A changing brigade · 1970

12^th January 1970 - Window of the Glenhaven Bush Fire Brigade station broken during hail storm.

31^st January 1970 - Note on file indicating window is now repaired

January 1970

Letter from Council to Brigade

“This council has received a congratulatory letter from the Mowll Village, expressing the appreciation of the ready and capable assistance given      when the storm struck on Sunday, 11^th January 1970.

13^th February 1970

Letter from Brigade to Council

“We would be glad if Council could take into consideration the provision of toilet and shower amenities at our Bushfire Hut.

It will be appreciated that personnel manning the hut as a base during any extended bush fire period would need these facilities.”

March 1970 1970/1971 Officers

President R. Jennings

Vice President C. L. Horwood

Treasurer E. Hallenstein

Captain D. Symes

Secretary N. Bent

Equipment Officer C.L. Horwood

Deputy Captains S. Raso, B. Graham, R. Schofield, A.L. Nix, W. Staples, M. Barnes

Liason Officer H. Holland

Assistants – Captain & Deputies J. Munachen

Total Number of Personnel in the area who could act as fire fighters 58

Number of Personnel available to proceed to fire 4

Names of persons now qualified to man the Brigade Radio in the event of fire D. Symes, W. Staples

Equipment List

2 x Axes

1 x Battery Charger

1 x Broom Millet

3 x Brush Hooks

5 x Quick Release Brackets

1 x Bolt Cutter

11 x Buckets

1 x Crowbar

1 x Extension Ladder 10’ to 18’

2 x Fire Extinguishers Quel CO₂

4 x Fire Extinguishers Foam

2 x Fire Extinguishers Refill Foam (Both Used, 4 required)

2 x Fire Extinguishers Soda Acid (Both Used)

1 x First Aid Kit

1 x First Aid Stretchers

1 x Flame Throwers Torch Type

2 x Gate Valves

1 x Hacksaw

0 x Hacksaw Blades (2 required)

36 Helmets (6 required)

2 x Handlights

2 x Handlight Batteries (Both used, 2 required)

1 x Hose Drying Equipment including pole

12 x Hose Hangers

1200’ x 2½” Canvas Hose

0’ x 1” Canvas Hose (400’ required)

840’ x ¾” Rubber Hose

30’ x ½” Rubber Hose (10’ R & M, 20’ required)

10’ x 1¼” Rubber Hose

4 x ¾” Hose Bands or Clips

12 x ½” Hose Bands or Clips

4 x 2½” Hose Directors

0 x Hose Director Forestry Type (1 required)

2 x ¾” tailpiece Hose Nozzles

2 x Nozzles Knapsack

2 x Reels

1 x Hydrometer

2 x Hurricane Lamps

2 x Hurricane Lamp Globes

1 x Hydrant Bar (1 lost, 1 required)

3 x Jerricans Steel

1 x Loud Hailer

5 x McLeod Tools

2 x Rear Vision Mirrors

1 x Oil Can

1 x Padlock Master Keyed with 6 keys

1 x Publication – Bush Fire Control in Aust. By R.H. Luke

1 x Pliers Longnose

1 x Pump Rojector

7 x Pump Lid Washers (Knapsack) (2 R & M, 5 required)

30 x Pumps Knapsack Galvanised

10 x Pumps Knapsack (Polythene)

12 x Pumps Knapsack Shoulder Straps

6 x Pumps Knapsack and Hoses (6 R & M, 6 required)

5 x Rakes Special Fire Fighting

5 x Rakes Lightweight Fire Fighting

1 x Reducing Caps 2½” x 1” Gas.

0 x Reducing Caps 2½” x 1” (1 required)

4 x Road Barriers

160’ x Rope Nylon

120’ Rope 5/8” Manilla

1 x Rope Wire Sling

1 x R.V.B. Hooter

6 x Shovels

1 x Sign Fire Control Point

1x Siren Fire Warning Griffco 777

2 x Spanner, Hose & nozzles 2½”

4 x Standpipe Hydrant 2½”

2 x Stillsons

0 x Tarpaulin (1 Large required)

2 x Tomahawks

Truck Tool Kit

1 x Grease Gun

1 x Hammer

1 x Hydraulic Jack 5 ton

1 x Oil Gun

1 x Pliers

2 x Screwdriver

1 x Shifting Spanner

1 x Starting Handle

1 x Tyre Pump Footvalve

1 x Tyre Pressure Gauge

2 x Tyre Levers

1 x Wheel Brace

4 x Tyres and Tubes

2 x Walkie Talkies (2 required)

20 x Washers (Leather) 2½” (20 R & M)

6 x Water Bags (4 worn out, 2 required)

2 x Watering Cans

4 x Wetting Agent 4 gallon

2 x Wire Cutters (1 lost, 1 required)

1 x “Y” Piece Branch 2½”

2 x “Y” Piece Branch 1½” (1 now on hand)

1 x Vehicle Flashing Light

0 x Vehicle Transfers (25 required)

1 x Rex Power Saw and spare chain

1 x Equipment Shed

1 x Truck Chev. 3 ton fitted out with Northey Norvent pump and tank complete

1 x Mobile Radio complete set

Additional equipment required:

1 x new Bedford 4 x 4 tanker

200 x regulation Fire Pamphlets

100 x linen Fire Posters

1 x set of 4 trafficator flashers (emergency 4 way)

1 x second hand Land Rover as ordered

1 x mobile radio complete set for Land Rover

20^th March 1970

Letter from Bush Fire Committee to Council

“recommendation has now been made to the Department of Local Government that the purchase of the model A 240 volt A.C. four horn hooter at present on loan from Elanton and Co. be approved”

“The delay in finalising this matter has occurred through the lack of technical staff available to the Bush Fire Committee during the past year and any inconvenience is regretted.”

27^th April 1970

Letter from Council to Brigade – provision of toilet and shower facilities at station to be included in this year’s bush fire estimates.

13^th August 1970

Letter from Brigade to Council re purchase of second hand land rover

16^th September 1970

Letter from Council to Brigade in reply:

A note on Council File from the D.F.C.O. dated 20^th August states “The vehicles available at this time, about 30 in all, proved to be completely unsuitable for bushfire brigade work. Most were 1958-61 model, soft top type with mileages varying from 65,000 to 95,000. All these vehicles could not be started because most were incomplete. The price to Council was $600, but by the time they would be ready for work the cost would have been about $1,000 to $1,100.”

“Since then I have inspected some 30 more vehicles from various sources but all have proved unsatisfactory for Council’s needs.      ..more Landrovers will be coming available in early October”

12^th October 1970

Letter from Progress Association to Council re Council’s tardiness in the supply of the Land Rover.

27^th October 1970 – Council purchases 1967 Long Wheel Base Land Rover for $1350, due for delivery on 16^th November 1970 for overhaul.

10^th December 1970

Letter from Council to Brigade advising of the purchase of the Land Rover

“At the moment the unit is being thoroughly checked for mechanical defects and is being painted.”

“Delivery to your Brigade could be made by the end of this month and to enable this you are now requested to furnish Council with a cheque for the amount of $784.50 being half the cost, as agreed.”

12^th December 1970

Letter from Brigade to Council re Cheque for Land Rover

17^th March 1971

Letter from Council to Brigade accepting cheque for $712.35 as Brigade’s contribution

6^th May 1971

Letter from Brigade to Council

“..a..  ..request..  ..for the reinforcing of the timber flooring at the rear end of the Brigade’s hut so that it will carry the weight of the fully loaded large tanker.”

“It is proposed that the Land Rover will be parked in the front of the shed for quick exit in the time of fire.”

(Did the floor reinforcing ever happen? – Council approved it)

10^th June 1970

Letter from Progress Association to Council expressing their gratitude for its assistance and co-operation in purchasing the Land Rover.