January 2009 - Page 11
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Building Partnerships

  
 

A Partnership to Benefit the Community
 

CFS data shows that up until 2007, an average of 60 fires each year have been started by harvesting operations putting lives and property at risk and generally resulting in significant losses to the community.

Unlike in other States, South Australian legislation does not prevent grain harvesting in adverse fire weather. A collaborative partnership between the CFS and the South Australian Farmers Federation has seen the development of a Grain Harvesting Code of Practice for the South Australian farming community.

After wide consultation with Regional Bushfire Prevention Committees, members of rural and regional farming communities and other stakeholders, a draft Code of Practice has been developed.
 

"The farming community is concerned with the number of harvesting fires but does not want to see the adoption of a 'one size fits all' solution," said Leigh Miller, Manager CFS Prevention Services.

"In order to accommodate this, the new Code is based around the actual Fire Danger Index measured in the paddock - not on the use of forecast fire weather.  This will overcome issues with variation in local weather patterns which, in the past, have been of real concern to farmers.

"The Code is a good self-control measure as it allows farmers to self regulate and be in control of when they harvest.

"The Code will be reviewed prior to the 2009-10 fire season in terms of its success in reducing the number of harvest-related fires, and the ease of use by the farming community."

 
 

 

Thuggery in the Emergency Services?

  
 

Is this photograph proof of thuggery in the Emergency Services?

So what's the story, how did SAMFS Training Officer Bobby Nairn end up being assaulted during a training course?

Well, looks can be deceiving - what seems like a hitherto hushed-up scandal is, in fact, nothing of the sort.  The real story is that Bobby's "injuries" are simulated and are an excellent example of the skilful application of moulage.

Moulage is the name given to the application of simulated injuries to the human body to create a sense of realism prior to the commencement of emergency exercises.  It involves using what looks like a heavy-duty make-up kit to apply simulated blood, bone fragments, shrapnel etc. and is used in an attempt to "battle-harden" responders.  It also requires considerable artistic skill to make it look real.

 Bobby Nairn in convincing moulage.

 

The demonstration of moulage techniques formed part of a five-day Exercise Management course conducted in early December at the Thebarton Police Barracks.  The course was designed to train participants in how to write and conduct multi-agency emergency exercises.  Twenty-three people from SAMFS, SAPOL, Federal Police, SAAS, DTEI and DFC attended and judging by the feedback, the course was well received.  A further course is planned for May.

The course facilitators were Allan McDougall, SAFECOM Emergency Management Services and Senior Sergeant Pat Lycett, Training Coordinator, SAPOL Emergency & Major Event Section.
 

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