Weekly Newsletter - 23rd October 2019

Online copy

Date: 19th October - 26th October

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

Date: 26th October - 2nd November

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

Called to report of an escaped burn on Sawyers Valley Road. Crews found a small, 30m2 fire which had escaped from a nearby 1m2 pile. Very low fire behaviour allowed the fire to be quickly mopped up.

Attended by Dave R, Dave W., Murray, and Rob.

With time fast running out to complete the annual Skills Refresher ahead of the fire season, Rob has organised a number of training sessions over the coming week, providing ample opportunity for everyone to complete any outstanding items. Sessions are available for:

• Thursday 24th Oct, 09:30
• Thursday 24th Oct, 19:30
• Saturday 26th Oct, 09:30
• Sunday 27th Oct, 09:30
• Thursday 31st Oct, 09:30

If you would like to attend any of these sessions, please contact Rob. Many thanks must go to Rob for organising these sessions, and for tracking everyone's progress towards completion.

Warren has organised a hazard reduction burn for Thursday the 24th of October, in Mitton Place, Sawyers Valley. This will be a small burn, and following today's rain, a quiet one. Total burn time is expected to be between 4-5 hours, starting at midday.

If you are interested in attending (and possibly ticking off the last of your Skills Refresher items in the process) please contact Warren.

DFES are organising a deployment of 15 BFS personnel to assist with the fires in New South Wales. This deployment will leave on the 27th of October, returning on the 2nd of November. All skill and experience levels can be catered for, although a preference for HR drivers has been expressed.

Interstate deployments are becoming a more common occurrence. This is due to a combination of increasing fire weather, and falling volunteer numbers and availability. It is likely the Western Australia will also require assistance from inter-state, if not this fire season then in near future.

If you are interested, please contact Adrian.

No updates.

The latest Mundaring Fire School calendar is attached.

Due to late student withdrawals, there are 4 available places on the Machine Supervision course this Saturday 26 October at the WAFES Academy.

If you are interested in attending this training, please contact Rob or Adrian.

A Station Open Day is planned for the 2nd of November. This will be an opportunity for local residence to inspect the station, meet our Brigade members, and hopefully take away some valuable information regarding bushfire safety and volunteering.

A large number of activities are being organised for kids; including games, treasure hunts, branch target practise, and photographs. A number of presentations are also planned, covering bushfire safety, home preparation, winter burning, and volunteering.

This open day will be a fantastic opportunity for the Brigade to engage with the local community, and hopefully drive some recruitment. A large amount of assistance will be required to prepare for the day, so if you are interested please contact Adrian.

Current activities include:

• Distribute fliers to local notice boards and businesses (Vicki)
• Wash and prepare appliances (Thursday group)
• Clean and tidy station (Thursday group)
• Organise and run Sausage Sizzle (John L.)
• Photographer for children's photos with the Austin (Dave R.)
• Assist with kids activities (Lorna)

If you are able to assist, please contact Adrian or Ben R.

The Mt Helena Billy Cart Festival is coming up at the end of the month. Sawyers Valley has offered to assist Mt Helena with the emergency management of the event, and we are still seeking volunteers to assist. If you are interested and available, please contact Adrian. Currently there has been no volunteers make themselves available to support this event from Sawyers.

• Thursday 24th: Skills Refresher morning session - 09:30 (must contact Rob prior)
• Thursday 24th: Skills Refresher evening session - 19:30 (must contact Rob prior)
• Thursday 24th: Burning - Mitton Place from 12:00
• Saturday 26th: Training - Skills Refresher and Fire Operations
• Sunday 27th: Skills Refresher morning session - 09:30 (must contact Rob prior)
• Sunday 27th: Mt Helena Billy Cart Festival

• ABC News - The rise of red zones of risk