Catastrophic fires have ravished Victoria, massive floods have inundated far Nth Queensland and now flooding hits the mid north coast. Talk about climate change!
I played a small part in helping those affected by the floods that impacted on the Port Macquarie area last week. We’d had a heads up about severe weather in the area and had already deployed one member to be part of a management team overseeing operations. On Tuesday 17th Feb I got a phone call, “Can I be at Albion Park airport ASAP, you’re off to Port Macquarie”. An hour later I was sitting in the RFS commissioners plane heading north. Di Gordon and myself were being tasked to Wauchope to assist with potential flooding around the town.
Once at Wauchope the full extent of recent rains could be seen. Paddocks were lakes, creeks covered roads, the Hastings River was rising and still the rain fell. With some further intel and reconnaissance a plan was hashed on what could be done to reduce the impact on residents of Wauchope. Regular visits to the river gauge showed how quickly the water was rising. Predicted water levels were of concern, but just when it was thought that evacuations might be necessary upstream river heights began to steady. Some low lying farmers self helped themselves to higher ground, but as the night drew longer it was apparent that expected levels would no longer be reached.
The following morning, the major threat had passed and our work at Wauchope was done. After a visit to see the new Port Macquarie LHQ we headed down to Taree for further tasking.
My next task proved to be very enjoyable. “Dave get yourself on a helicopter and start organising resupplies for the Kempsey area” were the words that rung through my ears. Sure enough, it wasn’t long before I was on an RFS Bell 212 helicopter that had been tasked to the region. 30min later I was in Kempsey stocking up with food supplies for out lying stranded residents. Being airborne quickly made me appreciate the devastation caused by the floods. Everywhere we looked rivers had burst their banks, cattle were huddled together on small islands and roads were cut. We had small ration type bags of food onboard, that we started dropping off at isolated farms. The residents were so grateful to see us and welcomed us wherever we put down. Often I had to stop and pinch myself at how much fun can one have when helping the community. Hours spent flying around in a helicopter, doing what you love and getting to see plenty of unforgettable sights. The floods around Crescent Head were that bad that in some cases we had to winch food bags into the resident as the floods had totally inundated their properties.
Alas all good things must come to an end and we eventually run out of daylight and had to return to Port. The following day, with more of the same planned were about to take to the skies when our plans were cut short by political red tape. A few hours later my helicopter crew had been released and they were heading for home, likewise I was returning to Taree for further tasking. As it turns out this was to be my final field task. After a few hours spent tidying up loose ends at Oxley region, Di and myself were on our way home.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Monday, February 2, 2009
Swiftwater Rescue
The SES is moving into the field of ‘Swiftwater Rescue Awareness’. Yesterday I had the opportunity to be part of a course held at the Penrith Whitewater Stadium. This was my first visit to this Stadium, sure I’d seen it on the T.V as part of the Olympics but my first impression upon seeing it for real was how big the place was. The actual course itself was empty so we got to see how and what makes the rapids etc. Soon enough the 5 huge pumps kicked in and the course came alive. Some 14000 litres/sec of water is pumped around the course.
Our awareness course involved a few hours theory where whitewater terminology, personal survival and rescue techniques were all explained. Soon enough we hit the water. Nerves soon gave way to excitement as practiced a few defensive and offensive swimming techniques. With the basics complete we did a few laps of the course, we simply bobbed up and down in the whitewater like floating buoys.
With little time to rest we undertook further rescue techniques like human triangles for negotiating swollen creeks and rope recoveries, these both proved to be fun and hard work. Our afternoon activities involved more recoveries and dealing with strainers. A strainer is a partially submerged log or shopping trolley that traps victims while allowing water past…. After getting a demonstration on how to negotiate a strainer it was then our then. One of our team members got it all wrong and came nursing a bloody nose. “That’s not how to do it” was his words as he was lead off for some first aid.
Our final activity for the day was to have a bit of fun in the inflatable rafts. Using 2 rafts we had a few laps of the course, each time adding a bit more fun and excitement into the adventure. As always, when more risk is added it ultimately ends in a big crash and on our last lap we had a big crash. All of us were ejected from the raft, once in the calmness of an eddy we regained our composure and seats before finishing the course.
What a great day, I wish all SES courses were like this one.
Our awareness course involved a few hours theory where whitewater terminology, personal survival and rescue techniques were all explained. Soon enough we hit the water. Nerves soon gave way to excitement as practiced a few defensive and offensive swimming techniques. With the basics complete we did a few laps of the course, we simply bobbed up and down in the whitewater like floating buoys.
With little time to rest we undertook further rescue techniques like human triangles for negotiating swollen creeks and rope recoveries, these both proved to be fun and hard work. Our afternoon activities involved more recoveries and dealing with strainers. A strainer is a partially submerged log or shopping trolley that traps victims while allowing water past…. After getting a demonstration on how to negotiate a strainer it was then our then. One of our team members got it all wrong and came nursing a bloody nose. “That’s not how to do it” was his words as he was lead off for some first aid.
Our final activity for the day was to have a bit of fun in the inflatable rafts. Using 2 rafts we had a few laps of the course, each time adding a bit more fun and excitement into the adventure. As always, when more risk is added it ultimately ends in a big crash and on our last lap we had a big crash. All of us were ejected from the raft, once in the calmness of an eddy we regained our composure and seats before finishing the course.
What a great day, I wish all SES courses were like this one.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Samantha starts School
I think every parent says it “My little girl or boy is growing up way too fast”. As our little girl headed off to school for her first day we as parents echoed those same words.
Sam had already gotten a taste of what school was like when she did a year of prep last year, but yesterday was her first day at ‘big’ school. In the weeks leading up to the big day she’d gotten very excited as she accumulated all the necessary items. A new dress, shoes and bag were all among the items that she had for her first day. I must say "she looked great".
Once at school there were parents and children everywhere, some crying, some nervous but most were excited. Sam took it all in her stride. A kiss goodbye to Mum and Dad and she was off. It was as though last year simply rolled into this year.
Her class is ‘K Banksia’ and Mrs Blass is her teacher. Sam instantly made a new friend and hasn’t stopped talking about what she does at school. Lets hope she’s blessed with more brains than her Mum and Dad.
Sam had already gotten a taste of what school was like when she did a year of prep last year, but yesterday was her first day at ‘big’ school. In the weeks leading up to the big day she’d gotten very excited as she accumulated all the necessary items. A new dress, shoes and bag were all among the items that she had for her first day. I must say "she looked great".
Once at school there were parents and children everywhere, some crying, some nervous but most were excited. Sam took it all in her stride. A kiss goodbye to Mum and Dad and she was off. It was as though last year simply rolled into this year.
Her class is ‘K Banksia’ and Mrs Blass is her teacher. Sam instantly made a new friend and hasn’t stopped talking about what she does at school. Lets hope she’s blessed with more brains than her Mum and Dad.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Christmas Holidays
Christmas in our house always involves family, this year we went to QLD to be with Leonie’s family at Noosa. We towed our caravan up there, one for accommodation while at her brothers and two so we could have an extended trip home. Getting there took us 2 days, we chose to go up the inland road thus having different scenery both ways. Our first night we stopped on the side of the road. We simply pulling into a roadside off shoot where we setup and kipped for the night.
Once at Noosa there was the usual hectic pre Christmas shopping to do and preparation for the big day. In between the hype, which is pre Christmas, we took time out to take the kids to “Australia Zoo”. The kids loved it here, they got up close to a lot of animals they’d seen in books. Regrettably Sam didn’t get to see Bindi but we did catch a glimpse of her Mother, Terri.
Christmas day was a typical Queensland scorcher, great for sitting on the deck drinking bourbon and watching the kids play with all their toys. As always we over indulged with food, but it wouldn’t be Christmas unless you didn’t stuff your face.
Soon enough it was time to start the rest of our holiday. We headed down to my parents place for a few day where we spent some relaxing time by the pool. Next it was off to “Brooms Head”. This small hamlet is on the coast east of MacLean. It has a general store and a handful of holiday houses, but Christmas time the place is packed with campers. We had a quiet New Years here (as you do with little kids). The days were full of swimming, long walks and its here that Sam learned to ride her bike without training wheels.
Our next stop was Port Macquarie, this has always been a favourite spot of ours and this time was no exception. We stayed at Lighthouse beach where we took the kids for a beach Camel ride. We visited the Koala hospital, which was a very interesting place. Once again there was plenty of time spent in the pool and the kids on their bikes. The only disappointment was having to pack up in the rain.
Our final stop was Raymond Terrace, it was suppose to be Nelsons Bay but we couldn’t even get a powered site anywhere in the bay. The out of town location didn’t bother us as we still spent to the bay each day. We spent most of our time out around Soldiers Point where the crowds were a little less intrusive. At one point we took a drive around to Fingal bay only to make a hasty retreat due to volumes of people.
Eventually all things come to an end and holiday did that. 4 weeks away had just flown, but it was one of those holidays where I can say I actually had a relaxing time. To complete our holidays we’ve just had a week with Aleesha Jayne.
Once at Noosa there was the usual hectic pre Christmas shopping to do and preparation for the big day. In between the hype, which is pre Christmas, we took time out to take the kids to “Australia Zoo”. The kids loved it here, they got up close to a lot of animals they’d seen in books. Regrettably Sam didn’t get to see Bindi but we did catch a glimpse of her Mother, Terri.
Christmas day was a typical Queensland scorcher, great for sitting on the deck drinking bourbon and watching the kids play with all their toys. As always we over indulged with food, but it wouldn’t be Christmas unless you didn’t stuff your face.
Soon enough it was time to start the rest of our holiday. We headed down to my parents place for a few day where we spent some relaxing time by the pool. Next it was off to “Brooms Head”. This small hamlet is on the coast east of MacLean. It has a general store and a handful of holiday houses, but Christmas time the place is packed with campers. We had a quiet New Years here (as you do with little kids). The days were full of swimming, long walks and its here that Sam learned to ride her bike without training wheels.
Our next stop was Port Macquarie, this has always been a favourite spot of ours and this time was no exception. We stayed at Lighthouse beach where we took the kids for a beach Camel ride. We visited the Koala hospital, which was a very interesting place. Once again there was plenty of time spent in the pool and the kids on their bikes. The only disappointment was having to pack up in the rain.
Our final stop was Raymond Terrace, it was suppose to be Nelsons Bay but we couldn’t even get a powered site anywhere in the bay. The out of town location didn’t bother us as we still spent to the bay each day. We spent most of our time out around Soldiers Point where the crowds were a little less intrusive. At one point we took a drive around to Fingal bay only to make a hasty retreat due to volumes of people.
Eventually all things come to an end and holiday did that. 4 weeks away had just flown, but it was one of those holidays where I can say I actually had a relaxing time. To complete our holidays we’ve just had a week with Aleesha Jayne.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Storms hit S.E Queensland
On Sunday 16th Nov suburbs of the Brisbane were ravished by what can only be described as a cyclonic thunderstorm. Some of the better footage of the event can be seen here
The resulting damage was devastating and widespread. It wasn’t long before the NSWSES was asked to assist with the recovery phase. I got my opportunity to help as part of the ‘Charlie Task Force’. 8 members and one vehicle from Wollongong headed north for a 48-hour deployment.
After our initial briefing, where I was made a ‘Strike Team T/L’ responsible for 6 teams we were tasked to an area of Brisbane called “The Gap”. Arriving on site it was quickly apparent how much damage had been sustained. Trees were broken off halfway up, sheets of iron were wrapped around trees, houses were unroofed, trees that weren’t fallen were shredded of their leaves. It looked like a war zone and this was day 6 of the event.
After a long day in the field we were stood-down and accommodated in motels at Ipswich. Many of us were too tired for socialising and all had an early night.
Sunday morning saw us across town for our morning briefing. Things were looking good for an early completion. NSWSES crews had completed approx’ 700 jobs the previous day. That only left some 300 jobs to do. Back out at “The Gap” we were faced with more of the same. Nearly every house had sustained some form of damage, with wind gusts recorded at 180km/h it was amazing that no one lost their life as a direct result of the storm.
Towards the end of Sunday we entered one particular street that sat high on the side of a hill, it had obviously taken the brunt of the winds as they ripped through the gully below. Multiple houses had been de-roofed, massive trees had fallen. One house in particular had had their 2 front rooms crushed by a fallen tree. A box trailer had been lifted and blown onto a 3’ fence. A roof laid some 3 houses away from its original location and a telegraph pole had been snapped in half. It was a true war zone, but residents’ spirits remained high and everyone was pitching in to help others. We did what we could but regrettably we had to withdraw as our time in the field was drawing to an end.
Our evening was spent relaxing and reflecting on the carnage that we’d seen. After a good nights sleep we all headed for home, some driving unit vehicles, others flying.
The resulting damage was devastating and widespread. It wasn’t long before the NSWSES was asked to assist with the recovery phase. I got my opportunity to help as part of the ‘Charlie Task Force’. 8 members and one vehicle from Wollongong headed north for a 48-hour deployment.
After our initial briefing, where I was made a ‘Strike Team T/L’ responsible for 6 teams we were tasked to an area of Brisbane called “The Gap”. Arriving on site it was quickly apparent how much damage had been sustained. Trees were broken off halfway up, sheets of iron were wrapped around trees, houses were unroofed, trees that weren’t fallen were shredded of their leaves. It looked like a war zone and this was day 6 of the event.
After a long day in the field we were stood-down and accommodated in motels at Ipswich. Many of us were too tired for socialising and all had an early night.
Sunday morning saw us across town for our morning briefing. Things were looking good for an early completion. NSWSES crews had completed approx’ 700 jobs the previous day. That only left some 300 jobs to do. Back out at “The Gap” we were faced with more of the same. Nearly every house had sustained some form of damage, with wind gusts recorded at 180km/h it was amazing that no one lost their life as a direct result of the storm.
Towards the end of Sunday we entered one particular street that sat high on the side of a hill, it had obviously taken the brunt of the winds as they ripped through the gully below. Multiple houses had been de-roofed, massive trees had fallen. One house in particular had had their 2 front rooms crushed by a fallen tree. A box trailer had been lifted and blown onto a 3’ fence. A roof laid some 3 houses away from its original location and a telegraph pole had been snapped in half. It was a true war zone, but residents’ spirits remained high and everyone was pitching in to help others. We did what we could but regrettably we had to withdraw as our time in the field was drawing to an end.
Our evening was spent relaxing and reflecting on the carnage that we’d seen. After a good nights sleep we all headed for home, some driving unit vehicles, others flying.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Abseiling
You always want your kids to grow-up sharing the same sense of adventure as you do, so it was that we took our smaller kids out for their first abseiling adventure over the weekend.
We headed up to Stanwell Tops where theres an easy edge for the kids to start off. Using a full body harness for the kids and with me attached to them, I first took Samantha over the 20m pitch. Showing little to no nerves we had time to pose for photos before descending to the bottom of the cliff, where she immediately announced she was keen for another go. After giving her a second go it was time for Ethan’s first attempt.
After a few small mods Ethan was ready. He too was excited about the idea of abseiling and we again posed for a photo. However with the harness still being a little too big for Ethan it wasn’t long before he was complaining of the harness cutting into him, so we made a quick descent to the bottom. Unfortunately for us it was to be Ethan’s only attempt. I think we’ll need to wait till he grows into the harness a little more.
Overall, I don’t know who was more excited. Me or the kids!
We headed up to Stanwell Tops where theres an easy edge for the kids to start off. Using a full body harness for the kids and with me attached to them, I first took Samantha over the 20m pitch. Showing little to no nerves we had time to pose for photos before descending to the bottom of the cliff, where she immediately announced she was keen for another go. After giving her a second go it was time for Ethan’s first attempt.
After a few small mods Ethan was ready. He too was excited about the idea of abseiling and we again posed for a photo. However with the harness still being a little too big for Ethan it wasn’t long before he was complaining of the harness cutting into him, so we made a quick descent to the bottom. Unfortunately for us it was to be Ethan’s only attempt. I think we’ll need to wait till he grows into the harness a little more.Overall, I don’t know who was more excited. Me or the kids!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Kids experience flight
Some months ago we purchased some very cheap Jetstar flights as an alternative method of getting to my parents place. Our kids have never flown before, so they were very excited about the prospect of getting on a big plane.
Finally the day arrived and as we headed to the Sydney domestic terminal the kids excitement rose. "A ride in a big plane beckoned". We were soon on the plane and taxiing out for take-off. Besides Ethan having limited views out the window the excitement we all shared was one to remember. The rush of power that gets these huge pieces of metal into the sky still amazes me and it wasnt long before we were heading skyward. Cars, buildings and other features soon became little ants.
50 minutes later we were descending into the Gold-Coast airport, the kids first plane flight was nearly over. With a bump and a thud we were down and screaming to a halt. The joy of flight had made the kids so big, once back on the ground they felt small compared to their suroroundings. We were soon off the plane and walking into the terminal, here they're excitement turned to finding their grandparents who awaited our arrival.
4 days later our brief holiday was coming to an end. Once again the fun of flying filled the kids eyes and we were soon going through the whole scenario again. The highlight this time was flying into Sydney at night, the harbour and surrounding lights were fantastic.
Finally the day arrived and as we headed to the Sydney domestic terminal the kids excitement rose. "A ride in a big plane beckoned". We were soon on the plane and taxiing out for take-off. Besides Ethan having limited views out the window the excitement we all shared was one to remember. The rush of power that gets these huge pieces of metal into the sky still amazes me and it wasnt long before we were heading skyward. Cars, buildings and other features soon became little ants.
50 minutes later we were descending into the Gold-Coast airport, the kids first plane flight was nearly over. With a bump and a thud we were down and screaming to a halt. The joy of flight had made the kids so big, once back on the ground they felt small compared to their suroroundings. We were soon off the plane and walking into the terminal, here they're excitement turned to finding their grandparents who awaited our arrival.
4 days later our brief holiday was coming to an end. Once again the fun of flying filled the kids eyes and we were soon going through the whole scenario again. The highlight this time was flying into Sydney at night, the harbour and surrounding lights were fantastic.
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