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Brigade Training

The brigade has an active training program planned for the coming year. To view the 2008 provisional Training Program, please Click Here.

August:

Additional FM1 training was undertaken for all new members in August. What started out a quiet day at the Station ended with a fiery twist. Ripley Valley RFB was asked to assist 643A with a scrub fire burning along the Cunnigham Highway near Swanbank, a perfect opportunity for members to put into practice the theory.

Steve running through theory.

John running through some practical exercises.

On location at Swanbank to assist 643A.

Dave sharing some of his experience.

All in a days training.

Earlier in August

With this year's fire season about to hit us, the Brigade covered skills and drills with hoses and hand tool for August. It was a good time for experienced firies to brush up on theory that hadn't been used for quite a while and for new members to get some hands on training.

 

Steve covering theory

The first group practice putting in a bare earth fire break.

Neil sharing some of his experiences.

Meanwhile; the second group practiced hose and pump drills beside the new Group Water Tank now located along Ripley Road in South Ripley.

The lads all smiles at the end of the day.

 

July:

Training for July focused on GPS Technology, Map Reading and Communications. Theory was covered in the Thursday night session and then on the Sunday a field exercise was organised for members to put the theory into practise and also rediscover various parts of the Brigade's patch.

Preparing the vehicles.

The Garmin Nuvi 260 (left) being trialled and our standard Garmin eTrex Legend GPS unit in our first response appliance (RV52).

Geoff working out a short-cut in RV41.

Whilst several members had a go at manning the Comms Room and did a great job; Amy was the most multi-skilled. Thanks for your help Matt C, Matt M and Amy.

 

The Gang pose for the a 'team pic' after the exercise; congratulations to the winning crew in RV91 who found the most locations with-out cheating too much!

 

June:

The Brigade headed for the hills for this month's driver training day. The recent rain made some of the tracks interesting but all vehicles handled our usual haunts with ease and all drivers had a good mix of education and entertainment. If you would like to see a short movie of the day, please Click Here.

JB also ran through the new high pressure pump and 12mm hose set-up on RV52 to the members. More information on this new system will be made available on the R&D page.

 

May:

As the countryside starts to really dry out in Ripley Valley, the brigade started this month's training with a quick check of the area and then commenced operation 'Skills & Drills'. In what was evidently a very popular training session, Dave and Steve led the team in a hands on practice of all cases of applying water to a simulated fire.

The brigade obtained some portable training standpipes for the skills and drills part of the session.

Members had a refresher on pumps, hoses and stand pipes.

Lurking in the background; Squirt and Gary swap Curry Recipes whilst the lads enjoy a day in the sun.

Mark setting up the suction hose for a Case 4 practice

Michael showing us his pumping style with the suction hose.

Practice with the AWG branch on a 38mm hose.

Comparing the Protek on a 19mm Vs an AWG on 38mm hose.

With nearly 20 members buzzing around, it was time for a team photo.

At the end of the day, we just had to check out our nearest actual stand pipe locations and put into practice some of the earlier lessons.

 

April:

April saw the completion of the infamous 'Dad's Bridge' at Ripley in a joint 'off-road' driving day and team building experience. Theory covered included driving in convoys etc. Listed below are just some of the highlights of the team building for the past few weeks.

and then for some driving challenges.

The Izuzu's are a top rig for off-road applications.

March:

Team building and bridge building skills met in March as part of the brigade's main training focus. Whilst the grand new design probably won't make the list of man's greatest creations; it certainly was a good exercise in ingenuity and endurance.

The Old Bridge and the campsite being set-up.

RV41 serves as the test vehicle and Gary making sure all creature comforts are in place.

Day 239 and the bridge construction continues.

JB showing us how to cut a tree down as well as making a split post.

The bridge partially completed.

 

Also held on the 15th March was a training day on 'Respond to Isolated / Remote Structures' held at Grandchester RFB. It was an informative and fun day and the crew from Grandchester RFB did a great job hosting members from rural brigade's from the Ipswich and Lockyer Valley areas.

Practicals at the Grandchester RFB station. Other teams practiced at the local Church.

May the force be with you John!

February:

The brigade did an area visit for this months main training activity with Ripley Valley rapidly changing as the Centenary Highway extension nearing completion through to Ripley Road.

January:

The year started with a splash all right. The brigade did a session on vehicle familiarization seeing as it has been a few months since the fire season fizzled out. Whilst checking out the newly formed swamps in the Ripley area, members came across members of the public in need of assistance. As so once again, Ripley Valley RFB came to the rescue....

 

 

Steve will show us how it's done.

 

To view our archive of training activities, please Click Here.

 

  © Ripley Valley Rural Fire Brigade and Brigade members.