Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Support Brigade
Events 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 26th 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
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
The Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Support Brigade Annual General Meeting was held on Tuesday 1st June, 2021. With 38 in attendance including two guests.
The following field officers and office bearers were elected:
| Field Officers | Administration | |||
| Captain | Ben de Leon | President | Rex Callaghan | |
| Senior Deputy |
Geoff Percival | Secretary | Alan Barnwell | |
| Deputy 2 | Rex Callaghan | Treasurer | Stephanie de Leon | |
| Deputy 3 | Phil Gallop | Membership Secretary |
Alan Barnwell | |
| Deputy 4 | Peter Brogan | Training Officer |
Rex Callaghan | |
| Deputy 5 | Alan Barnwell | Assistant Training Officer |
Phil Gallop | |
| Deputy 6 | Stephanie de Leon | Vehicle Officer |
Phil Gallop | |
| Deputy 7 | John Nelson | Equipment Officer |
John Snook | |
| Deputy 8 | Glenn Kershaw | Assistant Equipment Officer (CABA) |
John Robertson | |
| Deputy 9 | John Goldsmith | Station Officer |
John Goldsmith | |
| Deputy 10 | Paul Browning | First Aid Officer |
Ian Griffiths | |
| Community Engagement Officer |
John A'Beckett | |||
| Fund Raising Officer | John Dennis | |||
| RFSA Delegate | Paul Brady | |||
| Alternate RFSA Delegate | Tamara Filer | |||
| Social Convenor | Paul Brady | |||
| Social Committee Member | John Robertson | |||
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
The Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Support Brigade Annual General Meeting was held on Tuesday, 11th August 2020. Over 38 brigade members attended.
The following field officers and office bearers were elected:
| Field Officers | Administration | |||
| Captain | Ben de Leon | President | Andrew Smith | |
| Senior Deputy Captain | Geoff Percival | Secretary | Alan Barnwell | |
| Deputy 2 | Rex Calllaghan | Treasurer | Stephanie de Leon | |
| Deputy 3 | Phil Gallop | Training Officer | Rex Callaghan | |
| Deputy 4 | Peter Brogan | Assistant Training Officer | Phil Gallop | |
| Deputy 5 | John Nelson | Vehicle Officer | Phil Gallop | |
| Deputy 6 | Paul Browning | Equipment Officer | John Snook | |
| Deptuy 7 | Alan Barnwell | Assistant Equipment Officer (CABA) | John Robertson | |
| Deputy 8 | Stephanie de Leon | Station Officer | John Goldsmith | |
| Deputy 9 | John Goldsmith | First Aid Officer | Ian Griffiths | |
| Deputy 10 | Glenn Kershaw | Community Engagment Officer | John A'Beckett | |
| RFSA Delegate | Paul Brady | |||
| Alternate RFSA Delegate | Tamara Filer | |||
| Social Convenor | Paul Brady | |||
| Social Committee Member | John Robertson | |||
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
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!