Toogoom Rural Fire Brigade

In accordance with its constitution, Toogoom Rural Fire Brigade is holding its Bi-Annual AGM & Elections fo Office Bearers at the Station on Tuesday August 25. Meeting starts at 6:00pm

All brigade management positions will be declared vacant and nominations for the following positions will be sought:

• Chairperson
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• 1st Officer

Other Positions (Non Mangement) that nominations are sought:

• Fire Officers
• Crew Leaders
  
• Equipment Officer
• Maintainence Officer
• Training Officer

All members of the Toogoom Rural Fire Brigade are eligible to vote on the above positions, Members of the public and representatives from local community groups are invited to attend. Please RSVP by August 23rd by using the contact us page

The float for the hervey bay group of fire brigades is almost ready. The parade along the Charlton Esplanade, is set for the early evening of Saturday August the 8th. We have been working hard over the last week or so to get the float finished. Frazer the firefighting whale started out as a couple of rough sketches at the desk of 1st officer Matt Murphy.

He was then transfered to plywood using a projector, cut out, and painted. What was first seen as the hardest part of the job turned out to be one of the easiest!

Utilising the group trailer, some plywood, over 100 meters of bud lights, a strobe, flood lighting, beacons, and about a million zip lock ties, we have created "Frazer" the firefighting whale, complete with full PPE and he has even completed his Firefighter Minimum Skills (according to his rank!)

The float will be towed behind "Hervey Bay 91" and Blazer the Fire Fighting Koala will be in the back waving to all the kids! along with a couple of rural fire fighters.

A information and recruitment tent will also be present at Seafront Oval on the night to allow anyone to seek information on joining, fire safety, or just to find out more about what we do!

So dont forget to mark Saturday the 8th in your calendar and remember to grab a position early as this is the most popular event on Hervey Bay's calendar! See you at the Parade of Lights!

Toogoom Rural Fire Brigade's web site www.toogoomruralfire.webs.com has been active for just over a year now. It has proved to be an invaluable tool to both members and the community in providing information on fire, joining up, community events, and more.

We have been using a free hosting site called webs.com to host the site and as a result have had to use the name toogoomruralfire.webs.com and allow banner ads at the top of each page.

Currently we are working to develop a new site thanks to sponsorship recieved from Mannsy's Cleaning Services to fund hosting and registration costs assosiated with a stand alone website.

The new website will be called www.toogoomruralfire.org.au and is expected to come on line by September this year. It will contain the same information as the current site, and a redirection notice will be displayed on the home page of this site to assist returning visitors in finding our new website.

Rural fire brigades around Hervey Bay will be involved in the "Parade of Lights" this year as part of the Hervey Bay Whale Watching Festival.

Toogoom Rural Fire Brigade will be involved with 1st Officer Matt Murphy, and Crew Leader Luke Murphy, in the final stages of designing and building the float.

"We are using plywood cutouts of a new member called "Frazer", along with numerous fairy lights, red beacons, strobe lights, and flood lights, to dress up the group trailer whish will be towed behind the  Hervey Bay 91 support vehicle."

"Blazer" the fire fighting Koala will also be along for the ride during the 1.3 kilometer parade

Members from around the district will be involved as Marshals along the route, as well as manning a recruitment tent at Seafront Oval on the night.

Toogoom Rural Fire Brigade, along with a number of other Rural Brigades, SES units, Urban and Auxilliary Brigades, and Police, from around the Maryborough Area, were involoved in an exersise with Rural Operations Air Attack Unit at Maryborough Showgrounds on Tuesday the 28th of April.

An Incident Control Point was established, utilising 432 Oscar (shown below), to control the Air Attack exercise. The exercise was used to give Rural Brigades, and other agencies, a real time experience of the capabilities of the Rural Operations Air Attack Unit.

"Helitack 401" (shown below) was rigged with a 450litre "Bambi Bucket" and directed by ground crews to a simulated fire front marked by smoke flares. Helitack 401 re-filled the bambi bucket by hovering over a 12,000 litre "Collar Tank", and submerging the bucket. Collar Tanks are portable tanks that can be deployed almost anywhere a helicopter can land. They work on a similar principle to the "easy set" pools advertised at discount stores, but are made of materials that can withstand the harsh environment of Air Attack deployment grounds.

Overall, the day enabled personell a first hand look at how aircraft are used at an incident, how the can be utilised, and also thier limitations. With the increase of residential development in bushland areas, called iZones, the use of airborne wildfire suppression will be more commonplace, as they can assist with providing a fast knockdown of a fire front threatening homes or infrastructure, thus assisting ground crews to bring a fire under control more safely and efficiently.

Blazer Bear payed another visit to Toogoom during the Good Friday Easter Fair. Teaming up with Mr E. Bunny (aka the Easter Bunny), they entertained the kids and handed our stickers, games, lollie bags, and lots of chocolate eggs.

Blazer has said that he enjoys coming to Toogoom to visit the kids, especially during the christmas santa run (where last year he got a ride in a hot rod!) and now that he knows about the easter fair, he said he wants to come to that again.

Firstly, the Toogoom Rural Fire Brigade would like to extend our thanks for being asked to speak at the conference. This gave us a chance to 'spread the word' on fire safety, local fire issues, and demonstrate our abilities in a real structure fire response exersise at the hall.

We arranged for two crews to respond to a structure fire at the Toogoom Community Hall toilet block. They were called to respond at the begining of the talk and arrived 7 minutes later. This exersise was to show how long it actually takes to respond units in our area and to give locals a better picture as to how long it takes. Reinforcing the theme of the talk "Are You Ready?".

This theme was chosen to give residents a clearer picture on thier own personal safety, and the need to take some responsibility in the first few minutes after a fire breaks out.

1st Officer, Matt Murphy, spoke on a range of topics including Smoke Alarms, Fire Extinguishers, Living in an "iZone", and Bushfire Prepared Communities programs.

"Hopefully this information gave local residents some idea of how to prepare themselves if fire breaks out, either in the home, or due to a wildfire." 1st Officer Murphy stated after the conference.

More information on "Bushfire Prepared Communities, Smoke Alarms, and other fire safety issues, can be found on our website here.

Neighbourhood Watch Conference 2009

The information in this checklist was prepared by Emergency Management Australia in consultation with State/Territory Emergency Services to help protect you and your property.

Before the cyclone season

• Check with your local council or your building control authority to see if your home has been built to cyclone standards.
• Check that the walls, roof and eaves of your home are secure.
• Trim treetops and branches well clear of your home (get council permission).
• Preferably fit shutters, or at least metal screens, to all glass areas.
• Clear your property of loose material that could blow about and possibly cause injury or damage during extreme winds.
• In case of a storm surge/tide warning, or other flooding, know your nearest safe high ground and the safest access route to it.
• Prepare an emergency kit containing:
  • a portable battery radio, torch and spare batteries;
  • water containers, dried or canned food and a can opener;
  • matches, fuel lamp, portable stove, cooking gear, eating utensils; and
  • a first aid kit and manual, masking tape for windows and waterproof bags.
• Keep a list of emergency phone numbers on display.
• Check neighbours, especially if recent arrivals, to make sure they are prepared.

When a cyclone watch is issued

• Re-check your property for any loose material and tie down (or fill with water) all large, relatively light items such as boats and rubbish bins.
• Fill vehicles' fuel tanks. Check your emergency kit and fill water containers.
• Ensure household members know which is the strongest part of the house and what to do in the event of a cyclone warning or an evacuation.
• Tune to your local radio/TV for further information and warnings.
• Check that neighbours are aware of the situation and are preparing.

When a cyclone warning is issued

Depending on official advice provided by your local authorities as the event evolves; the following actions may be warranted.

• If requested by local authorities, collect children from school or childcare centre and go home.
• Park vehicles under solid shelter (hand brake on and in gear).
• Put wooden or plastic outdoor furniture in your pool or inside with other loose items.
• Close shutters or board-up or heavily tape all windows. Draw curtains and lock doors.
• Pack an evacuation kit of warm clothes, essential medications, baby formula, nappies,
  valuables, important papers, photos and mementos in waterproof bags to be taken with
  your emergency kit. Large/heavy valuables could be protected in a strong cupboard.
• Remain indoors (with your pets). Stay tuned to your local radio/TV for further information.

On warning of local evacuation

Based on predicted wind speeds and storm surge heights, evacuation may be necessary.
Official advice will be given on local radio/TV regarding safe routes and when to move.

• Wear strong shoes (not thongs) and tough clothing for protection.
• Lock doors; turn off power, gas, and water; take your evacuation and emergency kits.
• If evacuating inland (out of town), take pets and leave early to avoid heavy traffic, flooding and wind hazards.
• If evacuating to a public shelter or higher location, follow police and State/Territory Emergency Services directions.
• If going to a public shelter, take bedding needs and books or games for children.
• Leave pets protected and with food and water.

When the cyclone strikes

• Disconnect all electrical appliances. Listen to your battery radio for updates.
• Stay inside and shelter {well clear of windows) in the strongest part of the building,
  i.e. cellar, internal hallway or bathroom. Keep evacuation and emergency kits with you.
• If the building starts to break up, protect yourself with mattresses, rugs or blankets under a
  strong table or bench or hold onto a solid fixture, e.g. a water pipe.
• Beware the calm 'eye'. If the wind drops, don't assume the cyclone is over; violent winds
  will soon resume from another direction. Wait for the official 'all clear'.
• If driving, stop (handbrake on and in gear) - but well away from the sea and clear of trees,
  power lines and streams. Stay in the vehicle.

After the cyclone

• Don't go outside until officially advised it is safe.
• Check for gas leaks. Don't use electric appliances if wet.
• Listen to local radio for official warnings and advice.
• If you have to evacuate, or did so earlier, don't return until advised. Use a recommended route and don't rush.
• Beware of damaged power lines, bridges, buildings, trees, and don't enter floodwaters.
• Heed all warnings and don't go sightseeing. Check/help neighbours instead.
• Don't make unnecessary telephone calls.

Note: Managers of resorts, hotels, motels, and caravan parks should take steps to ensure visitors are aware of the dangers and know what to do in the event of a cyclone. Free Protecting Caravans information is available from your State/Territory Emergency Service.

THIS INFORMATION IS ONLY A GUIDE AND MAY NOT GET UPDATED ON A REGULAR BASIS DUE TO OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES AT PRESENT. PLEASE GO TO www.bom.gov.au FOR THE LATEST WARNINGS AND FORECASTS ON TROPICAL CYCLONE HAMISH. ALSO INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE FROM THE SES WEBSITE AT  http://www.emergency.qld.gov.au/ses/

OR BY CALLING 13 25 00

This is a quick post to give very basic information in regards to what you should do and know at the present time. Please understand that the Toogoom Rural Fire Brigade is very busy at present preparing for a possible costal impact in the region, but here are some pointers to get you started.

• Toogoom is on a current 'Cyclone Warning'
  
• Tropical Cyclone Hamish is still currently a category 4 cyclone and although its current predicted path is for it to track around Fraser Island residents are urged to commence or continue preparations.
• All residents are advised to stay at home and prepare themselves according to State Emergency Service guidelines. (Contact details below)
• There are no immediate plans to evacuate Toogoom, although this may change over the next 24-48 hours.
• It has come to our attention that there is a person or persons in the area impersonating the SES or Rural Fire Brigade and saying that we need to evacuate. This information has been passed on to police for further investigation. If you are in doubt about the identity of a person telling you to evacuate please call 4128 0841 immediately or the SES on 13 25 00 to confirm an evacuation is occuring.
  
• If there is any immediate threat we will be driving around Toogoom in our appliances and in full uniform to convey any warning messages.
• The community Hall is NOT an evacuation point at this stage but will be a refuge point after any incident where assistance will be arranged from. More information will be available soon. As previously said, you need to prepare to ride this out in your own homes.
• If you require more information or assistance during or after the cyclone you need to call the State Emergency Service on 13 25 00
• If you require immediate assitance for a life threatening situation you need to call 000 (Triple Zero)