Weekly Newsletter - 3rd January 2018

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Date: 30th December - 6th January

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

Date: 6th January - 13th January

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

Called to a rubbish fire on Colwyn Rd in Mt Helena. Stood down by Mundaring Deputy 3, prior to arriving. Attended by Andrew M., Andy, Dave R., Dave W., Graeme, Keith, Jen, Michelle, Murray, Tina, and Warren.

Attached to the 13th of December newsletter was a newly released Operational Circular (Operational Circular 113 - New SMS turnouts and notifications). This circular describes the new procedure for responding to a call-out via SMS.

The basic summary is as that if you will be attending a call out, you are to respond to the SMS with a “Y”. This will give the Com-Cen operators an indication of the amount of crew which will be responding to an incident.

Please note that this does not replace BART - crews are still encouraged to indicate whether they are responding or not via BART, in addition to the SMS.

As mentioned in a previous newsletter, the State Government has fulfilled it's pre-election promise to issue a $10k grant to each bush fire brigade. The details of this grant have now been finalised, and the money handed over to the Shire for each brigade to access.

The grant is to be spent on the 'Upgrade of Equipment/Equipment purchases’, although the full details of the grant agreement have yet to be released to brigades. Ideas for how we may make use of this grant should be forwarded to Adrian or brought along to the general meeting at the end of the month for discussion.

No updates.

No updates.

The lolly run on Christmas Eve morning was very successful for the Sawyers Valley children, their parents and also the Brigade participants. Santa did a fabulous job and by all accounts enjoyed the run, though it did get a bit warm towards the end. There were also a couple of photo opportunities with Santa during the run and at the Sawyers Oval.

Special thanks to Dave Ramsey (Santa), Kaylee Ramsey, Jonelle Lorantas, Emma, Jaden, Beau and Quinn McSweeney (Santa’s helpers), Patrick Bertola and Keith Woodley (Austin driver and co-driver), John and Vicki Lorantas (support vehicles).

Thanks also to the Lorantas’s for bagging the lollies, their neighbour Karleigh and the Stoneville Brigade for providing a selection of Santa suits, and to Michelle for promoting the run and updating the day’s events on the Brigade Facebook page.

Thank you everyone, your assistance was greatly appreciated.

While a number of members were away, the BBQ was nevertheless well attended. As usual there was way too much food – thanks to everyone who provided the nibbles platters, scrumptious salads, and also the delicious desserts.

Special thanks to Keith Woodley for providing the music, Heather and Allan Beer, Ben Russo and John Lorantas for setting up, Allan Beer and Ben Russo for manning the BBQ, Lorna Woodley and Kath Tester for washing up and the stragglers who cleaned up the engine bay and the training room, and to Michelle for the invitations and all her work leading up to the BBQ.

• Saturday 6th: Training - Hoses and Fittings drills

• AVBFB: Newsletter 22nd December 2017
• AVBFB: Newsletter 29th December 2017