Queanbeyan City Brigade

Do you guys get paid much?

All firefighters in the Rural Fire Service are volunteers.  We volunteer our time as required to provide 24/7 coverage to the areas we volunteer in.  There are avenues of entry for paid management staff, however these generally require significant fire fighting experience first.  Why do we do it I hear you think - there are many reasons... as an investment to protect your own property and family, as a means of community service, as a hobby, as a way of meeting and making great mates, or even the ability to further your training in a way which may help your civilian career.  So whilst the pay isn't great, and the hours can be as long or as little as you like - the RFS is what you make of it.

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What do the colourful signs on the sides of the road mean?

The 'colourful' signs indicate the current fire danger. The FDI or Fire Danger Index is a widely used scale to illustrate the fire danger for any given day.  It is based off a numeric scale, estimated using the McArthur Fire Danger Meter (and subjective consideration). The McArthur Fire Danger Meter takes into account 4 main factors: Curing (How dry?), Temperature, Humidity and Wind. High Temperatures, High Winds, High Curing Levels and Low Humidities present days of greater fire danger.

The indicated colour (or level - low, moderate, high, very high, extreme) gives a relative guide to the fire danger for any given day.

Who changes the signs?

Our brigade appoints a 'duty officer' during fire season who is responsible for changing the signs.  This is usually done with a duty member - as whilst it looks simple it can be a fiddly task.

Is there someone I can call to make the fire brigade hurry up?

'000' is the only number to call during an emergency, they have access to information that we at our level dont.  Basically, based on what you tell them, they will determine the zone in which they believe the incident is in.  They will notify the Zone Contact (Usually a paid staff member or Group Officer), who will then alert the appropriate brigade.  Brigade members will then respond to their pagers (or phonecalls) and drive to the fire station (under normal road conditions).  Once a crew is assembled, they will respond a truck if appropriate (lights and sirens) and get to the incident as safely as possible.

As you can see, there is a lot involved in getting a truck on the road.  There is no one person you can call to make the fire brigade go any faster then what they are.  If the information changes, you should advise 000; this will allow them to pass it on to whomever they have told initially. - just because you want the Fire Brigade doesn't always mean Police and Ambulance aren't also coming.

How can you help?

Give as much information as you can to the 000 operator.  If safe, and you are able to, try to mark out the route from the main road.  Advise the fire brigade where they can get water on their arrival.

Why can a Fire Truck go through a red light?

Section 306 of the National Road Rules states:

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