Darling Range Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade

General The Brigade is the specialist communications operation for the Shire of Mundaring. When called to incidents (not necessarily fire related) it acts as a communications centre, and primarily controls the incident radio network. In a bush fire situation, the Brigade will usually only be called out and deployed following the call out of two or more combat brigades while the fire is in its escalation phase. The Brigade seeks both men and women of reasonable fitness and mobility who wish to be involved, without being at the hot end of the incident. The duties of members include: Crewing the Incident Control Vehicle (ICV), and management of electronic communications networks. Transmitting and receiving messages by multi-channel radio, telephone and fax. Tracking of fire ground vehicles by use of a satellite tracking system. Organisation of fire fighting personnel needs, crew changes, plant machinery logistics, mapping etc. Liaison with other agencies such as Police, DEC, SES, FRS, St John Ambulance, Water bombers, Air Operations Group, etc. Brigade Organisational Structure The Brigade has administration and operational functions.

- Administration President: Rod Teale Secretary: Patrick Crichton Treasurer: Mike Davidson

- Operations Fire Control Officer (FCO): Stephen Lisseman Captain/Equipment Officer: Susan Smith Training Officer: Rod Teale The Brigade normally has four operational teams, each with a team leader in charge with, ideally, a minimum of three Brigade members per team: Team 1: Stephen Lisseman (FCO) Team 2: Susan Smith (Captain) Team 3: Rod Teale (1st Lieutenant) Team 4: Ross Boughton (Lieutenant) Each team is normally duty rostered one week in every four (Saturday to Saturday): Weekend: 0900 hours Saturday to 0600 hours Monday, including Public Holidays, and until 0900 hours on the following Saturday. Weekdays: 1800 hours to 0600 hours, including Public Holidays. A number of Brigade members are available 0600 hours to 1800 hours on weekdays, and form the rostered daytime crew. Pagers are issued to incoming duty rostered crew members, and must be passed on to the next duty team at the commencement of their rostered week. It is the responsibility of any team member who is not available for any of the rostered duty times to find a suitable replacement and advise the appropriate team leader accordingly.

Call Out Procedure A call out is usually initiated by the Shire of Mundaring. The relevant pager message to the Brigade is sent by the Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) communications branch (COMCEN). The pager message will usually indicate the general location of the incident. Upon call out, the rostered crew is responsible for the deployment of the Incident Control Vehicle (ICV) at the designated Forward Control Point (FCP). Whilst a crew of three is adequate for initial deployment, other non-rostered Brigade members may be requested to assist in the crewing of the ICV at an incident. The full crew complement at a major incident is eight members.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s) The Brigade issues each member with a set of SOP’s and a Training/Information Manual. These outline the various tasks undertaken by Brigade members, and general information on the Brigade’s operations.

Brigade training and meetings All members are expected to attend: Training: First Sunday in each month - 0900 hours to 1200 hours. Third Thursday in each month - 2000 hours to 2200 hours Meetings: Fourth Tuesday in each month - 2000 to 2200 hours held, unless otherwise advised (check News), at the Darling Range Station, cnr Wandeara Crescent & Cockatoo Drive, Mundaring Although family and employment must come first, it is important for members to be committed to attending as many training sessions and meetings as possible in order to maintain a high level of competency and knowledge.

Formal training requirements Brigade members are required to undertake and complete a minimum of the Bush Firefighters Course, modules 1-12 (conducted by the Mundaring Firefighters School, located at Stoneville, several times per year). Modules 1-3 are mandatory before a member can become operational, due to Shire of Mundaring insurance requirements. Members are encouraged to obtain further ongoing qualifications. Additionally, members are required to attend two Hazard Reduction burns. Other training is “in-house” within the Brigade.

Insurance Under the Bush Fires Act, Brigade members (though volunteers) are treated as employees of the Shire of Mundaring, and, as such, are fully covered under worker’s compensation insurance.

Funding The Brigade is funded by the Shire of Mundaring for essential operational and capital expenditure, through the Emergency Services Levy (ESL). However, independent fundraising is undertaken from time to time to cover other expenditure.

Field uniform All Brigade members are required to wear approved personal protective equipment and footwear at incidents, official functions and Brigade training sessions. This equipment is supplied at no charge to Brigade members. An authorised FESA polo shirt is a requirement and is supplied at no charge. This must be worn as uniform whilst operational. It can be worn at Brigade functions and social gatherings. Issued uniform remains the Brigade’s property.

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20 December 2007