Weekly Newsletter - 18th October 2017

Online copy

Date: 14th October - 21st October

• First Call: Crew C
• Second Call: Crew B

Date: 21st October - 28th October

• First Call: Crew D
• Second Call: Crew C

Attended by Andrew H, Andrew M, Andy, John L, Keith, and Michelle, with Adrian, Dave R, Phil, and Warren also attending the station. Fire was an escaped burn in Anthony Place. The owner was burning with a permit, however the fire “headed in the wrong direction”. Quickly brought under control, with a mineral-earth break put in to protect the fire edge. The owner was left to continue the remainder of their burn.

Crews attending a burn reported a near miss involving the unleaded jerry-can on Light Tanker 1. Whilst it was not an overly hot day, being in close proximity to the pump exhaust headed the fuel inside the jerry-can to boiling point, causing it to violently bubble over when the can was opened.

The unleaded jerry-can has been moved to behind the hose-reel on the Light Tanker, and the fire-lighter jerry can has been removed. All crews are asked to review the relevant SOP (attached) ahead of the fire season (SOP 3.2.9 - Safe Use of Fuel Cans).

An updated roster (Version 1.4) has been issued, and is attached to this newsletter.

The Mundaring Shire is again running a Rural Urban Interface exercise on Saturday the 21st of October. The exercise will be undertaken around Warrigal Way and Anvil Way, in Chidlow. Two crews from Sawyers will be required to participate, from 0800hrs until 1300hrs.

There is still one position vacant for this exercise.

This is a great training opportunity, both for new members to experience an introduction to large scale incidents, and for new Crew Leaders to get some practise leading a team in a low pressure environment. If you are interested in attending, please contact Adrian or John.

There has been some great feedback to the draft of the Operational Readiness Plan. Thank you to all of the members who have taken the time to review it and provide their input.

Any comments or suggestions should be direct to Adrian.

The brigade is still looking for someone interested in taking on the role of Training Officer. The role involves the coordination of training activities, assisting members in booking training through eAcadamy and the Mundaring Fire School and administering the Annual Skills Refresher. The Training Officer is also required to attend regular Training Officer Committee meetings, and work closely with our brigade's Operations Committee.

If you are interested in fulfilling this role, please contact Adrian or Vicki before 23rd of October. It is anticipated that filling this vacancy will be voted on and resolved at the monthly meeting on the 30th of October.

• SOP 3.2.9 - Safe Use of Fuel Cans

• 11th November - Mundaring Practical Crew Leader
  • Andy, Elton, Gordon, Graeme
• 18th November - Initial Control at Wildfires
  • Craig, Jenny, Gordon, Graeme

• 28th October - Fire Control Officer
• 28th and 29th October - Structural Fire Fighting
• 30th and 31st October - Advanced Bush Fire Fighting
• 31st October - Crew Leader

The brigade ran the (now annual!) Swap Meet on Sunday. The day was an outstanding success, with an excellent turn-out of both buyers and sellers. A total of $1806.45 was raised. Many thanks go to Adrian, Andrew H., Dave R., Graeme, Jen G., John, Kath, Keith, Les, Leta, Lorna, Nick T., Phil, Pierre, Vicki, and Warren.

Extra Special thanks to Michelle for her amazing effort in organising the Swap Meet. Michelle put in countless hours into this event and it's success is due in no small part to her efforts.

The brigade has been invited to attend the Sacred Heart Markets this Sunday, the 22nd of October. This will be an excellent opportunity for community engagement and recruiting. A Light Tanker and the Austin will be set up from 09:30, for a 10:00 start. The Markets run until 14:00.

If you are interested in assisting, please contact Michelle.

Reimbursement Claim Forms are in the Treasurers tray next to the sign in book. Any Members who have a reimbursement to claim can you please fill in the Claim Form, attach your receipt and leave in the tray by Saturday 28th October.

The Brigade credit card has arrived. This will alleviate anyone being out of pocket when purchasing approved big ticket items. Please contact Jen G. for any purchases (all purchases with the credit card require the normal approval by a brigade General Meeting or CoM).

• Saturday 21st: RUI Exercise, Chidlow
• Saturday 21st: Brigade Annual Diiner
• Sunday 22nd: Sacred Heart Markets

• AVBFB - Newsletter 13th October 2017