General Discussion > Other Government Agencies

Assisting agencies bushfire training

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bajdas:
At the next training meeting for our Unit, I was going to suggest that Unit members complete some training to increase their knowledge if deployed as an assisting agency during a bushfire.

We are an Operations control Unit which can deploy a Field Command vehicle if requested. We have previously been asked to send members to Mt Barker Headquarters to assist and other Units provide transport/logistics help (eg KI & Black Tuesday deployment).

A few years ago I saw a video with Brenton Ragless explaining the use of dust googles, face masks and radiant heat.

What would you suggest we teach ?

What resources can we access to help us teach ?

5271rescue:
I would say that is a great idea,I hear that a SES unit was involved in a burn over on KI last week????

bajdas:
But we should not need 'CFS burn over' training given SES members should never be on a fire truck.

But I understand SES vehicles are escorted via a fire truck at times, so is this too much training  :? Surely something more basic (maybe as a starter) training can be done.

CFS_Firey:
I would suggest:
* A brief explanation of fire behavior, so they can have more of an understanding of where the fire will go, and where they don't want to be. (Even as simple as fire burns uphill, with the wind, and gets worse in hot windy weather)...
* An explanation (and some practical) in what to do if you are caught in the path of a fire. (Stay in the car/truck, close all windows, cover up, don't try to run etc)...
* In a "supporting agency" role, it could be usefull to explain how the CFS works at a fire (That our objectives are to Protect life (rescue), contain the fire, control the fire, extinguish and 'black out' the fire)
* And of course explain how people die in a bushfire, and how to protect yourself (personal protective clothing).

I don't know where you can get help to deliver it though.... Maybe ask your local CFS brigade if they can send someone in?

Alan (Big Al):

--- Quote from: bajdas on October 23, 2006, 02:26:11 PM ---But we should not need 'CFS burn over' training given SES members should never be on a fire truck.

But I understand SES vehicles are escorted via a fire truck at times, so is this too much training  :? Surely something more basic (maybe as a starter) training can be done.

--- End quote ---

I can tell you that on KI there were SES running around with no escort going on to an active fireground and one idiot who was taking firies in a 4wd to do a crew change over thought he'd do a movie stunt and try and drive through some fire until he was talked out of it.
And yes one SES vehicle came very close to being toast because they thought that this massive fire going around and over the top of them would be a good photo oppurtunity and it nearly cost them (their vehicle did get a little scorched).

I think training, even BFF 1 would be good for some units who do deployments to fires for logistics and the like would be a good idea. It has been mentioned that some units do it so why not make it compulsory if they are to be deployed in the future. A bit like us having minimum set requirements to be deployed interstate. 

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