Weekly Newsletter - 15th December 2021
Operations
Roster
Starting Saturday
Date: 18th December - 24th December
- First Call: Crew B
- Second Call: Crew A
Incidents
Chittering Fire, 9th December
Responded to a request for crews to support a 3rd Alarm bushfire in Chittering. Two Crews deployed across two shifts, mopping up and patrolling the incident, alongside a number of other Brigades from Mundaring.
Attended by: Dave R., Dave Wh., Denise, Michelle, Shane, and Shaun.
PPE Requirements
A recent story by the ABC Midwest and Wheatbelt described a 2020 incident involving farmer and bushfire volunteer Frank Clune. Frank attended a grass fire, but neglected to don his PPE - in particular his trousers and jacket. Unfortunately he ended up on the wrong side of the fire, and was forced to run through the flames to reach burnt ground, sustaining serious burns to 35% of his body. Frank is still undergoing skin grafts, and will needed to wear pressure bandages for at least 18 months following the accident.
This story presents a stark reminder that the wearing of PPE is not negotiable. From the time you turn out to an incident, until you return to station you must properly wear all relevant PPE. The only allowable exception is at a Forward Control Point or designated rest area. If you see a member of our team not wearing their PPE properly, either remind them or alert the Crew Leader. If you have any concerns with any of your PPE, please speak to Keith or Adrian.
The seriousness of this requirement cannot be overstated, and any deliberate breaches dealt with accordingly.
Shire of Mundaring COVID-19 Vaccination Register
As was recently communicated, the WA Chief Health Officer has made a direction that all emergency service workers, including volunteers, must be vaccinated from the 1st of January (with a second dose required by the 2nd of February). To facilitate this direction, the Shire of Mundaring has requested that all bushfire volunteers submit evidence of their vaccination status to enable a register to be completed.
Members are asked to send a copy of their COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate to vbfbvaxstatus@mundaring.wa.gov.au. Certificates may be downloaded from the MyGov website. A restricted set of Shire officers will record the relevant details for each member and delete their copy of the certificate.
Anyone who is not comfortable with sending this information may make alternative arrangements to submit their certificates.
If you have not provided this information to the Shire before the deadline (1st of January), you will not be permitted to attend the station, incidents, or other DFES sites.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Adrian.
Final Call for Christmas - New Years Availability
The special roster for the Christmas to New Year period is currently being drawn up. A number of members have indicated when they will be unavailable, however a large number are yet to respond. It is intended that the roster is issued by the end of the week, so please ensure that if you will be unavailable during this period that you have let Adrian know. Alternatively, update your availability status in BART for this period (Green = available, Yellow = delay / second shift, Red = Unavailable).
Updates
Circulars and SOPs
Mundaring Fire School
No updates.
Administration
Christmas Party and Brigade Photo – Monday, 27th December
Attached is an invitation for members and their families to attend this year’s Christmas Party, which will be held at the Station on Monday, 27th December. Can you please RSVP to Vicki - 0407 831 315, by Friday 17th December.
Generally, the Christmas function is well attended and with this in mind it would be a great opportunity for brigade photos. If members could be at the station promptly at 1730 hours, we can get the photos done and dusted and settle down to enjoy the remainder of the evening. Photo dress standard - Fire fighters PPE; Station Crew SV shirts and pants.
Weekly Calendar
- Saturday 18th: Training - Driver Training, 09:30 at the Station
- Tuesday 21st: Santa Run (part 1), 16:30 at the Station
- Tuesday 21st: Weekly Vehicle Checks, 19:30 at the Station, Crew B
- Wednesday 22nd: Santa Run (part 2), 16:30 at the Station
News
