Thread: All 2019/20 bushfire comments here.

there have been some photos of an alloy wheel melting and dribbling all over the road......aluminium needs to be 650c to do that.....just an illustration of the heat sink

We will have another generation of fire fighters who will need help.


'I can still picture the faces': Black Saturday firefighters want you to listen to them, not call them 'heroes'

Satellite phones have been dropped into remote inaccessible communities to try to regain contact. Now that is a good idea. Some one is thinking. Also 39 fire fighters from North America arrive to help.

Bushfires in East Gippsland leave 17 missing as towns evacuate ahead of high-risk weekend - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Out of disaster come the stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Like the policeman who risked his life driving THROUGH the fire to a community isolated by fire, to lend support. Like the group of Sikhs who drove up from Melbourne and stayed making meals for all. Like the local young fellas who helped save some of their town from burning, from the back of their utes. I'm sure there are many more such stories.


How 'local heroes on the back of utes' came to the rescue of one NSW South Coast town as fires raged - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

I believe the declaration of the state of emergency means the NSW Fire Commissioner now has extraordinary powers, including that he can direct any public servant, including police, to carry out required actions.

Just got back from a deployment in Gippsland. Covered fires in Sarsfield, Wiseleigh, Bruthen and other areas. Extremely sad the devastation, very hard to fight due to dry dams, no water in tanks and limited reticulated water.

Saw a member of one brigade in a strike team we were on loose their house. It's very disappointing as you do all you can to stop the spread to homes, succeed then a day later they're gone.Went through multiple strike teams and taskforces.

People there have been fighting some of these fires for over a month. Exhausting for so many, but they keep on going. I didn't get to take many pics, got some videos but don't have anywhere to host them.

Might add I saw so many series parked around the places as we moved about.


IMG_4603.jpg

IMG_4626 2.jpg

IMG_4631.jpg

IMG_4640.jpg

The big message is leave when you can. So many wait until the last minute and then realise there is nothing they can do. Then it's too late, you put other's lives at risk.

It seems like a no-brainer, but is actually quite complex.
(15 years Qld SES, 10 years Army Reserve).
Q SES are unpaid. Group Leaders in charge of up to 80 members receive (if they apply) ~$300/ annum for incidental expenses. I can't speak for Rural Fire service.
Fire Auxilliaries (Urban/ structural) are in the middle ground and get paid for call outs only.

Many volunteers are vehemently against being payed.
There are many, however, that volunteer at a great financial loss. I have been one of those. Over the last 4 years, I have rarely gone out on activations as I simply cannot affrd to go backwards any further.
In major events, usually cyclones, we have deployed with Fire Service paid staff. These staff were earning as much in a day and a half as our volunteeers were losing (as casual workers) each week. Didn't stop the team from doing their job again and again, but it leaves a sour taste in the mouth.

Firstly, make it voluntary/ by application (without making people jump through BS hoops to dissuade them).
A scheme similar to what is in place for Reserves is appropriate. Defense used to pay the Serving member for their time and also compensated the employer for a replacement.

While this years is exceptional in a bad way, the future trend indicates it will be more regular, so we need to get serious about the situation.

Their was mention above about a slippery slope/ compensation claims.
May I remind all that any person performing work, paid or unpaid, is entitled to the same protections and rights/ responsibilities. There has been a bit of weaseling here in queensland lately by QFES in an attempt to limit their exposure here, but that won't help them if they attempt to deny a rightful claim.