New Recruits get Up-close and Personal with some Live Fire

Our latest intake of new recruits completed their training today (17/2/2013) by participating in a hazard reduction burn on Simpson's Hill in Gilmore. From all accounts they had a great day and they all managed to get their new PPE nice and dirty!. Here's a few shots from the day taken by Michael Joyce and Gary Hooker.

Crews are briefed by Dave Wassall who was the Incident Controller for the day.

The new recruits learnt that fire will burn through green grass!

Some strip lighting in Bravo Sector (which was led by Peter Wulf from Southern)

Good teamwork backing up a buddy

The Northern part of the burn went really well - the residents were very happy to see this bit cleared

Lots of smoke, but everyone had a good time

"Now this is how we approach a drip torch!"

The burn went well and achieved the desired outcome

The crew in GUN10 practice their burn-over procedure

Matt Bolton (Hall Captain) on scene.

 

Coonabarabran Fire

ACT Rural Fire Service member, Tim Borough, who works for property section of the ANU in Canberra, was sent to Coonabarabran the day after the fire went through the Siding Spring Observatory. There was no qualified tanker driver available so Tim donned a set of yellows and helped black out the site. See more stories here:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-14/aerial-photo-shows-fire-approaching-siding-springs-observatory/4463138
 http://www.skyandtelescope.com/news/home/186700031.html 

ACT RFS member, Tim Borough, mans the Siding Spring Observatory tanker for blackout duty.

Helitak 274, normally based at Camden, lands at Siding Springs Observatory, Coonabarabran. Photo: Tim Borough

Tim feeds the sheep and cattle.

 

Helitak 274 takes off for more water-bombing of the fire. Photo: Tim Borough

8 Year Anniversary of January Firestorms

Today is the 8 year anniversary of the January 2003 Firestorm.  This time 8 years ago the eastern coast of Australia was alight with bushfires raging out of control.......8 years on it is inundated with rain and flooding!!!

Below are some pictures from the 18th January 2003.