Scotland Island Rural Fire Brigade

SCOTLAND ISLAND RURAL FIRE BRIGADE
MINUTES OF MEETING

MONDAY 7 SEPTEMBER 2009
HELD AT SCOTLAND ISLAND FIRE BRIGADE, KEVIN AVE, SCOTLAND ISLAND

1. COMMENCE: 1940

2. PRESENT: Tim Byrne (Chairperson), John Marshall, Kerry Borthwick, Linda Prisk, Jonathon Swain, Graeme Richmond

3. APOLOGIES: Carla Byrne,Ian White, Scott Towers, Bob Bolton, Charlie O’Connor, Lyn Savage, Rob Leeson, Jenny WInterton

4. IN ATTENDANCE:
Mark Casper (representing Fire Control); Jason Mansfield

5. PREVIOUS MINUTES:
Accepted [Moved: John Marshall; Seconded: Jonathon Swain

6. TREASURER’S REPORT:
In the absence of the Treasurer there was not report for August tabled.

Tim Byrne provided a verbal report:
• Nothing extraordinary in or out during August
• One regular phone bill to pay

7. CORRESPONDENCE:
7.1 OUT: None
7.2 IN: None

8. CAPTAIN’S REPORT:
Tim Byrne presented a verbal report (documentation to me emailed later).
• Hazard reduction: 2/3 of Thompson St track completed (1/3 planned for 13/9); few pile burns at top of island completed; piles at Elsie St and Pathilde Reserve still to do
• Noted ¼ - 1/3 Elizabeth Park not ready for burning
• Fire tanks 2 and 3 are needed for 13/9 and need filling
• Concern that tank 2 might have a blockage that prevented it being filled last week
ACTION: TIM BYRNE BOOK TANK REFILLS WHEN HAZARD REDUCTION SCHEDULED (IE REFILL ASAP AFTER REDUCTION)

9. TRAINING OFFICER’S REPORT
Held over in absence of Training Officer.

Verbal report by Captain: Training last Sunday was the turn up for the burn; next training on Monday evening 21/9

10. OUTSTANDING ACTIONS FROM PREVIOUS MINUTES

10.1 RAMP AT CARGO WHARF:
GEOFF LEESON AND TIM BYRNE TO WRITE A LETTER TO LINDSAY DICE.

10.2 CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY
SIRFB SET A DATE, LIAISE WITH MAYOR OF PITTWATER COUNCIL AND SEEK PERMISSION FROM DEPT OF IMMIGRATION.
IAN WHITE TO FOLLOW UP

10.3 VERMIN CONTROL
GEOFF LEESON TO SOURCE RAT TRAPS AND ALSO RIND DEPT OF AGRICULTURE TO DETERMINE LATEST, PREFERRED ACTIONS
GL advised that appropriate traps can be bought from Bunnings.

10.4 STAIRCASE TO MEZZANINE AND LOCKERS
GEOFF LEESON TO FORWARD ADVICE OF DON DWYER’S INCIDENT ON LADDER OCCURRING ON 31 MAY TO REGIONAL OFFICE
Completed – no feedback from FCO as yet.

10.5 TRAINING
10.5.1 CHARLIE O’CONNOR FINISH CALENDAR AND LIAISE WITH JOHN MARSHALL TO UPLOAD TO WEBSITE
10.5.2 CHARLIE O’CONNOR LIAISE WITH JOHN MARSHALL TO UPLOAD UPCOMING EVENTS (SUCH AS MACKEREL EXERCISES) ON WEBSITE
10.5.3 CHARLIE O’CONNOR INCORPORATE “HOT” TRAINING INTO NEXT TRAINING SESSIONS

10.6 DOOR KNOCK FOLLOW UP
ACTIONS:
10.6.1 SIRFB FOLLOW UP ON HOUSES WHERE RESIDENTS WERE ABSENT ON INSPECTION DAY
10.6.2 TIM BYRNE SEND INFORMATION TO PEOPLE WHO REQUESTED COPIES OF THEIR REPORTS

10.7 BOAT SECURITY AND SAFETY
TIM BYRNE TO FOLLOW UP RE CHILDREN CLIMBING ON BOAT

10.8 BOAT EQUIPMENT PURCHASES
• litre unleaded derry for portable
• Set of Allen keys (in case winch on boat jams again)
• Grapple anchor and cable.
ROB LEESON PURCHASE REQUIRED ITEMS

10.9 MARINE AERIAL MOUNT
SIRFB INSTALL MARINE AERIAL MOUNT ON FIRE BOAT

10.10 PUMP
GEOFF LEESON CHECK WITH FCO RE PUMP MOTOR PROBLEMS

10.11 ROPE ON AUTO-DEPLOY ANCHOR
GEOFF LEESON TO CHECK WITH ROB LEESON RE APPROPRIATENESS AND NEED FOR REPLACEMENT

10.12 BOAT OHS
GEOFF LEESON TO ADVISE FCO OF OHS HAZARD ARISING FROM THE BOLD ON THE BOAT EXHAUST BEING TOO LONG

10.13 OHS ACCESS TO TOP OF THE ISLAND
GEOFF LEESON TO WRITE TO FCO AND REQUEST THEM TO CONTACT PITTWATER COUNCIL AND REQUEST AN EXTENSION OF THE FIRE TRAIL TO JOIN THE SECTION BETWEEN THE GYE AND BOYCE HOMES TO DECREASE RISK TO SIRFB MEMBERS AND RESIDENTS AND ENABLE MEDEVACS WHEN NECESSARY

11. BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES

11.1 FIRESHED KEY
It was noted that many members were unaware that they key fits both shed and kitchen doors.
ACTION: KERRY BORTHWICK TO EMAIL MEMBERS AND ADVISE THAT THE KEY OPEN BOTH SHED AND KITCHEN DOORS.

11.2 KITCHEN CUPBOARDS
ACTION: JOHN MARSHALL TO MARK SITE FOR NEW POWER POINTS ON WALL AND CONTACT ROY ATKINS TO INSTALL

12. GENERAL BUSINESS

12.1 WARRINGAH-PITTWATER FIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN
Mark Casper represented Fire Control to explain the proposed Warringah-Pittwater Fire Management Plan.
• The area is divided into 4 sub-areas
• The map for the southern area (area 1) was tabled and explained
• Scotland Island is in area 4 (map and plan still under development)
• The process of community consultation involved in plan development was outlined
• The aim is not just to consult but to actively engage the community and build “ownership”
• A “Wish List” for the island was discussed and items requested were:
• Warning signs around the island
• Signage at Church Pt and wharves relating to fire bans etc.
• Fire trail to be gazetted as a road

• Activities considered for SIRFB consultation/awareness raising included:
• Open Day at Church Point
• Pump Inspection program (perhaps conducted on vehicle registration day)
• Kindy Firewise program (15 minute training session)
• Notices on ferries
• Noticeboard at Church Point (to be shared with West Pittwater)
• General Firewise program involving precinct program

12.2 WATERMARK WEEKEND
• The open studios weekend is on 19-20 September.
• Volunteers are needed. It was suggested that the SIRFB Social Members should be utilised rather than the SIRFB Active Members
ACTION: LYN SAVAGE AND JENNY WINTERTON TO ORGANISE A VOLUNTEER ROSTER AND COMMUNICATE TO CAPTAIN TO PASS ON TO MEMBERS
• Graeme R noted that Thompson’s Meats might be willing to donate some meat
• Tim B advised that Lyn and Jenny were considering curries and ploughman’s lunches
• Tim B advised that Lyn had wondered whether a wine tasting event during the weekend would be a good activity
ACTION: TIM BYRNE TO SPEAK TO SCOTT TOWERS

12.3 HAZARD REDUCTION, HOSES AND CARS
ACTIONS:
(1) KERRY BORTHWICK TO ASK CASS GYE TO SEND OUT A NOTICE TO ALL COMMUNITY VEHICLE DRIVERS REGARDING CONSEQUENCES OF RUNNING THE FIRE HOSE LINE, IE THE LINE CAN BE DAMAGED/ DESTROYED AS IT SPLITS EASILY AND THE PUMP CAN ALSO BE DAMAGED DUE TO PRESSURE SURGE
(2) KERRY BORTHWICK TO ASK JULIAN TO INCLUDE NOTICE ABOUT POSSIBLE HOSE DAMAGE IN PON TO ALERT ALL ISLAND DRIVERS
(3) KERRY BORTHWICK TO ASK SIRA TO INCLUDE AS AN AGENDA ITEM AT 14 SEPTEMBER MEETING

12.4 CAT 7 PUMP PROBLEMS
During the last hazard reduction despite the recent repair there were problems with the pump, ie diesel spraying and a faulty bolt leading to a gap.
ACTION: TIM BYRNE FOLLOW UP WITH FIRE CONTROL

12.5 PUMPING UPHILL
• A suction line is needed when pumping uphill.
• Could step down from 65-38ml
• Only one pump takes 65ml the rest only support 38ml
ACTION: TIM BYRNE REQUISITION 6 ADDITIONAL 65-38ML SUCTION STEP DOWN LINES

12.5 LARGE WATER TANK NEAR HALL
ACTION: KERRY BORTHWICK CHECK WITH CASS GYE RE LATEST INFORMATION ON BIG TANK. IF TANK AVAILABLE SIRFB TO ASK FIRE CONTROL TO PURCHASE

12.6 SIRFB TANKS AND GAUGES
ACTION: JOHN MARSHALL TO CHECK OUT TANK GAUGES AND PRICE TO PURCHASE 3 GAUGES FOR INSTALLATION ON SIRFB TANKS

CLOSE:
The meeting closed at 2100.