Yes, it's been a while since I last blogged. Just as well, you say!



It's now mid-spring, and it's warming up. What we're not getting, but should be, is our spring rains. So this is making it year twelve of sub-normal rain. Yes, drought is well and truly established.



I've just been reading a pre-fire season release from our forests people. Not good reading really, but we'll see. The not good reading? Just that once again it looks like we're heading into the fire season with… Continue

I've just added a few more photos. Please feel welcome to look at them individually and leave comments - I like to hear from people! I don't post ( or even keep!) all the photos I take, I keep only those that I think are of at least reasonable quality. Digital is nice and cheap of course, but back in the days of film I used to be very happy if I could get two out of a roll of 35+ that were worth keeping!

Can't be bothered! Maybe I'll just mention any of interest...



I don't think I've mentioned this one, but it was interesting. Happened a couple of weeks ago now, pager mid afternoon to support our neighbours in the full career service. Stangely, it was further into their area than we normally support, would normally be one of our career Stations supporting there. As it turned out, they specifically requested us. Nice feeling from that!.. Anyway. I get to the shed and so does… Continue

Friday, five calls.

Saturday, three calls.

Sunday, 2 calls - so far.

Ten calls inside three days is a little beyond a joke!



Friday's calls I've mentioned. Saturday -

13:58 - Support call for a grass & scrub (brush fire for those non-aussies). Small fire in a patch of parkland.

16:53 - Support call to a going grass & scrub fire, could have got nasty but was rounded up.

22:54 - Support call for a house fire - they wanted our thermal imaging… Continue

Today, Good Friday, is when our specialist hospital for children, The Royal Children's Hospital, holds its yearly appeal. One aspect of this appeal is that emergency workers all over the State get involved in collecting donations from motorists (yes, can rattlers!). And that's what happened today.



0800 meet at the Station to be allocated to an intersection and a truck. At work by 0820, good intersection with a railway crossing; and I was with the pumper.



0910 - paged to an… Continue

Now for some about the Fire Rescue Service (FRS) of which I'm a member.



The Country Fire Authority (CFA) of Victoria is the organisation responsible for fire and other emergencies for most of the State. We only have one really large city, Melbourne. The FRS for the CBD and about 50% of the suburbs is the all career Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board - like long names, don't we? So we call it the MFB. The CFA covers the rest of the suburbs plus all the provincial… Continue

1400 - Called out to check a burn-off in a backyard.



Owner was extinguishing the fire when we arrived, said he 'didn't know of the restrictions'. Idiot. Backyard burnoffs are forbidden all year round where he lives.



1830 - Called to a 'washaway' at our worst intersection.



A 'washaway' is meant to be oil/petrol on the road after a minor collision - we don't trust that type of call. This one was a two car collision with six people injured. No… Continue