Portland Fire Brigade, Victoria Australia
Serving the community since 1857
Training
Air Base Crew Training
December 1, 2013
Today there was a training for this summers air base crew which consists of CFA members from District 4 HQ Brigade and Portland Coast Guard members. The day began at the Portland Fire Station where Graeme Briggs a training officer from the State Aircraft Unit held a theoretical training session on safety when working with Fire Bombers and the basic principals of loading. After a fantastic lunch the group boarded a bus and headed out to the Portland Airport for some practical ...hands on training loading a Fire Bomber. The Air Base at Portland was set up with district 4 Mobile Communications Van (MCV) and Air Base Manager. Fire Bomber 351 flew in from Stawell for the day and Pilot Rob McIntosh briefed the crew on the Aircraft and safety on the air field.
Each participant had practical hands on experience in loading techniques while the Aircraft was parked and then some real life practical experience loading the Bomber with water while the Bomber was in operation. The highlight on the day was when pilot Rob McIntosh completed a drop at the Airport to demonstrate how a drop is made, then returning for the crew to reload the Bomber again. All crews were signed off and a ready and rearing to go when called upon, well done to all and thank you the Portland Fire Brigade members who help out with the lunch.
Recruit Training
August 2013
Members of the Portland Coast participated in this years recruit training course which begun in April with Bushfire Minimum Skills along with new brigade members.
The inclusion of the Coast Guard members has boosted the numbers of available firefighters at the disposal of the brigade which is good news for the community, some of these members have taken on a specialist role in filling fixed wing air craft over the fire season and will undergo training for this role in December.
The time and committment of the Coast Guard members to complete this training must be congratulated as they maintain their Coast Guard duties, it is important to note that that the committment they have given will not come at the cost of their primary role as skilled members of the Portland Coast Guard.
Our new members also must be congratulated for their committment and attendance at the training sessions juggling family and work committments.
Also a thank you must go to our members who have spent extra time away from their familes on Thursday nights to facilitate and conduct the recruit training program.
The training included Bushfire Minimum skills, Breathing Apparatus and Low Structure, culminating in a practical assessment day at Penshurst training ground.
Coast Guard assist firefighter from pilot ladder
Firefighters on board Coast Guard vessel the Helen Handbury.
Firefighter ascending the pilot ladder
Coast Guard assist firefighter from pilot ladder
Marine Fire Training
October 2011
Volunteer firefighters from Portland, Heywood and Casterton along with Portland volunteer coast guard participated in a training excercise aimed at practicing gaining access and safely fighting fires on commercial ships. With the assistance of the MV Portland and ship's master Ian Moss volunteers gained valuable information about the ship's fire systems and how to gain access to ship's via the pilot ladder. The saying that "train in the worst conditions, work in the best" was well at work on the day, with strong winds making climbing and descending the pilot ladder via the Coast Guard vessel an intimidating prospect. Despite the challenges the Portland Coast Guard managed to keep their vessel in position, there was only one point when a fire fighter was left haning for a brief moment.
Melbourne Fire Brigade marine project officer Michael Campbell was glad that Portland Fire Brigade Operations Officer Gary Harker invited him down, "the relationship between services was great to experience" Mr Campbell said.
Urban Crew Leader Course
July, 2011
Three Portland Fire Brigade Volunteer Firefighter along with other volunteer from around the state successfuly completed a two day Urban Crew leader Course at Penshurst to gain Urban Crew Leader Qualification. The Brigade would like to congratulate Dale Harker, Ian Hamley & Frank Zeigler on gaining this qualification.
