YEARBOOKTHE VOLUNTEER 2020 Proud to be Supporting SACFS Volunteers and our Community Contract Holder for; • CFS Stowage • Supply & Service of Breathing Air Compressors • Supply & Service of Holmatro Rescue Equipment FRSA ADELAIDE 1300 4 RESCUE WarehouseCFS VOLUNTEER 2, 100-104 YEARBOOK Hayward\ 2020 Avenue, Torrensville, SA 5031 [email protected] 082 8311 1160 frsa.com..au CONTENTS 8 78 17 37 WELCOME 4 REGIONS ROUND UP 7 INCIDENTS 22 DEPLOYMENTS 32 HONOURS 36 PROFILES 46 FRONTLINE SERVICES 48 FRONTLINE SERVICES SUPPORT 54 CFS FOUNDATION 76 THANK YOU 78 CONTACT DETAILS 82 Volunteer Yearbook is an annual publication which captures significant CFS Editorial Team activities and incidents from the past 12 months. Alison Martin, Brett Williamson, Simone McDonnell, Kathy Baklan and Sarah Spencer The views and opinions expressed through the contributions in this publication CFS Media Line: (08) 8115 3531 are not necessarily those of the SA Country Fire Service or the Government of South Australia. Photos: CFS Promotions Unit – www.fire-brigade.asn.au/gallery If you have any feedback about the CFS Volunteer Yearbook or any of our communications, or would like us to cover a story you think should be included, please email [email protected] Cover Photo - Rob Hartill CFS VOLUNTEER YEARBOOK \ 2020 3 CHIEF OFFICER WELCOME CFS Chief Officer, Mark Jones I would like to start by thanking everyone for the warmth Put simply – many people are alive today because you services that we provide and your communities need you of welcome received in the early stages of my leadership. made them safer, many businesses are intact because you now just as much as when bushfires are burning – we are an The season well and truly started as soon as I got here and protected them, and many homes are secure because you all hazards agency. it was a great opportunity for a new Chief to observe the saved them. We faced some big challenges in only my first few months capabilities and capacities of the service. South Australia has a reputation for close working but even on the toughest days, the good natured smiles When I arrived we were already committed to a significant between services and I also want to thank CFS staff and and humor of the firefighters was evident and that is one deployment to Queensland and New South Wales and it our supporting agencies: SA Metropolitan Fire Services, SA of the hallmarks of great fire services. I look forward to the amazed me that CFS managed to support the interstate State Emergency Service, Department for Environment next year’s challenges secure in the knowledge that I serve support we gave until Christmas. In total, CFS dedicated and Water, SA Police, SA Fire and Emergency Services alongside nearly 14,000 fantastic volunteers and staff in an more than 1,300 volunteer firefighter and incident Commission and all other organisations who contributed. organisation that makes doing remarkably difficult things management personnel to help the firefighters in other One of the humbling outcomes is the number of messages look simple. states. of gratitude I have received from those affected by fires. Those messages are heartfelt and show the esteem in This year’s bushfires tested CFS volunteer capacities Chief Officer greatly, and I am amazed that you all gave up so much time which our service is held. to protect our state. The big fires which burned for weeks I am proud to stand as your Chief and I am continually SA Country Fire Service naturally attracted all of the attention but there were inspired by your service to the people of South Australia hundreds of others, all of which might have burned well and by the way they reciprocate with their support and out of control, if it hadn’t been for your professionalism. goodwill. We continue every day delivering the vital safety CFS VOLUNTEER YEARBOOK \ 2020 4 MINISTER WELCOME Emergency Services Minister, Corey Wingard I can think of nothing more challenging for an individual, Government funding provided to CFS volunteers over a family, community or a state than to have normal life a two-year period to upgrade and maintain brigade replaced by the horror of a natural disaster. stations/facilities. Examples of some of the upgrades The 2019/20 bushfire season and the first half of 2020 undertaken are pictured below. will go down in the year book as a period most will want But don’t worry - I know more needs to be done and I will to forget. ensure the CFS has the facilities it deserves. It’s only June and South Australians have faced the The COVID-19 crisis has impacted significant aspects toughest test life can throw at them. People have lost of our everyday lives. We are facing an unprecedented jobs, livelihoods, homes and loved ones. challenge and I would like to thank everyone who has But through this, each and every South Australian holds supported our efforts to flatten the curve. I become comfort in knowing that they can rely on our emergency immensely proud when hearing of the fantastic services, and in particular the Country Fire Service (CFS), leadership the CFS has given to the establishment and in times of need. running of the Health State Control Centre, the logistics support function and the all-important State Emergency Everyone in the CFS, whether you are a volunteer or a Information Call Centre during these challenging times. staff member, gives our community the confidence to live without fear. The knowledge that, if the need arises, These efforts illustrate how you are all pulling together That was why I was very pleased to receive news that you are willing and able to help or support, no matter and typifies the spirit that runs through our emergency insurance cover for volunteers has now been extended what the circumstances. services. I would like to thank you for all the work you beyond the previous two-year cap. This means that have put in so far and for all that is surely to come as we It is for this I offer my most heartfelt thank you. volunteers who sustain injuries or illnesses in the course continue to navigate through the pandemic. of their duties, are now covered for ongoing income and I also want to extend my deepest gratitude to your We are certainly in an extraordinary situation and I medical expenses. families. Their role is truly the most self-sacrificing am extremely grateful for the huge amount of work and one that often goes unrecognised. They support The new Emergency Services State Control Centre is a being done across the sector to mitigate the impacts you through training, they are understanding of your step closer, with the building’s design concept and floor of COVID-19 on our emergency services sector staff, commitment to the job and they live in fear wondering if plans now finalised. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the volunteers and the South Australian community. you will come home. design phase of the HQ project progressed well, with I will end this message with something you have heard majority of the design work to be completed soon. Your families are a big part of the CFS family and they me say many times but in my opinion never enough. are always at the back of my mind when I am fighting for Project Renew has delivered around 200 much needed Thank you. better resources for you. projects to date from the additional $5 million of State A new driveway for Blewitt Springs Arno Bay Tea Tree Gully’s new shed extension The fenced tower at Echunga. Milang’s station revamp. Murray Bridge Brigade’s completed A toilet for Greenways station Mt Shank Brigade’s new carpark storage shed CFS VOLUNTEER YEARBOOK \ 2020 5 CFSVA WELCOME Andy Wood, CFS Volunteers Association unsettles members, as does the current COVID-19 pandemic To unsettle volunteers is a risk to government, and whilst the and the unknown outcomes. concept of farm fire units may sound appealing, they are not Unsettling is also the “Analysis of the SA Fire and Emergency a replacement for CFS members on tankers and trucks as Services” which appears to be a self-interest driven once the flames are gone they don’t tend to stay around to document prepared by one person hell bent on world attend to other incidents. Government must remember that Domination, or at least sector Domination, which is currently CFS is more than a fire service. being implemented without consultation, and with full It would be an understatement if I were to say, what a support of the Minister’s office. This is a risk for government. challenging fire season we just experienced; long term CFS volunteers provide emergency responses to deployments interstate; a significant number of large fires approximately 90 per cent of SA and generously provide their around the state; and an especially nasty fire on KI. As a time and skills and it is so disappointing that we must fight firefighter on KI all I would like to say, thank you. for basic conditions such as parity with our paid colleagues Thank you to all the members who went on deployments; like “return to work” benefits and our CFS Volunteer Charter. those who stayed back to look after their own patch; to their Government and Ministers would do well to respond with families who rarely are acknowledged for their sacrifice; to For many years the CFSVA has had to deal with politically more than just rhetoric, because without the generosity the farm fire units; and of course our colleagues from SES, motivated and driven review after review with the of CFS volunteers and their families the government would MFS, SAAS and the ADF.