NEWS

October 2007: Hedge Fire – Williams Road
On Tuesday the 9th of October 2007 at about 10:30pm the brigade responded to a Hedge Fire in Williams Road, Mt Eliza.

On arrival the 50+ year old Hedge was fully involved threatening neighbouring property's. The brigade worked quick to bring the hedge under control and contain it to the section already burnt.

March 2007: Elections
During the month of March 2007 the brigade held its bi-annual elections, the new elected officers are;

• Captain - Geoff Birch
• 1st Lieutenant - Mike Waixel
• 2nd Lieutenant - Daniel Gardner
• 3rd Lieutenant - Stuart Aldham
• Secretary - Ian Marshall (since resigned position)
• Treasurer - Chris Nicholson
• BASO - Mark Allen

December 2006: PUMPER DEPLOYED TO GIPPSLAND FIRES
The Mount Eliza Pumper was deployed on Thursday 14th December 2006 as part of Pumper Strike Team 0801 to Gippsland for asset protection duties in the township of Heyfield.

Two or more personnel from Mt Eliza have been performing duties in Gippsland during December 2006 and January 2007 to assist in filling Region 8 Strike Teams that are deployed to these campaign fires.

Photo's supplied by Keith Pakenham (CFA volunteer fire-fighter/photographer based with Dandenong Fire Brigade). Thanks.

...click on any of these pictures to enlarge them

March 2006: Change Your Clock, Change Your Smoke Alarm Battery

Be Alarmed - Sunday April 2

Victoria's fire services urge all Victorians to be alarmed and Change Your Clock, Change Your Smoke Alarm Battery on Sunday April 2, 2006.

There are about 11,000 house fires in Australia each year, resulting in the deaths of approximately 60 people, often children and the elderly.

When asleep, our sense of smell is largely diminished, and we're unlikely to smell smoke. The smoke will also put occupants into a deeper sleep, so a smoke alarm wakes household occupants in the event of smoke and fire.

Only working smoke alarms save lives. To find out more about smoke alarm installation and maintenance, visit the Change Your Smoke Alarm website www.changeyourbattery.com.au or see the smoke alarms section of the CFA website.

February 2006: Fire safety native garden
Native vegetation and native gardens are compatible with fire prevention in Mt Eliza. Our native grassy woodland responds extremely well to fuel reduction if pruning and mowing are done at the right time in early summer. To demonstrate this, Mt Eliza CFA has an indigenous landscape garden, one of about eight CFA indigenous gardens in Victoria. The modest garden has about 25 local plant species, a coastal and woodland section, and a native grass lawn. No watering or fertiliser is needed in this garden.

This native landscape garden is interesting and relevant to living in our bushy suburb and you are invited to visit or assist in maintaining and developing the garden. The garden is maintained by community volunteers every third Sunday of the month at the fire station from 9.30 to 11.30 am. At this time the Brigade has its regular workshop meeting. We look forward to seeing you.

...click on any of these pictures to enlarge them

Winter 2005: COMPUTER MONITOR FIRE
In the early hours of the morning the brigade responded to a house fire. Fire fighters were confronted with a fire that was spreading rapidly through the lower level of the house. Due to the quick response by the Mt Eliza & Frankston brigades the fire was contained to the front of the house. The house had just been sold and luckily the new owners had insured the property before settlement. This fire and the aftermath picture below serves as a reminder to all computer owners to turn off computer monitors.