What The Brigade Does

Fighting Fires

The Brigade responds to all reports of fire in Christmas Hills and the Bend of Islands. During the fire danger period at least one of our tankers turns out to reports of fire in any of our neighbouring brigades.

Until February 2009 been no major fires in the Christmas Hills Fire Brigade area for a number of years but members have been busy every fire season in other places. During the summer we are often involved in fires in other parts of Lower Yarra Group and further afield. The Brigade is on a roster to provide crew and/or a tanker on strike teams. These are groups of several tankers under an overall leader that work as a unit during operations in the local group or elsewhere.

As part of our operation, this brigade is interested in promoting the idea of Minimum Impact Fire Suppression.

Motor Vehicle Accidents

In country areas of Victoria the local fire brigade is often the first emergency service to arrive at the scene of a motor vehicle accident . Christmas Hills Fire Brigade is no exception to this.As well as putting out any fire associated with the accident the brigade is able to

* assess the scene and alert other emergency services
* render emergency first aid if required
* to control traffic until the police arrive
* stand by in case of fire as towing units load damaged vehicles

Incidents Involving Harzardous Materials

The Brigade has the responsibility for first reponse to incidents involving hazardous materials such as spills of dangerous chemicals. Hazardous chemicals may be poisonous, corrosive, flammable or any combination of these.

Brigade members are trained to identify any such hazard and implement procedures to make the situation safe. This may involve isolating the area of the spill or escape of the hazardous material and notifying other authorities.

The major potential source of hazardous material in the Brigade area is the Winneke Treatment Plant associated with the Sugarloaf Dam where a large amount of liquid chlorine is stored.

Community Awareness

The Brigade is committed to an on-going program of maintaining and improving public understanding of the hazards and responsibilities associated with living in a rural area. As well, the Fire Station is a community focal point for meetings and social events

Christmas Hills Fire Brigade members being very helpful as power company employees deal with an electricity pole fire in Wallace Road!