Volunteer Firefighters

[ozwinner]

I pay house insurance, let it burn say I.

Al

[Grunt]

Al, Gumby the Torch will come over to your house any time you want.

[ozwinner]

Take it to the shop..

Al

[Doughboy]

I lived most of my childhood on farms, and inherantly these farms had firetrucks and dozers. My dad was Captain at Mogilla (half way between Candelo and Bemboka in the Bega Valley on the Far South Coast NSW).

Started in 1984 as a volunteer on the hoses of a truck (old man would not let me out of his sight). Spent about three years just volunteering when on holidays, in summer, from chefs apprenticeship.

In 1989 folks all moved up to Murrumbateman and managed 'Hillview'. On this farm they had a six-wheel drive ex-army truck. Again dad led and I followed. Involved in the huge Binalong fires in the early 90's.

Never had any training but from experience can read a fire better than most. Able to drive tankers and dozers. Started driving on small grass fires and graduated to bushfires at dad's discretion.

Makes you cringe to see what some of these pencil-necks decided to do when dealing with a true fire storm like Canberra had in 2003. Just amazing more people did not get killed.


I have not been involved in a volunteer RFS for too many years now and the missus told me I am not allowed as long as we are together. She trusts me but not some of the others that are there.

Pete

[sbranden]

National Parks fire fighter if that counts

shaun

[dadpad]

Brigades:
Kerang urban/rural
Eaglehawk urban
Mansfield urban/rural

Used to run a mean 4 man hose and reel at the demo's.

Got sick of putting out fires then waiting/hanging around for another 2 hours on the fire ground for someone to make a decision about who's allowed to go home. I got better things to do than sit around while you cockies who havnt got anything better to do have a social day and a few beers patting yourselves on the back because your such good communty citizens.
Fair bit of sour grapes there but I do recognise the effort of those that do give their time.

[havenoideaatall]

I am a 12month veteran of the local CFA brigade!

Main reason was to something worthwhile for the community. Done my basic wildfire and structural courses et al. Got a "nod" to drive the trucks + the licence.

Due to work I really only go out in the middle of night to idiots that forget that their cars are meant to stay upright on the black stuff, a few house fires and anything that may pop up on a weekend.

I like it when I can keep away from the gung-ho BS, that a few insist on! Happy to "plod" along sooing what I can when I can.

Quite interesting that the majority of residents have no idea that we are a completely volunteer based fire brigade. So maybe even if we have no idea what we are doing we must look like we have an idea of what we are meant to be doing! The PR hose does a good job!

Indeed. it takes all sorts. I tend to avoid the politics mostly. We get on average 2 calls a week - maybe more - and actually it's main;y road accidents at night. Know what you mean about the vol side - people don't realise.

[bitingmidge]

Yeah! Wot Silent said! Start yer own thread!

OK, but I think I'll start it right here!

I don't think the AVCG is for chaps (although I think I've come across the odd fellow in the ranks), and I'm sure that more than the occasional Volunteer Firey has been towed home after a day out sinking tinnies in the tinny!

Is there a Volunteer Firebrigade that specialises in fire at sea? Maybe I could have my cake and eat it?

Cheers,

P

[silentC]

I don't think the AVCG is for chaps

Are you sure? This bloke looks like a chap:

[bitingmidge]

Are you sure? This bloke looks like a chap:

I think I saw him in the fire fighters calendar last year.

Yes it was definitely him, Miss February!

P

[AlexS]

He may be a chap, but he's a vewwy nice chap.

[journeyman Mick]

OK, but I think I'll start it right here!

I don't think the AVCG is for chaps (although I think I've come across the odd fellow in the ranks), and I'm sure that more than the occasional Volunteer Firey has been towed home after a day out sinking tinnies in the tinny!

Is there a Volunteer Firebrigade that specialises in fire at sea? Maybe I could have my cake and eat it?

Cheers,

P

Midge,
I believe there's a brigade down your way somewhere that has a boat to access some islands that are in their fire district. However, you won't be wearing "chap's" outfits (deckshoes, white trousers, nautical themed striped shirts, Greek fisherman's cap etc) but yellow overalls with retro-reflective tape, black steel toe boots and white hard hats. Don't know if you could cope with that, as a fully paid member of the white shoe brigade.

Mick

[Mattsplatt]

OK, but I think I'll start it right here!

I don't think the AVCG is for chaps (although I think I've come across the odd fellow in the ranks), and I'm sure that more than the occasional Volunteer Firey has been towed home after a day out sinking tinnies in the tinny!

Is there a Volunteer Firebrigade that specialises in fire at sea? Maybe I could have my cake and eat it?

Cheers,

P

Kinda funny you mention that!!! The CFA was whispering in conjunction with Coast Guard about training Brigade members in close proximity to the sea to do excatly what you are talking about!!! Our local 4000year old Historical and main thoroughfare bridge catches on fire every now and again. (Some rumours are that it is VicRoads, who want to pull it down for nice shiny cement bridge - I love a good conspiracy theory!!!)

Quite entertaining parking a 10tonne truck on top of a burning bridge while you're trying to put it out!!

The CFA was also talking about some brigades getting initial response paramedic training as they are often first there! GEEZ imagine the ramifications of a Vol firefighter stuffing up in that situation??? Good thing I am not too keen on the 'blood & guts' parts of the "job"

Mmmmm, litigation is such a big thing in our country.......

[RETIRED]

Kinda funny you mention that!!! The CFA was whispering in conjunction with Coast Guard about training Brigade members in close proximity to the sea to do excatly what you are talking about!!! Our local 4000year old Historical and main thoroughfare bridge catches on fire every now and again. (Some rumours are that it is VicRoads, who want to pull it down for nice shiny cement bridge - I love a good conspiracy theory!!!)

Quite entertaining parking a 10tonne truck on top of a burning bridge while you're trying to put it out!!

The CFA was also talking about some brigades getting initial response paramedic training as they are often first there! GEEZ imagine the ramifications of a Vol firefighter stuffing up in that situation??? Good thing I am not too keen on the 'blood & guts' parts of the "job"

Mmmmm, litigation is such a big thing in our country.......

Never knew that area was settled so early.

[Buzzer]

3rd officer, local RFB
Logistics officer, area Rural Fire Group
Brigade and group S**t stirrer on matters to do with fair treatment of volunteers.

I Live and work within a few 100M of our shed and truck, during our season I have a hand held 2 way radio with me most of the time so I know what's happening. Keeps me out of trouble and is a good way to get to know people and the area well.

Buzzer, I think you'll find there will be a push to get you (and any other active volunteers) trained to FM1.

Mick

Mick,
I too have heard a rumour we might need some sort of "training". If so there will be very few, if any volunteer firefighters left around here.
I have heard this for some years now and if this training needs to be done, I feel the authorities will have to start paying people to become "qualified" firefighters around here.

Cheers
Buzzer.