New pagers

We are getting new pagers, in theory before the start of the fire season.  This is what they look like.   Yes, a bit "back to the future" - based on the old Orange pagers.

Specs of the pager: http://www.uni.com.tw/alpha_legend.html
Geoff

Concept medium tanker photos

Some photos from Mike of the new Medium Tanker that was on show at South Morang.

From the deck behind the driver looking towards the rear.  Note the new style of tank.  These can be fixed/replaced much more easily and quickly than the current fibreglass ones.  Front tank is a fresh drinking water supply.

TAIT Portables - Guidance

Through the NWM Health and Safety Committee, concerns have been raised as to the adequacy of information provided regarding the changeover to new TAIT Portable Radios.  In particular, the different styles of lapel microphones, the scanning function and the identification of new vs. old style radios.

The attached documents are intended to provide some clarity on the issue and should be read in conjunction with Operations Bulletin 004/2012 – TAIT Portable Radio Usage Guidance.

• TAIT Radio ID Guide - D14
• TAIT Enhancements and Scanning Information
• TAIT Microphone Comparison

We have also made arrangements with CFA Headquarters to produce a further Operations Bulletin that will provide a greater level of understanding of using the ‘scan mode’ on the new portables.  This should be released in the near future.

I would ask that all members within your brigades have this information made available to them and if there any concerns or questions please let me know.

Regards

Jamie Hansen
Operations Officer
District 14
Northern & Western Metropolitan Region

Medium Tanker Road Show

D14 dates:

• South Morang - 13 July - 10:00-16:00
• Sunbury - 15 July - 10:00-13:00
• Melton - 15 July - 13:00-16:00

Attachments:

• Medium tanker specs
• News article

"You call that a drip-torch? This is a drip-torch!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1kpobfCgAk

Beats the ones we carry on the tankers...

Tips on Pumping Petrol

With Petrol expected to reach $2 per litre by end of 2011, these tips that I received from a friend might come in handy.

TIPS ON PUMPING PETROL

I don't know what you are are paying for Petrol.... but here in Melbourne we are paying up to $1.30 to $1.60 per litre.

I've worked in the petroleum industry for about 31 years now, so here are some tricks to get more of your money's worth for every Litre:

New Tait radios - seatblet/transportable radios

These are some photos of the Seatbelt or Transportable radios. The Mic head is about the same as the Hand Held Control Head that is being fitted to FCV’s ect. Plus the HHCH has a set as powerful as a Mobile I believe.

Medical oxygen cylinders - change in colour

Please find attached a Protective Equipment Technical Advisory Note relating to a change in medical oxygen cylinders colours.

Regards,

Barry Foss
Operations Manager
Protective Equipment Department

LAST PAGER FIRMWARE UPGRADE TO VERSION 3.6 - THIS SATURDAY 7 AUGUST

To those Brigade Members with Pagers.

The last Firmware Upgrade to the new Firmware Version 3.6 is this Saturday commencing at 1.00 p.m.

Pagers not already upgraded should be switched on during the morning (if not already on, which they should be) with a battery with plenty of life left in it in the pager. Each OTA (Over the Air) transmission may take up to 3 hours depending on how busy Viper [which sends the transmission] may be at the time.

To check whether your pager has Version 3.6, do the following:-

• have pager on (press red and green buttons at the same time until pager boots up)
• press red button - if it shows Messages, press the red button a second time
• "Delete" will be on the screen
• press arrow key "Up" twice
• screen will show Advanced
• press green button
• General Status will be the top option on the screen
• press green button
• third one down is Version. If it shows 3.6 then your pager is upgraded.

If it does not show Version 3.6 then could you please make sure that your pager is turned on during Saturday morning ready for the upgrade.

Pagers not upgraded - after that members will not gain the full benefit from the pager until it is updated after a lengthy process of collecting, sending and then getting back.

It would be appreciated if all members could check their pagers for Version 3.6 and let me know by email patcorr@alphalink.com.au or phone 9714 8270 that their pagers are upgraded. Could you please do this by or during tomorrow night. I may have to make a few phone calls to people who do not respond but I hope not too many.

(If Advanced, General Status does not show you as the Owner, please let me know.)

All the Best

Pat Corr
Arthurs Creek RFB Comms officer

Battery isolater on car

The car has a new battery isolater fitted.  It is a red key on the front bumper bar.  Push it down and 1/4 turn it clockwise to engage the battery.

You no longer need to lift the bonnet and unscrew the original isolater.  Remember to unlock it again after use.

I'll get some photos to include in a future update...

Fire Plug on cnr Arthurs Creek & Nankervis Roads

The fire plug on cnr Arthurs Creek & Nankervis Roads has been repaired and can be used again.

Thanks to Pat for following it up.


View Larger Map

Foam on Tanker #2

Great news! Region have promised to have Class A foam installed on Tanker #2 before the fire season.

8 years of asking and waiting are over...

Name badges

I'm going to put in an order for name badges soon. If you need:

• Cloth name badge for your jacket(s)
• Decal name badge for your helmet(s)

let me know and I'll add you to the order.

Geoff

Broken Holster

A few weeks ago, someone left a broken holster in the "exchange box" in the Office at the Station. So that Pat can arrange a replacement, could the mystery person please contact Pat by email patcorr@alphalink.com.au or phone 9714 8270.

Thanks from Pat

Brigade Car - All Go!

The radios were installed in the Brigade Car today (which makes Michael very happy!). It even has registration... (don't ask).

Which means that the Brigade Car is now an official appliance. It may take a while before it gets on to CAD, so expect a some delays if you turn out with it to Vicfire.

Keep Monday 6 July in your diaries to go through the theory side of operational driving.

Spectrum Bridge

Hi All,

As mentioned at last night’s Group Meeting, please see below instructions on how to set up a template which can be sent to up to 33 members in one go requesting “Respond to Station” when a call comes in via Spectrum bridge. The idea being that all members of a brigade on the Spectrum bridge have this template set up with the numbers of all members linked. This is the quickest way to respond the brigade rather than using an actual phone-tree.

Of course, this is just a suggestion how to handle incoming calls. Let me know if anybody has any other ideas or suggestions (or questions)

Best regards

Urs Biedermann
Group Communications Officer
Whittlesea Diamond Valley Group


We select 33 members (sms group can only hold 33) and create the group. I have setup a template sms message called 'Fire Call - Respond to station'. Those members on the list, when they receive the sms they will respond to the station for further instructions.

I have duplicated the group on my own phone, just in case I can't get to the station, to use the brigade car's phone.

This system works well, but we just need to advise those on the list to make sure that their mobiles are left on at night or while the pagers are down. You also need to limit who can send the message to avoid any pranksters. What I mean is that if the message is at 2am sent from myself or the brigade car, then it is a real call.

With the groups, you can have multiples, so you may like to make one for just for brigade officers, or if you need to alert more members greater than 33, you can setup a number of groups that could be like waves, similar to the old FRS. For example Wave 1 is 30 members (1st and 2nd vehicle), Wave 2 is 12 members (3rd Vehicle) and so on.

The only limit is the amount of phone numbers the nominated phone can hold. I am more than happy to visit your brigade or group to assist with the setup, or just email me for more info.

Regards

Justin Rees
Mt Cottrell Group
Comms Officer

CSESP 3 Round 3 - Opens

Good afternoon

The Minister has today launched CSESP 3 Round 3. I have attached the media release and brochure (nb: large file) for your information.

Information packs are being sent to all Brigades and Groups today 1st May 2009.

The CSESP website has been updated with all current documentation

If you have any queries regarding the process please contact me.

Diane Frost
Project Coordinator
Community Safety Emergency Support Program

Brigade Car

The car is on its way to getting commissioned. A fair bit of fit-out has already been done very kindly by Diamond Creek Brigade. We are going through the process of getting it approved by Region, so then we can get it fitted out with radios.

At the moment it is up at Laurie's getting a service and a RWC - just in case you were looking for it at the station.

Cotton t-shirts for BA operators

Expired
The Region 14 Store has a quantity of Cotton T Shirts that are to be issued to Operational BA accredited wearers / operators only. The entitlement is for one T shirt per operational BA wearer / operator.

You must reply to Geoff by EOD Tuesday 7 April, with your size.