SA Firefighter

Thats what is good about these forums.

You get to hear other opinions and appreciate other perspectives.

To clarify our brigades position with regard to seniors, we are probably considered pretty busy average of 190 to 200+ jobs a year.

Seniors are in place allow members to consider future officers (succession planning)  it also allows for flexibility when sending crews away as we have three appliances and a command car and get used pretty regularly (which I encourage).

Our Seniors represent another step in the chain. Any problems see your senior, if he cant fix it see your lieuy and if he cant fix its obviously way too big for the Captain come up with a solution before you go to him. ??

Our members enjoy the fact there is a structured chain of command and the fact they are able to develop skills and become a part of the structure in place relatively quickly.   responsibility and all that jargen..

Greg

For brigades / members information:-

Previously our brigade has run with 5 senior fire fighters.  The logic of this was pretty simple; a senior fire fighter for each "officer" position within the brigade  i.e.. 1x Capt.  4 x Lieutenants = 5 seniors.  This was in line with the Administration manual of January 2002 Version 2 (Section 2 Page 7 -  2.1.5 - 2nd Para).   This system also catered for a pretty fundamental system of each officer had an assistant senior fire fighter, and for a brigade like TTG where we run with four teams each team had an officer and a senior, plus a senior to assist the Capt but also acted as a relief senior in the absence of another.

With the introduction of the FESA Regs 2005 (page 11 - Section 9(1)(c) top of page), a subtle change in the wording from "officers" to "Lieutenant" whether intentional or not has impacted upon the brigade makeup and I suspect many other brigades across the state.

I am disappointed that a change of this type, whilst subtle, it has an impact on the structure and election processes within many brigades and should have been brought to the attention of brigades well before the election / AGM period of the year.

The TTG brigade will comply with the FESA Regulations during the 2006 AGM, which is an election year for the brigade.

any thoughts from this forum.

Greg

Yes, I believe that we can get it back.   The reason we are fighting for access to the star is for you  and others like you who are relatively new to the organisation.   

The fire service star represents our heritage.  If we do not fight for it,  you and your fellow firefighters will blame us for letting it go. In years to come when the "logo" is worn by every man and his dog in society (it is unrestricted use, available from the CFS shop for any member of the community to purchase upon garments, caps, mugs etc)  You will post a message on a forum like this and ask,  why didn't any one fight for it. 

Well we are. Support us supporting you.   

At the recent volunteer forum I raised the question along with some of the others present and the facilitator called for a quick head count for those that preferred the star to the logo. about 140 members present.  99% raised their hand.

The matter is being looked at whilst we talk.   A response from the Chief Officer will be forthcoming.

I guess the main reason that it has gone on for so long is that when the logo was brought in, it was accompanied by promises that we would always have access to the star,  it would be up to each brigade etc etc.  Deep down we knew that there was method in their madness and it is only now that we are starting to see it.     

You are right we do still have limited access IE on uniforms etc.  Be warned if the star does not return to the volunteer this time round we will eventually loose total access to it.   It will be available to staff and corporate members only which in itself invokes a sense of us and them, division etc.   

Discuss this with your fellow members, involve the older members and be one of the members who will be remembered for fighting for the star - and winning.

Regards
Greg


One thing that has always bothered me about these forums is the fact that you never know who you are talking with,   they are always full of alias people.   I am not sure how healthy that is.  If you are going to say something that you can't put your hand up and say "I said that" may be you shouldn't say it. 

Greg

I have been asked to enter this forum and let you guys know the facts about why this topic has risen its head again after some time. 

Basically, brigades over the years have been able to promote them selves within the community and often showed "their" colours by wearing similar clothing representing both the service and more importantly promoting "their" brigade. They did this by purchasing brigade T shirts.  Most brigades chose to wear blue t shirts with the star on the chest and their brigade name emroidered below the star.  The shirts looked smart and represented the brigades appropriately, they also carried the name south australia country fire service around the collar.

The logo was introduced in 1999 after a short competition as the service thought we needed a corporate logo.  At that time the then chief officer stated that the introduction of the corporate logo into brigades will be at the discretion of brigades and no brigade will be compelled to adopt the logo.  The logo was designed by Aldgate member Gary Macrae. (Volunteer 87 feb 1999)

The fire service star is a version of the legendary Maltese Cross which dates back to the crusades and is warn by emergency services across the world.  The Maltese Cross is a symbol of protection - a badge of honour.  Its story is hundreds of years old, and goes like this:-

"When a courageous band of Crusaders known as the Knights of St John fought the Saracens for possession of the holy land, they encoutered a new weapon unknown to European warriors.  It was a simple but horrible device.  It wwrought excruciating pain and agonising death upon brave fighters of the Cross.  The saracens' weapon was fire.  As the crusdaers advanced on the walls of the city they were struck by glass bombs containing naptha.  When they became saturated with the highly flammable liquid, the Saracens hurled a flamming tree in their midst. Hundreds of knights were burned alive.  Others risked their lives to save their brothers in arms from dying a painful, fiery death.   Thus these men became the first fire fighters, and the first of a long list of courageous firefighters.  Their heroic efforts were recognised by fellow Crusdaers who awarded each hero a badge of honour - a cross similar to the one fire fighters wear today.  Since the Knights of St John lived for close to four centuries on a little island in the Mediterranean Sea named Malta, the cross became known as the Maltese Cross.

The Maltese Cross is OUR symbol of protection.  It means that WE who wear this cross are willing to lay down OUR lives for it, just as the Crusaders sacrificed their lives for their fellow men so many years ago.

The Maltese Cross is a fire fighters badge of honour, signifying that they work with courage and honour close to death.  As Jesus carried the cross, so shall we carry the cross of protection.  This cross will be carried with honour and courage until the day we answer our last call.

The eight points of the star - tenets - are said to represent  gallantry, loyalty, dexterity, perseverance, observation, explicitness,  sympathy and tact."

Mr Fred Kerr - Former Director of the EFS / CFS and founding editor of the Volunteer states.

The Fire Services Star was adopted by the EFS in 1965/66. Later on,  the SA Fire Brigade (MFS) followed suit and the star became their emblem as well."

So - all my friends, their is a little more to this story than meets the un-educated eye.   The star represents us and what we do within our communities.  It can be emotional.  And I for one would be dissapointed if it did not.   It is what makes us who we are and identifies us as just that - an organisation - far greater that just the CFS in Adelaide we are part of a family of men and women all over the world who train dilligently, drive towards the fire when the rest of our communities are driving away.

I would suggest that the main reason that this topic has remained dorment for so long is that most people are still wearing the old bluey with the badge on the chest.   It is only now when they are looking to replace their T shirts that they are finding that they cant buy the same style, colour, star.

This topic will remain alive for as long as their is resitance to fire fighters not having access to what they are entitled to. 

Happy to discuss more if required.

Greg
TTG Capt.