27 February 2015 - Michelago Region Community Web Site

~THE BRIGADE BULLETIN~
No. 14, 26 February, 2015
An occasional newsletter from the Michelago Rural Fire Brigade
Callout; new RFS members; fundraising bbq at Bunnings; February
training; next training postponed to 15 March; next fundraising bbq;
Executive Committee.
Callout
Saturday, 24 January: Michelago 7B and the Cat1 attended an MVA on the Monaro Hwy
at approximately 5.00 pm. The car went off the bridge on Michelago Creek and rolled.
The driver was apparently not injured. As we’ve been told that published photos of accident vehicles can
compromise police investigations, the car has been cropped out. Here are two nice shots of the bridge.
Photos: Abby McPherson
Hello to new RFS members!
We welcome Robert Green, our newest member of the NSW RFS, and
Rob Smith, already an RFS member, but applying to join Michelago.
Great to see you both at training!
Changed any of your contact details?
If you’re on a callout list, please tell Bronwyn: 0407 943 245 / bronnygatts@bigpond.com.au
Please also tell the Vice President of phone, email or address changes: LPatt@internode.on.net
You can view the Brigade Bulletins on the Michelago Fire Brigade link at
www.michelagoregion.org.au
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Michelago Brigade Bulletin #14
26 February 2015
Fundraising BBQ at Bunnings, Tuggeranong, 25 January
There was a steady demand for our excellent sausage sangers and we cleared $1,200.00 to help outfit
the New Shed (yes, have faith). Many customers came back for more of the quality sausages from the
Wanniassa Shops butcher.
Photos: Leanne Pattison
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Michelago Brigade Bulletin #14
26 February 2015
Brent sat down for the first time in 8 hours, and there were many other tired feet by 4.00 pm. Thank you
to the organisers and the workers – Lauren, Brent, Alex, Brien, Morgan, Kylie, Dave F., James B., Steve,
Aldo and Leanne – and to Bunnings for a good gig on the Australia Day long weekend.
February training
A dramatic helmet-cam video of some close-up times in the South Australia fire was the centrepiece of
the post-bbq, pre-practical part of training on 1 February. It provoked questions and discussion about
methods, equipment, timing and conditions, and led to
members sharing experiences about other fires.
One of these,
shown in
photos on
Peter Butler’s
phone, was of
a farm-shed
fire attended
by his former
brigade. It was
alarming
testimony to
the explosive
power and
inflammability of many chemicals stored in sheds. Peter’s
photos will be in a later Bulletin.
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Michelago Brigade Bulletin #14
26 February 2015
The training scenario: 60 km/hr winds, North/North-West, humidity 6%.
Aldo had laid out witches’ hats in target areas: 7A attended a ‘blaze’ in the bush at the end of Egan’s
Road, then joined 7B for the hat-marked ‘spot fires’ in Barney’s front paddock (demonstrating the skills
shown at training in Brigade Bulletin #8) and the Cat1 went straight to the trouble at Perrins’ mill.
There, the Perrins’ own fire truck showed its impressive water-gun power (photo this page, top right),
Bruce demonstrated the static water supply attachment with the Community Fire Unit pump, the
Perrins modelled their new, blue uniforms for CFU-qualified personnel, and everyone relaxed for a
debrief on the shady verandah.
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Michelago Brigade Bulletin #14
26 February 2015
Then tidy up
equipment, dump
water on the way
home, and refill and
clean up back at the
shed. A good
training with a good
turnout.
Photos: Leanne Pattison
Next training is postponed to Sunday, 11.00 am, 15 March. It will be live MVA training.
Next fundraising BBQ will be on 14 March at Pride Auto, Kembla Street, Fyshwick. Thank you to
MRFB member Dave Ferris of Pride Auto.
Executive Committee: your committee doesn’t meet for most of the fire season, but its
members communicate by phone and email for discussion and decisions and, of course, the field officers
are in frequent contact about trucks, equipment and training.
Pass for National Parks
If you’d like a Parks pass, please ring Louise Povey on 1300 722 164 at CMFC for details.
Feeling generous? The Michelago Fire Brigade Donations Tin at the Shop is grateful
for your kind attention!
The 2014—2015 Committee
Captain: Brent Wallis (0418 680 205) Senior Deputy Captain: Duncan McNeill
Deputy Captains: Derek Giucci, James Byrne, Keith Howker, Alex Milovanovic
Callout Officers: Bronwyn Gattringer, Abby McPherson
Equipment Officers: Derek Giucci, William Stone
Catering Officers: Lauren Wallis, Abby McPherson, Bronwyn Gattringer, Alex Milovanovic
RFSA Rep: William Stone Training Officers: Aldo Giucci, Duncan McNeill
Equipment Officers: Derek Giucci, William Stone, Tim Haines
Engine Keepers: Steve Haines, Tim Haines
Safety Officer: Richard Stone
Permit Officers: Brent Wallis, Duncan McNeill
Treasurer: Brien Hallett
President: David Gattringer
Vice President/Acting Secretary: Leanne Pattison
Co-opted Executive Committee member 5/9/2014: Abby McPherson
Auditor: Dave Bunston
Executive Committee Officer positions: Captain, Snr Deputy Captain, President, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice President
From the editor: Do you have any newsletter feedback, news items and/or photos? Please email them: LPatt@internode.on.net
Disclaimer: views expressed or implied in this bulletin are not necessarily those of the MRFB Committee, wider Brigade membership or the
RFS.
Fire Cooma Monaro Fire Control (24 hrs) 1300 722 164 / 02 6455 0455 Emergency 000
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Michelago Brigade Bulletin #14
26 February 2015