====== Weekly Newsletter - 20th September 2023 ======
[[newsletters:20230920|Online copy]]
===== Operations =====

==== Roster ====

=== Starting Saturday ===
Date: 23rd September - 29th September

  * First Call: **Crew B**
  * Second Call: Crew A

==== Incidents ====
None

==== Two Months to go on Skills Refreshers ====
November the 31st is creeping up on us, meaning there is just over two months left in order to complete the annual Skills Refresher assessments before the fire season. Completion of the Skills Refresher is a Shire of Mundaring requirement for all operational fire fighters, and fire fighters are not permitted to attend incidents until their assessment has been completed.

The good news is that 17 of our members are already well on the way to completing their assessments, with 12 members completely signed off.

Anyone with outstanding aspects of their skills refresher are encouraged to contact [[Training@SawyersValley.bfb.asn.au|Shane]] or [[Captain@SawyersValley.bfb.asn.au|Adrian]] to arrange a time. Saturday mornings are an excellent opportunity to receive assessment, however alternative times can also be arranged.

==== Bureau of Meteorology Declares El Niño ====
This week the Bureau of Meteorology has declared an El Niño event. This year El Niño is coupled with a positive Indian Ocean Dipole. Such events are associated with warmer and drier weather across much of Australia, include drought and extreme bushfire conditions. Whilst their impact is predominately felt across Central and Eastern Australia, the South of Western Australia is also subjected these impacts.

The prevalence of rain through the remainder of Spring and the start of Summer will determine our local conditions leading into the fire season.

==== Updates ====

=== Circulars and SOPs ===

No updates.

=== Mundaring Fire School ===

No updates.

===== Administration =====

==== Brigade Annual Lunch, 28th October, Parkerville Tavern ===

The Brigade Annual <del>Dinner</del> Lunch will be held on Saturday the 28th of October, at the Parkerville Tavern. An invitation, include menu, is [[http://wiki.sawyersvalley.bfb.asn.au/?ns=newsletters%3A&image=newsletters%3Ainvitation_menu_2023.pdf&do=media&tab_files=files&tab_details=view|attached]]. RSVP to [[Secretary@SawyersValley.bfb.asn.au|Vicki]] by the 9th of October, including your menu selections.

===== Weekly Calendar =====

  * Saturday 23rd: Training - Initial Control at Wildfires, 09:30 at the Station
  * Monday 25th: Monthly Brigade Meeting, 19:30 at the Station
  * Tuesday 26th: Weekly Vehicle Checks, 19:30 at the Station, Crew B

===== News =====

  * [[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-20/australia-september-heatwave-fires-weather-qld-nsw-tasmania/102878256|ABC News: Fire authorities in Queensland, NSW and Tasmania on high alert as Australia's east coast hit with record September temperatures]]
  * [[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-20/bushfires-in-victoria-follow-el-nino-declaration/102879682|ABC News: Victorian fire crews respond to bushfires a day after El Niño declaration]]
  * [[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-20/hot-and-dry-conditions-across-northern-eastern-nsw/102875234|ABC News: 'Extreme' fire danger warnings for Sydney, Hunter regions as hot and dry weather conditions to persist across NSW]]
  * [[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-19/buffel-grass-fuelled-maui-fires-threat-to-australia/102870050|ABC News: Invasive buffel grass that helped fuel deadly Maui fires also threatening Australia]]
  * [[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-19/here-are-three-reasons-why-tropical-hawaii-burned/102873126|ABC News Video: Here are three reasons why tropical Hawaii burned.]]
  * [[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-19/fire-warnings-weather-outlook-heatwaves-southeast-queensland/102871412|ABC News: Police investigate whether Beerwah bushfire caused by hooning as temperatures set to soar across Queensland again]]
  * [[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-18/australians-urged-to-prepare-for-fire-season/102869794|ABC News Video: Australians urged to prepare for fire season amid increasing risks]]
  * [[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-18/bushfire-risk-high-lack-of-volunteers-places-pressure-on-rfs/102866798|ABC News: Bushfire risk high, lack of volunteers places increasing pressure on rural fire brigades]]
  * [[https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-09-18/more-than-30-per-cent-of-aussies-anxious-about-bushfires/102868944|ABC News Video: More than 30 per cent of Aussies say they're worried about bushfires]]

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