Suggested improvements after the Kellyville and Dural fires, page 1

GLENHAVEN BUSH FIRE BRIGADE. Glenhaven, 14/3/1965. [Handwritten telephone numbers: 634 2974; 634 2823] Mr. A. Whaling, Fire Control Officer, BAULKHAM HILLS SHIRE. Dear Sir, During the recent large bush fires in the Kellyville and Dural areas it was found that the Bush Fire Brigades of this Shire are sadly lacking in organisation and certain types of equipment. As individual Brigades we work well, but when we are grouped together at large fires we have no means of knowing what is occurring in the adjoining fire area and it was only due to the excellent co-operation of the Castle Hill Police Force as a communication and liason contact that any concerted effort could be carried out. We noted that the Hornsby Shire Brigades are very well equipped with radio and their Volunteer Officers are supplied with overalls, boots, fire helmets, and identification arm bands all of which save much valuable time and unnecessary hard work. Council should also have sufficient equipment such as knapsack sprays stored at the Council Chambers for use by Council employees in an emergency such as the fires mentioned herein. Good quality heavy duty torches are also needed for night fires as was clearly demonstrated at the Kellyville Fire on Thursday the 11th March. Large canvas fire hose is also in short supply and, we are told, difficult to obtain. We were promised supplies of this hose during the Dural fire but received a message to say "Sorry it's Local Government picnic and there is no one available to attend to the matter." We are also disturbed at the attitude adopted by the Purchasing and Equipment Officer, Mr. Hart, who fails to cut red tape in emergencies. He also drove home on two days of the Dural fire straight past the Shire Brigades without even stopping to ask was anything required in the way of equipment. Obviously he has no conception of fires, emergencies, loss of equipment etc. For instance, after the second day of the Dural fire we had 600 feet of canvas fire hose out of use owing to damage, leaving us only 200 feet to work with. Also we had ten knapsack sprays out of 26 damaged and unusable.