A special thanks to our brave firefighters and other emergency service workers!

[PMC]

G'day folks,

I would like to give a special thanks and to wish all the best to our brave firefighters and other emergency service workers out there putting their lives on the line trying to protect our properties and our lives!

PS, take care Steve (Astro) a forum member, friend and NSW firefighter! I know you have been extremely busy this week mate, take care and keep safe!

Regards,

Paul, Ally & family!

:bowdown:

[AB]

Yeah it's a huge effort for those blokes and most are volunteers which amazes me.

[trekster]

Wonder if Steve has been battling that small blaze out between Nana Glen and Glenreagh, Last monday we were up on Sherwood road and all of a sudden it got extremely smoky for a km or so, My wife had a look on her phone and found out where the fire was.... right below the ridge we were on!!!!


Cheers,
Eric.

[NissanGQ4.2]

Yeah it's a huge effort for those blokes and most are volunteers which amazes me.

I don't understand why most in the RFS / CFS etc are only volunteers, they should be getting paid to risk their lives to help others, NSWFB get paid so why shouldn't they!

[AB]

I don't understand why most in the RFS / CFS etc are only volunteers, they should be getting paid to risk their lives to help others, NSWFB get paid so why shouldn't they!

Same as Cfa but not sure on MFb for metro down here though.

[Maxhead]

I don't understand why most in the RFS / CFS etc are only volunteers, they should be getting paid to risk their lives to help others, NSWFB get paid so why shouldn't they!

Hey Toddy, since you get the fires up your way every year, why not join the RFS and help out

[macca]

Had a school kid doing work experience this week, he got a call this arvo and was heading to Medowie as soon as he could get ready.
Not much of him but his ticker must be huge, good on him and all his mates.

[Maxhead]

Had a school kid doing work experience this week, he got a call this arvo and was heading to Medowie as soon as he could get ready.
Not much of him but his ticker must be huge, good on him and all his mates.

Our brigade is on standby. We have our 1's and 7's ready to go. The whole crew keen to help out

[NissanGQ4.2]

Hey Toddy, since you get the fires up your way every year, why not join the RFS and help out

I seriously have been thinking long and hard about it mate over the last few months, I asked them the other week while at the RFS open day but there training nights are Wednesday nights and Saturdays which are both days my partner is working which makes it hard with having 2 young kids.

Only downside to joining ( as you're aware ) is if your place is in threat, you may be called out elsewhere and there is nothing you can do to protect your own home. Am trying to find out if we have a community fire unit ( CFU ) that I can join where you get trained but only assist those in your area which is another option

[NissanGQ4.2]

Am trying to find out if we have a community fire unit ( CFU ) that I can join where you get trained but only assist those in your area which is another option

Well thats crap, just read CFU's don't fight fires, just learn about preparation, prevention and protection

Will have 2 find a babysitter and join the RFS

[AB]

They sometimes might though. Kris would know more about this then me but I see a lot of the MFb out our way for their set ups with fighting fires in buildings and construction as opposed to our local rural Cfa.

I have zero knowledge of each set up but assume different regions have different and more suited equipment, etc.

[NissanGQ4.2]

All taken on the 17th October 2013, first day of the Springwood / Winmalee / Mount Riverview / Penrith fires.

Erin said 2 grab the valuables so I got a beer and my NP cooler :)

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z400/toddrhind/Springwood%20Bushfire%2017-10-2013/2013-10-17-1120.jpg

From the front yard looking towards Penrith

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z400/toddrhind/Springwood%20Bushfire%2017-10-2013/2013-10-17-1119.jpg

Rest are from front and back yard looking towards the ridge line where the fire was burning in the Warrimoo / Sun Valley / Winmalee area

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z400/toddrhind/Springwood%20Bushfire%2017-10-2013/2013-10-17-1118.jpg

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z400/toddrhind/Springwood%20Bushfire%2017-10-2013/2013-10-17-1117.jpg

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z400/toddrhind/Springwood%20Bushfire%2017-10-2013/2013-10-17-1116.jpg

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z400/toddrhind/Springwood%20Bushfire%2017-10-2013/2013-10-17-1115.jpg

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z400/toddrhind/Springwood%20Bushfire%2017-10-2013/2013-10-17-1114.jpg

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z400/toddrhind/Springwood%20Bushfire%2017-10-2013/2013-10-17-1109.jpg

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z400/toddrhind/Springwood%20Bushfire%2017-10-2013/2013-10-17-1108.jpg

http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z400/toddrhind/Springwood%20Bushfire%2017-10-2013/2013-10-17-1107.jpg

Have some more pics but my phone has died so can't upload them :( and have some vids but for some reason they error while uploading to photobucket

[Hodge]

Far out mate, that is nerve-racking. Hope all is well.

[NissanGQ4.2]

Far out mate, that is nerve-racking. Hope all is well.

Thanks mate, yes it was nerve-racking, was the first time here where I felt the need to pack some bags and have them in the car just in case the wind changed direction and we needed 2 get out. All good here at the moment, it was downgraded yesterday from emergency to watch and act and have only heard one siren and one helicopter this morning. Hope the prediction for 2morrow doesn't happen otherwise.

Lucky for us the wind was pushing it towards Penrith when it started and not towards us.

Alot of houses where lost and damaged in the surrounding suburbs though :(:(:(

[NissanGQ4.2]

Have heard it has flared up again and they are door knocking in Blaxland the suburb next to us, Water Bombers have been going hard within the last hour or so and now there are a heap of sirens going past :(

Think the breeze is pushing it back this way :(

[threedogs]

A huge efforts by these ppl even knowing their own houses are burning down.
I'm sure the sister club that I'm in will help with the clean up . No idea what it would be like to lose everything and I mean everything.
must be heart breaking, Photo's, pets, cars you name it all gone,
but we are Aussies and in the true spirit will put it behind us and rebuild, time will heal

[dads tractor]

As a so called professional firefighter I fail to understand why we make it so hard for the vollies to get a job with us . CES and CFS run rings around us in doing the job with a lack of training ,poor resources ,etc. etc. but they are there on the ground doing what they can so I take my hat off too then and nothing beats sheer guts and commitment .go gang !!!!!!!

[NP99]

Each state govt should provide incentives for the vollie groups, cheaper car ergo maybe!!!

I served with the Sunshine Coast rurals........nothing more scarey than hearing a big one roaring through the bush heading your way.

Job well done NSW.

[Astro]

I don't understand why most in the RFS / CFS etc are only volunteers, they should be getting paid to risk their lives to help others, NSWFB get paid so why shouldn't they!

They don't get paid, that's WHY the government uses them. Paid firies are used as a last resort, normally when the volunteers from NSW and other states are exhausted.

It's all about the $$, nothing else

Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

[rkinsey]

Have heard it has flared up again and they are door knocking in Blaxland the suburb next to us, Water Bombers have been going hard within the last hour or so and now there are a heap of sirens going past :(

Think the breeze is pushing it back this way :(

Todd, if you need a place to camp, we have more than enough room for you and your family if you need it. I'll PM you my mobile number.

To all of us, stay safe and help out where you can. There are drives for food, clothing and money as well as personal items of all things. Our club held its Senior presentation evening the other night and raised $1200.00 which we will probably donate to the CFS. We are going to hit the Junior preso this weekend and see if we cant double it at least.

Cheers,

Rob