3rd March 2010
Tax Deductible Donation Support to All Volunteer Bushfire Brigades
9th February 2010
Presidents Report
Click here to download PDF of Presidents Report - February 2010
Appliance Tyre Replacement
Click here to download PDF of Standing Order - Appliance Tyre Replacement
30th November 2009
Presidents Report
The severe fire weather being experienced throughout Queensland continues to cause unprecedented stress and work load on volunteers and their families. Recently some volunteers have been requested to respond to fire calls on each of several consecutive days with the resultant disruption to work and normal family lifestyle. Some members are fortunate that employers agree to allow Rural Fire Brigade volunteers to be absent from work when they are asked to respond to wild fires and the action of the employers in granting such absence is obviously an example of being a good community citizen. Self employed volunteers have to make a decision of neglecting their income producing work to be part of helping to protect communities from fires. All Rural Fire Brigade volunteers are to be congratulated for the effort that has been maintained during the continuing period of high fire danger. Clearly there are many recent instances where rapid response to incidents by multiple Rural units has been successful in preventing extensive losses to the ravages of fire. The Rural Fire Brigades Association decided to recognize volunteers who were deployed to areas where they were required to stay at least overnight by presenting such members with a shirt. It was requested that the recipients provide personal details including e-mail addresses to the RFBAQ at the time of receiving the shirt and the request has had a positive response.
Regional debriefing of participants who took part in multiple fires – mainly as part of ‘strike team’ deployment – resulted in considerable discussion regarding the management of some incidents. It is pleasing to report that generally incidents managed by Rural Brigade personnel were organized much better than incidents where there was limited involvement of volunteers or Rural staff. Local knowledge is particularly critical in the overall Incident Management System. Much more use has been made of Air Operations during this season and it is apparent that there will be further use made of this method in the future. It must be emphasized that Air Ops is to be used as an assistance to units on the fire ground and must be combined with ground crews to produce successful results.
Members will be aware of recent publicity relating to complaints by brigades in the Ipswich area. Our CEO has had meetings with our Minister and Commissioner in an effort to resolve some of the issues put forth by volunteers in that area.
With the predictions that we are to continue to have severe fire weather and with no worthwhile rain forecast in the near future it is likely that volunteers will be busy with calls to wildfires and I urge all to continue to practice safety at all times. The Christmas holiday period is almost upon us and it is my wish that everyone has time to spend with family and friends at this special time. It would be a blessing if no wild fires were reported during that period however it is probably a forlorn hope and it is likely that volunteers will face a busy period of call outs over the festive season.
Stay safe,
Maxwell J Rogers
President - RFBAQ 30/11/09
Friday, 6th November 2009
The RFBAQ has had a lot of media coverage this week in regards to Command and Control and over who is in charge at a fire.
Please read the attached articles and there is also a link to a radio interview with Dick and Lee Johnson.
A word from the Mackay Area Representative
To all the Mackay Area volunteers, I take this opportunity to introduce myself as the newly elected representative for the Rural Fire Brigade Association. Having held numerous positions in the Mirani Town Rural Fire Brigade over the past 16 years and having lived in numerous areas of the State, I hope to represent the local volunteers as well as my predecessors have done.
Over the past weeks I have tried to attend as many gatherings of Brigade members as possible to introduce myself and put the face to the name. I have learnt quickly that one of the most important aspects of this position is to have excellent communication lines between myself, Brigade members, the Association and the Operational Staff.
Feedback on many of the changes that are proposed or in the system for brigades is regularly required. To give accurate and worthwhile feedback in representing all the diverse locations of brigades and their member’s needs, it is most important for contact numbers, fax numbers and e-mail addresses to be available to the Rural Fire Brigade Association. I encourage everyone in our area to forward these to me as soon as possible so I can keep in touch.
Brigade preparations should be nearing completion for what promises to be a very busy summer season. Like most brigades in the state, Mackay are crews have checked to see they have ample supplies of PPE, foam agent, communication systems are working, trucks and other major equipment has been serviced and volunteer’s fresh water supplies, high-energy foods or snacks are available. With the Christmas New Year holidays coming to a close, the New Year brings with it the continuing need to ensure coverage of available members as many of us return to work.
Great to see a large number of members being involved in Rendering Hazardous Materials Incident Safe and Road Crash Rescue Awareness Training, Incident Control Operations, Team Leader Training and many other training opportunities. Taking on these training opportunities improves the effectiveness of your Brigade and also improves your own skills in keeping yourself a safe, motivated and an effective team member.
A number of fires have occurred in our area that have required the long-term attention of local Brigade, and also the assistance of neighbouring or further a-field brigades. This willingness to assist others in need is one of the main reasons we are members of Brigade.
Keep Safe.
Clive McWhir
Mackay Area Representative