Weekly Newsletter - 20th February 2019

Online copy

Date: 16th February - 23rd February

• First Call: Crew A
• Second Call: Crew D

Date: 23rd February - 2nd March

• First Call: Crew B
• Second Call: Crew A

Turned out to report of a vehicle fire accompanied by explosions at Stonehouse Loop, Sawyers Valley. Fire was contained to a truck dolly and nearby verge, with the main truck and trailer undamaged. Mt Helena VBFB were first arriving appliance and managed the incident. Attended by Dave R., Keith, Michelle, and Warren.

Turned out to report of fire near Stonehouse Loop on Great Eastern Highway. Multiple brigades attended, but were unable to locate any fire. Report was put down as dust from nearby work being carried out by P&WS to strengthen fire breaks. Attended by Keith, Michelle, Nick T., and Warren.

The Sawyers Valley Light Tanker had the clutch replaced earlier in the week. This vehicle has driven less than 28,000km. It is appreciated that the Light Tankers do get driven very hard; they are always carrying close to the maximum GVM, and spend much of their time driving either Emergency Road conditions or off-road. However, it is because of this that extra care must be taken when driving these appliances. The mobility of a fire truck on a fire ground is a life-and-death issue, and the appliances must be treated with the utmost respect.

When driving the Light Tanker, please remember the following:

• Do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal. Doing so allows the clutch to slip slighting, increasing the wear on the clutch plates;
• Do not use the clutch in lieu of wheel traction. If the wheels are slipping excessively you should stop and reassess. Ensure Four-Wheel-Drive is engaged, try a lower gear, or even Low Range;
• Aim to release the clutch as quickly as possible. Avoid allowing the clutch to slip for more than a 1-2 seconds;
• Go slow, take your time and plan your route. Above all, do not panic.

Driving our appliances is a critical skill, which must be performed under pressure. Please ensure to take time to practise driving the appliances in varying conditions in a low pressure environment, ideally with an instructor or observer assisting and proving feed-back.

A larger fire is currently burning near the Nanup State Forest, in the Shire of Donnybrook. This is a Level 3 Incident, involving hundreds of appliances and crews from across BFS, FRS/VFRS, SES, and P&WS. 15 aircraft are involved in the effort, which comprises the majority of the DFES and P&WS aviation fleet. 45 Bush Fire Services appliances from 37 Brigades are attending the incident, plus 48 units from Parks and Wildlife Service, 21 Volunteer Fire and Rescue and Volunteer Emergency Service appliances, and 33 other units are involved with the incident.

Whilst there has not yet been any indication that Shire of Mundaring appliances will be requested, a Level 3 Incident is able to draw upon State level resources. This is a campaign incident, and the possibility remains that requests for additional brigades and units will be made in the coming days, even after the fire moves into mop-up. Please consider your availability over the coming days, and be prompt in responding to any requests for assistance.

No updates.

The latest Mundaring Fire School calendar is attached.

The Annual Shire Family Event for Emergency Service Volunteers will be held on the 9th of March at the Mundaring Recreation Centre. All Brigade members and their families are invited to this free event. Catering is provided by WA Spit Roast, with free drinks available. The evening will include a tug-of-war between brigades and a bouncy castle for the kids. A number of Life Membership awards will also be presented by the Shire.

RSVP to Michelle before Friday the 22nd of February.

Sawyers Valley are teaming up with Darling Range, Mt Helena, and Parkerville brigades to run an information stand at the the Blue Sky Festival. The festival will be held in Mundaring, on the 17th of March, and covers a range of environmental and sustainability issues in the Mundaring Hills.

Volunteers are requested to help with the information stand; talking to the general public about bushfire safety, prescribed burning and, most importantly, joining their local volunteer bushfire brigade. If you are interested in assisting with this event please contact Adrian or Michelle.

A planning meeting will be held on Tuesday the 26th, at the Sawyers Valley station from 19:00. All participating brigades are invited, as well as interested members from Sawyers Valley Brigade.

• Saturday 23rd: Training - On and Off Road Driving
• Monday 25th: Brigade Meeting - 19:30 at the Station
• Tuesday 26th: Blue Sky Festival planning meeting - 19:00 at the Station

• AVBFB Newsletter - 12th February 2019
• ABC News - Bushfire emergency: Warning for Balingup and homes threatened near Nannup, Bridgetown
• Bureau of Meteorology - First look at the Climate and Water Outlook for March–May 2019, issued 14 February 2019
• DFES - Deputy Commissioner Lloyd Bailey retirement