Wye River - Separation Creek - Forrest - Birregurra (Victoria) Fire Support 2015-2016

On the 24th December 2015, LifeAid was requested to provide Fire Fighter support by DELWP (Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning ex-DEPI) initially on the fire front in Wye River and Separation Creek where over 160 houses sadly were lost. This later expanded to Base Camp support at Forrest and Birregurra. Over the duration of the deployment 24th Dec 2015 to 22nd Jan 2016 LifeAid tended to the Crews of not only DELWP but also the CFA, CFS, NZ Fire Service and the MFB.

 First Aid Station at the Forrest Base Camp, Forrest Cricket Club

 Forrest Base Camp by day

Forrest Base Camp by night

It's raining, how can there be a fire?

 A very dry Lake Colac

Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning

On the Mines

LifeAid Pty Ltd has for many years provided mining support in Queensland and in the past South Australia. We rely heavily on our highly respected FiFo staff to ensure the well being and safety of mine workers under their care.

LifeAid Emergency Response Teams, Fire Rescue Training

As a leading provider of ERT, LifeAid Fire Rescue personnel ensure currency of skills and Training. Continuation training is undertaken at regular intervals.

Fire Fighting

Confined Space Rescue

High Rescue

Dargo DEPI Fire Support 2014

In January and February LifeAid deployed support teams to Dargo to support fire fighting activities north of the town in the Victorian high country. The LifeAid crews operated a base camp from the CFA Depot and then moved forward to the fire ground with the crews.

This fire fortunately didn't threaten many farms or people but was restricted to highly difficult terrain requiring a lot of arduous trekking in and out by fire crews

Morning Breakfast muster of all emergency crews. The LifeAid ambulance is half way down on the left

The LifeAid ambulance at Dargo CFA Depot

Approaching the fire ground

If you have to be on stand-by at the fire ground, there are worse places to be. It's also a reminder what the Fire Fighters are working so hard to save.

Interesting facts about Fire Fighting

 Fire in London: This engraving was published as Plate 35 of Microcosm of London (1808)

• Aside from the well known "Great Fire of London" in 1666, the was also "Great fires of London" in 798, 982, 989 and 1212
•  The first Roman fire brigade of which we have any substantial history was created by Marcus Licinius Crassus in c.90BC
• In 1672, Dutch artist,and inventor Jan Van der Heyden's workshop developed the fire hose. Constructed of flexible leather and coupled every 50 feet (15 m) with brass fittings
• The first real Fire Appliance was invented by John Lofting (1659–1742) who had worked with Jan Van der Heyden in Amsterdam. Lofting moved to London in or about 1688, became an English citizen and patented (patent number 263/1690) the "Sucking Worm Engine" in 1690. There was a glowing description of the firefighting ability of his device in The London Gazette of 17 March 1691

Gelantipy DEPI Fire Support 2014

In February and March 2014, LifeAid was heavily involved in the Victoria bush-fires in support of the CFA (Country Fire Authority) and DEPI (Department of Environment and Primary Industries).

Several rotations of staff occurred in the location of Gelantipy in the Victorian high country.

This fire was one of the largest of the fire season and after combining with the Orbost fire-front a huge swathe of East Gippsland was burnt out.

Views of the fire-front over the hills. At this stage it was about 2-3km away.

 The wind then changed direction shrouding the Gelantipy Camp in Smoke

The days were so hot, even the Ambulance was looking for shade

 As well as providing Emergency call out and fire-front support, LifeAid also provided preventative care and out-patients type services (Complete with comfy chairs).

Unusual CFA Land Rover Defender Fire unit from Metung CFA