ACT Government acknowledges long service our our members.

Last month Minister For Police and Emergency Services handed out ACT ESA National Medal. 

Memebers from all four units of the ESA were presented with their medals at a ceremony at the Natinoal Portrait Gallery last month.  A combined total of 800 years of emergency service was recognised at the Ceremony. 

Congratulations to our ACTRFS members!

The Rural Fire Service recipients were:

• Lee Carmody, National Medal
• Michelle Michie, National Medal
• Rohan Scott, National Medal
• Lukas Tan, National Medal
• Robert Gore, 1st Clasp
• Peter Ipkendanz, 1st Clasp
• Robert Mack, National Medal
• Karen Mensforth, National Medal
• Bryan Cunynghame, 1st Clasp

RFS Volunteers Receive Gas Hotprops Training

ACT Rural Fire Service volunteer firefighters were put through their paces at the ESA Training Facility at Hume on Saturday 29 Sep 2012. They learned techniques on how to approach and suppress gas and fuel fires. This training was in addition to normal regular training which is undertaken all year round at each Brigade.

Brigade members are now even better prepared for the upcoming bushfire season which commences from 1 October 2012!

 

ACTRFS & NSWRFS Combine Forces

Last Sunday our Rivers Volunteer Brigade and the Wamboin NSWRFS Brigade combined forces to assist local properties reduce the fire hazard before the start of the fire season.  The two burns that were achieved were the Canberra Equestrian Centre and Murrumbidgee Country Club in Kambah. 

The fire behaviour was a good reminder for the crews of the potential dangers of fast running grass fires this season and a great way to reduce the hazards.  The burn at the Murrumbidgee Country Club also assisted in removing a large rubbish pile of trees and shrubs that had built up over the years.

We have had some great feedback from our NSWRFS counterparts -

"While long, it was a good day.  Wamboin brigade members, once again, enjoyed working with the Rivers ACT brigade on the various tasks and challenges of each burn.  Certainly the controlled environment of hazard reduction exercises provide a good opportunity for everybody to revisit and practise their fire-fighting and team-based skill skills.   

I know Wamboin's Senior Deputy Captain, and the rest of the Wamboin crew, join me in thanking the Rivers ACT members for their welcome. It was a good day's work. Please pass on our thanks to all.

We look forward to continuing to forge the strengthening relationship between the two brigades.



New Recruits Conduct Hazard Reduction Burn at Fisher

New recruits conducted a hazard reduction burn on the southern end of Fisher on Sunday, 9 Sep 2012 as part of their practical assessment training. Dead grass and leaf litter burned readily and quickly. Flames reached about 2 metres in height especially where the grass was thicker. Local residents watched on and some said that they were very grateful for the reduction in fuel loads near their homes, especially with the bushfire season due to commence in a few weeks.

 

 

Blessing of the Fleet - Burra

Reverend James Wood, from the picturesque St Pauls Anglican Church located at Burra, NSW, kindly invited  members from Jerrabomberra Creek, Burra and Guises Creek Brigades to a "Blessing of the Fleet" ceremony which was held in preparation for the up-coming bushfire season. 

It was a great opportunity for the local brigades members and the community to meet each other in a relaxed environment rather than on the fireground.  All attendees were very grateful for the wonderful servings of tea, coffee, scones, cakes and a lovely BBQ to top it all off! Thank you to the members of St Pauls, Burra!

Jerrabomberra Creek, Burra and Guises Creek Brigades gather at St Pauls church in Burra, near the Old Cooma Rd.

The crowd listens to James and sing a few songs.

Rev James Wood puts on the knapsack ready to wet down the trucks and even spray a few brigade members!

The "Blessing" of the Burra heavy tanker.

 

Heavy tankers activate their cabin sprays in unison.

Locals share stories over a few snags.

NSW RFS Community Display trailer

Tankers lined up ready for the ceremony