Captain’s Report
There is not a lot to report with very few call-outs to incidents this month. It is very easy to become complacent but our dedicated core members continue to turn up for training and to lend assistance wherever possible, which became evident during the flood cleanup operations. We have continued training our new members to obtain their basic firefighter qualification.
Remember, as we head into the winter months the risk of house fires increases greatly. Ensure that your heaters are serviceable and chimneys have been cleaned and checked before use. Be careful with the use of heaters for drying clothes and maintaining safe distances. Ensure clothes dryers are regularly cleaned and free from lint build-up and that power boards are not overloaded. If you have not done so already, check smoke detectors are working and batteries have been changed.
Captain Dusty 0412 865 638
Incidents Calls
- Grass fire – upon investigation this was a controlled paddock burn and no action was required.
- Trees down on Cambewarra Mountain – this occurred during the flooding rain that our crews chainsawed and removed.
- Spillage on Cambewarra Mountain – upon investigation no action was taken, other than to call out RMS crews to check the road surface after overnight works and slippery conditions.
Training
Members took part in a specialist teams training exercise using RFS boats, trail bikes and remote area operators.
The brigade also assisted a landowner with a paddock burn for a training exercise in the Wattamolla area. The owner had concerns about being able to safely complete this task due to the heavy fuel load of sprayed-out Parramatta grass.
If you would like assistance or advice with a problem pile or hazard reduction, give us a call. We regularly assist with such burns for training purposes.
Community Engagement
The Brigade will assist with traffic control, working in with other local emergency services during the upcoming Anzac Day parade and service.
The Brigade was called upon to assist in the flood cleanup of the tennis courts after they were covered by river mud. The Brigade utilised our high-pressure hoses to add large volumes of water to the cleanup, greatly assisting the many other volunteers who turned up on the day. The courts haven’t looked so clean in a long time.
Pile Burns and Burning Off
The Fire Permit season finished on the 31st of March, and will recommence on the 1st of September; however, there is a process that still needs to be adhered to prior to burning off in the off-season:
- You must notify the NSW RFS at least 24 hours before you light the fire.
Ways to notify the NSW RFS:
Online: visit www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/notify or scan the QR code
By phone: call Shoalhaven FCC on 4424 4424 between 8am and 4pm Monday to Friday
- You must advise your immediate neighbours at least 24 hours before you light the fire.
- You must not light the fire if a Fire Danger Rating is ‘high’ or above.
- At least one responsible person must be present on site until it is extinguished.
- Check the upcoming weather conditions as the pile may continue to smoulder for days.
- If you believe that you cannot safely control the fire once it has been lit, dial 000.
If you have concerns about doing this yourself, please contact the KV Fire Brigade and we can possibly assist you with your pile burn during or check your site for you.
Content supplied by Dusty Smart, Steve Bell, Jamie Salkeld, David Alexander. Compiled by Tracey Basman.
