LIFT-OUT: HAY CATEGORY 6 TANKER BUSH FIREbulletinVOLUME 31 No.03 // 2009 THE JOURNAL OF THE NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE

Facing our future NSW RFS takes the lead at the International Wildfire Management Conference Australia 2009

ADDITIONAL STORIES: LOST IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS NSW RFS HELPING OUT IN AFRICA MORE FLOODS ON THE NORTH COAST PHOTO GALLERY: FIRST COFFEE4KIDS BALL EUROBODALLA FIRE REVEALS THE DEAD MAN’S ZONE OAKVILLE JUNIORS SHOW US HOW IT’S DONE CONTENTS

04 10 24 27 52

01 FOREWORD 32 GENERAL NEWS cont’d 32-35 Region North Exercise 02 IN FOCUS 36 Spotlight on Volunteers 04 INCIDENTS 36 In Focus: Volunteers 04 North hit with floods again! 38 Australian Fire Service Medal: Queen’s Birthday 2009 07 Heat at the Halfway Roadhouse 40 Brigade in Profile: 08 The Dead Man Zone Sutton Rural Fire Brigade 10 The manpower behind the search for 43 Officer in Profile: Jamie Neale Group Captain Ron Hardy 44 Oakville Juniors: 12-15 In the aftermath of the they are a great asset to us Victorian Fires 47 Another successful cadet program 12 Recommendations from the Royal completed in the Lower Hunter Zone Commission 14 Changes to the Fire Danger Ratings and public warnings 48 RESEARCH FROM THE BUSHFIRE CRC Are children the key to a fire safe community? 16 GENERAL NEWS 16-23 Facing our Future: 51 BOOKS The International Wildfire Management Conference Australia 2009 51 Black Saturday: Stories of love, loss and courage from the Victorian bush fires 24 C4K Ball: Oh, what a night!

52 WORLD FIRE 26 MyRFS 52 Botswana: New to fire management 26 MyRFS: Building what you asked for

54 Values Photo Competition 27 OPERATIONS LIFTOUT: hAY CatEgory 6 Tanker 54 Capturing the NSW RFS Values in action

The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) encourages the availability, dissemination and exchange of public Disclaimer Statement information. You may copy, distribute, display, download and otherwise freely deal with this material for personal, While the material within this Bush Fire Bulletin is current at the time of writing changes in circumstances after the time in-house or non-commercial use, on the condition that you include the copyright notice © State of New South Wales of publication may impact on the accuracy of the material. Individuals are responsible for ensuring they have the most through the NSW Rural Fire Service [plus year of creation or first publication] on all such uses. In the event that you current version of this publication. wish to copy, distribute, display, download, store, or use this material for a purpose other than personal, in-house or non- commercial use, you must obtain permission from the NSW RFS by writing to the following address: The information and material contained herein is general in nature and is intended for your use and information. The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) disclaims, to the extent permitted by law, all warranties, representations or Commissioner endorsements, express or implied, with regard to the material contained herein. The NSW RFS does not warrant or NSW Rural Fire Service represent that the material contained herein is free from errors or omissions, or that it is exhaustive. Users should Locked Bag 17 exercise their own skill and care with respect to its uses. You must not assume that this material will be suitable for the Granville NSW 2142 particular purpose that you had in mind when using it.

You must also obtain permission from the NSW RFS if you wish to: The NSW RFS disclaims any liability (including but not limited to liability by reason of negligence) to the users of • charge others for access to the work (other than at cost); the material for any loss, damage, cost or expense whether direct, indirect, consequential or special, incurred by, or arising by reason of, any person using or relying on the material and whether caused by reason of, any error, omission • include all or part of the work in advertising or a product for sale, - or misrepresentation in the material or otherwise. Users of the Website will be responsible for making their own • modify the material; or assessment of the material and should verify all relevant representations, statements and information with their own • use any trade mark from this publication, including the NSW Rural Fire Service crest, MyRFS logo, or the professional advisers. All photos, unless otherwise stated, taken and owned by the NSW Rural Fire Service, Corporate Firewise logo. Communications.

Bush firebulletin // CONTENTS The views expressed in articles in the Bush Fire Bulletin do not necessarily reflect the views or the policies of theNSW Rural Fire Service. foreword

ince the last edition of the Bush Fire Bulletin members from all levels of the Service have been heavily engaged in inter-agency, interstate and Sinternational cooperation and collaboration. The professionalism and expertise of the NSW RFS and its members has again been highlighted on the international stage. The NSW RFS hosted the International Wild Fire Management Conference in late June with more than 200 NSW RFS members attending. The positive feedback from members has been overwhelming.

The year 2009 has brought some of the most significant changes to firefighting in Australia for some time. The tragedy of the Victoria fires has sharpened the focus of the general public, as well as governments and fire agencies, on the phenomenon of Australian bush fires. The weather predictions for NSW also suggest that we need to stay on the alert for a difficult fire season ahead.

Since February 2009, stakeholders from all areas of Australian emergency management have come together to draw on the lessons from the Victorian fires and to respond to the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission’s Interim Report. The NSW RFS has acted quickly and confidently and some of the early responses, such as the new Fire Danger Ratings and new public warnings systems are explained on pages 12 to 15. IN THE NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE Equally important has been the launch of the new ‘Prepare Act Survive’ public awareness campaign. The campaign began airing on television in October and has also included print, radio, outdoor and online advertising across the State. The campaign includes a Bush Fire Survival Plan, new Fire Danger Ratings and Alert levels. As a measure of the Service’s commitment to public safety, WE VALUE more than three-quarters of a million copies of the Bush Fire Survival Plan were distributed throughout NSW in November inside the Sunday Telegraph newspaper. I would ask you to encourage your family and friends to fill out community and environment the Bush Fire Survival Plan as well. support, friendship and camaraderie All of these changes and campaigns were launched in conjunction with other agencies and within short timeframes. I want to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all those involved. It is a testament to the flexibility of the knowledge and learning Service and the willingness of the NSW RFS to learn lessons from such tragedies as the Victorian fires. integrity and trust As I write this Foreword we are looking at a difficult fire season ahead. The Bureau of Meteorology measured some unseasonable record temperatures for Spring and is predicting above average temperatures and low rainfall for one team, many players and one purpose the rest of the fire season. The Bureau of Meteorology outlook is similar for much of south east Australia and we have already seen days rated as adaptability and resourcefulness ‘Catastrophic’ in South Australia and New South Wales. With the possibility of a strengthening El Nino event, 95 percent of the State affected by the drought and with little positive outlook for rain, we are potentially facing one mutual respect of the most difficult fire seasons we have seen in some time. I take this opportunity to thank you in advance for your efforts this coming fire season and to impress upon you the importance of your personal safety while you carry out your operational duties.

Shane Fitzsimmons, AFSM NSW RFS Commissioner BUSH FIREbulletin // FOREWORD 01 infocus

Racing for an emergency Photo by David Tease

Instead of racing to an Volunteers from the local NSW their property for the bush fire guru himself, Superintendent emergency, Illawarra NSW RFS RFS Brigades, Farmborough season as well as take a look Richard Cotterill, Illawarra Zone volunteers spent Saturday 13 Heights and Dapto, were at at the NSW RFS trucks and Manager, fitting right into his June 2009 at the local horse the racecourse along with the equipment. role as one of the judges for the races spreading the Fire Safety Illawarra Community Safety competition. Richard is shown message. Wollongong City Brigade. While the children were Some of the Illawarra NSW RFS above with the winning horse Council held its annual Charity educated and entertained the staff enjoyed the day in style in of Race 2 - Illawarra Rural Fire Race Day at the Kembla Grange RFS Firewise board game and the AJ ‘Bert’ Lillye Lounge, with Service Race and jockey as well Racecourse with the Wollongong the smoke house, parents and tickets for the lunch raising money as Maree Larkin, Illawarra Fire RFS Brigades being the racegoers were able to obtain for the day. Fashions on the Field Mitigation Officer and Sally Belo, beneficiary of the day. vital information about preparing was a feature, with the fashion Illawarra Administration Officer.

Turning lemons into lemonade

Photo by Sue Hardy

02 BUSH FIREbulletin // IN FOCUS Reaching out across the ditch

The Year 8 girls at the Carncot School for Girls in Palmerston North, New Zealand were so moved by the tragedy of the Black Saturday fires they decided to take action. Here the Principal of the school, Christine Michalski, explains how it unfolded.

“One of our Year 8 girls was so friendship and hope to that girl in finding a girl or a school to give We are honoured and delighted! moved by some of the firefighting a devastating time. our gifts to! We searched but to We are hoping that we can stories that she saw on the no avail, until I spotted an article continue our friendship and support television news, that she came The projects went ahead and in the Australian Women’s Weekly with the people of Strathewen. to me to ask if the school could the girls raised over $1,000 and entitled: Out of the Ashes: Australia raise money for the victims. completed the quilt, as you can see Rebuilds. I wrote to the editor, This has been a huge learning She was particularly touched in the attached photograph. Each who put me in touch with Adrian experience for our girls and it fills by the story of two girls who class applied a different coloured Hyland, whose daughter attends me with joy to see that even a had perished trying to save heart in a rainbow and all hearts Strathewen Primary School, which 12-year-old from a small school their horses, probably because have been signed by all members was destroyed in the fires. can make a powerful difference in she also rides horses. She also of the school. The bottom of the the world.” suggested that the girls make a quilt says HEARTS AND HUGS Our quilt was hand-delivered by quilt for a girl of their own age FROM CARNCOT SCHOOL 2009. one of our school’s families and we Christine Michalski who had lost everything. It was believe that it will hang in the new Principal, Carncot School for Girls a way of offering some support, Then came the challenge of Strathewen School when it is built. Photo by Kevin Bills Photography Ltd

A bank of ‘ugly’ lockers in the bay were Commissioner Shane in the area, so we were lucky to “Everyone thought we were just of the Blackheath Brigade Station Fitzsimmons, Local Member for get them.” hiding the ugly lockers, then they became a feature of its 50th Blue Mountains, Phil Koperberg saw what we had done!” Anniversary celebrations this year. and the Federal Member for A team of five young men from Macquarie, Bob Debus as well as the local Youth Centre submitted “In fact we were able to take The Blue Mountains are one past and present members of the a drawing which was approved by some of the older members and of the most fire prone areas brigade. the brigade members. After that show them: Look! Here is your in the world, and many of the the execution of the artistry took original locker with your name still brigades in the area are this year “We saw those ugly lockers just only a few hours! engraved there.” celebrating their 50th. There were sitting there and thought it’d be two days of celebrations planned good to paint them,” Larry said. Once the lockers had been The Commissioner later for the Blackheath/Mt Victoria “Then someone else came up painted with gloss paint Larry commented that he was very Brigade with a Presentation Day with the idea of a mural.” noticed that they could now impressed with Blackheath’s on the Saturday and an Open Day see names engraved there by ingenuity and the links they for the public on Sunday. The brigade approached the local previous members. had established with the local Youth Centre street artists to community in creating the mural. Brigade Captain Larry Howard design a mural. “On the Presentation Day we said they decided to freshen up kept the mural wrapped up in Lorraine Norley, pictured here the station in preparation for the “We left it up to their plastic,” Larry said. “At the end standing in front of the lockers, 50th and the many special guests imagination,” Larry said. “They of the ceremony the new mural has been active in the brigade due to visit. Among those invited are really getting a lot of work was unveiled.” since 1978.

BUSH FIREbulletin // IN FOCUS 03 Flood waters in Kempsey, May 2009 NORTH HIT WITH FLOODS

ByAGAIN! Keiran Smith, NSW RFS Internal Communications

While the 2008/09 fire season may have been relatively benign, for the members of Region North a series of major flood events on the Mid North Coast in the first half of the year once again tested the versatility and resolve of Service members.

04 BUSH FIREbulletin // INCIDENTS The Minister for Emergency Services, Steve Whan, flying over Kempsey in May 2009

the north to Port Macquarie in the south were placed on a Gulmarrad, Ashby, Woombah heightened level of standby, with and Broomshead Brigades “We’d see water immediate response units pre- from Clarence Valley used their bubbling out of the identified to ensure timely action five Cat 1 appliances and four when required. portable pumps to move an grass wall of the estimated 98 million litres of levy and there were NSW RFS Liaison Officers were water back into the Clarence also deployed to SES HQ at River. While the river swelled concerns that the levy Wollongong and various SES dangerously and the levy would breach...” command posts across the north threatened to break or overtop, coast to assist in coordination NSW RFS crews, pumps and between the agencies and trucks worked flat out for 72 down. Everyone had to work as ensure resources were sent hours right next to the levy bank part of a really good team.” where most needed. of the river. Crews manning the trucks at By Friday 22 May, Tweed, “It was an eerie feeling to be Maclean were a mix of both Byron, Ballina, Lismore, Kyogle, there knowing there was just experienced and younger Richmond Valley and Clarence an earth wall between us and members. Valley areas were all subject to millions and millions of gallons natural disaster declarations. of water,” Clarence Valley “All the schools were closed so Operations Officer Brian Williams we got the high school students Large areas of the northern This day also saw the largest said. – and we had them working,” coastline were affected by floods response by NSW RFS units Brian said. “After this experience in February and again in late in Region North with over 230 “We’d see water bubbling out the boys reckon they could pump March and April. In fact, due to personnel in 76 appliances of the grass wall of the levy and anything anywhere. heavy and persistent rain falls working in partnership with there were concerns that the throughout the early part of the local SES units to assist in levy would breach. I thought to “These are the kind of exercises 2009, most of the major regional clearing scores of felled trees myself: ‘If this breaches, we are where newer guys grow so centres across the NSW north and building sandbag retaining gone.’” much. The knowledge they will coast had already been subject walls to protect assets from pick up from this operation is to flood warnings. flooding. The other concern was that the invaluable. They will feel so levy would ‘overtop’. In Maclean confident at the pumps. I know Worse was yet to come, With the high clearance of their where NSW RFS firefighters that in the upcoming fire season, however, with the Bureau Cat 1 and Cat 2 appliances, NSW were working, the water level under pressure, these guys of Meteorology forecasting RFS personnel also engaged in reached 15 centimetres from its will be brilliant!”(See Andrew a severe low pressure cell rescue operations of people on limit. Bridge’s story, next page) developing across northern isolated properties as well as NSW and Southern Queensland delivering food, fresh water and Crews worked 12 hour shifts After their 72 hour stint at the in May. With the forecasts medical supplies to people cut and with their pumps running pumps the NSW RFS crews indicating severe rain and off by the rising water levels. continuously, crews spent were relieved by crews from wind for the Tweed Local their time topping up oil levels, Grafton City and Glenugie. Government Area, the SES During both the emergency keeping all the strainers cleaned placed a request with the NSW phase of the operation, NSW and removing grass and weed With the storm cell continuing RFS on Wednesday 20 May that RFS personnel undertook to keep the pumps from to move south, on 23 May the brigades be placed on standby significant pumping operations to overheating. State Government extended for rapid deployment in the remove localised water from the the disaster declarations to following days. affected townships. “The trucks had to be running cover Kempsey, Coffs Harbour, the whole time as well,” said Bellingen, Nambucca and the Within a day the Service had The town of Maclean was saved Brian, “We’d drop one of the Port Macquarie-Hastings areas. identified 160 units able to from the flood waters by an trucks off the line and race down By Saturday, one fatality had respond at short notice into incredible effort by four brigades to the nearest service station been recorded and more than storm and flood-affected areas. and five tankers pumping water which was still open and fill her 21,500 people were isolated, All brigades from Tweed in 24 hours a day for three days. up. Then we’d take another truck

BUSH FIREbulletin // INCIDENTS 05 including 16,000 in Grafton where flood waters were expected to isolate the town for a further two days. Meanwhile, in Kempsey the town was inundated by two metres of water.

Even the SES headquarters in Coffs Harbour required protection from rising water levels, with NSW RFS personnel dispatched to assist in building protective retaining walls from sandbags. Yorklea FCC in the Richmond Valley did not fare as well, with the floor of the main office submerged in two inches of water.

Rain began to ease over the subsequent days, allowing recovery efforts to begin in the affected areas, after responding to more than 3,400 calls for assistance during the emergency.

Overall, the Service’s contribution during the 12- day operation included 1,041 NSW RFS personnel and 338 appliances, which again reinforced the versatility and commitment of its members in providing relief during any emergency.

This was also recognised by the Minister for Emergency Services Steve Whan, who visited the affected areas on several occasions to inspect damage and thank emergency services personnel for their efforts.

Through a letter to all volunteers and staff, the Minister acknowledged the critical contribution of NSW RFS personnel across the Region, many of whom had responded to the call during flooding incidents earlier in the year.

Andrew’s Story “This is my son Andrew Bridge who is a member of the Ashby Rural Fire Brigade. Andrew was unable to attend school for a week in May when the Clarence River was in flood. Andrew willingly travelled across the flooded river in the SES Rescue Boat each day to Maclean, where he assisted members of the Ashby Brigade and other local brigades in pumping water out of the Maclean CBD.

As the water receded he again assisted in washing flood mud off local arterial roads and in the village of Harwood.

Andrew has been a member of the Ashby Brigade for the past two years and has recently been accredited as an Advanced Firefighter.”

Peter Bridge, Deputy Captain, Ashby Brigade

Photo courtesy of The Daily Examiner 06 BUSH FIREbulletin // INCIDENTS Story and photos by Steve Brown, HEAT AT THE HALFWAY ROADHOUSE Operations Officer, Hunter Valley Team

For the past 50 years crews from all over the State called to assist with bush fires ‘up the Putty’ have made a stop for fuel or snacks at the legendary Halfway Roadhouse at Putty, on the way to Singleton from Sydney.

A Triple Zero (000) call at 1920hrs Saturday 1 August 2009 marked the end of an era as crews from Putty, Howes Valley, Broke, Bulga, Darlington and Edinglassie Brigades were responded to a structure alight. Saturday 1st August 2009

1920hrs: Hunter Valley Duty Officer receives Triple Zero (000) call for a structure fire, Halfway Roadhouse, Putty Rd, Garland Valley. The Duty Officer advises FCO 5 and Group East who were in attendance at a hazard reduction (HR) burn just south of the Halfway Roadhouse on the Putty Rd. Putty 1 and 7, Howes Valley 7a and 7b responded from the HR burn to the Halfway Roadhouse in addition to Broke 1, Bulga 1 and Darlington 1A and 1B.

1936hrs: The first crews to arrive at the Halfway Roadhouse found the left hand section of the building (the living area) fully involved in fire. Snr Deputy Captain Mark Halton from Howes Valley Brigade was already on the scene. He advised that he had already completed one quick external search of the building with no sign of any occupants. Crews then conducted a full got to work cooling the petrol external search of the building bowsers and assisting with the and surrounding outbuildings. At external attack on the building. this stage, the fire had moved into the centre of the building in 1955hrs: the kitchen and front room of the Additional Cat 1s arrived on business section of the premises. scene and assisted with water supply and manpower. Crews planned to isolate the power supply only to discover that 2033 hrs: the wires had already been burnt Darlington 1B (4 x CABA operators) away from power pole leading arrived on scene and conducted an into the main power board. internal search. 2200 hrs: Crews then checked the rear of Additional CABA crews from the building. They found a small Edinglassie Brigade arrived on roller door that was locked. At scene. that moment a large flash and bang was seen and heard in Sunday 2 August 2009 the kitchen area. Crews found another locked sliding door in the 0051 hrs: restaurant area. Smoke and heat Scene declared safe and handed had already started to affect the over to NSW Police. glass in the sliding door. PS: For those who know 1944 hrs: the Halfway Roadhouse and The kitchen and front business remember the white cockatoo in entry were now fully involved a cage near the petrol bowsers. in fire and at the front of the The bird escaped unharmed. building the fuel bowsers were starting to be affected by radiant heat. New crews arrived and CABA crews from Darlington and Edinglassie brigades douse the remaining hotspots inside the Halfway Roadhouse

BUSH FIREbulletin // INCIDENTS 07 THE DEAD MAN ZONE AT THE 2009 BELIMBLA FIRE By Andrew Stark, Acting Manager, Region South

T T T T T T T T T

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S S S S S S S S S Eurobodalla

NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE  6005000 6005000 Belimbla Fire 14:57  A3 Scale 1 : 20,000 Grid Scale  540m DDEEAADD MMAANN ZZOONNEE Grid Square = 1000 m 384m  DDEEAADD MMAANN ZZOONNEE 509m 184m Fire at 1920  114m Fire at 1409

9900m m

334m 9900m 9  6 Fire at 1457   51m 6 6004000  6004000 *  m Dead Man Zone  6644m 3 2 3 3 30 343m m 20090208 -- 1457 Spot Fire 776m Going Fire Edge  63m 8m 40 m 3 m 8 7 5 0 6 167m 20090208 -- 1409 20090208 -- 1409 1m 6003000 41 6003000 330m  20090207 -- 1920 326m   



 Plot Information 6002000 6002000 Date: 17/02/2009 761 461m  m Time: 16:16:07

 Fire Statistics  Burnt Area: 721.2 ha Burnt Perimeter: 28.6 km

Map Details Base Data: LPI Cadastre & Topo Database Map Projection: MGA Zone 55 (GDA 94) Print Date/Time: 17/02/2009 16:16:07 6001000 6001000 Produced By: Belimbla Fire IMT

BB Warning BBeellliiimm iiimmbbll lllaa FF 1. This map has been prepared by the NSW Rural Fire Service ("the Service") FFttt using data supplied to it by other agencies and entities. See the "Data "Dictionary" for further information about the sources of this data. 2. The Service has not verified or checked the data used to prepare this map. The map may contain errors and omissions. The Service has not made any attempt to ground truth the map. 3. There will be a margin of error in relation to the location of features recorded on the map. The Service is unable to specify the extent or magnitude of that margin of error. 4. Significant changes may have occurred: i. in the time between which the data was originally collected and the map produced; and ii. since the map was produced. 5. Users must, wherever possible, ground truth the map before relying on it or

7 7 7 7 7 7 the accuracy of the map or the information r7 ecorded on the map for any 3 4 4 4 4 4 4

9 0 1 2 3 4 purpose. 5

0 0 0 0 0 0 6. The Service accepts no responsibility for an0 y injury loss or damage arising

0 0 0 0 0 0 from the use of this map or any errors or om0 issions in the information 0 0 0 0 0 0 recorded on the map. 0 

The change in direction and Zone as, ‘Any area within about 5 The subsequent images and “This area would behaviour of bush fires under minutes of possible overrun from analysis shows clearly the rates the influence of sudden and a fire. If you’re operating in this of fire spread and associated fire not normally be strong wind changes has lead area you need to be able to see behaviour including spotting, that considered to be to a number of tragedies, with or be warned immediately about makes being in the Dead Man firefighters overrun by fire. This any change in fire behaviour, Zone so dangerous. dangerous but the dangerous phenomenon is have a refuge available close by, line scans show that known as being caught in the and go to it straight away if your The Belimbla fire it would have been Dead Man Zone. Earlier this safety is threatened. Also refer year due to a fluke in timing, to page 6 of the Firefighters’ The Belimbla fire was first fatal for any crews firefighters captured the Dead Pocket Book (All Editions) detected at last light on 7 in the area.” Man Zone on two line scans. February, 2009 by a Fire Tower This dangerous phenomenon is operator. The fire appeared to The Dead Man Zone was often observed by firefighters, be in an area that had received originally identified in published but this year it was caught in line a number of lightning strikes research in 2001, conducted scanning images at the Belimba during the evening of 5 February. by Phil Cheney, Jim Gould and fire. Due to a fluke in timing Despite air reconnaissance and Lachie McCaw. Since then it and location, the NSW Rural vigilance from the surrounding has become a critical area of Fire Service Line Scanning and fire towers, no smoke or fire bush firefighter safety and has reconnaissance aircraft made had been detected. NSW RFS become a key factor in all levels two passes over the Belimbla crews were deployed to private of NSW Rural Fire Service fire at critical times just prior property south of the fire training. The Bush Firefighter to and immediately after a and preparations were made (BF) Manual (NSW RFS, 2005, significant wind change. overnight to deploy heavy plant p52) describes the Dead Man 08 BUSH FIREbulletin // INCIDENTS 1. Line Scan image taken at 1409hrs: Spotting was occurring to the east up to 1500 metres in front of the main fire. Under the westerly influence, spotting had been generally in at south-east direction from 90 degrees to 120 degrees.

2. Line Scan image taken at 1457hrs: Following the southerly change spotting was observed east to north-west from 90 degrees back to 300 degrees. The most significant spotting occurred in the north-west area of the fire that crossed the Belimbla Fire Trail in a number of places.

The Dead Man Zone exists all around any fire. The second image shows how the fire has rapidly run into that zone around the northern side of the fire due to the sudden 1 southerly wind change.

This area would not normally be considered to be dangerous in wind changes, but on this occasion the line scans show that it would have been fatal for any crews in the area.

While there were stronger winds with the wind change, including gusts up to 40kph, no other weather changes occurred with this wind change; even relative humidity remained the same for another three hours.

This rapid growth of this fire caused the S44 in Bega Valley to be extended to include the local government area of Eurobodalla, 2 but this fire was contained during the next couple of days. to commence work on the The unique data from a second changes and visually see the southern and eastern control Dead Man Zone. Don’t get caught in the Dead Man lines. A section 44 IMT was line scan within the hour Zone already in place at the Bega The line scan aircraft then How did the fire change in those Valley FCC, managing the Jingera The images of this fire clearly continued south to the Jingera Rock Fire and other incidents. 48 minutes show the Dead Man Zone. All Rock area to complete its tasking firefighters must be aware that in this area. The aircraft then flew An aircraft was sent to the area This fire increased in size by any time they are on a flank north and conducted another and it was mapped at 14.4ha and 44.4 percent, from 499.9ha and indeed the heel of a fire, pass over the Belimbla fire as it going, with the pilot reporting to 721.2ha. Spotting activity that wind changes even under returned to Sydney. very active fire on all edges. By increased dramatically in moderate to high FDIs may have 1409hrs, the time of the first amount and direction. Under the significant effect on both the At any time an IMT is able to line scan this fire had already westerly influence, spotting had direction and intensity of the fire. increased to 499.4ha under the access two line scan images, been generally in a south-east over a short period, to make a influence of a strong westerly direction from 90 degrees to 120 It is essential that crews use precise analysis of fire spread, weather system. Spotting was degrees. Following the southerly their LACES and ensure that it is a fantastic resource. The occurring to the east up to 1500 change, however, spotting was when operating near any fire, unique data obtained, with the metres in front of the main fire. observed east to north-west especially in rugged terrain two images taken on the 8 This fire activity can be seen in from 90 degrees back to 300 with limited escape and refuge February only 48 minutes apart the 1409hrs line scan image. It degrees. The most significant options, that they should remain and the significant southerly is important to note that the Fire spotting occurred in the north- aware of the possibility of being wind change, allow us to Danger Index (FDI) was below 20 west area of the fire that crossed caught in the ‘Dead Man Zone’ observe and measure the fire throughout the morning and up the Belimbla Fire Trail in a and take action to avoid it. until the wind change. behaviour experienced with wind number of places.

BUSH FIREbulletin // INCIDENTS 09 THE MANPOWER BEHIND THE SEARCH FOR

JAMIE NEALEBy Keiran Smith, NSW RFS Internal Communications Photos by Lindsay Williams, Glenbrook Lapstone Brigade

It was a story of survival that amazed the world. For 12 days, media crews from around the globe converged on the Blue Mountains to cover the search for Jamie Neale, a 19-year-old English backpacker, who had gone missing on a walk through the Jamison Valley to Ruined Castle on July 3 2009.

At the heart of the operation days of the search, hampered of the arduous work, two were the 200 NSW RFS progress. NSW RFS members had to be members who provided the winched out of bushland. majority of manpower behind “I have never searched for the extensive search operation. anyone in such steep conditions,“ Mr Benson said that in some Police Rescue coordinated the said Glen Benson, NSW RFS areas the canopy was so dense search and called on the help staff member and Senior Deputy that although they could hear the of SES, National Parks and the Captain at the Lawson Brigade. helicopters, they couldn’t see NSW RFS. NSW RFS volunteers Mr Benson searched on the them. When Mr Benson’s crew came from 22 brigades across south side of Mt Solitary on Day emerged from the bush after 12 the entire Blue Mountains zone, 11 of the operation. hours of heavy effort, Jamie’s from Lapstone to Mt Tomah, to father was there to greet them. search the 100 square kilometre “It was very cold, especially on area of the Jamieson Valley. the exposed ridge tops and there “He personally thanked everyone were no formed tracks,” he said, in our crew,” Mr Benson said, “Of The conditions for all those “Four members of our group had course, we felt rotten because involved in the search were to turn back because the terrain we hadn’t found the boy.” certainly treacherous with was just so steep.” the search area strewn with As cold days and colder nights steep, slippery cliffs and thick Unfortunately, not all the passed, it seemed to almost vegetation. The heavy rain, emergency services personnel all the hundreds of people particularly in the opening returned unscathed. As a result involved in the search and the

10 BUSH FIREbulletin // INCIDENTS TOP AND BELOW: Sunday 12 July 2009: A RAFT walking party working back from Mt Solitary around the Western side of Ruined Castle.

Photo courtesy of Channel 9, 60 Minutes. Note the NSW RFS Trauma Teddy in Jamie Neale’s hands. millions following the daily After his discharge from hospital news that hope of survival was Mr Neale and his father met fading as quickly as the winter with many of the emergency temperatures. service personnel to thank them for their dedication and But incredibly 12 days after hard work during the search he first went missing, with operation. his saddened father, Richard Cass, about to board a plane In a good piece of, inadvertent, to return home to the UK, Mr national publicity for the Service, Neale emerged from the bush a NSW RFS trauma teddy given - near Narrow Neck plateau - 15 to Mr Neale during the evening kilometres from Katoomba. featured briefly during the 60 Despite close to freezing Minutes story into his survival temperatures at night and his tale. (See photo above) only sustenance consisting of local berries and seeds, Jamie During the program, Mr Neale was relatively unharmed, if not a said he had survived by eating couple of kilograms lighter. seeds, leaves and berries as he moved through the inhospitable Blue Mountains District terrain, sleeping rough under Manager, Tom Shirt who logs and trees, before finally coordinated the NSW RFS emerging from some of the search teams during the most rugged and inhospitable operation was one of the first terrain in the country almost to hear that Mr Neale had been two weeks later. found. Emergency Services Minister “Police command approached Steve Whan thanked the NSW me for a NSW RFS four-wheel- RFS for their swift response to drive vehicle to reach the point the call for assistance. where the missing man had been found alive,” he said. “This search was a tremendous effort in harsh terrain and Mr Shirt said NSW RFS adverse weather conditions by members in the Blue Mountains so many of our volunteers, who were well versed in undertaking generously gave their time to search and rescue operations, help find this young man,” Mr undertaking on average 12 such Whan said. operations each year. “I want to thank each of “It’s a function the Rural Fire them for their hard work on Service regularly undertakes this operation and also their and our members are very employers who allowed them familiar with the bush conditions to leave their workplaces to join in the Blue Mountains,” he said. the search.

“Unfortunately, it often ends in “This is a wonderful outcome the retrieval of a body but this for Mr Neale and his family and time it was a far happier ending a great relief to all the members for all concerned and a source of our emergency services of a great deal of satisfaction for who had been mobilised on the the members who had given up search operation.” their own time to participate in the operation.”

BUSH FIREbulletin // INCIDENTS 11 IN THE AFTERMATH OF THE VICTORIAN FIRES RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE VICTORIAN BUSHFIRES ROYAL COMMISSION

From the Australasian Tuesday 18 August 2009 Advice to the Community

Fire and Emergency Service Significant changes were Interim Report Recommendations Authorities Council (AFAC) recommended to the delivery On August 17 the Royal and wording of advice Commission into Bushfires and warnings given to the handed down its interim report community. This included to the Victorian Government. community education material While there were a range that highlighted: of recommendations made • Leaving as the safest option concerning the operation of • Not all homes are defendable Victorian agencies, there were • If a home can not be defended some key recommendations you should leave made that will have implications • The risk of defending includes for all fire and emergency death agencies around Australia. • There could be psychological impacts of staying to defend a property

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BELOW: Warren Rees, CFA volunteer, Strathewen is staying put. Mr Rees is living in a temporary shed after his property was razed on Black Saturday. Photo published courtesy of HarperCollinsPublishers from Black Saturday: Stories of love, loss and courage from the Victorian bush fires, edited by John McGourty. This book is reviewed by the Bush Fire Bulletin on page 51. The response from NSW RFS

An explanation of the new scale In the first three weeks following the Victorian Bushfires Royal of forecasts, warnings and Commission Interim Report the NSW RFS has been working community warnings can be seen hard to follow up on the recommendations. on pages 14-15. Actions taken by the NSW RFS include: Warnings • Developing a web-based emergency warning system During bush fires, the self-assessment tool (NEWS), telephony based Commission has recommended to advise residents on warning system. warnings are founded on the bush fire risk and the principle of maximising the defendability of their • Reviewing and potential to save human lives. This properties. refreshing educational includes improved information on: materials to align with • the severity • Developing a criteria for recommendations • location identifying ‘Safer Places’ in • predicted direction the community. I am proud to say that two of • likely time of impact of bush our senior executive officers fires on specific communities • Prepare. Act. Survive: The are playing major roles in and locations. preparation of a new media the response to the Victorian campaign explaining the Bushfires Royal Commission The warnings should use key changes to the Fire Interim Report. the principles set out in Danger Ratings (FDR) and Commonwealth policy paper the new alert levels. Assistant Commissioner Rob ‘Emergency warnings – Rogers is representing NSW Choosing your words’ (2008). • Discussions held with on the Bushfire Warnings A two-tier system of Bushfire the State Emergency Task Force. Information and Bushfire Operations Controller (NSW Warnings is recommended Police Force); Department Assistant Commissioner with SEWS used before all of Community Services; Dominic Lane has been community warnings. NSW Fire Brigades and seconded to the Victoria’s Emergency Management Country Fire Authority (CFA) The Commission has also NSW with regard to: to act as Executive Manager indicated that Incident Community Infrastructure Controllers should be able to – Dealing with the potential working on a number of give advice for people to relocate impact of an increased major projects including: as part of official warnings. number of people choosing Neighbourhood Safer Places; to leave early and/or Advice to Property Owners; Community Refuges evacuations; on-line self assessment tool The use of community refuges and vegetation management. has also been recommended as – Communicating with His section is also providing has Victorian agencies prioritising vulnerable communities support in reviewing current where possible resources about relocation plans publications, as well as to assist in the defence of together with preparation; developing new ones. designated community fire and refuges and neighbourhood safer No doubt the valuable work places at times when they are – Implementation of the Dominic Lane is undertaking likely to be in use. ‘Safer Places’ concept. in Victoria will have a flow- on effect to the NSW RFS Many of the recommendations • NSW RFS 1800 Bush Fire and more broadly the NSW have matched the projects Information Line including community. The Commission has also announced in July by the an overflow option. recommended a range of Victorian Premier John Brumby The Black Saturday bush measures the CFA should take to and work is already underway • Developing protocols and fires will resound in our be able to provide assessments to implement a number of systems within NSW RFS minds and hearts for many of the defendability of individual these recommendations. The State Operations to support years to come. At this houses to their owners. Victorian Government will have community warnings. time, at we prepare for the provided a formal response to 2009-10 bush fire season, Fire Danger Ratings the Commission by the end • Embedding warning and rest assured that the RFS Changes to the fire danger of August and is expected to triggers into Incident Action is making every effort to rating system have also been make major announcements on Plans. learn the tragic lessons of recommended to include ratings changes to fire safety strategies February 7, 2009 and take beyond the current upper limit of in Victoria on 1 October 2009 - • Introducing a Warning Cell effective timely action to extreme and to develop a severity the start of the fire season. into the State Operations protect the community. scale for use in bush fire warnings. structure. It is recommended fire danger The full report can be viewed on indices should be published by the the Royal Commission website: • Participating in the Shane Fitzsimmons, AFSM Bureau of Meteorology. http://www.royal commission. introduction of the national NSW RFS Commissioner vic.gov.au

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On 10 September 2009 Emergency Services Minister Steve withstand bush fires may be destroyed. The safest course of Whan and NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons action for people is to leave early. announced significant changes to Fire Danger Ratings and introduced new bush fire alert levels for use this bush fire The ‘Extreme’ fire danger rating indicates a Fire Danger index season. between 75 and 100. Fire will be uncontrollable, unpredictable and fast moving with flames in the tree tops and higher than These nationally-agreed changes were introduced following roof tops. Thousands of embers will be blown into and around extensive consultation between the NSW RFS, other NSW homes causing other fires to start and spread quickly up to agencies and interstate counterparts in the wake of the 6km ahead of the main fire. Victorian bush fires and the recommendations contained in the Interim Report of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission. The ‘Severe’ rating will apply on days when the Fire Danger Index is between 50 and 75. Fire will be difficult to control, A national position on changes to the Fire Danger Ratings unpredictable and fast moving with flame that may reach the and new bush fire alert levels have been agreed which will be tops of the trees and be higher than roof tops. Expect embers introduced this Summer. to be blown into and around homes causing other fires to start and spread up to 4km ahead of the main fire. One of the most significant changes is the introduction of a new Fire Danger Rating system as seen above. This is a Warnings to the Community significant change for the NSW RFS and the NSW community. These new Fire Danger Ratings will also lead to specific alerts It will allow us to deliver clearer information, advice and and advice for the public, based on the time of impact and the warnings to the public. fire’s potential. These alerts will take the following form:

The new ‘Catastrophic’ rating will apply on days when the Advice - a fire has started – there is no immediate danger; Fire Danger Index is above 100. This new rating has been general information to keep up to date with developments. added in recognition that these conditions - like those we saw in Victoria - present a significantly greater level of danger to Watch and Act - represents a heightened level of threat. the community. It is on these days, historically, that fires have Conditions are changing; you need to start taking action now caused significant destruction. to protect you and your family.

During these conditions, advice to the community from the Emergency Warning - you are in danger and need to take NSW RFS will be very clear. On these days, there is the action immediately. You will be impacted by fire. This message potential for significant loss of life and property and even will usually be preceded by an emergency warning signal ( a homes which are well-prepared and specially designed to siren sound played on the radio or TV).

14 BUSH FIREbulletin // changes to the fire danger ratings and public warnings “To help residents assess their home’s bush fire risk, a new web-based program is now available on the NSW RFS website.” The launch of the Prepare. Act. Survive public information campaign marked the start of the NSW bush fire season. “With the grim prospect of a long, hot and challenging NSW Emergency Services Minister, Steve Whan and the summer ahead, the State Government has strengthened the NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons announced resources of the Rural Fire Service, with a record budget of the hard-hitting statewide campaign at NSW RFS State more than $216 million this year,” Mr Whan said. Headquarters on 1 October, 2009. NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons “This Summer is shaping up as one of our worst in some urged residents to do everything possible to prepare their years and people right across NSW should be under no homes and families for the Summer. illusion that the potential for dangerous bush fires is very real,” Mr Whan said. “With about 90 percent of NSW in drought or listed as marginal and record temperatures across the State “We have already experienced significant fires in NSW in in August, I have real concerns for this fire season,” recent weeks, with many areas beginning their bush fire Commissioner Fitzsimmons said. season early. “The Bureau of Meteorology is indicating that for most “We have all seen how destructive fires can be and that’s of NSW, there is a 75 percent chance of above average why people should be taking steps now to Prepare. Act. temperatures and as high as 80 percent on the southern Survive.” border.

Mr Whan said the new campaign was strategically targeted “That’s why people should be taking the time now to prepare at people living in or travelling through bush fire prone areas. not only their homes, but also themselves, to give themselves the best chance of surviving a fire,” Commissioner “This campaign will tell people about the new national Fitzsimmons said. Severe, Extreme and Catastrophic Fire Danger Ratings and new bush fire alert messages to help them make safe and More information on how to Prepare. Act. Survive is informed decisions in the event of a fire,” he said. available on the NSW RFS website www.rfs.nsw.gov.au or people wanting further help and advice can call the NSW “It also highlights the need for residents in bush fire prone RFS directly on 1800 NSW RFS (1800 679 737). areas to prepare a Bush Fire Survival Plan.

BUSH FIREbulletin // changes to the fire danger ratings and public warnings 15 INTERNATIONAL WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE: FACING OUR FUTURE

Wildfire managers came Fitzsimmons and president of Mr Harrap said that NSW’s Director of Emergency from around the world and the RFSA, Brian McKinlay, were approach to development control Management, Department of around Australia to participate invaluable to the success of the was right up there with the best. Human Services Victoria, Craig in the International Wildfire event.” He said Australia also excelled at Lapsley spoke about recovery Management Conference and learning from experiences such systems in the aftermath of Expo held at Darling Harbour in “The feedback would indicate as the tragic events in Victoria the Black Saturday fires. Other late June 2009. that everyone attended felt it earlier this year. professionals shared technology was worthwhile. The speakers breakthroughs in GIS and spatial Held on 18-20 June 2009 and exhibitors felt likewise. The “Around the world I meet people technologies used in the victim the conference was jointly whole atmosphere was one of who think Australia is obviously identification process. sponsored by the NSW Rural camaraderie.” doing something right.” Fire Service, the Rural Fire The keynote speaker for the Service Association (RFSA) Mr Harrap is a member of Australian agencies, and in conference was author, scientist and in association with the IAFC and a Director of the particular the NSW RFS, had a and 2007 Australian of the Year, International Association of International Association of chance to showcase their work Tim Flannery whose speech Fire Chiefs (IAFC). Thirty-nine Wildland Fire. He is also an and methods at the conference. was entitled: Facing our Climatic speakers and 550 participants international representative on Case studies of highly successful Future - Thoughts Regarding came from Botswana, Turkey, the IAFC Wildland Fire Policy community educations programs Extreme Events. An excerpt of USA, UK, New Zealand, India, Committee. through to innovative council his talk is included on page 22- Korea, South Africa and every policies, studies of hazard 23. “Australia,” he said, “is the State in Australia. Since 2004 Mr Harrap has reduction techniques and new most flammable continent on presented papers on the work of technologies available to fire earth.” The conference and expo the NSW RFS every March at the managers were discussed. brought together experts in International Association of Fire Podcasts of interviews with Friday night was the time to relax wildfire management covering Chiefs in the US. several speakers at the with the Conference Dinner and concerns about extreme conference are available on: the String Divas and The Buz weather to community education He believes Australia and the http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/ Band performing for the guests. programs. The diversity and NSW RFS has a significant podcasts Keith Harrap said it was one of quality of the presentations contribution to make. Mr Harrap the highlights of the conference. impressed participants. has long been enthusiastic The spectre of the Black about holding an international Saturday fires was certainly All credit goes to the organising Chair of the organising conference in Australia. present at the Conference and committee for putting on an committee, Assistant many gave mention of it in their event without a hitch. Thanks to Commissioner Keith Harrap “As a Service we are doing work talks. Head of the Australasian Keith Harrap, Steve Raymond said the conference was a great in numerous countries around Fire and Emergency Service RFSA, Allan Holly, RFSA, Janine achievement for the NSW RFS. the world and so are the other Authorities Council (AFAC), Clarke, Murray Hillan and the States in Australia. In many Naomi Brown, gave a summary team at Tour Hosts headed up by “The support from the respects we lead on the world of the concerns of the Victorian Sarah Foda. Commissioner Shane stage.” Bushfires Royal Commission.

An expo held in a nearby hall proved a popular aspect of the event

16 BUSH FIREbulletin // INTERNATIONAL WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE: FACING OUR FUTURE Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Services, Phil Koperberg, officially opened the conference on behalf o the NSW Government

Lark McDonald, Mission-Centred Solutions, USA spoke about Developing the Next Fire Leaders

An indigenous ceremony launched the conference

Lemmi Briedis, Wamboin Brigade, spoke about the successful community engagement program at her brigade The String Divas were the highlight of the Conference Dinner

BUSH FIREbulletin // INTERNATIONAL WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE: FACING OUR FUTURE 17 David Lemcke, a town planner from the Wyong Shire Council spoke about a policy adopted by Wyong Council designed to reduce risk of bush fires for new suburbs.

What did you speak about at the truck to fight fires. So these two a bush fire safety point of view Is it a big difference for needs can reinforce each other. it is a significant improvement. conference? It also means we can get away developers and home-builders? You’ve won an award recently? from some of those problems of My presentation was about a people dumping over their back People building homes who find planning tool that we have come fence. We can keep the bush themselves in a sub-division like up with. It’s a multi-purpose We won the 2008 Local Govt this will find their requirements Shires Association sustainable a bit nicer. The road or fire trail corridor at the bushland/urban or cycleway in this new multi- for construction standards will interface so that fire is slowed building development and be lower and that could lead planning award. It is good to purpose corridor also gives more down or stopped before it gets public access to the bush land. to the costs being lower. They to houses or businesses. get that industry recognition. will also be a lot safer and they We are putting this model out won’t have to do nearly as much The way the model works is there for other councils or other Is public safety the main concern maintenance themselves. that we incorporate water- authorities to have a look at. It’s in this idea? sensitive urban design drainage a model that can be applied in The multi-purpose corridor components with a fuel-reduced very different sites. The main concern is to integrate comes across to public area. the four components - managing ownership and it becomes How big a change will this be for environmental impacts; the responsibility of council to To service a water-sensitive residents? managing bush fire safety; maintain. urban design you need to have storm water management and maintenance by trucks and For residents it means we won’t managing public access to the Hear the full interview with equally if you can fit a truck to have people backing directly on bushland. David Lemcke on http:// do maintenance you can fit a to the bush any more. So from www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/podcasts

A PhD student at the Curtin University in WA, David Ward, has been studying the history and impact of indigenous burning methods in areas south of Perth.

What was the key point you You mentioned a lot about the agree with some of the more for it. They don’t understand how ideological ones who haven’t dangerous bush fires are until wanted to offer to other fire aboriginal people of your area, even seen a bush fire and want they have been through one. agencies? what do you suggest we can learn to tell you about bush fire. They from them? tell you bush fire is bad and Hear the full interview with That I think fire breaks in general destroys biodiversity. If you David Ward on http://www. are ineffective because fires can The settler families in WA asked them to define biodiversity rfs.nsw.gov.au/podcasts jump over them very easily. The adopted aboriginal burning they might be stumped. only way to prevent big fires habits. They all say the same galloping across the country is to thing. Burn the bush, the jarrah Is there is room for change in the establish some kind of mosaic of forest, every two to four years. burnt and unburnt so that each fire management in your opinion? unburnt patch is quarantined by recently burnt areas. So even if a Did you have a message for I think there is a great need fire starts by lightning or a vandal environmentalists? for community education on it can’t go far. bush fire. A lot of urban people, Well I am a greenie. I am an through no fault of their own, environmentalist. But I don’t just don’t understand the need 18 BUSH FIREbulletin // INTERNATIONAL WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE: FACING OUR FUTURE Naomi Brown launched the conference proper with an appraisal of the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission from the point of view of AFAC. We present here a précis of her talk: Challenges for the Industry – The Case for Working Together.

Naomi Brown, CEO of the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC).

“Anyone who thinks this worst this descended into ‘fight bunkers and safe places. All of is a Victorian issue is quite or flee’. We saw the lack of these have their place. delusional. understanding of this message in the community. Reducing a But there is no silver bullet! This Anywhere in the world where complex message to a slogan has is community responsibility. It is bush fires are an issue they are been to our detriment and we are a shared responsibility. waiting and watching to see paying the price for this now. what will happen in the Victorian Amongst fire agencies there has Bushfires Royal Commission. The Commission was very been the response: ‘But we tell critical that it had not been our them to prepare but they are not There were 550 fires on that day policy to tell people when to changing!’ – February 7 - the fire services did leave and that it was not possible a fantastic job. A huge number of to give them a warning. A It’s time to abandon this the fires were pulled up. heavier emphasis on ‘prepare’ immature language. To imply that is critical to this. This policy people are lazy or don’t care. AFAC appeared in the should actually be known as We need to design strategies Commission on behalf of the Prepare, Leave Early or Stay and and programs that work. It’s fire management industry. We Defend. about us understanding what had three important roles to play works for what people in what in the Commission. The first The Bushfire CRC is validating circumstances. was leadership and advocacy. the AFAC position on this policy. This is a time above all others We are continuing with the At this stage, we do know that that the industry needs to show policy and we don’t see a major we don’t know a lot about the leadership. Secondly, we were departure in the future. The Victorian fires. There is a lot more there to provide information and emphasis, however, will be on evidence to come in and lot to support to the Commission and the triggers for leaving and on analyse. We do know that 112 to positively influence outcomes. preparation. people died inside a total of 52 Thirdly, we were there to support houses. What where they doing? the Victorian members who were We saw that throughout the Let’s not leap to conclusions. under heavy scrutiny. cycle of the Commission so far that the Commission and the These are tough times. There The immediate reaction of the media have been looking for a will be an ongoing tension Commission was to look at silver bullet. At first this silver between the development of the the national policy of Stay and bullet was evacuation. Let me environment and of public safety. Defend or Leave Early. It was remind you that in Sydney’s Getting the right public policy the first time in an enquiry post urban interface alone there are to meet all those needs is our a bush fire that attention went 980,000 people. It is difficult to job. We must go forward with to community preparedness and even conceive of evacuating that confidence. We owe it to all the not on the operation of the fire. number of people. people who died.”

In the media this policy was There were other silver bullets referred to as ‘Stay or Go’. At discussed such as refuges,

BUSH FIREbulletin // INTERNATIONAL WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE: FACING OUR FUTURE 19 Some of the latest spatial technology was put to use in the search operations after the 2009 Victorian bush fires. Tom Patterson from ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute, USA) joined Steve Forbes, Manager of Risk Management and GIS for the ACT Emergency Services Agency at the conference to explain the startling impact new spatial technology is likely to have on the future of fire management. Steve Forbes spoke to the Bush Fire Bulletin after their Tom Patterson presentation.

What is spatial technology? The work MAPS did with Victoria what they had done. This assisted from the field into the IMT! Police post the bush fires clearly the planning teams…Rather than It means that you are seeing Everyone uses maps. All of showed that these volunteers going out and collecting wad the information live rather than our fire services use maps were able to sustain long loads of paper in manila folders waiting for the end of the shift or and we have a lot of tools at a consistent deployment. and employing 20-30 data entry when the crew leader finally gets local level. Now we are trying clerks that stay up to midnight back to the fire control centre. to get people to embrace the At what point were those entering data - because this is current and future technologies volunteers down in Victoria? what we did on the first few days How do you think that will affect in spatial technology. Tom is after Black Saturday. firefighting in the future? travelling around the world trying At the end of Day 2 there was to showcase the really big uses We were able to have that a request offered by the ACT. data integrated into a database It’s like that old analogy ‘a picture of spatial technologies in major This was absorbed within three paints a thousand words’. disasters around the world. instantly, allowing those decision hours of the request being makers to plan forward straight made. Within 24 hours of that Well I like to say that new spatial We saw it here in Australia in away. That’s the advance that has we had crews on the ground at been made. technologies in emergency the aftermath of Victorian bush Williamstown Police Search and management change that to fires. What policing did for Rescue centre getting briefings ‘a picture paints a thousand Disaster Victim Identification for deployment. So they were How quickly did it happen that spreadsheets’. It paints a lot of and the evidence gathering for active on the ground with the you switched from paper over to data! the Coroner was new ground police on Day 3. electronic? in spatial technology. A lot of If we can stream that live stuff these new systems that were What was the technological That is probably the most back then decision makers can established in the days after work more effectively. Black Saturday were established breakthrough in Victoria? amazing part of the whole story. by spatial volunteers. The fact that those volunteers were there gave us the ability ‘Our plan is to put a bulldozer A lot of paradigm shifts came track there.’ Something quite new happened together there. The first was to put together a system for the the advent of 3G networks in research of all the properties down in Victoria didn’t it? in the Kinglake/Murrundindi ‘But hang on Sir, the fire has our mobile phone world. Spatial already crossed that area.’ technology revolves around large Complex of fires within 24 hours! Yes that’s right for us. We deployed From zero database and a paper graphics - aerial photography or ‘How do you know that?’ eight volunteers every day over topographic maps. If you want system, to a fully digital backend 43 days. A total of 53 people were set up database that was sharing to send those electronically in ‘We’ve got a live stream of GPS deployed to assist Victoria Police. the field then you need to have data across the intranet of Victoria They were all spatial professionals Police out to external agencies as data coming in. We’ve got a live big data pipelines. The Next G stream of infrared radar coming and all worked as volunteers. It is network introduced that. well as consuming information my understanding that is probably from other agencies. in or information from satellites.’ the biggest deployment of spatial So in Victoria we had police volunteers in any disaster in It was all set up in a 24-hour These are all technologies that officers walking around (in the can be adapted into a spatial Australia. fire-affected areas) with palm period. As a testament to what they did, they never had to environment. This is where we pilots collecting data for Disaster are going in the world. GPS is After the 2003 fires in the ACT we Victim Identification. change it after that. It worked, saw that the adoption of spatial it was solid, it never failed about inventing data - its location technologies could have been a throughout the whole process. intelligence - not just about They knew exactly where they where you are standing. little better. We also realised that were because they have a GPS It shows us that the technology Canberra has a huge concentration is there today, it is solid today in their palm pilot. The palm pilot Hear the full interview with of spatial professionals because was ruggedized, it was dust- and we should start to trust it of its proximity to Federal and employ more resources Steve Forbes on http:// proof, it was resistant-proof and www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/podcasts government departments. So we more importantly, it was shock- into spatial technology for have leveraged off that. We asked proof - because all emergency decision-support in emergency them to volunteer to help us make workers like dropping things management. spatial technologies available to don’t we? fire and emergency crews. And this information was being The police were able to move sent in real time? We’ve got over 60 volunteers from paper to an electronic realm dedicated to that now. They are so the incident management known as MAPS – mapping and That’s another paradigm shift. teams were able to see exactly The ability to stream data live planning support. where they were and exactly

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Blue Mountains DMP Enterprises Pty.Ltd A.B.N. 44 092 928 919 A.C.N. 092 928 919 P.O. Box 158, SPRINGWOOD, NSW 2777 Tel 1300 792 751 Fax 1300 722 792 Email: [email protected] Web: www.dmp.net.au Tim Flannery, Thoughts Regarding Extreme Events

2007 Australian of the Year Tim Flannery was the keynote speaker for the International Wildfire Management Conference. A highly acclaimed author and spokesperson for climate change, Mr Flannery took the topic of: Facing our Climatic Future – Thoughts Regarding Extreme Events. The following is a précis of his talk.

22 BUSH FIREbulletin // INTERNATIONAL WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE: FACING OUR FUTURE “Firefighters, I want you to know On my early reading of the report example of that. I used to say how very special you are to me, I can tell you that it says that our the next threat for Australia who lives in the bush. I am very predictions for climate change was water security. The ferocity aware of what you are protecting are off track. of the fires in Victoria and the me from. heatwaves killing the possums, Our median measures of climate were not on my radar. Humans are a fire-fearing change are too conservative. species. The Key Performance Indicators In 1998 there was a shift in the used to measure climate climate in Australia. Dropping There is a war going on between change - carbon dioxide levels, water levels have seen the flow different species and the temperatures and sea levels – of Murray River being choked weapon of war is fire. One of have all exceeded predictions. off. It has become very dry the most amazing plants is the We are tracking the worst case in Victoria and we have seen Brigalow scrub. It knows how to scenario. extreme weather events. Fire suppress fire. There are no air prone regions are shifting south gaps in its leaf litter and the litter I used to study possums - the and deserts are creeping into rots quickly. It has adapted to white ring-tailed possum of far wet areas. fight fire. You could say there is north Queensland to be specific. success for those species which I carry around a picture of one of When you alter the learn how to manage fire. these possums in my wallet to preconditions, the bush fires remind me of what we are facing that do result become different Australia is the most flammable in Australia. creatures. These fires are a continent on earth. Most of it very different creature from burns most of the time. The population of this little the fires that we have known. possum has crashed. They live Computer modelling shows that Climate change is impacting on in an area where there are no there will be an increase in fire the behaviour of fire in Australia. humans. These are ancient frequency with climate change I am a palaeontologist so I Australians – we have found and the intensity of the fires will like to consider the long term fossils of these possums that are increase. perspective on climate and on 54 million years old. climate change. There is very little we can do to Recently heatwaves have been stop the changes to our climate There is an intimate relationship killing the white ring-tailed over the next 30 years, however between ourselves and the possums at a great rate and their we can influence the period 30, atmosphere. The air we breathe population has crashed. That tells 40 and 50 years from now. out today will soon be part of the me that changes that we are global atmosphere. We receive experiencing now have not been Next year in Copenhagen, a new our life from the atmosphere. experienced on earth for millions global treaty is being brokered of years. to replace the Kyoto Protocol. Burning fossil fuels is changing Global leaders are recognising the air that we breathe. When I was studying the white that change is inevitable. ring-tailed possums, I didn’t There has been a 30 percent predict that climate change If we can broker an agreement increase in carbon dioxide in our might make them extinct. In to reduce carbon emissions, atmosphere since the Industrial the same way, I never guessed you might well have to fight Revolution. that there could be fires of the ever more severe fires in your intensity of the Victorian fires lifetime, but your children will Just yesterday a report was earlier this year. The metabolism not.” published by the Intergovernmental of the atmosphere is changing Department on Climate Change. - the Victorian fires are a great

BUSH FIREbulletin // INTERNATIONAL WILDFIRE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE: FACING OUR FUTURE 23 THE FIRST COFFEE4KIDS BALL: OH, WHAT A NIGHT!

“Awesome night” – “Sensational” – “Brilliant” – “Great entertainment. Great band. Great food. And such amazing generosity” – “Worth the trip from out West” – “It was great to be a part of such a worthy cause”.

All these are just some of the NSW RFS volunteers had come organising such an event, for a Another enthusiastic dancer comments received from the from as far away as Cobar and all very important cause.” reported: “Next year please!” guests who came along to up 254 people attended. People help raise over $20,000 for The let their hair down and had an Enjoying the food, drink, The Foundation is planning an Children’s Hospital at Westmead absolute ball. Almost everyone dancing, laughter and each even bigger Ball for March 2010. and the Coffee4Kids Victorian called for a bigger dance floor and other’s company was important, While many of the details are yet Children’s Bush Fire Appeal Fund. more time to dance! There was but everyone agreed that to be confirmed, we do know also almost universal agreement contributing to children in need that The Enormous Horns will be The 2009 Ball has been an that the entertainment - jazz/ through The Children’s Hospital back by popular demand and that enormous demonstration of the covers band, the Enormous at Westmead added an extra the dance floor will be bigger and support the Foundation has from Horns - were fantastic! element to the night. better. NSW RFS staff and volunteers, “Thanks for a great night,” wrote other agencies, the public and its “Worth the trip from out West!” one couple, “Our twin boys are The Waterview Convention sponsors. Sponsors for the C4K said one group from Cobar. 10 this Friday. Ten years ago, Centre in Bicentennial Park have Ball were DATS Environmental however, they were born eight again offered the Foundation a Services Group and DATS “On behalf of Charmhaven weeks premature. We lived at fantastic deal and in response Skip Bins, Martin & Luscombe Rural Fire Brigade, thank you for Westmead Hospital until they to feedback, the Ball will be held Associates and the RFSA. organising such a fantastic event. were ready to come home. So earlier in the year to make the The Ball was a huge success. We we have the greatest respect for most of the longer days and the The Ball ran without a hitch had a wonderful night and we them (the hospital). In the future, beautiful views. thanks to these sponsors and are all looking forward to coming always contact us and we will be the support of over 30 helpers again next year. Thank you for there to help.” and over 25 prize donors! all of your hard work and time

24 BUSH FIREbulletin // THE FIRST COFFEE4KIDS BALL: OH, WHAT A NIGHT! With 600 guests expected and all profits going to the Foundation to support sick children, come along and join in on the fun and help make the 2010 NSW RFS Coffee4Kids Charity Ball an even bigger event.

Would you like to help promote the Ball in your area? Are you interested in being a sponsor or donating items for the auction or raffle? Or would you simply like to know more? If so, please contact the C4K team at [email protected] or call (02) 8741 5555 and ask to speak to a C4K Advisory Committee Member today. To register your interest in the Foundation, please visit www.coffee4kids.org.au.

BUSH FIREbulletin // THE FIRST COFFEE4KIDS BALL: OH, WHAT A NIGHT! 25 MyRFS: Building what you asked for

Volunteers from right across the State have been sending in some fantastic suggestions for new features and improvements for MyRFS - and we’ve been listening. We’ve released a range of site improvements designed by our members, to meet the needs of our members.

So what did you ask for? Brigade roles

New Membership Members with a role recorded History Function against them in FireZone will now have this role displayed MyRFS users can now see their within the brigade contact book complete service history with which can be accessed via the the NSW RFS, as recorded in My Brigade tab. FireZone. There are a number of generic This function was suggested roles available within FireZone by secretaries as a way to including: help brigades in preparing • Training Officer applications for awards and life • Callout Officer membership. It allows members • Equipment Officer Members link on the Training Officers can be to see if there is any information • Fundraiser Administration page. identified in the role column of missing from their service • First Aid Officer the brigade contact book. history. • Permit Officer There are a number of • Public Relations Officer reports available to captains If you are not listed as a brigade Your membership history can • Safety Officer and secretaries, including training officer and should be, be accessed from the My • Community Safety Officer membership history, callout contact your district office to Profile page, by selecting the • Maintenance Officer details, qualification details and have this corrected. membership history tab. • Executive Member nomination details. What next? If there is either incorrect If you currently hold one Training Officers information, or information of these roles and it is not Reports The MyRFS team are always missing from your member recorded within MyRFS your looking for ideas for new history, your local district office district office will be able to functionality and improvements. assist you in correcting this. Brigade training officers can will be able to help correct this. now view qualification and If you have a great idea let us The following documents will course nomination reports for know at [email protected] help speed up this process: Captain and members of their brigade. Secretaries reports TOP: The new Membership • your brown book History Function allows you to see These reports are accessed your complete service history • training certificates dated from MyRFS have developed a range on the administration page, the time period of new reports for captains and however the ‘Manage Brigade • meeting minutes that verify CENTRE: Captains, secretaries and secretaries, to help them with Members’ link will only appear training officers now have access the correct details their administrative duties. if a member is recorded as to a range of new reports. • a letter from a member who a training officer within the was in the brigade at the time These reports are available FireZone system. confirming your details. through the Manage Brigade

26 BUSH FIREbulletin // MyRFS HAYBy NSW RFS Engineering CATEGORY Services 6 TANKER

n the latter half of 2008, Superintedant Neil Headon, the Manager This, in combination with the tanker being constructed on a short - Mid West Team at the time sponsored the construction of a ‘one- wheel base bogie drive chassis, enables substantially more water to Ioff special build’ Category 6 tanker for operation by the Hay Rural be carried and hence extends the firefighting duration of the tanker. Fire Brigade. What Hay required was not only a sister for their locally built 10,000 litre bulk water tanker, but a tanker specifically designed A combined partnership between the Mid West Team and the for combating grass fires that featured the latest standards in crew NSW RFS Engineering Team has provided the NSW RFS with the comfort and protection. opportunity to enhance our fleet capability by further developing a bulk water concept, in place for many years. The end result is a This Category 6 concept arose from the experience of Hay using contemporary appliance which incorporates sound engineering their existing bulk water tanker for grass fire suppression in late principles and addresses end user requirements. Although the 2007 where this tanker was successfully used to halt a fast running original thoughts were around a grassland tanker with a diesel engine grassfire north of Hay that was driven by 55kph winds and destroyed powered firefighting pump and remote controlled monitor, for around 370ha of farmland in just 48 minutes. As Hay had fitted a remote the same cost the concept evolved into a more multi-role appliance. controlled monitor to their bulk water tanker, this enabled this tanker Engineering Services Project Officer, Peter Church who managed with just a crew of two plus with the aid of a tractor and plough to the design process from concept to construction, says this tanker is rapidly put in a wet line break in front of the fast approaching fire front fitted with a hydraulically driven power take-off pump, enabling the to protect property that was under threat and then used the monitor water carrying capacity to be increased to just over 11,000 litres, to knock down the fire. plus stowage for 200 litres of foam. The tanker still retains the same equipment stowage as a grassland Cat 1 tanker. This experience demonstrated the merits of this concept resulting in the request by the Mid West Team to gain approval to construct a “What we need are multi-role vehicles that represent value for Category 6 tanker. Following some months of approvals, planning and money that require minimal crew,” Neil Headon said, “With two and preparation Hay’s new Category 6 tanker was constructed in the latter half times the amount of water than a Cat 1, it means the tanker half of 2008 and was delivered in late December of that year. can spend more time on the frontline doing firefighting. It’s easy to To date a number of other districts have expressed an interest in this use, the firefighters prefer it, it carries more water yet is about the type of tanker, the development concept and the potential for use, same size as a Cat 1 and being a 6x4 chassis, it can be driven most not only for the Western parts of the State, but also in areas along the places you would take a Cat 1. It simply makes sense not only from a Eastern seaboard. firefighter’s perspective but also from an economic view point.

In comparison with the traditional grassland tanker where the “Although our initial thoughts were around a grassland tanker, what firefighting is done by crew working from the refuge bay, this tanker NSW RFS Engineering has designed and constructed for us, for little does not have any external area for crew. Instead, this tanker features more than the price a grassland Cat 1, is a fabulous result which is Cat 1 style grass sprays and a cabin mounted remote control monitor simple to operate which provides a multi-role tanker not only for grass operated by a crew riding in the cabin to perform the same function. fires, but also a bulk water tanker and one that is capable for use at This concept is an attempt to engineer out the need for crew to the village incidents (mainly semi-trailer and B-double fires) that the operate externally in some circumstances, to maximise the capacity Hay Brigade are required to frequently respond to. of firefighters by requiring a smaller crew and reduce crew fatigue. – Continued on page 30

BUSH FIREbulletin // HAY CATEGORY 6 TANKER 27 F L I R E A R S

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Hay Category 6 features:

• 6x4 medium wheelbase chassis (‘Fire Spec’ configuration)

• Low profile 11,000 litre water tank internally baffled with new ball baffling system with 65 mm inlets on each side

• 200 Litre foam tank

• Rear mounted hydraulic PTO pump 2000 lpm @ 1000 kPa that can be primed by flooding with water from the water tank

• Simple to operate manifold of two 65 mm outlets

• Cat 1 style pump control panel with tank gauges and simplified operating instructions

• 30 m hose reel

• Wet hose tray

• Alloy bull bar with LED beacons and eft and right Cat 1 style grass sprays

• Remote controlled monitor mounted on cabin roof

• Cabin protection spray

• Wheel protection sprays

• Two standard tanker lockers (one each side) with fluorescent lighting

• Two pump/generator stowage lockers on each side

• Hose and tool stowage side (each side of the water tank)

• Standard twin 20litre fuel container storage locker

• Three100W twin-beam work lamps Pull out this section to display in your station or Fire Control Centre Pull Photos by Denis Woodford

BUSH FIREbulletin // HAY CATEGORY 6 TANKER 29 Neil Headon

“Being fitted with the same capacity pump as the Category 11 Village Pumpers in combination with the 11,000 litre water tank, a 200 litre foam tank and ample storage for equipment makes the Cat 6 a very versatile unit. The feedback from the Hay Brigade has been very positive and although it has yet to be proven at a major fire, it is a very welcome addition to the Mid West Team. I would like to add that I have nothing but praise for the professional way in which this project has been managed and also I would like to acknowledge the support provided my Regional Manager.”

At a local level, this project has been very much a collaboration with the members of Hay Brigade and the staff at Mid West Team, all of whom have been excellent in their support, and were very open minded in terms of trialling new ideas. Hay Brigade volunteers have, in their own time, proudly displayed this concept tanker at various locations around the State including the recent International Wildfire Conference and the Region North Exercise. Everywhere this tanker has been on display, the reaction has been very positive from both volunteers and staff.

Although this was constructed as a ‘special one-off’ build, this presented the opportunity to create a base template for the ongoing development of any further Category 6 heavy tankers. This design is able to be configured to suit to different chassis, equipment stowage and pump configurations. This design even allows for a trailer combination to provide the same water carrying capacity as a semi- trailer yet providing greater flexibility in operation.

Full credit to Neil Headon and the Mid West Team for not only proposing this innovative tanker concept, but also for their sponsorship of it.

30 BUSH FIREbulletin // HAY CATEGORY 6 TANKER GAAM Ad 041 -Mini Product Range1 1 8/19/2009 11:20:00 AM REGION NORTH EXERCISES AT GLEN INNES WENT OFF LIKE CLOCKWORK

The town of Glen Innes opened its doors, showgrounds, tourist spots, parks and public places to the NSW RFS in May 2009 for the Region North Exercises.

The motel carparks around produce quality meals on budget “We make the exercises as “The Victorian deployment,” he town were filled with NSW RFS and the comms operators – they realistic as possible,” Bryan said, said, “Many of our volunteers vehicles, parklands around the aim for the best communication.” “This year we brought the tilt went to Victoria so they could showgrounds were filled with tray and Fire Overrun tanker up no longer afford time off work to tents and the showground proper It takes about 150 staff and from the Canobolas Zone to add come to the exercise. was packed with NSW RFS volunteers to host the Region realism. tankers. The two days of exercises North exercises. An organising “Additionally, because of the were held at the Showgrounds committee of seven rounds up “When the crews pull up they Victorian fires we had to change and at venues around Glenn Innes volunteers and staff from around see a fire appliance on fire the date from the usual weekend and its surrounds. the region including 12 marshalls, and firefighters injured, which in March to May and some 25 catering staff, 60 scenario staff has an impact on the crews. people were no longer able to Region North Operations and nine members of the Incident It will remind them that they attend.” Manager and member of the Management Team (IMT) who run are working in a dangerous organising committee, Bryan the event as it is happening. environment, and that they are Major sponsors of the Region Daly said it went off smoothly. vulnerable. They don’t forget it.” North Exercise, the RFSA, The aim is for volunteers and provided entertainment for the “You can see that it is a success staff from across Region North Although Region North Exercises troops throughout the exercises. this year as it has been in to learn new skills, improve enjoyed record numbers in The highlight was on Saturday the past,” he said, “Everyone existing skills, and learn how to 2008, this year overall numbers night when country music’s here is committed to continual work as a team in the case of were down, with about 100 Darren Coggan rocked up. improvement. The marshals want an emergency. Training covers fewer people attending. Bryan “The social aspect is almost as to present the best possible everything from planning to Daly surmised there were two important as the training,” Bryan training, the caterers want to logistics to catering. reasons for this. said, “it fosters greater contact

32 BUSH FIREbulletin // GENERAL NEWS and better relationships between brigades and across the region. In an S44 or an out-of-area deployment - they will have an instant connection.”

Region North conducted the first ever Regional Exercise in the State and in 2010 it will celebrate its tenth anniversary. Bryan Daly and the organising committee promise all new scenarios and some pleasant surprises.

Photos by Anthony Clark and Jacqueline Murphy

BUSH FIREbulletin // GENERAL NEWS 33 THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE SCENES TEAM WORK AT THE REGION NORTH EXERCISES A committed team of volunteers and staff stand behind the success and ease of the Region North exercises. Photos by Jacqueline Murphy

Bryan Daly: Member of the organising committee: Everyone here is committed to continual improvement.

Jan Barber: Member of the Catering team: We’ve been working together so long we know what each other are thinking!

Steve Tremont: Volunteer from New England (Armidale), Marshal for Team Challenge Scenario: In these scenarios I try to provide real learning through real experience. Although the scenarios are not strictly fire-related, the principles learned can be applied to any situation where cohesive teamwork is Terry Best: Catering Manager: essential. We are all a team. I love it!

34 BUSH FIREbulletin // GENERAL NEWS Alan Burman: Country Energy, trainer for the Country Energy scenario: NSW RFS members are at risk around electricity wires. I’ve been travelling the State for four months visiting NSW RFS brigades and exercises to get the key safety messages across.

Angela Daly: Marshal for the Basic Skills Scenario: Exercise week is always full-on but I have a great team on Basic Skills, they make my life easy!

Neale ‘Big Dog’ Hayter: Member of the catering team: Harry Lebusque: Marshal for the fire overrun I start up the BBQ at 3am. It’s the same each year and scenario: Practicing the overrun is the most the same people. important five minutes of your life.

BUSH FIREbulletin // GENERAL NEWS 35 infocus:volunteers

Bouquets for Betty

“I was so excited, I still feel nervous,” she said. “It’s one of the biggest things that has happened to me.”

“I was so excited, I In August this year Betty Heycox was awarded a lifetime membership to the still feel nervous,” she Nelligen Rural Fire Brigade on the Far South Coast. She said receiving the award was one of the most gratifying experiences of her life. said. “It’s one of the biggest things that Betty and her husband joined the service when they moved to Nelligen in has happened to me.” 1948 because “it was just what people did back then”. “It was that community spirit,” she said. “Everybody just clubbed together.”

According to Betty, women played an important support role in those days packing sandwiches and other refreshments for the men.

Betty describes the old days before electricity as hard work.

“It’s all different now,” she said. “I remember a time when there was a well at the bottom of the hill in Reed Street. They had to put the buckets down the well and lift them up to get water to fight the fires. The men would be tired before they had even reached the fire.”

Betty has instilled a community spirit within her family. Her sons and daughters are all Rural Fire Service volunteers and she has great hopes for the generations to come.

Courtesy of the Bay Post

36 BUSH FIREbulletin // IN FOCUS:Volunteers Vale: Barry Cain

Volos surge in Bega Valley

There has been a surge of new recruits in the Far South Coast zone. A total of 245 new volunteers has signed up in the past six months. Group Captain Barry Cain provided invaluable assistance not only to the Gosford District but to the NSW Rural Fire Service as a whole. He unselfishly gave up his Region South Manager, Superintendent time, day in and day out, to contribute to the Service in order to make a difference Andrew Stark, says that is four times the for our future generations. number of last year. Barry joined the Wamberal Rural Fire Brigade in 1975 and until his death in early “Tragedies like the Victorian fires move people July this year, Barry served in the NSW RFS on the Central Coast with great into action,” he said, “There has also been a passion. Barry attended all major fires on the Central Coast, contributing in one lot of fire activity on the Far South Coast in way or another. He led many an out-of-area taskforce (too many to list) but worthy of mention were to Grafton, Wyong, Warragamba and particularly the taskforce the past 12 months. People notice just how that went to Canberra in 2003. It has been acknowledged far and wide that there dry and volatile the landscape looks and they was no better representative of the Service than Barry, who led his crews with know the best way to be prepared is to join a pride, skill and professionalism. brigade.” It is without doubt, that Barry’s contribution to the Service should be highly Superintendent Stark said the Far South Coast commended. He provided invaluable assistance to the District and Service over team has been running a campaign to attract the years and was an exceptional role model to those around him. He selflessly new recruits using Federal government funds. carried out his duties at all times without fuss or expectations. Barry’s unwavering The region won a $22,000 grant to erect signs passion for the Service, his commitment, dedication and guidance were that encourage volunteering from the Attorney- remarkable. General’s national Volunteer Recruitment and Training scheme. A NOTE FROM A FRIEND ON BARRY’S PASSING “Barry Cain passed away from cancer. He was working with us up until about two Fire Danger Signs have had recruitment weeks before he passed away. He was ill for about eight years but never let onto messages added to them such as: ‘Are you us that he was suffering. We knew he didn’t look well, and coughed like there prepared? To learn about fire fighting, join your was no tomorrow. But it wasn’t until he received word from his doctor that they local brigade.’ couldn’t do anything more for him, that he told us just how sick he was.

“It seems that the signs are working,” From that day on, which was two weeks before he passed away, he was pretty Superintendent Stark said. much bed-ridden. He was escorted outside in a wheelchair with his oxygen. Later he went to hospital with a chest infection. “We have also been concentrating on making sure that brigades are nice places to be when Barry Cain received his Commendation for Service from the Commissioner on the new recruits arrive. Thursday 2 July 2009.

“We make sure we support the brigades so He passed on the very next day. they get the right level of training and when people come, they are happy to be a part of He was really a beautiful man, and we miss him so very much each and every day.” the brigade. Susan Butler Administrative Officer Gosford Fire Control Centre “We do get a lot of press in our region, which also helps with recruitment.”

BUSH FIREbulletin // IN FOCUS:Volunteers 37 AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL: QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY 2009 By Melissa Krull, NSW RFS Communications Intern

Six members of the NSW RFS were awarded with the highly esteemed Australia Fire Service Medal as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Members, who receive this award, receive the highest honour available to those of the Service. Recipients were officially awarded the medals by Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, Governor of NSW on September 16, 2009.

Superintendent Christopher Barron

Superintendent Christopher Barron joined the Tarago Brigade, north east of Canberra, in 1967. In 1996 he became the Fire Control Officer at Jerilderie. He quickly realised that there were only three or four trucks in the shire and that he had to get a cohesive operation going to increase the number of trucks in the area. Mr Barron, along with a few colleagues, built tankers for the area to the NSW RFS standards during his nine years as Fire Control Officer. He also instigated that the area take 4WD courses as crews were often aiding areas like the Snowy Mountains and Victoria during Section 44 fires.

Superintendent Brett Bowden

Superintendent Brett Bowden joined the NSW RFS in 1980 in the Port Stephens District. He was a volunteer for the first 15 years and in 1995 was appointed as Fire Control Officer in the Cabonne District. In July 2001 Mr Bowden became Operations Officer for Canobolas Zone when the areas of Cabonne, Orange and Blayney merged together. Coming from a volunteer background, Mr Bowden says that he understands the needs of volunteers and has worked to improve the level of equipment, technology and skill available to them so that they can carry out the work their communities ask of them. Brett Bowden is the second person in his family to receive the medal with his father, Leslie Bowden, receiving the award in 2006.

Group Captain Keith Butt

Group Captain Keith Butt is an active life long member of the Monteagle Brigade, near Young, having joined the brigade in 1960. He played a part in creating a ‘Zone’ between Harden, Boorowa, Young and Cootamundra which had been previously thought of as impossible. He became an Instructor in 1996 in which he still assists in regular annual training. During his time he has participated in numerous strike teams and task forces across the State and in Victoria in 2009. Mr Butt is a member of various committees such as the South West Slopes Zone Bush Fire Management Committee and Training Committee in which he believes he plays a communication role between management and volunteers.

38 BUSH FIREbulletin // SPOTLIGHT ON VOLUNTEERS “These members have all demonstrated what the NSW RFS has been built on – hard work, dedication and commitment to the community,” said Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons.

Group Captain Jim Chivas

Group Captain Jim Chivas joined the NSW RFS in 1962 and is a life long member of the Bullaburra Brigade in the Blue Mountains. He has fought all major fires in the Blue Mountains since 1957 as well as various Section 44 fires across the State. Mr Chivas has had an in-depth commitment in the NSW RFS with 26 years as a Group Officer and has played a key role in the development of a number of training programs in teaching trainers, assessors and coordinators.

Group Captain Alfred Raistrick

Group Captain Alfred Raistrick, is still an active member of the NSW RFS, joined the Cobbitty Rural Fire Brigade in 1952, but transferred to Camden West Brigade in 2007. He has attended many incidents that have occurred in his local area as well as fires in Cootamundra, Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollondilly, the Royal National Park and Hawkesbury to name a few. Mr Raistrick has been involved in the development of firefighting resources and training as well as the design and construction of early tankers. Mr Raistrick has played leadership and mentoring roles during his service, supporting and guiding new members.

Deputy Group Captain James Smith

Deputy Group Captain James Smith is an active member committed to the Middle Dural Brigade joining in 1977. Coming from a building industry background, Smith has aided in the building and consulting of fire stations. He found that through teamwork he could pass on quite a bit of information and believes that the NSW RFS has exemplary skills in this area. Known for his leadership, strategic and tactical skills, Mr Smith is dedicated to volunteers, especially the younger members. Image courtesy of the Hornsby Advocate, photographer Peter Kelly.

BUSH FIREbulletin // SPOTLIGHT ON VOLUNTEERS 39 BRIGADE IN PROFILE Name of Brigade: Sutton Rural Fire Brigade Year brigade formed: 1949 Current Captain: John Cooper Current President: Bill Stoll D/T/Z: Yass Valley, Region South

Can you give us a brief history of the brigade?

The brigade was formed in 1949, having been part of the Gundaroo Brigade since 1932. The area comprised mainly sheep and cattle grazing country until the 1970s when properties started to subdivide into rural/residential blocks to support Canberra’s growth. Our neighbouring Wamboin Brigade was formed from Sutton in 1984.

In 1979 high tension power lines at Hall were the cause of a large fire which burned through the village.

In 1985 a deliberately lit fire at Mt Majura in the ACT caused havoc. Sutton Fire Station. Constructed in three stages: the original shed on the left (now briefing room), the three-truck shed and connecting section to What are some unique parts of house the PC your brigade’s history? What type of area do you Volvo town pumper on loan from course work for their respective There are some interesting cover? (e.g. farm/urban/ the ACT for structural and MVA courses. Training sessions also stories in Margaret Ferrett’s bushland) response. We also have a trailer enable the more experienced 1999 history of the first 50 mounted fast fill pump that was members of the brigade to years of the Sutton Brigade. The The brigade area is a mix of most recently used to support mentor the newer brigade brigade has benefitted from the farming, village (Sutton itself has hazard reduction activities west members. experience of many long serving around 50 houses, a shop and of the Lake George escarpment. members. For example, Sutton primary school), rural residential, Our 1970s ex-urban pumper has What are some unique skills Brigade has had only eight retained bush as well as the caught the eye of a number of and features of your brigade? captains in 60 years with three Federal Highway (which forms fire truck enthusiasts. of those coming from one family our eastern boundary) and local Our brigade has a very - including our current Group roads. We have a number of What type of training do you experienced MVA crew as Captain, Ron Hardy. Ron has historic buildings, including the conduct and how do you go well as members who have been Group Captain for 34 years. hall, school and church, in the about doing this? significant grassfire experience. village and a fireworks factory at We think that having a brigade Sutton Brigade has grown and our western boundary. Our training officer, Eddy Community Education Officer shrunk as our boundaries have Tillotson, keeps the training among our volunteers is either changed. For many years Sutton What types of incidents does interesting, topical and focussed unique or rare. Brigade operated across two your brigade attend? on meeting the demands of the local government areas based in members. Training is held on the What are some unique Queanbeyan and Yass. In recent years the brigade has second Sunday of the month and features of your community? responded to motor vehicle focuses on the range of skills We have the largest station accidents, grass, bush and necessary for basic, advanced While we think of ourselves in the shire with four vehicles structural fires. We have assisted and specialist operations such as a fairly typical small rural stored on site, a training and other brigades and, like many as equipment familiarisation, meeting room, kitchen and community we are unique in our others, sent firefighters to showers. firefighting, hydraulics, navigation proximity to the ACT. As most Canberra in 2003 and Victoria in and communications. Our crash members work in Canberra, February this year. What are some recent test dummy adds a high degree daytime callouts tend to go milestones the brigade has of realism to MVA scenarios. to the precious few left in the What vehicles do you have? achieved? Brigade members going through village during the week. The NSW RFS courses such as BF, proximity to Canberra has also Sutton Brigade has a Cat The Sutton Volunteer Bush Fire AF etc. are also given plenty resulted in a rapidly changing 1 tanker, Cat 2, Cat 7, Cat Brigade celebrated its 60th of opportunities at training demographic from traditional 17 Captain’s vehicle, a PC birthday this year - 12 February, sessions to practice and revise farming area to rural/residential. (Mitsubishi dual cab ute) and a 2009. the skills and complete the post- We are not unique in having to 40 BUSH FIREbulletin // SPOTLIGHT ON VOLUNTEERS Brigade members Michael Gardiner and Gary Pearce with Sutton 1 in 2009. Captain John Cooper is in Sutton 17

deal with the turnover of the population, particularly younger members. Brigade’s Community Education Officer, Graham Scofield, with local students. This room was the original fire-shed that housed two trucks What community events does your brigade participate in? Our thanks go to our Community Safety Officer, Graham Scofield, Sutton Brigade has forged strong who is always looking for fresh links with many groups in the ideas to take to the community. community, including the Sutton Primary School, Sutton and Any final thoughts or District Community Association comments you would like to and Sutton LandCare. We add? regularly attend and support events of these and other We are an active brigade with community groups (such as a mix of members from those the local church that celebrated who are new to the area through its first 100 years this year). to experienced firefighters with The brigade conducts annual family links to the founding programs for children and staff officers. We all get on well at the school as well as running together and get on with the job. Community Education events for Let’s hope the fire season stays residents. benign and we do not have too many jobs to get on with. Assisting at the Murrumbateman Field Days is our major fund Written by Michael Gardiner, raising event. For the last two Vice-President Sutton Brigade years the brigade, in conjunction with the community association, Photos are by Eddy Tillotson has prepared and run the community bonfire using timber removed to form the village SFAZ. Sutton firefighters in 1997 with Sutton 12. Minimal equipment was carried and the clear work area was ideal for working off the back of the truck at grass fires

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42 BUSH FIREbulletin // SPOTLIGHT ON VOLUNTEERS OFFICER IN PROFILE Name: Ron Hardy Rank: Group Captain (Group 4) D/T/Z: Yass Valley, Region South Years in service: 35

How old were you when you first joined your local brigade and what made you decide to join?

I think I was born into the brigade. My father was the captain from the time I was 10. He was the brigade’s first secretary in 1949 and my grandfather was the first brigade president. My great-uncle was the first captain.

How long have you been a member of the Service and what keeps you as a member?

I have been in the brigade for more than 35 years and, at this stage, I am not sure that I am allowed to retire.

What do you do when you’re not wearing an orange helmet?

Grazier and Brumbies supporter.

What have you gained personally from your time as a volunteer?

I have gained mateship and friendship through involvement over many years, not just in the brigade but in the district. Blood pressure also seems to come with the territory.

What are some of the most significant changes that you have witnessed during your time with the Service?

The system has grown from honorary FCOs (Fire Control Officers) to fully equipped and paid Fire Control Centres. There have been significant changes in the level of training and equipment for volunteers. We have moved from volunteer- equipped trucks to NSW RFS- supplied. From a bush fire brigade to a fully fledged fire service providing a broad service that includes MVAs (motor vehicle What are some of the other drove to Rosehill to pick up our What advice can you give to accidents). The other significant big fires and memorable first Cat 1 tanker. This truck was other volunteers? change in our area has been incidents that you have been memorable because it ran out of to land use from rural to rural/ too? diesel at its first fire. Think seriously before you residential. commit - because it is addictive I missed the 1979 fire because What is your most satisfying and can become a lifelong What has been the most I was down the coast fishing moment? commitment. Mobile phones and frightening moment you have but was involved in the big pagers can follow you anywhere. experienced? fires in 1985 and 2003. 1996 at Becoming Sutton Captain in Bulahdelah was interesting. I 1994. I am not sure if the most was a Sector Leader. We drove By Michael Gardiner, frightening moments were a all night to get there with lights Vice-President, Sutton Brigade half hour at the altar years ago and sirens blaring all the way or being in a helicopter over the through Sydney. In 1993 we Lake George fire in 2006. BUSH FIREbulletin // SPOTLIGHT ON VOLUNTEERS 43 “THEY ARE A GREAT ASSET TO US” Story and photos by Jeff Drewitz, Oakville Brigade

Located in the active recruitment of the junior With 24 junior members Hawkesbury members, membership has from 13 high schools, the District and grown beyond the immediate covering a large local area and juniors now come Oakville Brigade is truly area of Sydney’s from throughout the Hawkesbury, northwest urban/ Baulkham Hills and Blacktown bringing kids together rural fringe, the districts. In an attempt to get brigade, under Captain them interested, and keep them from across the district. Peter Speet has been actively that way, juniors are started on recruiting junior members since Bush Firefighter (BF) training the 1970s. as soon as possible. They are actively encouraged to participate Back then, before the formal in Tuesday evenings’ maintenance training programs were put in and training activities, as well place, junior members learned on as fundraising and Open Days. the job so to speak. They picked Another big draw for the juniors up their knowledge from older is the chance to compete for the members while attending hazard brigade at the District, State and reduction burns and helping out National Championships, where at other emergencies such as they have been very successful floods. Back then junior members over the years. were almost exclusively from families of brigade members. While many are sons and daughters of older members, Since the 1990s with a more others are referred by friends formal training routine and and neighbours or get interested

44 BUSH FIREbulletin // SPOTLIGHT ON VOLUNTEERS LEFT TO RIGHT: Molly Powe (Bede Polding College), Ben Albers (Toongabbie Christian School), David Taylor (Bede Polding College), Matthew Bellinger (Chisholm Catholic), Paul Fear (Windsor High School), Amber Kennedy (Windsor High School), Adam Hutt (Rouse Hill Anglican College), Andrew Koomen (Cherrybrook Technology High School), Zac Ghys (Bishop Tyrell College), Matthew Carruthers (Oakhill College), Maddie Maslin (Richmond High School), Matteo Pettenon (Oakhill College), Patrick Watts (Arndell Anglican College), Ian McKelvey (Arndell Anglican College), Hannah Powe (Arndell Anglican College), Louise Maguire (Our Lady of Mary College). Inset photo school uniforms, left to right: 1. Robyn Moller (Windsor High School) 2. Alistair Mansfield (The King’s School) 3. Melanie Cherviakov (Windsor High School)

Not in photo: Michaela Powe, Bede Polding College Cullum Mansfield, The King’s School, Kate Maguire, Our Lady of Mercy College

when speaking to brigade who is a member of the Oakville Membership has also given his In fact, keeping brigade numbers members at Open Days or Brigade. After talking about the family a deeper understanding up and getting new people and brigade visits to local schools. opportunities there he joined up in of his intended career. His new ideas into the brigade are Sometimes they even get 2007 at the age 14. Since then he Mother, Robyn Carruthers, got some of the main reasons that interested after seeing the has, in addition to the training on Matthew started at Oakville after Captain Peter Speet promotes brigade in action at an incident. Sundays and Tuesdays for his BF, speaking to a brigade member at the recruitment of juniors actively. attended the Royal Easter Show the local school. She ended up Our juniors join for a variety of with the brigade and taken part in speaking to the District Office, “We have been doing it for a reasons. Louise Maguire, Our some hazard reduction burns. who recommended Oakville as long time,” Mr Speet said, “I Lady of Mercy College, originally a good start for Matthew as it is started off like that. I started at joined up to fulfil a requirement Matthew Carruthers, from Oakhill the only local brigade that has a 14 or 15. It used to be that it was for The Duke of Edinburgh’s College, joined at age 13 while cadet program. all the children of members that Award. After speaking with a in Year 8. He has an ambition to came along. Now it has got to neighbour who was an Oakville be a career firefighter and saw So whatever the reason for joining the stage that the children bring member, she and her father membership in the brigade as up and wherever they come from, along their parents! joined up two years ago when a way to get a head start. After all of our junior members learn new she was in Year 9. She enjoys the training for 10 weeks with six skills, make new friends and enjoy “They are a great asset to us.” practical aspect to the skills she other juniors he passed his BF the community service aspect of is learning and values the wider assessment at Ebenezer and has the brigade. Many of our juniors experience that the training is continued training for regional (40 percent and growing) stay on giving her. She recently attended and state competitions. to become full members and stay her first fire call, having previously for the long term. With so many been involved in a few hazard At the State Championships schools represented there is a reductions since turning 16. at Tweed Heads in 2008 the real absence of cliques among the Adam Hutt, from Rouse Hill Oakville team came in fourth in juniors at Oakville. They are all just Anglican, also had a neighbour the State. fire men and women in training.

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46 BUSHBENELEC. FIREbulletin Pty. //Ltd. SPOTLI UnitG HT2/581-587 ON VOLUNTEERS Gardeners Road Mascot NSW 2020 AUSTRALIA Telephone +61-2-9364-7000 Facsimile +61-2-9364-7099 ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL CADET PROGRAM By Frank Stewart, Central Brigade, COMPLETED IN THE LOWER HUNTER ZONE Lower Hunter Zone

Cessnock High School Cadets participating in the Hunter Life Education presentation.

It’s only the second year that Central Brigade in the Lower Hunter Zone has run a cadet program, but numbers have already doubled.

From a humble beginning last year when we had two high schools in the zone, we now have a large number of brigades and schools who participate. In 2008 we ran a cadet program at Mount View High School with 15 cadets participating. This year we are running the program at both Mount View High School and Cessnock High School, with 27 students involved. Term Three saw another 24 cadets from the two schools participating.

It is interesting to observe the changes in the cadets from when they first start until graduation. They show a remarkable boost in their confidence, as well as in their ability to work as a team and doing tasks outside their comfort zone. Cessnock High School Cadets posing in front of our truck prior to their demonstration. As part of the cadet program we had Cessnock Liquor Accord, Hunter Life Education, NSW Parks and Wildlife Service and the local Volunteer Rescue Association all giving talks and demonstrations to the cadets.

We have had a number of cadets joining our brigade and they have encouraged or inspired their parents to join the brigade as well. Both the former cadets and the parents have undertaken the Bush Firefighting course and have become valuable members of our brigade.

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Mount View High School Cadets going through their paces in the five person fog attack.

BUSH FIREbulletin // SPOTLIGHT ON VOLUNTEERS 47 from the BUSH FIRE COOPERATIVE RESEARCH CENTRE

ARE CHILDREN THE KEY TO A FIRE SAFE COMMUNITY? By Briony Towers, Bushfire CRC researcher

School-based bush fire education is one way of increasing bush fire awareness and preparedness in vulnerable communities.

My PhD research at the factors that are perceived to The second major category of University of Tasmania aims to intensify a property’s physical factors can be described as develop a child focussed model exposure to bush fires. These features that protect a house or of bush fire risk perception factors include combustible property from exposure to the that assists fire agencies and materials and objects around the fire front. For example roads, educators to be more effective in house such as leaves, long dry brick walls, rivers and swimming their education programs. grass, woodpiles and wooden pools are all perceived as furniture. Children as young providing protection because For the project, 250 children as five identify these things as they would prevent a fire from aged between five and 17 were hazards that would increase the reaching the house: interviewed in same-age focus likelihood of the fire spreading to M: Well near my house like groups at schools across Victoria the house and exposing it to heat about not that far away there’s and Tasmania. To investigate and flames: sort of a small river going past the influence of the family on L: The grass. It can catch on and it would probably stop children’s perceptions and vice fire easily… And the flowers, there if it came from that way. versa, approximately 70 parents they could catch on fire easily. 11 years, Warrandyte were interviewed. M: And they’re near the house and they burn on the house. While analysis of the interviews The idea that a fire will stop on is ongoing, several important L: And the big log. It’s made the other side of a river or brick themes have emerged, each of out of wood and it could go wall reflects a belief that fire only which have important implications across the grass to the house. travels along the ground and, once again, a naivete about the for school-based bush fire Six years, Warrandyte D: It would burn down education. These themes centre Children living in wooden houses role of ember attack in the spread S: Yeah everything around around two major categories: think the only way to prepare is of fire and the ignition of homes. there would burn • the factors children use to knock the house down and to assess the risk for their rebuild it in brick: A major protective factor J: But except the house home before a bush fire D: You could turn your house, identified by children is a brick because the house is made of occurs, and; instead of it being wood you house. Whereas wooden houses bricks • children’s ideas about can change it to be brick so that are perceived as being most susceptible to ignition and Nine years, Warrandyte emergency response, in the fire can’t get in... Because it Children’s singular focus destruction, brick houses are particular, the decision to can’t burn through brick. on building materials when perceived as providing the most stay or go. predicting the consequences for Eight years, Warrandyte protection and being the most a house, again, reflects a naivete resistant to flames and heat. Factors used to assess risk about how houses actually burn The perception that wooden On this topic children’s views down in bush fires and the houses are not defendable is are clear - wooden houses burn, Children focus on a variety of factors that contribute to this. contrary to expert opinion and brick houses don’t: factors to assess the level of bush They perceive bricks as providing is problematic because it may B: And what would happen fire risk for their home. The types a physical barrier that the fire will thwart the consideration and if a bush fire came near this of risk factors they identify can be not be able to penetrate. adoption of simple and achievable house? divided into two main categories. measures that can be undertaken The first category encompasses to reduce bush fire losses. 48 BUSH FIREbulletin // BUSH FIRE CRC This is a drawing of a truck fire on the Federal Highway near Collector by Steven Shaw.

“Given the level of tangible and concrete processes house as quickly as possible and This lack of differentiation such as burning trees falling on meet the family at the letterbox or between emergency response trust children have houses, fires stopping at rivers the ‘meeting place’. To ensure this for bush fire and house fire is in firefighters as and flames burning through wasn’t a problem of semantics pervasive among primary school sources of reliable wooden houses. This reflects and that they were hearing the children and might be attributed information… a lower level of causal thinking word ‘bush fire’, children were to the emphasis placed on about bush fire consequences asked to verify whether this house fire in the school-based an increase in the and serves to illustrate that course of action was appropriate education programs currently level bush fire education programs cannot for a bush fire or a house fire: delivered by Victorian and education in primary assume that children think about K: When we see a fire we all Tasmanian fire services. schools would bush fire risk in the same way as run out to the letterbox adults. L: Mine’s the same that you Children’s application of what be a worthwhile have to go out to the letterbox they have learned about house investment…” Emergency response fire safety to a bush fire scenario B: So are those plans for a is a good example of how, in the bush fire or a house fire? What is clear from this In responding to a bush fire absence of other information, examination of children’s emergency, children see L: Both children will make use of the perceptions of risk factors is themselves as having two main K: I would say both. information they already have to that they focus on significant, options. The first and most solve a problem. popular option is to get out of the 10 years, Warrandyte BUSH FIREbulletin // BUSH FIRE CRC 49 my neighbours pool. responsibilities as parents, they J: But what would you do in were unable to ignore or dismiss the pool? risk messages that came from their own children. Using children G: You’d hide. to disseminate messages about 10 years, Warrandyte bush fire risk to their families may be an effective way to get The role of social context in the parents to think more seriously about bush fire risk and the development of bush fire risk importance of preparing. perception Conclusion Among the children interviewed, those with the most Educating children is a seemingly sophisticated risk perceptions viable approach to increasing are those from families who levels of bush fire awareness and take bush fire risk seriously, preparedness. However, children plan accordingly and include the do not necessarily approach the children in the planning process. bush fire education experience The other course of action and if it got really bad we’d go Thus, for children at the primary with the same set of perceptions identified by children is to stay to our cousin’s house. school level the family appears to or thinking styles as adults. It and fight the fire: B: What would really bad look be the dominant influence. seems that teaching children Te: I’d stay because we believe like? about fire behaviour - how that we can save the house. I: That far away from our However, most children fires travel and spread or how T: Yeah, I wouldn’t run away. I house [30cm] select firefighters as the most houses burn down - would help wouldn’t run away credible and reliable sources Eight years, Warrandyte children to better understand Nine years, Warrandyte of information because they the mechanisms underlying the have hands-on experience and Fleeing the fire at the last minute consequences of preparation. These children, in discussing specialised training. Given the This would provide a more robust makes sense when we consider level of trust children have their approach to protecting the the children’s understanding of foundation upon which to build house reveal some valuable in firefighters as sources of their understanding of prevention, what happens as the fire moves reliable information, and given insights into how children past the house. For nearly all creating more opportunities for perceive bush fire risk. In the integral role trust plays in the promotion of preparedness children, it is inevitable that the effective risk communication, children’s dialogue, there is an house will be destroyed. When and emergency planning in bush emphasis on stopping the fire an increase in the level of fire prone communities. discussing the consequences for bush fire education in primary from actually reaching the house. a house as a fire passes over, all Building brick barricades, keeping schools would be a worthwhile Thanks to David Bruce at of their previously stated ideas investment of agency resources. the yard wet and throwing water about brick houses with no trees the Bushfire CRC and Fire at the fire are all strategies There is also evidence from this Australia. being safe become redundant. study that school-based bush fire aimed at putting the fire out or For them, there is nothing that stopping it before it reaches the education would have benefits Bushfire CRC is a national can be done to protect a house beyond the children themselves. house. They are not preparing in the path of a bush fire: research centre in the the house to withstand the heat B: How would your [brick] Cooperative Research Centre and flames of the fire front as house burn down? “Children exert a (CRC) program, formed in it passes over, as is the expert powerful influence partnership with fire and land approach to stay and defend, R: Well the fire is powerful management agencies in 2003 rather their goal is to stop the enough to absorb through the in their homes to undertake end-user focused fire from going past the house: walls....and the fires gonna be and are capable of research. The NSW RFS is one of K: Um, well I’ve got a lot of more powerfuller and burn the persuading their the founding fire agencies in the dirt around my house so I can house down Bushfire CRC. throw lots of dirt on the fire to Seven years, Warrandyte parents to consider make it stop and it will. and adopt (bush Seven years, Warrandyte To stay in the house as the fire fire) preparedness passes over would mean getting measures.” If they can’t put the fire out trapped and killed. Children before it reaches the house, then would prefer to jump in the Among parents interviewed, a TOP RIGHT: One night on the way they will leave: pool or the water tank, get on large majority talked about their home, Tia William’s asked her Dad, I: We would stay home...and the roof or try to run than seek children coming home from the Regional Hazard Reduction my dad’s going to have a fire shelter in the house: school after house fire education Coordinator for Region South, how fires burn. After listening to her extinguisher and try and put B: Now the fire is at the back and initiating the formulation fence. Dad, Tia produced this drawing at out the fire and we would have of house fire escape plans. school the next day. She is at Berry buckets all around the house H: Well obviously I evacuate to Parents noted that due to their Public School in Year 2.

50 BUSH FIREbulletin // BUSH FIRE CRC BOOKS

BLACK SATURDAY

Stories of love, loss and courage from the Victorian bush fires Edited by John McGourty I HarperCollinsPublishers

Reviewed by Russell Taylor

John McGourty has edited together stories and experiences from those who suffered the devastation and loss of the ferocious Victorian Fires of February 2009.

Reading this book is a deeply also a contribution from one of emotional experience and I am our own - Group Officer Peter yet to find a firefighter who was Evans from Sutherland Rural Fire even remotely affected by the District. fires, who can read more than one or two of these personal One passage, among many I accounts without having to put it could have used, illustrates the down and seek some distraction. point.“Something else becomes I think this is because of the clear, too. Luck is not only nearness of events and its ability handy. Today, in Marysville, it is to touch firefighters at the very everything. Untended houses heart of what we try to do in and still stand, defended houses burn for our communities. down. And conventional advices, such as staying inside the house and filling baths with water, is “Overall the reader is shown to sometimes offer the thinnest veneer of protection. struck by the enormity of Time. There isn’t enough of it the fires that must have before the fire hits Maryville.” appeared as chaos at (Patrick Carlyon, Herald Sun, best and Armageddon at p 195) worst...” Possibly nothing could prepare communities for the ferociousness of the Victorian But in saying that I would not fires. Overall the reader is struck want to discourage anyone from by the enormity of the fires that reading this fine compilation of must have appeared as chaos at events and their aftermath. It is best and Armageddon at worst, rare that we get to hear from the to the residents of the affected people who are most affected towns. and in my view, we ought to take advantage of resources like this The current Royal Commission to try to understand what the may shed some light on this. public thinks before, during and Until then, this compilation after such terrible fires. of views, stories and the consequences of such a tragedy It’s important for us to is a valuable contribution to understand what messages the the debate on community public receive and how they preparedness and emergency perceive our advice in order to services’ response. better appreciate what they hear, accept and act upon. All proceeds from the sale of the book go to the Salvation Army Contributions range from the Victorian Bush Fire Appeal. Just lofty to the most humble and another good reason to pick up everyone in between. There is a copy.

BUSH FIREbulletin // BOOKS 51 BOTSWANA: new to fire management WORLD FIRE By Melissa Krull, NSW RFS Communications Intern

In September 2008 a series of large fires burnt out 11 million hectares of land in the country of Botswana in southern Africa. Fortunately no lives were lost however there was significant environmental damage with an estimated 17 percent of Botswana’s wildlife destroyed.

Following the devastating fires, “It is a matter of life and death, the Government of Botswana as we don’t have any real approached Australia to help capacity to put out fires,” he said, them gain a better understanding “When fire comes, everything of bush fire management and goes to smoke – literally!” improve their firefighting skills. ABOVE: His Excellency, the His Excellency said that at the High Commissioner of the After completing a Scoping moment people tend to panic Republic of Botswana, Molosiwa Mission, Rural Fire Service (NSW at the sight of a bush fire. He Selepeng visited the NSW RFS Headquarters and met with the RFS) officers made a number believes that many people in NSW RFS Commissioner of recommendations which Botswana would benefit from Shane Fitzsimmons. led to the formal signing of a learning new skills in order to Memorandum of Understanding fight fires more effectively. TOP AND CENTRE: As part of (MOU) between the Service and the developing relationship the Republic of Botswana. This Botswana is a relatively large between the two countries, MOU will allow Botswana to country and has some of the best Head of the Department of develop their firefighting and fire protection in southern Africa for Forest and Range Resources in protection skills with the support its wildlife and the environment. Botswana, Jeremiah Ramontsho, was invited to speak at the from the NSW RFS over the next Elephants, giraffe, many types of recent International Wildfire five years. deer (including impala) and big Management Conference hosted cats are abundant in the central by the NSW RFS in Sydney. His Excellency, the High and northern parts of the country Commissioner of the Republic and government legislation BELOW: The NSW RFS team in of Botswana, Molosiwa ensures that the wildlife remains Botswana in June 2009 Selepeng visited the NSW RFS diverse, well-nourished and Headquarters to meet with protected from poachers. CENTRE RIGHT: Lions pouncing on their freshly caught prey. One the NSW RFS Commissioner of the NSW RFS team snapped Shane Fitzsimmons. He said the The Republic gained its this while driving to a training MOU is very important to the independence from colonial session. Batswana people. Britain in 1966. Since then it

52 BUSH FIREbulletin // WORLD FIRE reserves and is well placed to The commitment from the develop its fire and emergency management capabilities. NSW RFS Between July and February As part of the developing 2010, 14 NSW RFS staff and relationship between the two volunteers will be travelling countries, Jeremiah Ramontsho, to Botswana to provide basic from the Botswana Department firefighter training. of Forest and Range Resources, was invited to speak at the NSW RFS personnel, (mostly recent International Wildfire volunteer members) will train Management Conference hosted 90 people in basic firefighting by the NSW RFS in Sydney. in each deployment, perform assessments and look for At the conference in June 2009, potential trainers and crew Mr Ramontsho said that there leaders. They will also get some were less than 200 firefighters time to visit game reserves who had received the basic fire and undertake other cultural training course in Botswana. activities. With so few members of the Personal and professional community trained to fight development of our people is bush fires, fires can easily get at the forefront of our work out of control. The Botswana internationally, Group Manager Government is looking toward Executive Support, Russell Taylor the NSW RFS as a model for said. developing their own volunteer

fire service. “While the Service is sharing expertise and experience with “We do want more trained our neighbours and assisting firefighters, “Mr Ramontsho countries such as Botswana to up skill their people and better protect themselves from fire and other emergencies, we never lose sight of the opportunity to provide professional development for our volunteers.”

The Botswana program ranges over five years and it is hoped that many more Service personnel will be able to share their skills, knowledge and experience with firefighters from Botswana either over there or here in NSW.

“We were overwhelmed by the response to an EOI seeking Service members who were willing to participate in overseas projects,” Mr Taylor said. said, “As you can see the country is big and most of the population “Through the program with is in the rural areas. Botswana, and other programs in the pipeline, we hope that “At the moment when there is many more Service members, a fire outbreak, communities particularly volunteers, will have expect to be paid if they were the opportunity to work and to go to a fire or they expect gain useful insights into the fire the Government to be on the issues of other countries.” forefront in terms of mobilising resources and going to put out In the coming five years and the fire,” he said. supported by NSW RFS training and guidance, the Botswana “We would like to see the Government hope to become a community owning the problem. centre of excellence in Sub- It is their resources, their land Saharan fire management. They and it is their livelihood that is see themselves as providing being impacted by these fires,” bush firefighter training for the he said. entire southern African region and enabling countries to work “If people can be trained and has been peaceful and well- together to manage fires. governed and has developed given resources, I believe they remarkably. Mining, especially can efficiently manage the fires diamond mining, has meant the themselves.” government has significant cash

BUSH FIREbulletin // WORLD FIRE 53 CAPTURING THE NSW RFS VALUES IN ACTION

In 2008 the NSW RFS announced seven new organisational values. They are: 1. One Team, Many Players, One Purpose 2. Integrity and Trust 3. Support, Friendship, Camaraderie 4. Community and Environment 5. Knowledge and Learning 6. Adaptability and Resourcefulness and 7. Mutual Respect Our values in action These questions faced the Each photo was assessed for The criteria used for judging the project team who were tasked composition, resolution, clear effectiveness of the photographs Each value has a certain with branding and marketing focus, mood and inspiration - were: the impact, the emotional behaviour that can be seen “in these seven values. and, of course, on whether it quality, the clear point of action”. Most people know when showcased one of the seven interest, the creativity, the they’re on the receiving end A photo competition values. The winners and other technical competence, the story of support and friendship. We short-listed images will be used in telling quality, technical mastery also know what being in a team As one of their strategies - this publication and in the 2008- and finally the composition. looks like. And we can identify the team launched a photo 09 NSW RFS Annual Report. that people respect each other competition in March 2009. The prize winning photos were by how they relate to each A picture worth a thousand then assessed on how well other. Around 200 separate photos words they represented the seven were submitted up to the organisational values. The But what does Integrity look closing date of 31 July 2009. The voting was done on 65 of winner was determined on the like? And what does Knowledge The project team and three the 200 entries. The entries number of values inherent in and Learning or Adaptability guest judges (a volunteer, a selected for judging were that single photo. and Resourcefulness look like? senior staff member and a filtered initially against criteria And how do you find a photo professional photographer) including - correct PPE, correct These photos and several that sums up Community and chose three winners to take safety procedures, appropriate others make up the NSW RFS Environment? home vouchers for photographic service activity and appropriate Values posters downloadable on equipment. digital formatting. MyRFS.

We are pleased to announce the winners: 1st prize The Gumble Gum Tree Meeting Steve Smith Gumble Hall, North of Manildra, Cabonne District, Canobolas Zone October 2006

The composition and story in this photo articulates a number of the seven values - particularly Community and Environment, Learning and Development and Adaptability and Resourcefulness.

At the time the photo was taken, the NSW RFS was conducting brigade consultation about risk management in particular on the Goobang project. Being resourceful, the team also used the day to issue PPE to farmers and answer questions in regard to fleet and equipment. Being adaptable, Steve, the photographer, Operations Officer for the zone, also acted as chef on the BBQ for the day.

54 BUSH FIREbulletin // VALUES PHOTO COMPETITION 2nd prize – Teamwork Matt Reeves Region East Championships, Cataract Scout Camp, Wollondilly September 2008

This photo captures the focus and dedication essential in two of our seven NSW RFS values, namely; One Team, Many Players, One Purpose and Learning and Development. The photographer is a Learning and Development Officer, who was working on the day and was struck by the crew from Cumberland, who were competing in the championship task of building a fire trail.

“They were working so well together, with everyone doing their part to achieve a greater goal”, Matt said. He photographed them with the idea of using the image in the training programs he runs. Matt is also a member of the Ingleside Brigade, Warringah Pittwater.

3rd prize – Hayley Steve Brown Basic Training Course, Bulga November 2008.

The photo - with a disarming star, Hayley - epitomises the satisfaction and joy that comes from a job well done.

Steve, the photographer who is the Operations Officer, Hunter Valley Team was running a basic training course for the Hunter Valley Team. Darlington Brigade was on the course and Steve was struck by this young member’s candour and enjoyment of the task.

Within shot we see Hayley’s team behind her, ready to support, offer friendship and share the camaraderie that comes with being in a close knit team at the end of a good day’s job. The photo also represents the value of Knowledge and Learning.

There were so many great photographs received – it is very difficult to choose one great image over Choosing the winners another. But that was the job these judges had.

Because there can only be three winners, the judges highly commended photographs by David Mayer, Cain Maitland, Grant Roberson and Barry Smith as well.

Thanks to all who contributed to this competition – we hope you continue to photograph the NSW RFS Values in action and send them and the story behind them through to the Bush Fire Bulletin or MyRFS so that we can share the image with others.

BUSH FIREbulletin // VALUES PHOTO COMPETITION 55 CAPTURING THE NSW RFS IN ACTION HIGHLY COMMENDED:

David Mayer Cain Maitland Rubicon Forest, Victoria, February 2009 Londonderry, in Sydney’s north-west, NSW, January 2009

An NSW RFS member and DSE tree felling specialist in the Rubicon Mopping up in Londonderry the day after fires threatened 15 homes Forest in Victoria. Both were part of a crew conducting property and destroyed sheds, cars and machinery. protection and containment lines around several historic sites in the area. The photo was taken eight days after Black Saturday.

Grant Roberson Pulletop Rural Fire Brigade - Riverina Zone Moreton National Park, January 2009

Raft crews take a breather during mopping up operations in the Moreton National Park, at the Wingecarribee Section 44. Barry Smith, Northern Daily Leader, Tamworth, April 2009

An NSW RFS member, Gowrie RFB Captain Steve Walters, observes a minute of silence for the victims of the Victorian bush fires prior to the commencement of the Rodeo Fundraiser in Tamworth. The event raised just under $51,000 for the Victorian Bush Fire Appeal.

Dean Symons, Royal National Park at Maianbar, NSW, 2007.

56 BUSH FIREbulletin // VALUES PHOTO COMPETITION Bush fire bulletin Reader survey

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LIFT-OUT: THE PROTOTYPE CATEGORY 6 TANKER BUSH FIREbulletinVOLUME 31 No.03 // 2009 production & Advertising THE JOURNAL OF THE NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE carillon graphic communications Advertising, Design & Artwork: Steve Byers: 02 9906 2444 // [email protected]

Facing BUSH FIRE BULLETIN our future RFS takes the lead at the Advertising Rates & Specifications 2009 International Wildfire Management Conference Note: All rates are based on per issue. Popular sizes shown here only. ADDITIONAL STORIES: LOST IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS THE RFS HELPING OUT IN AFRICA MORE FLOODS ON THE NORTH COAST PHOTO GALLERY: FIRST COFFEE4KIDS BALL To view or download the full rate card go to: http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/dsp_content.cfm?CAT_ID=510 EUROBODALLA FIRE REVEALS THE DEAD MAN’S ZONE OAKVILLE JUNIORS SHOW US HOW IT’S DONE

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NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons addresses the International Wildfire Management Conference, 19 June 2009. 2009. June 19 Conference, Management Wildfire International the addresses Fitzsimmons Shane Commissioner RFS Cover Photo NSW Graphics Production/Advertising Coordinator Steve Byers Graphic Design/Art Production Steve Byers - Carillon Publisher NSW Rural Fire Service Editor Jacqueline Murphy ISSN: 1033-7598 rfs.nsw.gov.au www. Web: Email: [email protected] Fax: 02 9737 0171 Tel: 02 8741 5555 Tel: Granville NSW 2142 Locked Bag 17 Lidcombe NSW 2141 15 Carter Street NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE