Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Support Brigade
Westleigh Hazard Reduction
Today a significant number of Support Brigade personnel were involved in assisting with a Hazard Reduction burn at the northern end of Westleigh.
Roles included deployment and management of the Buoywall for the helicopter to perform water bombing if required, supply of fuel for the helicopter, Field Logistics, delivery of meals, water and other supplies and a variety of smaller roles as needed.
Members enjoyed getting very close to the action at times.
2016 Incident Management Exercise
Each year the district holds an event in which a simulated fire emergency is used to test the readiness of the region to respond to a major fire catastrophe. This year the exercise ran over two days, and involved in excess of 50 personnel at the Fire Control Centre, including over a dozen Support Brigade members, who largely performed important logistics roles.
The scenario involved a large fire impacting on multiple parts of the northern part of the shire, and resulted in evacuations and closure of major roads and the rail corridor.
After a tiring two days the organisers declared the event a success, and we are all now better prepared for the coming fire season.
2016 Annual Volunteer Thank You Dinner
Hornsby Shire Council is a great supporter of local volunteer firefighters, and every year in August a dinner is held for them to thank the volunteer firefighters in the region. This year the dinner was attended by every brigade in the district, with the Mayor on hand to personally thank the volunteers.
Over 30 members of Support Brigade were in attendance, and enjoyed the night enormously. We heartily thank Hornsby Shire for the kindness in putting on the dinner.
Folk Night
A group of Support Brigade members attended a packed Hornsby Folk Club tonight for an evening of entertainment and camaraderie.
A good time was had by all, and some commented that it will be something that we will need to do again!
Congratulations to Life Members
At tonight's general meeting, the honour of Life Membership was bestowed upon two of the longest serving members in our brigade.
Former Captain and founder of the brigade, Alan Barnwell, was presented with a certificate of Life Membership for his many years of leadership and hard work in the establishment and development of the brigade.
Dawn Henry, long time call out officer and "right hand man" to the captain, was also honoured for the enormous contribution she has made, and continues to make, in the day to day running of the brigade.
These are two very worthy recipients of this honour and the entire brigade congratulates them.