Training....

Our brigade has formal training every Friday night of the year except Christmas week and on Easter Good Friday. We start at 1930hrs (7:30pm) with a parade and then move on to the night's training activity.

We have regularly scheduled training topics (CABA Breathing Apparatus, Vehicle Accident Rescue and HAZMAT training) every month to keep our skills honed and learn new or improved techniques. We also try to include other aspects of our tasks on a slightly less regular basis including - knots and rope lines, pumps and hose-work, communication equipment, map-reading, ladders, fire extinguisher practicals, leadership, fire prevention, search & rescue, 4WD driving, etc., etc. Every skill must be practiced, refined and improved and every member must be both familiar and competent with each piece of equipment we carry.

We try to practice all of our skills and knowledge as well as incorporate new skills in both theory and practical training while also encouraging teamwork, co-operation and safe working procedures. Its an endless processs but its necessary to ensure we are the best that we can be, providing the community with the best possible service at real-life emergency incidents.

After the formal training is complete we work in teams to do maintenance and ensure all equipment is checked and recommissioned ready for use in an emergency. All members participate in truck mechanical and equipment checks, station cleaning and tidying and general station duties. When all of this is complete the brigade turns to its social aspect and members are free to socialise, watch television, play pool/darts/table-tennis and generally relax. This is a very important aspect of our brigade and helps to foster team-work, co-operation between members and form 'mateship' - one of the most critical and satisfying aspects of a voluntary emergency service.

In addition to our brigade run training each member must do intensive CFS accredited training which encompasses all aspects of the CFS and provides basic level safety, knowledge, skills and assessment of competency. There are also inter-brigade training exercises and opportunities to do joint or assisted exercises with other services whom we may expect to work with in emergencies such as Ambulance and St. John First Aid personnel, SES (State Emergency Service), SA Police.