The Netherlands Police and Wildfire Organisations Visit the ACT

This week the ACTRFS hosted the Netherlands Police and Wildfire organisations showcasing the local agencies strengths in hazard mitigation.  They visited the CSIRO, AFP and various nature parks throughout the ACT to learn how we manage the bushfire hazards.  During the visit, the participated and learned first hand from a local land owner of the extreme conditions experienced during the January 2003 fires during a Farm Firewise presentation.

Filming a hazard reduction burn conducted by the Parks brigade on Cooleman Ridge.

Learning about how the Pyrotron works to simulate wildfire spread.

Inside the Pyrotron.

Listening to how ACT Parks manages the nature parks within the ACT at Namadgi Visitors Centre

Simon Butt explaining about the complexities of managing fuel within the urban environment.

Dave Inskeep discusses the ACTRFS Farm Firewise program within the ACT.

Fraser Hazard Reduction Burn

As we are preparing for the 2012/13 fire season there have been a number of hazard reduction burns being completed around the Territory.

The fire intensity has been quite alarming considering the mild conditions and shows the potential of the grass fires that may be experienced in summer.



Majura Defence Range Hazard Reduction Burn

On Sunday, the ACTRFS conducted a 45 hectare hazard reduction burn to reduce the high grass fuels in the area prior to the start of the fire season. 

The burn was to the western side of Canberra Airport adjacent to the Fairbairn Golf Course.

Six heavy tankers, two medium tankers and approximately 40 volunteers completed this burn.  Visitors from the Netherlands Police and Netherlands Wildfire Service were also in attendance following on from the Wildfire Arson Investigation Management Course that they have just completed in Mt Macedon.



ACTRFS Wins 2012 Resilient Australia Award

Congratulations to our Manager of Operations for his work with the Wildfire Arson Investigation Management Course that he is currently delivering in Mt Macedon, Victoria.

This morning, the Minister for Emergency Services Simon Corbell presented to the ACT winners of the 2012 Resilient Australia Awards. 

Over the last fortnight, Richard has been delivering two courses to representatives from emergency services from all over Australia as well as international participants from Italy and the Netherlands!

Unfortunately Richard could not be present to receive the Award so Deputy Chief Officer Michael Joyce and WAIMC project officer Rohan Samara were there to receive the Award.

Preperation for the 2012/13 Bushfire Season

It is that time of year again when the ACTRFS Brigades start the spring cleaning, electing their Office Bearer's at their AGM's and start getting ready for the upcoming bushfire season.  The Rivers Volunteer Bushfire Brigade is no different.  A working bee was held at the Brigade station a few weeks ago to do maintenance checks on all the vehicles and clean up and the yards.

Going over the checklist to ensure RIVERS12C is equipped and ready to go.

River's newest recruits Ann & Trudi checking over the tanker and learning where things go along the way.

Cassy getting down and dirty to ensure the station is ready for the 2012/13 season.

Rohan keeping an eye on proceedings.

Mark checking that everything has been moved from the old office to the new one.

At the Rivers AGM Cassy's hard work and dedication were acknowledged with a Captain's Award.



Long standing member Tony Hill acknowledged for all the hard work he puts in with the vehicles in the Brigade as well as to the ACTRFS community as a whole with his specialist advice.





Tidbinbilla Shed Opened by Simon Corbell

The new Tidbinbilla Volunteer Fire Brigade Station was opened by the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Simon Corbell, MLA, on Sunday 12 Aug 2012. Tid Brigade members, rural lessees, and members from other Brigades joined in the celebration.  

Mr Corbell also officially handed over the keys to three new medium tankers to members from Southern Brigade (SOU32), Jerrabomberra Brigade (JER30) and Molonglo Brigade (MLO31).

Brigade members wait for the Minister to arrive

The Minister arrives.

A very spacious and clean shed.

Andrew Stark welcomes Simon Corbell.

The crowd gathers to witness the historic event for Tidbinbilla.

Eager onlookers listen to Simon explaining the benefits of the new shed and how it is strategically placed for staging near the Brindabellas.

"I declare this shed open"

Andrew Stark, Chief Officer ACT Rural Fire Service and Simon Corbell.

Jamie Lankford getting the keys to new medium tanker for Jerrabomberra Brigade (JER30).

Peter Wolfe gets the keys to new medium tanker for Southern Brigade (SOU32).

Dave Tunbridge accepts the keys to new medium tanker for Molonglo Brigade (MLO30).

Jamie, Peter, Simon and Dave check out the new tankers.

The three new medium tankers, stand shiny and ready for service.

 

 

The new training area and kitchen facilities.

RFS members look over the new vehicles.