BRIGADE NEWS
Small community embraces tech to stay safe Thanks to a $40,000 donation from Inner Wheel Australia, Bemm Fire Brigade is leading the way when it comes to the latest in sprinkler technology. The money was donated by German clubs of the international association after last year’s devastating bushfire season, with a proviso it be used to protect communities affected by bushfire. Inner Wheel is an International women’s volunteer service organisation which promotes friendship, the ideals of personal service and to foster international understanding. Inner Wheel Australia Council Member Kate Luxford said she was proud Inner Wheel Australia chose to fund the project from international donations. “With many of our international clubs keen to help aid the bushfire recovery, donations came from across the world,” she said. “A large donation came from members in Germany who earmarked their money for use by the volunteers in the more rural fire brigades that were affected by the devastating bushfire season. “After numerous phone calls around the districts, I spoke to Bemm Fire Brigade Captain Russell Pardew. After hearing about his wish to install a proven sprinkler system, I knew some of this donation would be spent well and be greatly appreciated. “I was proud when my submission to the Inner Wheel Australia Executive was accepted and they chose to fund the project for the sprinklers.”
Captain Russell Pardew said the brigade wanted to make the most of the donation to help future-proof their station. “I talked to Kate about what we could do with the donation to make it meaningful. I felt it was important that we invested that donation wisely and stretched it as far as we could,” Russell said. “I came up with an idea a while ago to have a sprinkler system installed at our station. After getting quotes, I realised the donation would actually cover more than one system and I thought of a couple of smaller brigades in District 11 that could use some help. “One small community that has been belted by fire over the past 10 years is Goongerah. We also thought we could help out Wariewa, a small rural community between Orbost and Lakes Entrance.” The sprinkler system is tailored for each location. It runs for two hours and is a reticulation system where half the water used runs back into the tank. In Bemm they will be able to activate it remotely using a mobile phone. Where there is less mobile coverage, such as at Goongerah, there’s a heat sensor that will activate the sprinkler when it’s needed to protect the building. For more remote brigades, a diesel pump powers the sprinklers. At Bemm brigade they have an electric power generator that kicks in if the power fails. Russell said this was important in any small town where the fire brigade often becomes the central emergency point where people gather, particularly with tourists around.
“Someone said it’s an insurance policy for a CFA property, and I think that’s a good description,” he said. Russell said smaller communities had to find innovative ways to be more resilient, because outside help was not always readily available. Bemm has a permanent population of around 65 that rises to about 400 to 600 people in the peak tourism seasons of Easter and Christmas. It has one road in and one road out so can easily become isolated during the fire season. “You have to think outside the square. Bemm was the first brigade to use slip-on units,” Russell said. “We’re keeping that up by being the first to create our own 100-metre firebreak. We have also created our own helipad. “Communities should decide what best suits their needs. It’s a lot of work and effort to maintain and keep up interest in a local fire brigade. I’d encourage communities to support their local brigades. “Our local relationships with councils, DELWP and other agencies is also critical to this mission. We work together to keep up the persistence and momentum to make our communities as resilient as possible.” CFA supported the sprinkler project with an additional $11,000. STORY MIRANDA SCHOONEVELDT
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