Kalbarri SES September 2018 report:
No operational callouts were recorded for September.
Training:
Regional Exercise
On Saturday and Sunday, September 8 & 9, 6 Volunteers from Kalbarri SES attended the annual Midwest-Gascoyne Regional exercise. This year the exercise was held in Jurien Bay with attendees from across the region camping at the Jurien Bay Fire Station for the weekend.
The exercise consisted of various scenarios with volunteers setting up a communications network on Saturday and then responding to a number of simulated storm damage incidents effecting single and two storey buildings. This necessitated setting up roof safety systems and making temporary repairs to prevent water ingress.
Sunday saw the participants conduct foot and vehicle searches for 2 missing fisherman in the Sandy Cape area. Kalbarri SES utilised their newly commissioned All Terrain Vehicle for the first time. The missing casualties were located and a complex cliff rescue utilising a Larkin Frame and a further rescue from a underground tank were successfully completed.
The annual Regional Exercise is an excellent opportunity for volunteers to gather and practice their skills and build relationships with other units.
AFAC Conference
Two volunteers from Kalbarri SES attended the Australasian Fire Authorities Council Conference at the Pert Exhibition Centre on September 5, 6 & 7. The conference is a annual National event and included a trade fair with hundreds of displays as well as panel and plenary sessions on numerous subjects including volunteering, welfare, emergency management and equipment. The attendees came away with lots of information and were able to source some new equipment
Rope Rescue Systems
Kalbarri hosted a Rope Rescue Systems training course over 4 days during September 14 to 17. Students from around the region and from the metro area learned how to set up systems used for vertical rescue. Local volunteers gave up their spare time to support the course and instructors and assistants. The course utilised Kalbarri SES HQ for theory lessons while practical sessions were held at Gregory Rock and Hawks Head.
Community Engagement:
On the evening of Friday September 21 SES volunteers launched their newly commissioned All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) with a presentation held at Gilgai Tavern. Much of the funding for the ATV and purchase of other rescue equipment including our rescue mule was raised from the weekly meat raffles held at Gilgai Tavern each Friday evening. This was a great opportunity to show people that the money that they donate through the raffles is going directly to support their community through the purchase of rescue equipment. Many thanks go to Gilgai Tavern for supporting the weekly meat raffles.
Fortnightly Training:
Kalbarri SES holds training at unit headquarters every 2nd Monday from 1845hrs to 2100hrs. The training is interactive with volunteers responding to various scenarios and developing and practising various responses. These sessions are also where we maintain our equipment to ensure that it is in operational condition when it is required.
