SA Firefighter

Quote from: CFS_fire32 on March 14, 2018, 09:35:08 PM
Believe SAFECOM have very recently approved a retained MFS Station for Mt Barker... no timeframe, but sooner rather than later...

The latest COAC meeting minutes say it'll become SAMFS retained "this financial year", which doesn't leave long for it to happen.

I can confirm there's a rumour if that helps? :p

Quote from: Firedoc02 on April 27, 2016, 08:36:49 AM

Quote from: J_Buss on February 14, 2016, 08:55:26 PM
Might of been answered before but what does the acronym CRIIMSON stand for, something like

Critical Resource Information Incident Management ...and whatever the rest stands for?

Critical Resource Incident Management System Online Network

I can see why they needed to use an acronym!

Digging up a massively old topic, but did you ever get this sorted?

test

Depends on the brigade.  Some group based ops support brigades join their local brigades and use the brigade pagers - others have group ones.

Quote from: Firedoc02 on July 17, 2014, 02:19:51 PM
You are CFS! The rules that are made up within the Service either are government mandated or agreed to and approved by volunteers. The RVMC is made up of volunteers, the chief officers advisory forum is made up of volunteers, all committees and working parties have volunteers on them.

I agree with you that Mt Barker has taken too long but to group all CFS into one category and say that CFS is only focused on rural incidents is also wrong - yes it may be the case with some of those connected with the Mt Barker issue but there are a number of volunteers and staff that are trying to progress CFS to be more than a rural fire service.

It's nice to hear such an optimistic view, and I hope you can keep that up because we need more of it in the CFS! Unfortunately though, I think the reality isn't quite as pretty.

RVMC in region 1 can't even get first aid training happening, and 'working safely at heights' has been a standing agenda item for urgent attention for years. With that kind of track record, "on the ground" volunteers can't be expected to have any faith that raising a need for more urban capacity (for example) will get anything more than a note in the minutes. Perhaps it needs some keen and interested volunteers to drive it, but what would that take?  Getting elected as a group officer?
Is there some documented procedure available to members outlining how they get their views heard at RVMC/COAC? How does a volunteer get on these committees that make decisions on their behalf?  Is there even a list of committees and their members available so that volunteers can give their views?  These people may be volunteers, but I doubt they're a representative sample of volunteers.

CFS "management" has made no effort to enhance our urban response capacity in training or equipment, and almost seems to actively discourage it (take, for example, the recent push to cut down on the number of BA sets in service).  I'm told there are even some regional commanders who don't see any benefit in the CFBT program - the only structure fire course the CFS offers. Releasing a poster calling us an "all hazard" fire service, and including a photo of a hayshed fire on the CFS website is all very good, but they don't change the fact that we have very few urban trucks, next to no urban training, and no apparently respect for the urban brigades that have never seen a running grassfire.

Quote from: Firedoc02 on July 17, 2014, 11:48:36 AM
A number of brigades around SA have appliances with the same pumping capacity as MFS pumpers, Agree however in strategic areas a few more would be ideal

Would you care to name them?  I don't know of any other than the already mentioned Burnside.

Quote from: Firedoc02 on July 16, 2014, 02:26:52 PM
No all CFS members are not trained in all disciplines because there are simply more of us. Each brigade has an SFEC allocation and if that is not suitable for your brigades needs then argue the case but not on emotion but based upon real facts. I know of 2 brigades that have done this and received changes to their SFEC to the point where there numbers are equal to the local retained brigade for CABA and exceed their numbers for RCR and HAZMAT. It can be done.

Why should the number of members affect the amount of training everyone should get?  If we have more members, we should have a larger training facility and training budget to suit!  The fact there are more of use is no excuse to undertrain when it comes to provide the best service to the community.

As for increasing your SFEC maximum, while that's all good in theory, CFS training is so underfunded that once a brigade gets to it's SFEC minimum it's extremely difficult to train any more members, as brigades still under their minimum take priority.

Quote from: Firedoc02 on July 16, 2014, 02:26:52 PM
Your last point is correct to a point. The CFS CO has identified this and is providing each region with a new appliance as their Regional spare appliance. 

Well that sounds like a good reason to deliberately break the old 24 ;)

Seriously though - it's good to hear the issue is being sorted! I'm sure, however, that the appliances will not be capable of replacing a fully stowed rescue pumper (like at Mt Barker).

Quote from: Firedoc02 on July 16, 2014, 02:26:52 PM
I would have thought our equipment to the most part is fit for purpose and certainly not the cheapest. If it is not fit for purpose why do you have it.

When I say "fit for purpose" I mean "capable of doing the job they need to do".  The most common complaint would be pump capacity. Old 24s simply aren't capable of boosting 2 lines of 64 at 1200  KPa which is pretty standard on a standard booster.  If you think our pumping capacity is fine, you should have a chat to the urban guys at STC next time you're there!

As for cheap, isn't that how the CFS operates?  Put out a tender and pick the cheapest submission?

Quote from: Firedoc02 on July 16, 2014, 02:26:52 PM
Put a case to the RVMC through your Group Officer to get things changed. As I said previously I know a number of retained people and in some instances they would like to have what some of our brigades have.

Things like what?

Quote from: Firedoc02 on July 16, 2014, 02:26:52 PM
I truly hope that the folk at Mt Barker CFS get what they want whether they stay with CFS or move to MFS. My only wish is that if we have identified a problem then we CFS need to fix it. You are part of the collective we call CFS so you have as much right to be heard and represented as any one else.

I completely agree with you! Tell anyone who'll listen, and hopefully it'll make it's way up to someone who can make changes!


...sorry for the ranting

Quote from: Firedoc02 on July 16, 2014, 09:24:20 AM
What are the actual benefits of Mt Barker going to the MFS? Going from a volunteer crew to retained won't benefit the community only those that get chosen to receive the retainer.

Is that really what you believe?

• All retained SAMFS firefighters are trained in all disciplines, so every firefighter on every appliance they respond is trained in BA, RCR & Hazmat.  There is no way CFS can provide that, even in brigades that do all specialities, because our training system doesn't allow it. = benefit to the community


• Retained stations are required to always have a crew available to respond.  If a full crew isn't available, Adelaide Fire make arrangements so thjat there is (Like a COQ from another station, or sending people up to augment the local crews).  CFS does not, and arguably can not do this. = benefit to the community


• Retained appliances must respond with an officer, so there is always someone who is qualified (by training, not be election) to manage an incident.  CFS don't even require an officer, let alone have any standards for officer competence. = benefit to the community


• Appliances provided are fit for purpose.  If a risk needs a pumper with a particular pump capacity, one is provided. If an appliance breaks down, it is replaced by another fit-for-purpose appliance, rather than a 25 year old 24. Equipment is also fit for purpose, rather than the cheapest available. = benefit to the community

I'm sure there are other benefits that I haven't listed here, but a claim that the only ones who benefit are the retained crew is ridiculous.

Many brigades have been fighting for better support, equipment and training for a long time (when was FRAG around? The late 90s?) and have got nothing.  I think this move from Mt Barker is a sign that brigades have given up fighting, not a sign that that they need to start negotiations again.

Quote from: NicholasBerry on May 11, 2014, 02:45:00 AM...why don't Adelaide fire send the page correctly and make it an assist SAAS job like it actually is...

I don't think 'Assist SAAS' exists as a response type in SACAD, so for these jobs they have a choice between either 'Assist resident' (which doesn't pick up a rescue resource) or 'Rescue General'.

Quote from: muscleandpluck on March 31, 2014, 12:22:49 PM
Weather permitting
Gee hope its not too smokey or hot either!!!!
2 Tablespoons of cement per member.

Don't forget we also have a legislated responsibility to provide a safe working and training environment for our members.

Not sure what weather they're worried about tonight, but continuing training if it's unsafe is actually illegal. Perhaps you should brush up on your WHS legislation next time you're waiting for a pot of cement to brew?  :-P

I believe the rescue pump is just off for repairs, not decommissioned. There is currently a SAMFS Scania pump in their station replacing it.

Quote from: FFGAZZ on February 18, 2014, 11:52:43 AM
18-02-14 11:02:19   PLEASE CHECK EMAILS REGARDING OUTCOME OF MEETING WITH CHIEF. - CFS Aldgate Info
All ok in the hills?

Probably in relation to this:

Quote from: CFS_fire32 on January 10, 2014, 06:42:40 PM
15:14:14 10-01-14 LOFT MGT: HI ALL BE ADVISED THE I AM NOW SUBJECT OF A REGULATION 22 INVESTIGATION AS A RESULT OF THE UNRESOLVED ISSUES BTWN REG CMDR AND THE GRP. GO - CFS Lofty Group Management

Quote from: Wholey on October 21, 2013, 08:41:12 AM
Are CFS and SES pagers very different?

I'm pretty sure it's the same make and model...

Quote from: HeavyRescue on October 21, 2013, 07:35:46 AM
So how can I do this to my Apollo pager?

You need a pager programmer (Something like this) and a whole lot of time to work out the right note sequence to replicate tone 7...

Quote from: CFS_fire32 on August 26, 2013, 09:07:15 PM
Did anything ever eventuate with this?

It's no longer going to happen, unless region try again with proper planning and consultation.

Quote from: flyonthewall on July 25, 2013, 08:56:31 PM
You apparantly don't have any other options so if someone says someone is reported inside, you cannot do anything.

My point was that 'YES' you do attend the same type of incidents as the MFS guys, but have unwilling, untrained or inadequate resources to do the job?

One look at the footage and average joe will think you are doing a great job - which for the record, I think you do with what you've got - but as an observer, the first thing I thought was "what are these blokes doing at a structure fire without BA" and for what you are trying to achieve with the legislation, it does not look good if you are not seen to be adequately protecting yourselves.

How was the rally anyway?  :-)

The rally was "postponed" because of an undertaking from the minister to possibly look into investigating opportunities to include volunteers in the scope of the legislation.

Now, as you say, I hope the CFSVA throw all their effort into preventing us from getting cancer by getting BA sets on every truck, more training places and better PPE, and better laundering services! 

Quote from: flyonthewall on July 24, 2013, 10:18:22 PM

QuoteA rally to highlight how we attend the same type of incidents as the MFS and are exposed to the same hazards, yet the CFSVA want us to wear YELLOWS! Surely wearing PBI (for those that have it) would be a more appropriate dress code to demonstrate our similarities to MFS and why we deserve the same legislated compensation should the unfortunate happen.

So what you are saying is that all those fireys at the Coober Peedy structure fire that weren't wearing BA, which appeared to be all of them, either chose not to wear it, weren't qualified to wear it or it wasn't on the trucks that attended the fire?

What other options are there?

Quote from: Moifey on July 21, 2013, 09:13:03 PM

Quote from: Bagyassfirey on July 21, 2013, 07:46:28 AM

Quote from: Moifey on July 20, 2013, 04:15:56 PM

Quote from: vsteve01 on July 19, 2013, 11:41:53 AM

Quote from: Bagyassfirey on July 19, 2013, 11:33:51 AM
19-07-13 11:54:32   MEMBERS WANTING TO ATTEND PR EXERCISE AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE WED 24 AT 12.30 CONTACT G/O 0417886068 THANKS MATT - CFS Barossa Group Info
Any ideas??

The rally against the government not including Volunteers in cancer compo thing.

A rally to highlight how we attend the same type of incidents as the MFS and are exposed to the same hazards, yet the CFSVA want us to wear YELLOWS! Surely wearing PBI (for those that have it) would be a more appropriate dress code to demonstrate our similarities to MFS and why we deserve the same legislated compensation should the unfortunate happen.

The general public recognises our yellow PPE, joe public wouldn't have any idea we have PBI gold...

That's kind of my point B donkey. We are not just a bush wacker service and this public perception (and that of some within the service) needs to be changed. More and more CFS is called upon to attend 'urban' type incidents, and not just in the urban areas.

I love the forum's "correction" of BaggyAss there!

Also, why do we need Joe public to recognise us as CFS?  Isn't the rally supposed to be for parliamentarians?

Quote from: pumprescue on July 04, 2013, 03:29:36 PM
A lot has changed in recent times with responses, most of it driven from SES HQ, so yeah be interesting to see what happens.

What's changed?

Quote from: Andrew K on July 02, 2013, 10:24:48 PM
don't know about changing the jobs although it certainly seems like they can at times, for example we recently started getting P2 general rescue jobs when they all used to be P1

Isn't that the same level for SES (both lights and siren)?  Or has that changed?

Quote from: straps on April 28, 2013, 09:11:43 PM
The attached photos are of a current trial livery. Consultation is being had at present.

Thought I would share for interest seeing as th site has been quiet for a while..

Cheers
Shane

Thanks for sharing!

Which colours are the reflective ones?  It looks to me like everything could be reflective?

I wouldn't mind seeing some photos of the inside too.  Are they set up like a SAAS ambulance?

Quote from: Raven on May 21, 2013, 12:48:54 AM

00:44:02   21-05-13   UPST INFO: JUST LETTING YOU KNOW THAT ALL IS WELL IN UPPER STURT NO FIRES TO REPORT
CFS Upper Sturt Info

I personally wouldn't be happy with a page like this at that time.

Probably an immature response to a 6am page last Thursday informing the entire group that UpperSturt QRV was offline.

Quote from: Alan J on May 10, 2013, 12:01:13 AM
My brigade has rarely received invites to participate in local burns.
More often we hear about it a day or so before commencement.
Sometimes not even that.
Almost never as an invitation
More often as a notice of what DEWNR are intending to do - live with it...

Notifications and invitations are sent out to group officers via email at the start of each week (in my area anyway).  Brigades are invited to contact the burn ops officer if they want to be involved.

I find it interesting that the "Find a brigade" function is so prominent, given everyone accessing the site has obviously already found their brigade?

The online learning portal has potential though (if they put more courses on there).

Quote from: Alan (Big Al) on April 23, 2013, 07:29:18 PM
If you want a look at one your more than welcome to come down here otherwise i know region has one kicking around that is the same model.

Cheers.  Might take you up on that some time.