Events 2023

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Last Updated on Monday, 17 July 2023

The Mayoral dinner will be held on the 25^th of August. This is an annual event put on by Hornsby Council to than RFS volunteers in the shire for their service.

A conference will be held at the RFS Training Centre at Dubbo from the 4^th to the 6^th of July for Support Brigades in NSW and those brigades wishing to establish a separate Support Brigade. The conference will consist of a series of round table discussions to learn from each other. More information will be provided at a later date.

HK Support will be hosting the RFSA on Thursday 3rd of August at 7pm, at Support Station. All are welcome to attend.

HK Support was heavily involved in setting up and assisting in the running of the District Exercise on Saturday the 1st of July. From feedback the event ran very well and Supports assistance was much appreciated.

Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Support Brigade Annual General Meeting

The brigade’s annual general meeting was held on Tuesday 13th June, 2023. The following field officers and office bearers were either elected or appointed:

Support Brigade will be hosting a fund rasiing BBQ at Bunnings, Dural store, on Saturday 4^th March this year. If you'd like to learn more about what Support and the Galston Fire Tower do, or simply like to sample a great snag, come down and join us.

Events 2022

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Last Updated on Wednesday, 18 January 2023

Recent Activities

31^st December, 2022

That’s it for 2022. Support Brigade volunteers have been busy throughout the year, not just in the fire season. Below is a list of some of the tasks carried out since the last update.

• Continuation of the District Brigade Logistical Support Process.
• Reciprocal visit by HK Support volunteers to Southern Highlands Support Brigade
• Support station and equipment maintenance, monthly vehicle checks
• Brigade involvement in two search and rescue operations.
• Supply Hose Kits for planned HRs
• CABA cylinder refill, pickup and delivery
• Pick up and/or deliver volunteers to Sydney Domestic Terminal
• Manning of Galston and Berowra fire towers
• Meal pickup and delivery for volunteers on training courses
• Supply of water to the SES
• And Changeover management of Group Captain’s allocated vehicles and other vehicle pickup and delivery as requestioned.

 Looking back to earlier in the year, below is a picture of the devistation at Wisman's Ferry from the flood.

That’s it for 2022. Here’s wishing everyone a happy, peaceful Christmas and a quiet, bush fire free 2023.

8^th August 2022

While Covid-19 has still impacted the Support Brigade, the brigade has still been quite busy. As always, the health and well-being of our volunteers is the brigade’s number one responsibility. However, by following Covid-19 protection protocols and with the increased vaccination rate of our volunteers, below are some of the tasks the brigade has been involved with recently:

• Commencement of a new District Brigade Logistical Support Process. This is the delivery of material and equipment to various brigades on a weekly basis
• Provision of staging area management and food deliveries for the Wisemans Ferry flood clean-up and for the NEM medal presentation for those that missed out on the earlier presentations from Support and other brigades
• NAVEX exercise, Saturday, 25^th June 2022. The brigade provided the following:
  • Catering transport on behalf of the Catering Brigade
  • Staging area management in the Cowan Truck Stop
  • Resource distribution to various locations within the Mt Kuring-gai / Cowan area
  • Assistance with the metal car ‘mock-up’ at Cowan airbase.
• Familiarisation training of the new Support 12 Bravo bus
• Support station and equipment maintenance, monthly vehicle checks
• Search and rescue
• CABA cylinder refill, pickup and delivery
• Pick up and deliver volunteers to Sydney Domestic Terminal
• Manning of fire towers
• Meal pickup and delivery for volunteers on training courses
• Changeover management of Group Captain’s allocated vehicles and other vehicle pickup and delivery as required, out-of-area vehicle movements including motorhomes
• Fire Danger sign cover placement and removal
• Provision of brigade volunteers to assist the SES with the operation of BFIL.

 District Exercise 2022 was cancelled for this year.

Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Support Brigade Annual General Meeting

The brigade’s annual general meeting was held on Tuesday 14th June, 2022. The following field officers and office bearers were either elected or appointed:

During counting, the District Manager made the following comments & invited questions from members:

• Central Dispatch is due in Hornsby Kur-ring-gai on 29 September 2022. There will be training in it beforehand
• Status Panels in vehicles will then become active
• 000 calls will go straight to RFS HQ before dispatching Brigades
• RFS funding has been increased & will allow for permanency of the mitigation crews
• FCC appreciated Support’s hours put into some tasks and acknowledged that there was no standard training for some of our tasks.

Awarding of National Emergency Medal and a Commissioner’s Certificate of Service

On Thursday 28th April 2022 many of our members were awarded the National Emergency Medal and a Commissioner’s Certificate of Service for their service during the 2019/20 fire season.

Events 2021

Details

Last Updated on Friday, 10 December 2021

Recent Activities

10th December 2021

The advent of Covid-19 has limited Support Brigade’s activities this year, the health and wellbeing of our volunteers is the Brigade’s number one responsibility but by following Covid-19 protection protocols and with the increased vaccination rate of our volunteers, below are some of the tasks the Brigade has been involved with recently:

• Relocation of vehicles for volunteers returning from overseas deployment and relocation of motorhomes and other vehicles as requested
• Familiarisation training of the new Support 12 Bravo bus
• Support station and equipment maintenance, monthly vehicle checks
• Search and rescue
• Logistical support for Fiddletown, Hawkesbury, District Training Centre and NPWS HRs
• Letterbox drops and VMS relocation
• Covid Assist
• CABA cylinder refill, pickup and delivery
• Pick up and deliver volunteers to Sydney Domestic Terminal
• HR hose pressure testing and rollup and
• Manning of fire towers.

The District Exercise has been cancelled to further notice due to Covid-19.

District Exercise 2021

Saturday the 26^th June 2021 will be this years District Exercise. Support Brigade will be as usual, involved and, as usual, will also be assessed.

There will be multiple taskings around the district, mainly Cowan Staging Area, Berowra and Mt Kur-ring-gai which will include such tasks as:

• Managing Staging Area
• Delivery of food and water to Marshals and Comms volunteers
• Transport of material and equipment before and after event
• Supporting Catering Brigade
• Other tasks as requested.

Could all volunteers on the day be at Support Station by 0600 hrs for a briefing and to commence setup.

Hose Banding, Walker Stacker Training

Details

Last Updated on Friday, 18 June 2021

Saturday 19th June

Depending on the weather, we will be carry out maintenance on HR hoses; rolling and banding. There will be the option for Walker Stacker practice and maintenance work on one of the bouywalls.

2021 Annual General Meeting Results

Details

Last Updated on Wednesday, 09 June 2021

The Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Support Brigade Annual General Meeting was held on Tuesday 1^st June, 2021. With 38 in attendance including two guests.

The following field officers and office bearers were elected:

 During Counting the Captain, Ben de Leon presented notes on behalf of the FCO: The notes included comments on the following topics. (Full copy of the Notes is attached).
• Thanks to the Brigade on its involvement during the past year and expressed the thanks of the FCC team.to the out-going office bearers.
• Management.
• Meeting Etiquette.
• Social Media
• Diversity & Equity
• MyRFS
• Area Command / District Committees & Work Groups
• Brigade Succession Planning
• The Commissioners Nine Priorities
• District Strategic Plan
• Infrastructure
• Stores
• L & D / Membership
• Operational Services
• WHS.

Ben added the following comments:
• MyRFS – Please update your own personal data whenever necessary but also advise the Secretary of all changes so that Brigade Register can also be updated.
• RFSACTIV – Ben reminded all members that they need to be using MYRFS ACTIV and suggested a training session be held on a week night in the near future. It was suggested that Nathan McGregor be invited to assist.

Rex Callaghan took the Chair as President and thanked Steve Marsh & Kevin Ho for their involvement.

Ben presented the Captain’s Encouragement Award for 2020-21. This year the award went to David Dale

2020 Annual General Meeting Results

Details

Last Updated on Wednesday, 09 June 2021

The Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Support Brigade Annual General Meeting was held on Tuesday, 11^th August 2020. Over 38 brigade members attended.

The following field officers and office bearers were elected:

During Counting FCO2 addressed to Brigade highlighting as follows:

• Congratulated the Brigade on its involvement during the Black Summer Fires and expressed the thanks of the FCC team.

• Believed Support had a great Station & Vehicles were being upgraded.

• Total of 157 Strike Teams were deployed from Hornsby & Support was involved in transport a number of them to & from Airports.

• Predictions for this coming season are not as bad as last year with the BOM expecting above average rain & a warm humid spring.

• COVID restrictions have allowed more HR planning and there are currently 5 RFS plus another 7 HRs ready to go. NPWS & FRNSW are also planning HRs.

• There is evidence that the Community is showing anxiety & will require extra Community Engagement.

• FCC is attempting to increase info to members via such things as QR Codes & Fire Mapping on Tablets.

Ben also presented the Captain’s Encouragement Award for 2019-20. This year the award went to John Farquhar.

Early start to fire season

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Last Updated on Tuesday, 09 April 2019

An early start to the official Fire Danger Period has been made, with the season commencing on September 1 instead of the usual October 1.

Please all take note of this and help us to help you!

Our new station

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Last Updated on Monday, 16 January 2023

We are pleased to have now moved in to our new Fire Station, however we still need your help to continue fitting it out.

If you would like to help us, please make a tax-deductible donation to us here.

Our volunteers have been incredibly busy during the past year, so every bit of help is much appreciated.

Many thanks!

2018 Annual General Meeting Results

Details

Last Updated on Wednesday, 09 June 2021

The Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Annual General Meeting was held this evening. Well over 40 brigade members attended.

The following field officers and office bearers were elected for 2017-18:

The Captain, Ben de Leon, presented the Captain's Encouragement Award for 2018 to Michael Parkin.

Outgoing President Bill Scott was thanked for his many years of service as President of the brigade.

The evening finished with supper.

New Station taking shape

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Last Updated on Tuesday, 10 April 2018

After a long development period, our Brigade finally received our own Fire Station in April 2018. The State Government and Hornsby Council have generously provided funding for this building.

The official opening will be held on May 12, 2018.

Our brigade now needs to raise the money needed to fit it out. If you would like to help us fit out our new station, you can make a tax-deductible donation to us.

We thank you for your consideration of assisting us to complete the new station!

2017 Annual General Meeting Results

Details

Last Updated on Wednesday, 12 April 2017

The Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Annual General Meeting was held this evening. Over 40 brigade members attended.

The following field officers and office bearers were elected for 2016-17:

The Captain, Ben de Leon, presented the Captain's Encouragement Award for 2016-17 to joint winners John Dennis and John Robertson.

The evening finished with supper.

Family day at Cattai

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Last Updated on Sunday, 12 March 2017

As the current fire season gets closer to drawing to a close, today was a good day for members and their families to reflect on the season and to enjoy a well-earned day of relaxation.

After a busy season with many total fire bans and lots of deployments but fortunately few local fires, members and families today enjoyed a peaceful and relaxing day at the Cattai National Park. Local wildlife such as birds and kangaroos joined in.

A good day was had by all and we thank the social committee for organising such a pleasant day.

Crossland Reserve fire

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Last Updated on Sunday, 12 March 2017

After a hot spell of weather, today saw a fire break out at the Crossland Reserve at the end of Somerville Road in Hornsby Heights. This had the potential to be a very damaging fire under the conditions, however it was fortunately spotted early by two Support Brigade members on duty in the Berowra Fire Tower, meaning crews could be on the scene quickly. Channel Seven News later features a segment on the work done by members in the Berowra Fire Tower.

While it took several days to completely extinguish the fire, it was quickly contained and no serious property damage occurred.

Support Brigade crews were also involved in logistical support for the fire crews over several days of containment and clean up operations.

Support Brigade help in M1 truck fire

Details

Last Updated on Sunday, 12 March 2017

Early this morning, two large trucks collided and burst into flames northbound on the M1, causing traffic chaos for much of the day. Traffic was diverted off the freeway onto the old Pacific Highway, causing gridlock through Mt Ku-ring-gai and Berowra.

Support brigade were called in to assist in delivery of resources to the crash scene, while other members were distributing bottled water to stranded motorists on what was a very hot day. Almost 2 pallets worth of bottled water had been distributed by the end of the day.

Below are some scenes for the accident site.

2016 Brigade Christmas Party

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Last Updated on Sunday, 12 March 2017

Nearly 50 brigade members and partners enjoyed a great Christmas celebration at the Mt Colah Community Centre last night.  With a theme for the night of "red", many chose to dress up appropriately, and the many activities during the night kept everyone entertained. Superbly catered by Family Affair Catering, the food was also a delicious treat.

Many thanks to the organising committee for putting the night together, and Christmas wishes to all members, family and the general community.