the crew. I also believe that Athelstone 24P was responded to Glynde Station and Burnside or Stirling to Glen Osmond (though not sure about this). This is becoming more regular for the Belair brigade! :)

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