In previous articles, we discussed how firefighters are exposed to a variety of fireground contaminants. We have even gone so far as to pinpoint the blame that many of these exposures primarily occur due to the lack of liquid-tight interfaces between the different parts of the protective ensemble. Further, it is our opinion that the…
Volunteer bushfire brigades have seen a spike in people wanting to join in the wake of Western Australia’s recent bushfires. The Bunbury Volunteer Bushfire Brigade usually gets a couple of calls from people interested in joining each month but has received at least 20 inquiries within six weeks. Brigade Captain Terri Kowall said a lot…
THE notorious Fiskville CFA training ground will be closed forever after new toxicology tests revealed high levels of contamination at new sites. The CFA board recommended the closure after reports found the chemical PFOS in a Hanger area that was previously clean. More than 550 water tests were taken with 65 returning positive results “well…
The Bureau of Meteorology has today released its latest climate outlook. In summary we can expect: April to June is likely to be wetter than normal over most of the Australian mainland, outside of the tropics. The tip of the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland is likely to be drier. Elsewhere, the chances of a wetter…
Private land has been included in Tasmania’s fuel reduction program for the first time. It is hoped the new collaborative approach between public and private land owners will drive an increase in fuel reduction burns. The Government’s four-year, $28.5 million program will target high-risk areas on the edge of towns and cities, starting this autumn.…
Forest fuel levels have worsened over the past 30 years because of “misguided green ideology”, vested interests, political failure and mismanagement, creating a massive bushfire threat, a former CSIRO bushfire scientist has warned. Victoria’s “failed fire management policy” is an increasing threat to human life, water supplies, property and the forest environment, David Packham said…
Western Australia’s Minister for Regional Development, Terry Redman, says using Royalties for Regions’ funding to help the prescribed burning program is a legitimate use of the scheme. Last week, Mr Redman pledged to get Royalties for Regions’ funding allocated to prescribed burning in the wake of the Northcliffe bushfires. Speaking on ABC Local Radio, the…
COMMUNITY groups will be fundraising and promoting their volunteer services at a fair in Two Rocks this Saturday. The annual Capricorn Festival will shift north to Charnwood Reserve on March 21 after organisers decided it had outgrown its usual venue at Old Nursery Park in Yanchep. Acumen principal Jarrod Rendell said having the festival in…
LABOR leader Mark McGowan says a ban preventing his emergency services spokeswoman from visiting fire stations is another personal attack on the feisty MP. But Mr McGowan concedes he hasn’t read the complaint made by a firefighter against Margaret Quirk after she visited a fire station, which prompted emergency services minister Joe Francis to enforce…
In January I blogged on the Ebola crisis and how social media was becoming integrated into emergency operations. I asked readers if they had examples from their work and organizations of this kind of integration. The following is a great case study provided by DePaul University Communications. Integrating Social Media into Crisis Communications By Christine…