Weekly Newsletter - 31st January 2018

Online copy

Date: 27th January - 3rd February

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

Date: 3rd February - 10th February

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

Turned out to a reported car fire on Great Eastern Highway, cross of Lion Road. Further information from ComCen indicated the possibility of entrapment, so the incident was upgrade and Mundaring VFRS, Wundowie VFRS, and Midland FRS. Our Light Tanker assisted Mundaring VFRS extinguish the vehicle, and no occupants were found. Attended by Adrian, Dave R., Elton, John L., Keith, and Warren.

Assisted East Gidgegannup with mop-up of the Burgess Rd incident. Fielded an over-night shift, followed by a day shift, with relief crews organised for the afternoon and evening. Attended by Adrian, Andy, Angus, and Phill. Relief crew was Craig, Dave R., Dave W., John L., Keith, and Michelle.

The following is the list of suggestions for the $10k Grant from the Premier's Office, presented in no particular order:

• Dash-cams for both vehicles ($50 - $300)
• Reversing camera for Light Tanker ($100 - $300)
• Mapping tablets for both vehicles ($200 - $3000)
• Thermal imaging camera ($1500 - $5000)
• Oxy Soc ($650)
• Car-fridge for 1.4 ($1200 - $3000)
• Larger air compressor for 1.4 ($100 - $900)
• Better branches for all hose-reels
• Retracting hose-reel for 1.4 ($5000)
• Hand-held radios ($100ea - $500ea)

If you have further suggestions, or more detailed specification and pricing for any of these items, please contact Adrian or John L..

DFES Media have requested access to any photos of recent incidents, to be used by DFES in promotional and training material. These photos must be accompanied by a release signed by any subjects of the photo, as well as permission by the Brigade Captain. If you have any photos which you would like to make available to DFES, please contact Adrian or Michelle.

Please be mindful that our role on the fire ground is to undertake operational tasks to suppress, control, and extinguish fires. Taking photos should in no way compromise your efforts or safety, or the safety and effectiveness of your team members. Photos should only be taken when it is safe to do so, and doing so will not impede fire fighting activities. When in doubt, put your camera back in your pocket.

There has been a long-standing proposal to conduct week-night training sessions, to allow members to attend training who would otherwise find it difficult to attend Saturday mornings. The current proposal is for Thursday nights, starting from 19:30 at the station.

As was emphasised in the recent Captain's Report, training is the most important activity that fire fighters undertake. Regularly attending training sessions helps to develop new skills, re-enforce existing knowledge, and build strong teams.

The first Thursday night training session will be conducted on the 15th of February and will Practical Radio Operations with a practical exercise. The session is planned to last an hour.

No updates.

The latest training calendar for the Mundaring Firefighter School, and DFES eAcademy for 2018 is attached. Please take some time to review the available training and select those courses which may be applicable. Applications should be made through Rob or Adrian.

On the 12th of January, Sawyers Valley Brigade attended a house fire in Mt Helena. Sadly the house was completely destroyed and the owners, Danny and Anne, lost most of their possessions.

The Sawyers Tavern is holding a fund raising evening for Danny and Anne, on the 10th of February. The new owner of the Tavern has invited Sawyers Valley Brigade to participate in the event, showing support to the affected couple as well as promoting the brigade within our local community.

The Austin has been requested to attend, and Dave W. has a number of fund raising ideas for the night.

If you are interested in attending, please contact Dave W. or Vicki.

Formally known as the Annual Shire BBQ, this event celebrates the efforts of all the volunteer emergency services in the Shire of Mundaring. All members and their families are invited to attend, with all catering (including drinks) provided by the Shire. An annual tug-of-war is held, and whilst Sawyers has not been successful in recent years, this may be our year!

This year the event will be held on Saturday the 10th of March, from 17:00 at the Mundaring Recreation Ground.

Please RSVP to Vicki or Michelle to assist with catering numbers.

• Training: Saturday 3rd - Motorkhana (driving and reversing drills)
• Training Officers Committee: Tuesday 6th

• AVBFB: Newsletter 26th January 2018
• ABC News: Firefighters mop up after suspicious bushfire in Kings Park, roads remain closed
• ABC News: Bushfire burning in Augusta
• ABC News: Vacant home, sheds lost in Augusta bushfire after firefighters left battling multiple WA blazes