We're Back

Well we arrived back from our trip from Uluru to Darwin early. I will up date every one on our travels in a few days as Dad is still here and is due to fly back to the UK later today.

We arrived home to bush fires and the Hawkesbury being declared a Section 44 (all hands on deck). Unfortunately I was still on light duties and could not volunteer to help. Once seeing my consultant I was given the go ahead.

This Wednesday I arrived at the brigade station at 6.30am and returned at 7.30pm. Noope no fire fighting but support for our volunteer helicopter pilots and crew. What an interesting day to see these helis come and go knowing that they were water bombing those areas of bush that are unaccessible to fire fighters.Well here is my favourite big girl, I say girl coz she is called "Wild Cat" so got to be a girl.
And this one has to be the all time fave girl helicopter.
An awesome job these guys do.
To check on NSW bushfires - click here.
For Grose Wold RFS - click here.

Hawkesbury Heights Hazard Reduction 19/09/2009

Our RFS are sure hard at work. This is the same area as my previous post and last night some poor bugger must have been patrolling as I could see the orange glow above the mountains.

Hazard reduction, Bowen Mountain, 2nd Sept 2009

What a great day for hazard reduction today. Warm yet not too warm and hardly any wind. By lunchtime it looked freaky and by the end of the day it was almost out. Weather permitting this should go on for a few days.These photos were taken from the front of our house.

Hazard Reduction Time

It looks as though the dampness in the air and ground may be reducing and giving the RFS guys a chance to to reduce available fuels.

You can't stop bush fires occurring but performing a hazard reduction will hopefully reduce the fuels that cause a severe bush fire. Reducing the fuel will aid in the containment of a severe bush fire.

This photo was taken from the back of my house and shows hazard reduction in the Blue Mountains.

Basic Firefighter Assessment

As some of you know I joined the RFS (rural fire service) to be able to learn how to protect the area I live in and my home. On Sunday I completed my Basic Assessment which means I am now able to help provide assistance with fires like property protection, grass fires, bush fires, etc.

The training was vigorous with practical and theory but "little me" and Byron made it through with a lot of help from our trainers Lindsay and Karen Gorrie, not forgetting the assistance from fellow firefighters and our bald captain (that is another story which i will try and post another day).

The day itself was absolutely gorgeous but blooming hot in our PPE (personal protective equipment). Plenty of food and drink was supplied. Oh yeah we had yummy melting ice cream but don't you just love to stir it around until it is a blob, then eat it.
As you can see at the end of the day we were full of smiles, physically shattered but mentally charged.

You can check out my brigades website at http://grosewold.com/. The picture gallery is really interesting. Check out our Captains head and beard shave.