Darlington Volunteer Bushfire Brigade
0417 922 285
Pine Terrace,
P.O. Box 164
Darlington,
W.A. 6070
Providing a fire service for the community from the community.
Personnel
Almost any person may try to become a member of the Darlington Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade. As a result there a wide range of persons who are members.
Recruiting
You can start any time and no previous experience is necessary. The standard of training available to members is very high.
Uniform and PPE
You are not be expected to attend in uniforms - they are available from the Brigade. In time you may choose to obtain one however, there is no obligation.
However, 'Personal Protection Equipment(PPE)' is required.
PPE consists of the following items:
- Approved boots
- Woollen socks
- Yellow firefighters overalls; or turnout jacket and over-pants
- Approved helmet
- Leather gloves
- Goggles
The Brigade will assist in the provision of these items. There are some that are available secound hand, eg. overalls, and some are provided, eg. boots, gloves, goggles, helmet; however, you are expected to provide your own socks!
In addition, you are expected to look after your equipment - it's there for your protection.
How do you become a member of the Darlington Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade?
To become a member of the Brigade you will need to be 15 years of age, to have participated in at least three Saturday Morning Station Attendances, attend at least two Monthly meetings, to have participated in at least two Hazard Reduction Burns and to have passed the or, be enrolled in the next, basic firefighter's course.
For ongoing membership you will need to attend at least nine monthly meetings each year, regularly participate in your team's scheduled Saturday Morning Station Attendances. It is recommended that you attend Hazard Reduction Burns and participate in training to maintain and develop your firefighting skills.
The Brigade is currently reviewing these requirements to promote professionalism in it's members and to meet the higher levels of accountability required of today's volunteers organizations.
We are seeking people with commitment, who are prepared to contribute to the group and thus make the job enjoyable for all.
What do we do in the Brigade?
The tasks of member of the Brigade are many and varied. Pricipally they are:
- Firefighting
- The Firefighting role is the core activity of the brigade. Firefighters may attend the station as the result of a pager message, phone call from Brigade Officers or attend directly. This might be for attendance to a wildfire as an inital call-out or as a relief. Much time is also spent by members of the Brigade in ensuring that the fire stays put out, this is referred to as 'mop up'. Call outs can occur at any time of the day on any day of the year.
- Meetings
- All Brigade members attend the monthly meeting every third Tuesday starting 8:00pm at the station. This meeting attends to the business of the Brigade. Office holders attend additional meetings related to their positions.
- Saturday Morning Station Attendance
- Attending the Station on your team's rostered Saturday morning enables members to familarize themselves with the equipment, ensure that the equipment is in good order, pickup pagers, conduct a radio schedule and keep up with the developments occurring in the Brigade and in Firefighting.
- Pagers
- Members of the Duty Team carry one of the Brigade's 12 pagers for the weeks that they are on roster. This enables the Brigade to respond in a timely fashion to fire situations and with sufficient members to man both Light Tankers (previously known as Fast Attacks).
- Hazard Reduction Burns
- These are the planned and controlled burns on properties at the request of the property owner. They are an important learning experience for members to gain understanding of fire behaviour (in controlled conditions) and to develop the necessary skills for the efficient extinguishing of wildfires. Hazard reduction burns reduce the fuel loading in the bush thus making it easy to control subsequent bushfires and thus reducing the chance of a highly destructive wildfire.
- Fundraising
- While much of the Brigade's funding now comes from FESA there are still some areas that the Brigade must fund itself, e.g. additional pagers. This additional fundraising is done primarily by conducting hazard reduction burns, participation in the annual 'Tin Rattle' in the Perth CBD in May, and participating in the Darlington Arts Festival in November. These last two events are also excellent opportunities to raise public awareness of the dangers of wildfire.
- Training
- Training is conducted regularily by the Mundaring Fire Fighter's school. A wide range of courses for the basic firefighter through to the expert are presented by trained, experienced firefighters normally with practical exercises. The Brigade also conducts training on an as-needed basis. Earlier this year (2002) the Brigade conducted a joint training exercise with the Swan View Senior High School Emergency Services Cadet Unit at a weekend trainging camp at the Bindoon Army Camp. This Camp was run in true "military" style with a mixture of lectures and practical exercises and provided an excellent learning opportunity for all. Either because of or, in spite of, the "miltary" style it was an enjoyable and positive experience. Trainging for Bushfire Fighting