CFS News
This month has seen us busy again with various jobs around the community, most of which were minor in nature and straight forward to resolve. As we move toward the end of another year (how fast did that one go!), I thought it a good chance to look back and cover some of the achievements and challenges we faced in 2019.
Incidents this year
The number and type of incidents that we were responded to this year is as follows -
16 grass fires - most of which were small events which were contained quickly.
3 tree downs - which is significantly less than last year – our trees behaved well!
1 car fire and 6 Motor Vehicle Accidents - this is our least preferred task but all were minor in nature. Please continue to have road safety discussions with your families – we want everyone to come home safely.
2 structure fires - this involves houses, sheds and any other domestic structures. As well as a few local events, we also supported other brigades in Aberfoyle Park and further afield. Structure fires generally require a specialist response with the use of breathing apparatus for firefighters – a skill we have as a brigade and which requires extensive training to keep up to date.
2 assists – one assisting a SA Ambulance crew and another assisting a local resident.
1 oil spill
Interstate deployment
We also had Cherry Garden members travel interstate to Queensland and NSW on four day deployments to assist with bushfires in these areas.
Operational Support
Our Operational Support members who manage radio communications for the Sturt Group were busy this year. They responded and supported around 50 separate events and their efforts are vital to keep operational crews informed and safe.
Cherry Gardens CFS brigade turns 85
As a brigade, we have continued recruiting new members this year and we are in a great position for 2020. As this was an election year we have a new Captain and leadership group, those who undertook the challenge of stepping up are settling into their new roles with great enthusiasm . This month sees the Cherry Gardens CFS brigade turn 85 - this makes us one of the oldest brigades in the CFS. There will be a celebration of this anniversary, so please feel free to call in and say hello.
Community relationships
We have also strengthened relationships with community groups and businesses that support us; the Lions, SA Power networks, Rotary and the Cherry Chatter. Lighting for the training area to the west of the station has been one of this year’s big improvements and plans are in place to lay bitumen in this space once funding can be obtained. We also thank everyone for supporting our can/bottle collection efforts –this really does assist with funding improvements.
Christmas
This Christmas we will be present at the Blackwood pageant, and rumor has it Father Christmas will also be back on the Station tractor, bigger and better than ever. We will be operational if needed throughout the Christmas break but we will not mind if things stay safe and quiet!
Thank you all for your support this year and we wish everyone a very safe, happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year. We will be back bigger and better in 2020!
CFS Air Support
On Sunday 3rd of November the Cherry Gardens Air Strip team came together for our pre summer training session. Every year before the fire season begins we come together to run through, refresh and update our skills. This year we had several other guests attending from Seaford Air Support SES and the SES. It is so important that every member is familiar and confident with all their skills which are required when filling and the turn around a CFS Air Support Plane. We can refill a plane in less than 1 ½ minutes, from the moment the plane is stationary to the moment it takes off again.
CFS Cherry Gardens train every Monday night for those who may be interested in what we do.
To report suspicious behaviour call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
For all other emergencies dial 000 and ask for “Adelaide, Fire” “South Australia”
See the CFS website for more information, and stay safe.
