SA Firefighter

Hi guys and girls,
Thanks for all the help recently about Kapunda. I've learnt a bit about how things work in SA. However, I've since accepted a job in Broken Hill, so will probably end up with the NSWSES up there at some stage.
Cheers,
Steve.

back to the original question and an earlier topic.

My view is 18 should be the minimum age. You can drive a car, buy smokes, gamble, buy grog at that age. That's the age you are an adult in the eyes of the law. Let that be the age.

The other thing I read, was about cutting glass.
I've used these glass cutters.
http://www.yourtasmania.com/rescuesnips/

They create bit dust, but they are really good.

There are also some rural units along the Hume & Calder Hwy's that get busy.

Yes, that would be Sunbury.

Sadly Frankston is on the way to Phillip Island Hastings/ Western Port & Sale.

No, that's Pakenham. Frankston is on the bay, South of Melbourne. It's about 40mins from Paky. 

Oh boy, I didn't realise how busy this forum is!

Yeah, Paky is a busy unit. It has slowed down a little recently with the nearest responder thing coming in to play.

But, we are a busy semi-rural/metro unit.

From what I understand these are/were the top rescue units in Vic exluding metro MFB.
In no particular order: Dandenong CFA, Frankston SES, Knox SES and Pakenham SES/Nar Nar Goon CFA.
Frangers get's a lots of jobs. I don't know exact details of other units.

Now my understanding is that Dandenong CFA is the busiest. But I can't confirm this, but it'll be due to staffed turnout times.

We were getting around 100 RARs each year. with about 60-70% cut out rate. I'm one of the regular ones available to turnout too, so I've seen my fair share of nasties. Many of the crash out this way are single vehicles into trees, power poles etc...  or rollovers.  The trouble is people come out from the city, fall asleep and crash, or drink too much.


The reason I'd probably join the SES of CFS, is familiarity. You naturally go to what you know.
As far as fires? Put the wet stuff on the red stuff. Nah, I'm not a firey. Too many factors I can't control. I've got a lot of respect for firemen. I love a log fire, but when a fire's out of control... I won't be there! Too dangerous for me!

Oh, yes... that was just one of many issues.

There's been plenty of mechanical issues.

Ours alone has been put off the road at least half a dozen times because of serious failures.
These have been:
broken cam housing in the engine,
broken gear change cable (column shift),
a bolt came loose in the back diff - creating a big hole as it spat it out and crunched everything inside.
the truck had to get new springs
a steering pin snapped from the LHD conversion to right hand drive.
air conditioning not working
Fuel leak (current problem at the moment - yes it's off the road) -again!

But they are good trucks...

I know of another unit where the entire back axle came off.


Here's a couple more of Rescue 2.

This shows how big it really is. Couldn't really find anymore of it in use. But, yes, you can put a ladder straight up the guts of it.

Rescue 1
These photos are old, and there have since been a few mods done to the truck. But it gives you a good idea of what it's like. These photos were also taken at our old headquarters.







This drawer retracts back under the body to create a tighter truck.








I couldn't find a picture of it, see the handle at the back, that opens up a roll out tray that comes all the way out, 2/3 of the length of the body.



This bottom and last photo shows our current headquarters with the vehicle line up. (gotta love a state government showing off with it's first ever government built, joint premises. We share with the CFA and the police.) It's very cool. Swipe cards and all. We are around the back of the building and come out for jobs through that side gate on the left.

Yes, I'll try and find a copy of them later this afternoon for you.

what's the turning circle like on it?

I know that a 450  is 22 metres.

Thanks for the prompt replies. We've recently started closest responder here too.

Well, that answers my questions well.
Ta.