EMERGENCY REPORT
Sunday morning fire
THE bushfire burning in the Goonoo Forest this week has revived memories of the last big fire in that area which was started when crooks stole a car and dumped it in tinder dry bushland before torching it.
While the cause of this week’s fire wasn’t known at press time, the 2007 fire turned into a state emergency Section 44 blaze and cost millions of dollars.
There was a similar scenario early on Sunday morning, this time on Mugga Hill on the edge of Dubbo, where yet another fire caused by idiots who stole a car and set it alight.
At about 4am, Dubbo HQ and Boothenba Rural Fire Service (RFS) brigades were called to a fire and on arrival the crews found a sizable area of bush alight, moving at a slow pace – all this within 20 metres of houses.
The firies quickly put two blazes out, limiting the burnt area to around 20 by 100 metres.
Given we’re in an incredibly severe drought and the bush is tinder dry, this sort of behaviour is beyond idiotic.
If you see a fire without a fire truck in attendance then call 000 immediately.
Cop Telstra dramas
I’M glad it’s not just me – misery loves company – but can Telstra get anything right?
I received a media release from the NSW Police media unit this past week which said they were experiencing technical issues with the phone system.
The issue appeared to be affecting those calling from Telstra mobiles.
Police media then apologised for the inconvenience.
Why should the police apologise when it’s Telstra at fault yet again?
Guns stolen
POLICE are investigating the theft of 10 firearms from a safe on a rural property about 50km northwest of Mudgee.
The owner told police he left the property on October 13 and arrived home October 19 only to find his gun safe forced open and 10 firearms missing.
Anyone who knows or finds out any info on this crime is urged to contact police.
Dubbo firies placed 4th in Aussie champs
OUR local retained firefighters from Dubbo 280 Station have had a huge week, scoring a fourth place in the Australasian fire championships that were held at Tamworth.
This crew puts an incredible amount of effort into training and competing all over the place so it’s a placing well deserved.
Benalong bushfire brigade’s 80th
CONGRATS to all involved at the 80th birthday party for the Benalong Bushfire Brigade.
RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons made the trip for the celebrations, and while in town he took the opportunity to present 55 long service medals to local volunteers with a combined total of 1700 years of service.
With what looks like being a long, hot and dry summer on the horizon, it was an incredibly timely event to reflect on all the dedicated people who risk life and limb and give up so much of their own time and devote it to the protection of the community.
Caravan blaze
AFTER a flat out day, emergency services were scrambled yet again to a caravan fire in an east Dubbo shed at about 8.30pm on October
17.
The fire may have been caused by an electrical fault within the caravan.
Two male occupants attacked the fire with a garden hose before firefighters arrived, they were treated by paramedics at the scene for smoke inhalation.
The fire was contained to the battery compartment of the caravan.
Firies are requesting that all non-essential electrical appliances be switched off at the power point to help prevent electrical fires.
Dubbo house fire
EARLIER that morning Dubbo firefighters were called to a house fire, also in east Dubbo.
Firies believe the fire started as a result of wind blowing an ashtray over some combustibles.
A lounge on the patio at the rear of the house was destroyed by fire, the fire also caused considerable damage to the kitchen and smoke damage to the remainder of the house.
A male occupant who fought the fire with a garden hose was treated by ambulance officers for smoke inhalation.
Give blood
DUBBO’S blood bank needs more donors.
So many people, including yours truly, have been hit with flus, colds and viruses during the past few months which has meant so many of the centre’s regular donors have been unable to give blood, putting pressure on supplies.
If you’ve never given blood, please slip in and donate, it’s not difficult and you get a free milkshake and sausage roll from one of the friendly volunteers at the bank.
If you haven’t given blood for a while, then take a close hard look at yourself in the mirror and book an appointment today.
Just kidding – but this really is an incredibly important service and of huge benefit to so many accident victims and seriously ill people across the state.
Rising through the ranks
I WAS reading through a heap of media releases the other day and I came across one promoting the Official launch of the 2020 Australasian Police & Emergency Services Games.
All routine so far, then I noticed one name on the official list of senior emergency services personnel was that of Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Acting Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell.
It doesn’t seem that long ago that Jeremy was an operational firie at Dubbo’s 280 Station so that would have to be one of the more meteoric career progressions I’ve seen in recent times.
Well done mate, that’s a fantastic achievement.