The VBA Receives support from Isuzu

The ACT Volunteer Brigades Association (VBA) would like to thank Isuzu for their generous donation toward the running of the 2012 Field Day. The cheque presented to VBA Co-ordinator of the Field Day, Mr Dave Wassall, recognises the importance of the Field Day in keeping volunteer rural firefighters operationally ready.

Mr Dave Wassall said “the Field Day provides scenarios for the crews around circumstances they will face on a fireline. It is all very practical, so things like pumping and drafting water, direct attack techniques on a range of fire sources, chainsaw operations, first aid, radio communications, crew management and tanker operations are all included. But probably most importantly the focus of the day is on teamwork and safe operations”.

The ACT Volunteer Brigade Association’s Field Day has been run since 1986. It provides ACT volunteers with an important training opportunity as well as the chance for brigades to share operational knowledge as we enter a potentially busy 2012-13 fire season.





More images from the ACTRFS 2012 Open Day

From all accounts the ACTRFS 2012 Open Day was a huge success along with the Field Day.  Check out the images below from the day.

The display board at the entry to the Open Day

Our members looking to recruit new members.



Richard Woods at this bushfire arson display

The ACTRFS balloons proved popular with the kids.

The good garden / bad garden display.

Dave Inskeep and Arthur Sayer at the Farm Firewise display.

Fire Danger Alley leading through to the Field Day

Lots information was distributed to the public.

The Farm Firewise display.

The kids enjoyed getting shown through the chopper.

The Field Day judges comparing the marks.

The liazrds and snakes proved as popular as always.

The RSPCA display educating people what to do with their animals in a bushfire.



Visiting volunteer firefighters from Belgium

Last year the Operations Officer of the ACT Rural Fire Service, Supt Richard Woods was in Ieper in Belgium where he met up with members of the Town’s Volunteer Fire Department. These Officers feature in the daily Ceremony at 800pm at the ‘Menin Gate’ commemorating the final salute to the fallen, by playing ‘The Last Post’ in honour of the memory of the soldiers of the former British Empire and its allies, who died in the Ieper Salient during the First World War.

By chance, three Members of the Fire Department and ‘Last Post Association’ were in Canberra this week visiting from Belgium to perform The Last Post at the Australian War Memorial.  They again met up with Supt Woods and as part of their trip to Canberra, they inspected the ESA Headquarters and attended the Guises Creek Brigade training night. All were very impressed after their visit and have since featured the ESA, ACT RFS and Guises Creek Brigade on the official Last Post Association Facebook Page in Belgium! (http://www.lastpost.be/ ).  You can also find them on Facebook searching for Last Post Ieper.

They have invited any members of the Service who may be travelling to Europe, to visit them in Ieper.

Pictures from the ACTRFS Open Day & VBA Field Day

On Sunday 28th October the ACT Rural Fire held their 2nd Annual Open Day at the Hume Helibase.  There were many activities for the public to view and learn about ways to protect their homes.  The $40 chopper flights proved very popular with all the time slots being fully booked.

The Volunteer Brigades Association also held their Field Day with 10 teams participating includijng our interstate colleagues from Monaro.  The final results were the Parks Brigade getting 1st & 3rd placings and the Monaro team winning 2nd.  Click here for full results.