The Brigade has had a reasonably quiet month for call-outs during the June/July period: four call-outs and all related to the wind and rain the Valley has been dealing with for the past few months.
First call to tree down on Mt Scanzi Road. This turned out to be a major landslip with several trees over the road. Members turned out in Valley 1 and were assisted by members in their own vehicles on the way to the incident call.
Second call on the same day to a tree down on Moss Vale Road, Cambewarra Mountain. This was dealt with by RMS.
Third call was to a tree down over Moss Vale Road at Beaumont at 3.30 in the morning, again a land slip had dropped trees over the road. This was dealt with by members in Valley 1 assisted by Beaumont Brigade and RMS. Always a challenge for a crew responding at 3.30am in the pouring rain!
Last call was to a power pole alight in Keogh’s Road. Valley 1 responded, and the pole was extinguished and left in the hands of the power company.
The Brigade is very lucky to have several Remote Area Operators or RAFT personnel as members. These members are winch qualified and are capable of being dropped in to remote areas by helicopter to fight fires or for rescue operations. This weekend saw two members called up to assist with a patient extraction deep in the bush behind Milton.
Chainsaw operations and training is another set of skills Brigade members are involved with.
Kangaroo Valley members are qualified as Fireline Tree Fallers and can use their skills to fall dangerous trees on the fireground, also assisting with the training and mentoring of chainsaw operators from other brigades and districts to enhance their skills.
Members are involved with VF or Village Firefighter qualifications, with several members being assessed and passing to become new Village Firefighters.
The Rural Fire Service will again be holding its ‘Get Ready Weekend’ in September. This is a great chance for you to meet some of our dedicated volunteers and to learn more about property protection and what you should be doing if a fire happens.
Watch this space for more information coming in the next issue.
Jamie Salkeld
Community Engagement Officer
