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Brigade Training - 2009

October

A number of Members from the Brigade as well as Pine Mountain RFB attended a Chainsaw Level 2 Course in October. This will enable those members to cut down trees up to 200mm in diameter and similar clearing actions as required to make hazardous situations safer.

 

Brigade training in October centred around IZone drills. Based on actual recent call-outs to fires, the Brigade underwent skills and drills with different on-site scenarios to test officers and crews.

First on the scene; Chucka and the crew of RV52.

The crew of RV51 join the fight against an imaginary fire at a creek at the back of a rural property.

 

RV41 then came into the scenario and was positioned for property protection.

Just to throw in a curve ball; a great acting debut by Sam our newest member as he acted the frantic resident and went down with fire approaching his house.

At the end of the day, the crews gave Chucka the big thumbs up for a great job after being thrown into the deep end. Antie and young Matt all smiles with mission accomplished.

August

 

Training on Communications revealed that our portable radios can cover up to 5km effectively with the UHF Urban radios the best (FG1), followed by the UHF CB's on high with the VHF units coming in a scratchy third. Of course some sophisticated antennae alignment was required by one of our newest Members, Ian.

July:

The winter rains of June had only just disappeared and the grasses around the Valley started to cure quite rapidly; a perfect backdrop to July's skills and drills of fighting fire with water. Also undertaken was a series of in field exercises on simulated fires as part of a broader area awareness session. This year's nominal season is just around the corner with small grass fires already occurring and so it was timely for members to get back into the practice of standing 'standpipes', Case 1 and also water transfer drills.

Members revisited George's Road, a billy goat track that was pushed into the hills above Wensley Road in 2007 as part of a campaign fire. Undergrowth had certainly returned in considerable quantities in the intervening years representing a new hazard should fire break out again.

JB giving a lecture on the perils of driving on wet ground and fresh cow patties.

Part of the driver training was turning safely in tight tracks.

The crew of RV52 were put to the test with a simulated fire at the scene of the 2007 fire.

Peter finally lands some water on a slowly moving fire front which Amy mimicked well.

 

All Aboard for Day 2!

Setting up in a typical IZone area at Redbank Plains.

Standpipe Practice.

Long distance applications involve a number of 38mm layflat hoses connected; sometimes with a 25mm hose at the end. In this case; crews can reach nearly 100 metres away from the appliances.

Understanding the plumbing and pumps on RV52.

Understanding the plumbing and pumps on RV51.

Understanding the plumbing and pumps on RV41.

A novelty for the RFS is the use of large hoses (68mm) as they require considerable water supplies and generally used only from articulated water sources. They certainly pack a punch as Chucka and JB found out.

Talk about a cold shower when you haven't got the connection quite right!

Matt had other problems.

All in all, a great day out. Thanks Steve.

 

April:

The Brigade visited Ipswich Central Urban Fire Station or 45 Station as it is known to say hello to our Urban team mates and get a refresher on the various appliances and equipment used from their perspective. This interaction and collaboration is an important step in building the combined services capability to handle fire incidents in the IZONE areas that exist between urban and rural communities.

A big part of the day was a better understanding of the plumbing on each appliance and how to maximise the capabilities of the different appliances.

A big thank you to the crew at 45 Station for your hospitality and sharing your thoughts. We look forward to working with you when things dry out which won't be too far away.

 

March:

The members of the Brigade covered chainsaws and blowers for the March training. For any members, it was a chance to practice new found skills following the level 2 training held recently. For others it was another great day in the bush. The blower units also got a dust off. These are great little units that can help out substantially in certain circumstances.

 

Plenty of practice on hung trees added to the training. Not mentioning any names.

Someone wasn't all that impressed with our training though.

Chucka on his throne.

Another Timeless Fun day.

 

February:

February was a busy month month for training. The Brigade covered I-Zone Awareness, area awareness, 4WD Driver training and SMEACS. Additional specialised training was also undertaken by several members completing their level 2 Chainsaw Course. Warren from Interlink Training Services covered the theory aspects which backed up the 1st course and then the members went off to a beautiful part of Ripley to make some noise.

Getting ready for the rodeo.

Each member was required to safely drop three tress as part of the practical part of the assessment.

Peter showing us how it's done. Sharpening the chains in a bush vice.

End of a great day.

 

January:

Our first training day included a quick tour of the southern part of the Brigade's territory to Goolman Conservation Park. This was followed by a set of skills and drills to get members back into the swing of things.

Plenty of fuel around following a very wet 2008 and starting to dry out into 2009.

Steve running through the logic of an appliance plumbing.

The team split into groups covering a variety of skills and drills to give a fresher on the usual hand tools and equipment used in fire management.

The Team Happy Snap.

A Flash Over Drill by Dave and his crew to finish the day.

 

To view last years training activities, please Click Here.