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.

 

RFS staff visit the new Cotter Dam

Grant Morey from Rivers Brigade (who works as the safety officer at the new Cotter Dam site) invited RFS staff for a tour of the new dam so that we could update our maps and our local knowledge of the area now that the dam is nearing completion.

It was very impressive to see the dam close-up and to see the scale of the whole operation. Thanks Grant for an enjoyable tour.

Grant leads us down onto the top of the dam - it still has 5 mtrs to be added to the north & south ends

Looking back across the dam to the southern end

Looking to the northern end

The old Cotter Dam is dwarfed by the new one

Inside the dam there is a network of tunnels for maintenance and monitoring of the dam wall

Once you get o the bottom you get an idea of how big this thing is!

Kids for Cancer Truck Convoy - ACT RFS Turns Out in Force

ACT Rural Fire Service crews participated in the Kids for Cancer Truck Convoy held on Saturday 2 Feb 2013. Approximately 400 trucks and motorcycles, including 29 ACT RFS vehicles, joined in the convoy which started at Mitchell and ended up at the Tuggeranong Town Centre (across the road from Bunnings).

The purpose of the convoy was to raise money for the wonderful Kids for Cancer charity. A number of RFS members have friends or family who are affected by cancer. Photos by Gary Hooker.

ACT Rural Fire Service vehicles travelling in convoy from Mitchell to Tuggeranong.

The initial staging point was Harrison Primary School, Gungahlin.

Crews were briefed prior to joining the convoy.

Vehicles lined up at the briefing area.

We have ourselves a convoy!

Ready to go.

Vehicles were then staged in Mitchell, ready to join the rest of the convoy.

Michael Joyce, Deputy Chief Officer of the ACT Rural Fire Service, leads the pack.

It was a long wait in Mitchell, but we finally got moving.

Crews starting to roll.

A Hall member flys the convoy flag.

Travelling along the Tuggeranong Expressway, near the National Arboretum.

Drakeford Drive is full of RFS vehicles.

Lots of waves from keen onlookers!

The kids loved the sight and sounds of the fire trucks going past.

ACT RFS units on Drakeford Drive, Kambah, receiving lots of support from people on the foot bridge.

The traffic starts to build up as we get closer to the Tuggeranong Town Centre.

Waiting at the lights.

Crews begin to arrive at Tuggers.

Friendly waves from members of the public.

SOU32 arrives with a toot.

More friendly waves from kids.

The final destination - across the road from Bunnings. A great time was had by all!