Monaro RFS

The last Bush Firefighter (BF) course was run a little differently. We decided to provide a Safety Induction (SI) training event on the 26th July, a little over one week prior to commencing the BF course.

By separating the SI from the BF course we were able to cater to those who had previously completed the SI and provide the additional training to those who needed it. We also gained approximately 2 1/2hrs of valuable training time so that we could do more of the "hands on" training over the week-end.

The Village Firefighter course that was held in Cooma and at Sunny Corner on the 19th to 22nd of August 2010 was a great success. The participants were all keen and they displayed a good understanding of the principles that make village scenario decisions more appropriate given a wide range of variables.

On Saturday 24 July, units from Michelago, Numeralla, Smiths Road, Shannons Flat  and Bredbo joined forces with Colinton to carry out a lovegrass burn on the Predator Paintball property west of the Monaro Highway. The burn was preceded by a BBQ at paintball central.

The burn covered an area of about fifteen hectares, in a long paddock parallel with the river, bounded on one side by a road, and the other by uneven scrub.

Congratulations to the participants of the Safe Working on Roofs (SWR) course that was held on Saturday 19th June 2010. Although this type of training material is not high on my priorities it is a very enjoyable topic to deliver and it is certainly a great team building activity.

I was very impressed at how the participants worked as a team during the roof top scenarios that included roof safety system rigging and rescue techniques should a fall occur.

There was one challenge question that I would like to present to the course participants. The first correct answer will get a free coffee at one of our many fine cafes. Congratulations to Rick Scott from Berridale Brigade for being the first to supply the correct answer and a good description of the rigging. (I'll now have to come good with the coffee)

This was the question:

If we can work on a single story structure using a single SWR kit (1 x 50m and 1 x 25m rope) using the knots that we learned on Saturday how can we extend our reach (taller or wider structure) using two SWR kits (2 x 50m ropes and 2 x 25m ropes)?

The answer will need to include a description of the rigging that could be used. Use your knowledge of the principles to figure out how you would use the ropes and what knots would be used to connect everything together.