Casino Strike Team
Published Date: 25 Aug 2018
Summary
Here is a report from a member of the Newbrdige Brigade about their strike team efforts on the northern NSW Fires.
Report back by Monika.
- Positive feedback received from NRFCC that our property protection efforts from the night b...efore; ie: strategic back-burning, did prevent two homes from being impacted by fire during the night. Great news.
- This evening involved a large scale back-burn involving 8 appliances to property protect a home/multiple buildings at the base of a leeward side slope in very dense bushland. A special mention for Spencer Hawkins who successfully led this strategic back-burn under the guidance of our Strike Team Leader, Deputy Group Captain Terry Brill. Spencer is only 19, but is more than capable of operating at this level. Really impressive work Spencer - well done!
- Monika's crew in Hanging Rock 1 also conducted a successful backburn to save a shed from being impacted by fire. Well done Gordon, Tegan and Daniel.
- Thanks to the RFS Chaplains who provided a beautiful meal for all the crews during the night - they had to wait around in cold, smokey, dusty conditions for hours until we were all fed. Very much appreciated!
- A wonderful highlight of the day - cup cakes for firefighters! While waiting for tasking at our staging area in Rappville, the Bates family dropped by with delicious homemade cup cakes made by mum and the kids Xavier, Anthea, and baby Zanthie. We had a lot of fun showing the kids in and around the trucks. Anthea now wants to be a firefighter, but no firefighting for Xavier - he wants to be a train driver. Thank you to the Bates family for such a thoughtful gesture!
