====== Weekly Newsletter - 10th February ====== [[newsletters:20210210|Online copy]] ===== Operations ===== ==== Roster ==== === Starting Saturday === Date: 13th February - 19th February * First Call: **Crew A** * Second Call: Crew D ==== Incidents ==== === Wooroloo Fire, 1st Feb - 10th Feb === Called to rapidly escalating fire in Wooroloo at Rahnie Rd cross Werribee Rd. Originally reported as a structure fire, this fire eventually burnt along 26km to the North West, covering an area of 10,400ha. Our Brigade provided crews in an on-going capacity from Monday through until Saturday afternoon, with further crews patrolling on Wednesday the 10th. Attended by: Adrian, Ben M., Chad, Colin, Danika, Dave R., Dave We., Dave Wh., Elton, Graeme, John L., John Re., Josh, Kath, Keith, Michelle, Murray, Paul, Rob, Rod, Sarah, Shaun, Tracey, and Warren. Station Crew: Denise, Jen, Lorna, Nick T., Shane, Simon, and Vicki This fire is the most significant event the Brigade has seen since the 2013 Stoneville, Parkerville, Mt Helena fire. A situation update and short debrief was conducted on Saturday the 6th, however an in-depth debrief will be conducted at a future date. ==== Critical Incident Response ==== For many members of the Brigade, last week's fire will be the most intense and stressful fire they have attended. It is important that all members should stay aware of how they are coping following this incident, and seek assistance if they are in any way concerned. Members should also keep an eye on one another, and offer assistance where appropriate. DFES provides access to the following counselling services: * PeopleSense * Phone: 9388 9000 / 1300 307 912 * Website: [[http://www.peoplesense.com.au/]] * Martinovich Psychological Services * Phone: * Fremantle office: 9433 6559 * Rockingham office: 9527 6599 * Dunsborough office: 9750 5356 * Website: [[https://www.martinovichpsychologicalservices.com/]] The Shire of Mundaring also provides access to an Employee/Volunteer Assistance Program: * Relationships Australia * Phone: 1300 364 277 * Website: [[https://www.relationshipswa.org.au/]] Lastly general community mental health services are also available: * Crisis Care * Phone: 9233 1111 * Lifeline * Phone: 13 11 44 * Beyondblue * Phone: 1300 224 636 * Family Helpline * Phone: 9223 1100 * Mensline Australia * Phone: 1300 789 978 * Mental Health Emergencies * Phone: 1300 555 788 * The Samaritans * Phone: 1800 198 313 * Healthdirect * Phone: 1800 022 222 Signs to watch out for include: * Changes in sleeping and/or eating patterns; * Seeming tired and irritable; * Constant worrying; * Muscle tension or restlessness; * Difficulty concentration or making decisions; * Loss of interest in things that you used to enjoy; * Feelings of anger, sadness or frustration; * Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness or guilt. More information and support can be found on the [[https://volunteerhub.dfes.wa.gov.au/home/support/mental-health-and-wellness|Mental Health and Wellness]] page of the DFES Volunteer Hub. ==== Crew Leader Appointment Process ==== Over the past week there has been much discussion within the Brigade on the appointment of Crew Leaders. The availability of Crew Leaders can become a critical issue for the allocation of rosters during a prolonged incident. The following information provides details of the process for appointing new Crew Leaders, as well as some context for how crews may be deployed without an available Crew Leader. Qualification as a Crew Leader requires more than just completion of the DFES Crew Leader course. The current requirements are: * Crew Leader (DFES); * Practical Crew Leader (MFS); * Advanced Bush Fire Fighting (DFES); * Initial Control at Wildfire (MFS). The process for appointment to Crew Leader is: - Identification as potential Crew Leader; - Successful completion of required courses; - successful completion of incidents/shifts in a Crew Leader role, with feedback provided; - Proposal to, and acceptance by the Operations Committee. The rank of Crew Leader conveys a level of authority and responsibility within the Brigade; Fire Fighters are expected to follow the direction of a Crew Leader, and should trust Crew Leaders to make decisions that will keep them safe and are in line with the required SOPs. Promoting members prematurely can weaken this chain of command; ie a crew with two or more Crew Leaders may be unsure who is ultimately in charge of the crew which could lead to conflict and confusion. Whilst allocating crews, both during campaign incidents and normal turn-outs, there is always the potential for crews to be deployed without a qualified Crew Leader. This can be done at the discretion of the Captain, or in their absence, a Lieutenant. Consideration must be given to the individuals being proposed for such a crew as well as the anticipated complexity and relative danger of the incident. The Acting Crew Leader must also be identified and agreed upon within the crew to ensure there is no confusion as to the chain of command. Allocating members to Acting Crew Leader roles provides an excellent opportunity for members to gain experience in this important role and hopefully encourage them to complete the required training. However permanently promoting someone before all of the requirements have been met is not appropriate. If you have any questions regarding the Crew Leader appointment process, or are interested in taking on the role in the future, please contact [[Captain@SawyersValley.bfb.asn.au|Adrian]] or [[LT1@SawyersValley.bfb.asn.au|Elton]]. ==== Updates ==== === Circulars and SOPs === * [[http://wiki.sawyersvalley.bfb.asn.au/_media/newsletters:koolinup_esc_project_update_-_february_2021.pdf|Koolingup Emergency Services Centre - February 2021 Update]] * Take note of the flagged changes to Emergency Driving Training on page 2. === Mundaring Fire School === The current Mundaring Fire School Calendar is [[http://wiki.sawyersvalley.bfb.asn.au/_media/newsletters:mfs_course_nominations_2021_-_20210203.pdf|attached]]. ===== Administration ===== ==== Station Open Day and Polling Station Recruitment Drive ==== As February rapidly disappears we are now just five short weeks away from the State Election (13th March), and six weeks from the Station Open Day (20th March). Both promise to be excellent opportunities the raise the profile of our Brigade and promote volunteering. Assistance will be required for both these events, including the preparation of promotional material, organising activities, and attending the polling station. If you are interested in assisting with either of these activities please contact [[Chair@SawyersValley.bfb.asn.au|Warren]] or [[Secretary@SawyersValley.bfb.asn.au|Vicki]]. ===== Weekly Calendar ===== * Saturday 13th: Training - Ground Controller Basics, 09:30 at the Station * Tuesday 16th: Weekly Vehicle Checks, 19:30 at the Station ===== News ===== * [[https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/mediareleases/Pages/MediaRelease.aspx?ItemId=877|DFES Media: Firefighters continue to battle out-of-control bushfire]] * [[https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/mediareleases/Pages/MediaRelease.aspx?ItemId=879|DFES Media: Recovery begins for the Perth Hills bushfires]] * [[https://www.mundaring.wa.gov.au/News/Pages/Shire%20extends%20thanks%20to%20tireless%20fire%20fighters.aspx|Shire of Mundaring: Wooroloo Fire: Shire thanks tireless fire fighters]] * [[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-09/residents-return-to-the-remains-of-their-homes-in-gidgegannup/13135304|ABC News: Residents return to the remains of their homes in Gidgegannup]] * [[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-06/animal-owners-overwhelmed-by-generosity-amid-perth-bushfires/13127172|ABC News: Community overwhelmed as Perth Hills bushfire prompts flood of generosity]] * [[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-05/perth-hills-bushfire-crews-spend-fourth-night-battling-blaze/13124490|ABC News: Perth Hills bushfire emergency warning zone shrinks as number of homes lost reaches 86]] * [[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-04/number-of-homes-lost-in-perth-hills-bushfire-revised-up-to-81/13117488|ABC News: Perth Hills bushfire emergency claims more homes as blaze continues to burn out of control]] {{ http://logo.sawyersvalley.bfb.asn.au/logo.png?nolink|}}