Weekly Newsletter - 20th November 2024

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Date: 23rd Nov - 29th Nov

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

Turned out to report of burning pile associated with a DBCA burn. Assisted by Chidlow. The cause of the fire was suspicious. The fire was ultimately handed over to DBCA.

Attended by: Dave R., Dave Wh., John, Matt, Michelle, and Tracey (station)

Called to report of a tree burning within a previous hazard reduction burn. Assisted by Chidlow and Wooroloo.

Attended by: Denise, Matt, Michelle, and Shane.

The following email was received from Clint Kuchel, the new Superintendent for the Metropolitan North East Region;

To Chittering, Mundaring and Swan Volunteer Bushfire Brigade Captains and Firefighters,

I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the new Superintendent for the DFES Metropolitan North East Region.

My name is Clint Kuchel, and I come into the Metropolitan North East Region (MNE) having spent the past 18 months as Superintendent for the DFES Metropolitan North Coastal Region, following on from four years as Superintendent Knowledge and Training Support based at the Academy. Prior to my Academy role I was DO Perth, DO Hills, DO Capability Command (now Strategy and Emergency Management) and undertook a number of acting positions throughout DFES and FESA. It’s fair to say that over my 20+ years with DFES I have learned a lot and gained a significant appreciation of the effort and commitment required to support and maintain our services to the community.

I started my career 20 years ago as a Fire Fighter in Perth before heading to the hills where I spent my time as a Fire Fighter and Station Officer at various stations from Ellenbrook to Armadale. Since leaving station life and entering the world of Emergency Management I have worked in Incident Management Teams and Regional Operations Centres throughout the state, and in the State Operations Centre in response to a number of hazards including bushfires, storms, flooding and cyclones.

I am currently in my third week in this role, officially commencing on Monday 4 November. I have spent the past couple of weeks meeting the MNE Regional Leadership Team and gaining an understanding of the MNE operational and administrative environments. MNE is a large and diverse region stretching from Belmont up through Chittering to Wannamal, and across to Gidgegannup and Woorolloo linking in with the DFES Midwest Gascoyne and Goldfields Regions to the North and East and the Metropolitan North Coastal and South East Regions to the West and South. We have 1 VFRS Station, 1 VFES Station, 5 CFRS Stations, 4 SES Units, and 21 BFB’s across 6 Local Governments to support (totalling approx. 150 staff and 1100 Volunteers), in addition to providing direct emergency response for a significant portion of an ever-expanding Metropolitan area and critical infrastructure. I have a feeling that it will be challenging but ultimately highly rewarding, and I am already grateful for the extensive knowledge and support of our MNE Regional Team.

Finally, I would like to recognise the commitment and contribution of the former MNE Regional Superintendent Dave Gill. I can see that under his leadership the region is well placed to contribute to meaningful change whilst maintaining a steadfast commitment towards minimising the impact of emergencies on our community.

I look forward to catching up with you either on the road or at Station.

No updates.

No updates.

Planning is under way for this year's Father Christmas run, to be held on Saturday the 22nd and Sunday the 23rd of December. Santa and his Elf are lined up, however they will need assistance with decorating the appliances, preparing the lollies, and helping out on the day. Anyone interested in participating should contact Matt.

• Saturday 23rd : Weekly Vehicle Checks, 19:30 at the Station, Crew C
• Saturday 23rd: Training - Fireground Safety Dave S., 10:00 at the Station

• ABC News: Catastrophic fire conditions forecast in SA as CFS and bureau warn of hot, windy and 'very challenging' weather
• ABC News Video: Victorian authorities suspect properties have been destroyed in bushfires
• ABC News: Fires in Victoria's west and near the Great Ocean Road still challenging fire crews