Bushfire

Fire accidents are common in the Australian state. The territory fire authorities, therefore, have come up with policies that require people to stay and defend their homes from bushfires or leave before the fire reaches their homes. There is reliable evidence proofing that it is possible to save the well-prepared houses from the fire. The late evacuation, however, can be a dangerous action to take. The paper in pages 42-50 represents a summary of the policy’s guidelines on how to deal with bushfire. One safety during bushfires may depend on knowledge and associate reactions to the situation.

According to the policy, homeowners must access the appropriate information to make informed decisions regarding the matter. As a homeowner, there are a variety of factors that one should consider for safety during bushfires, and they include; how the construction, maintenance, and preparedness of the home are to withstand bushfires.

That consists of the availability of types of equipment used to fight the fire. The homeowner should also consider having a contingency plan, which works as an alternative when the light becomes more intense (McLennan, Paton, & Beatson, 2019).

Impact of bushfires

Physical and emotional affects of safety during bushfires

One needs to check his or her physical, emotional, and mental fitness to handle the impact that comes along with the bushfire. These three factors are primary and aid the homeowner to make an informed decision.

The policy does also require homeowners to know about their triggers. Each individual would have his or her triggers as one need what works for him and his family. Using fire danger ratings would also be a perfect way to predict the threat of a bushfire occurring.

Total fire ban or the TFB is a prevention measure that happens in areas that expect fire weather conditions. It prohibits the lighting of any fires in open places.

Bushfire Warning Systems

After a fire starts, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, DFES (or CFA, CFS etc), issues warnings to alert the community of significant incidents that threaten lives or properties. The warning comes in levels which include:

Leaving for safety

Leaving for safety

Seeking safety elsewhere is useful, especially if one doubt his confidence in handling the fire. When one has little children or the conditions are extreme, it is also advisable to leave the premises. When one decides to withdraw, he or she should depart immediately as bushfire spread more quickly (McLennan, Paton, & Beatson, 2019). One must make sure not to drive through the smokes as it can cause serious accidents. Wearing woolen blankets and carrying some drinking water is also a piece of great advice.

Defending the home

At times, one may decide to stay and protect his or her home. This is possible if one is in the right health and the supply of the needed emergency types of equipment and water supplies is available. Staying in a house well prepared to fight the fire could be a better option than running from the smokes (McLennan, Paton, & Beatson, 2019). Protecting a home from bush fire is a dangerous activity and should be for those who have fire fighting skills. I cant emphasis how important it is to maintain safety during bushfires, your life may depend on it.

Deciding to stay and fight the fires needs one to wear the protective gears. These include natural fibers, hats, gloves, long trousers, boots, long-sleeve shirts, and eye protection. The clothes should be of pure wool or heavy cotton. One also needs to have all the right types of equipment, including a torch, hoses, buckets, ladder, knapsack spray, shovels, rakes, and hoes.

When the fire comes

One can protect the home from fire by closing all the openings and taking all the furniture outside. Removing flammable fuels, mats, and clothes outside is also ideal. Keep the water flowing and fill the gutters with water (McLennan, Paton, & Beatson, 2019).

Turnoffs the electricity from the main switches, and maintain close looks on all the rooms. After the fire ends pour waters all over the surrounding grounds to make sure the fire is entirely off. Stay alert in case of small fire ignitions.

When fire comes!!!!

Last Resort

When the fire ignites, the best place to be is far from the flames. One can use a safer place if he fails to fight the fires or is unable to continue driving. When in a safe place, one should continue monitoring the fire condition. Make sure the windows and doors are fireproof and sealed.

References

McLennan, J., Paton, D., & Beatson, R. (2019). Psychological differences between south-eastern Australian householders’ who intend to leave if threatened by a wildfire and those who intend to stay and defend. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction , 11, 35-46.

Firstly, grassland covers a large area of the Australian countryside. Therefore, preparing for fire season and grass fires in Australia are critical.  Furthermore, these area’s range from large open areas used for grassing to pasture and cropping land. Every summer Australians have come to expect that some of the grasslands will burn. Subsequently, grass fire will potentially become a threat to life and property.

Thus, often fanned by strong winds and continuous fuel, grass fires pose a significant risk. In fact, when the conditions are right they often resulting in fast and out of control grass fires. Spreading rapidly and moving in the direction of the wind.

On the other hand, to be able to combat these fires requires firefighters to be trained and equipped. Furthermore, and to perform adequately as part of a disciplined crew. Generally, grass fires move rapidly which is problematic to have crews on foot. Accordingly, in Australia firefighters, operate mostly fire fighting tankers at grass fires. Holding large quantities of water and designed to fight the fire from the back tray. However, there are a number of designs used by fire agencies but some have become standard. I.e. heat shielding, some type of rollover protection and protection sprays to assist when things go wrong. Grass fire fighting is a high-risk activity and the potential for harm significant.

Preparing for fire season & responding to a grass fires

Firefighters who turn out to fires must be equipped and as such must wear the appropriate personal protective clothing (PPE). What is more, this PPE should be designed for a specific task. In all honesty, to wear gear designed for structural fire fighting would soon cause the firefighter to experience heat stress. So for grass fire special overalls or similar are generally used.

Consequently, as a guide wherever there is skin exposed to the elements it provides a pathway to injury. Therefore in addition to overalls or similar goggles, gloves, masks appropriate boots and the like must be worn.

On arrival at the fire

Anyhow, the first arriving crew leader (officer) ideally will establish a control point, to start to formalise command and control. Information is the key here and communicating with oncoming appliances and base control centres helps to facilitate the establishment of effective systems and processes.

After this, the crew officer or incident controller is then responsible to assess the developing fire and formulate an objective. Then, contact the control centre to provide a situation report.

With the onset of climate change a rapid assessment in critical to quick control. Thus, increasing or decreasing resources as required.

Grass fire attack methods

As well, how firefighters decide to attack the grass fire will depend on three critical factors. These are fuel, weather and topography. Where there are strong winds, high temperatures and low humidity, fuels will be dry and available to burn. With this in mind, as the firefighter progresses to firefighting operations each factor must be taken into account. Understanding each should result in better situational awareness and an understanding of what the fire is doing and how it may impact the firefight.

Types of tactics

The tactics used to fight the fire will depend on the fire rate of spread, flame heights and fire intensity. Coupled with, current and expected weather conditions and available firefighting resources. Some of these tactics include a direct attack, parallel attack or indirect attack.

Direct attack: this is where firefighting crews, normally mounted on a tanker, directly attack the fire edge using water. Normally performed by starting on the flanks and proceeding systematically to the head if the fire.

Parallel Attack: Generally, this means a control line is constructed a short distance from the fire edge. Generally, performed by earth moving machinery and creating a mineral earth break so when the fire reaches it there is nothing to burn and it goes out. As a matter of fact, there is always the possibility of the fire breaching or spotting over the control line so monitoring is essential.

Indirect attack: Established some distance from the fire edge to give crews and the incident controller time to brief and prepare crews for the operation. In short, then a control line is placed in an often used to start back burning.

Back burning is considered problematic due to the high risk of the fire jumping the control line ahead of the main front. Therefore, all back burning operations must be authorised by the incident controller.

Anchor point construction

An anchor point can be defined as a point where a control line can start to be constructed. Its role is to minimise the possibility of crews being outflanked by the fire as the control line is being constructed. Even more, this is even more critical when fire fighting bushfires.

As a consequence, anchor points are often a road or track. Indeed, one of the positives relating to grass fire is the black & burnt area is an ideal refuge if something goes wrong. Even so, the black & burnt area can be still very hot. Ideally, the use of protection sprays should be operated to limit the possibility of the truck igniting.

The key takeaway from this is to have to escape routes. After this, know your anchor point as it may become a refuge when fire behaviour is too dangerous to fight. Further, when tankers start to run out of water and replacements are still on the way.

Key risk note:

It isn’t always possible to fight a grass fire safely. Hence, where crews are experiencing extreme fire behaviour it may be appropriate to go into asset protection mode. In this case, resources are allocated to life and property protection only. Buildings can also provide the fire fighting crew with protection until the fire from passing.

Fire Tanker operations at grass fires.

The key to effective firefighting at grass fire is resources working together. To start with, this becomes very significant if fire behaviour is severe. Therefore, one tanker working on its own will potentially have to keep turning around to put out areas that have re-ignited. Whereas, if tankers are working together and with the one at the rear, it can pick up small re-ignitions.

The main objective is nearly always to put the fire out. With this in mind, self and crew discipline is required to ensure that firefighting tankers are used very effectively. The grass fire may look quite big but having focus and working systematically from the anchor point will ensure more effective operations.

Safety of the firefighters

There are a number of issues that could be experienced here. Even so, firefighter safety is the priority. By working together and maintaining good situational awareness, rocks and other hazards will become obvious.

At times working on the ground away from tankers will be required. Incidentally, here trees are part of the landscape there is a real likelihood of falling branches and trees. Learn to recognize risk and tell a supervisor if there is a risk to health and safety.

Preparing for fire season in terms of Aircraft operating at grass fires

The fire services are using aircraft to fight fires more and more regularly. It is essential that firefighters are aware of operating near aircraft. When water or retardant is dropped there must not be any tankers or other vehicles in the path of the drop.

So aircraft pilots will contact you if there you are in a drop zone. As such, it is important to monitor the radio and know your vehicle ariel ID. If a pilot calls you it will be essential that you follow the instructions. Again, discipline on the fire-ground is essential to bringing the fire to a rapid conclusion.

In conclusion

firefighter safety takes priority over all other activities. Following established systems and processes is the only way the impact of a fast-moving grass fire will be limited. Poor situational awareness and personal self-discipline can only jeopardize safety. Preparing for fire season and Grass Fires in Australia is becoming even more critical. So stay safe and good luck.

Review: A Deep Dive into Fire Recruitment in Australia

Introduction:
Becoming a firefighter in Australia isn’t just a matter of demonstrating physical prowess; it also involves showcasing a sound understanding of the role and a keen attitude towards it. One of the key hurdles in this path is the firefighter interview, a process often shrouded in uncertainty for many aspirants. But, what if you could be a step ahead by knowing exactly what to expect? In today’s review, we will discuss the crucial product – “What sort of questions will I be asked in a firefighter interview?”. Designed with the Australian fire recruitment process in mind, this guide promises to be an invaluable tool. Let’s delve in to see if it truly stands up to the challenge.

Contents:

Understanding the Need for the Guide

The Spectrum of Questions Unveiled

Advantages of Preparing with the Guide

Understanding the Need for the Guide

Navigating the tricky waters of Fire recruitment in Australia can be daunting. First and foremost, there’s the challenge of distinguishing oneself from thousands of other hopefuls. Within this context, every bit of preparation counts. And while many focus on the physical tests and written exams, the interview is where the real mettle is tested. Enter this guide. Not just another generic manual, this product is curated specifically for the Australian context, ensuring that every potential question is relevant and tailored for local interviews.

The Spectrum of Questions Unveiled

So, what does the guide offer? First off, it promises to unveil a spectrum of questions. And true to its word, the content spans various categories:

• Technical questions related to firefighting tactics and tools.
• Behavioural inquiries probing your response in high-pressure scenarios.
• Teamwork-centric questions, given the collaborative nature of firefighting.
• General questions about motivation, long-term plans, and alignment with the department’s values.

Each section is diligently fleshed out, offering not just the questions, but insights into what the panel might be seeking in an answer. This dual approach not only prepares candidates for the interview but also provides them with a deeper understanding of the role itself.

Advantages of Preparing with the Guide

By now, you might be wondering about the benefits of this guide in the competitive realm of Fire recruitment in Australia. Well, the advantages are manifold:

• Confidence Boost: Knowing what to expect always gives a psychological edge. With a clearer idea of potential questions, candidates can walk into the interview room with increased confidence.
• Targeted Preparation: Instead of preparing blindly, aspirants can now focus on specific areas, ensuring a more comprehensive readiness.
• Insights into the Panel’s Mind: The guide doesn’t just offer questions; it also provides a peek into what interviewers are genuinely seeking, allowing for more nuanced answers.

Final Thoughts: An Unmissable Asset?

Fire recruitment in Australia is undeniably challenging. Every step, especially the interview, requires meticulous preparation. The “What sort of questions will I be asked in a firefighter interview?” guide emerges as a beacon in this complex journey. Tailored for the Australian context, brimming with potential questions, and offering invaluable insights, it stands as an essential tool for every firefighting hopeful. In the world of Fire recruitment in Australia, this guide might just be the edge you need.
Summary:
For those diving into the realm of Fire recruitment in Australia, understanding the interview process is paramount. This review introduced a dedicated guide tailored to uncover the questions one might face during this critical stage. From technical inquiries to behavioural probes, the guide comprehensively covers the potential spectrum. With its targeted approach and deep insights, it promises to be an invaluable asset for all aspiring firefighters down under.

The firefighter training program has never been so important. With the effects of climate change and emergency responses increasing as the population grows in Australia. There are a number of challenges that must be identified and well planned. Always with the goal of ensuring the hard work firefighters do on the fire-ground is supported effectively.

Firefighter training program for large and small fire brigades:

Even though training is often seen as more critical for large fire brigades as opposed to smaller brigades. A life is a life,  and whether a firefighter comes from a large or small department their training must be considered just as critical. Above all, there might be a greater intensity and commitment required for larger brigades, but generally, training is no less important for either.

This brings us to the structure of firefighter training. As with the business community, there is a need to provide a structure that works effectively. In Australia, the National Training Framework has provided a great underlying basis for providing an efficient and structured training environment.

With some fire agencies becoming decentralized it seems that the structure of programs has become somewhat fragmented. As with all business systems and processes every internal and external part needs to be interlinked to ensure organisational goals are achieved successfully.

Firefighters on the ground –  are they providing the outcomes?

There is a lot of good training being provided by brigades, but private industry is the leader here. Industrial training has evolved from a need to ensure that every employee is safe and has adequate skills to perform a given task. The side effect of this evolution has been an increase in productivity and efficiency.

It does seem like the drivers for a more consistent approach will come from members of brigades and their supervisors. There is one other factor that may force change and that is a catastrophic incident. Lets hope this isn’t the pathway we are forced to take.

Is competency or proficiency what we are trying to achieve?

Competency can be defined as an ability to complete a task successfully and efficiently. Proficiency is the degree of competence or expertise. I’m sure all trainers would like to think that their students at the end of a course are well on the way toward proficiency. Sadly, courses are often seen as the means to an end. When in reality it is just the start of the training pathway.

The skills taken away from a course are often beneficial to the student growth and ability to keep themselves and others safe. Therefore, once the training is complete organisation often expect that they will perform to a level most would consider proficient. In reality, this is unlikely, unless they have had experience prior to the training and the goal was only a qualification.

To enhance and develop firefighter training, at every level, a formal method of mentoring and guidance should be incorporated. Timely mentoring will develop proficiency and providing support, rather than the individual firefighter being left to work it out on their own. The guidance provides the firefighter will a feeling that they are being supported by the organisation. In turn, they are more likely to see their service to the community as a positive personal development exercise.

Bringing training to the country.

Australia is a big place and fire coverage has to be provided to communities all over the country including remote and semi-remote locations. The only way firefighter training programs can provide essential competencies and mentor is to take the training to rural Australia. It may all seem a bit too hard, but the impact of not providing the resources to train firefighters could have dangerous consequences.

As mentioned previously systems and processes have been used by business with good effect. Gathering data on what works and what doesn’t, allows training managers to make informed accurate decisions. Incorporating this with human resource development and analysing time management will result in positive outcomes.

It’s not hard to imagine a program in one community being structured slightly different for another. Where a system has been developed with input from many stakeholders there will be flexibility to adjust as required.

It’s evident that the systems and processes often already partly exist. Poor communication and implementation often contributes to programs becoming fragmented and non-effective. Generally impacting on those that need it to work most. Communities that are more than a couple of hundred kilometres from the main urban centres.

Using the resources of private industry.

It is very easy to criticise organisation who aren’t managing there systems and processes well, but this achieves nothing. However, the benefits and changes will come but there is always a lag time. Some of the resources that need to be realistically analysed are the increased use of online training and incorporating it with offline training.

Really there is no reason, where practical, theory components can’t be provided online and practical components conducted face to face at a later time. It may sound simple and in reality, it is. Without complicating thing this is where the human resources development factor comes in with an emphasis on time management and documentation. It’s here we can say that data and its analysis is king.

Instructors and teachers have a large responsibility as they are potentially the main providers of raw data to be analysed. If they provide bad data then its likely that the results will be bad. We probably now should look at how data can be used to help us bring real workable benefits.

The following is a number of situations where we can gather data and analyse it. Furthermore, results could then provide input to tweak or change the firefighter training processes. We may even find that we need to provide increased support to fill gaps. Where training personnel and instructors lack the skills to provide efficient and effective outcomes. It’s essential mentoring is used to overcome this problem.

What can we analyse?

1. Comments made on feedback forms after training
2. Comments made by students to instructors in relation to training
3. Results  of surveys
4. Results of brigades training need analysis
5. Assessment results – categorised into a brigade, district region etc.
6. The cost of resources required for a specific program including food and drinks.
7. Attendance rates and students who failed to show.
8. Travel times from point ‘a’ to ‘b’.
9. Number of kilometres travelled
10. Cost of wages
11. Cost of industrial agreements.
12. Booking facilities
13. And many more. . . .

I’ve listed 12 items but this is just a start. There is a number of other factors we could analyse which may result in better outcomes for firefighter training.

Finally, the one thing that is quite evident within the firefighter training program disciplines is that it’s complex and one size doesn’t fit all. If your brigade or fire department is frustrated with your training please leave me a comment. Let’s start a conversation. Thank you for reading.