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Hi folks, back with some more news from Kariong Rural Fire Brigade for
this
month.
Well, talk about your topsy-turvy weather, one minute we've got a
spring-like day and next it's freezing cold again but one thing's for
sure
and that is there's not a lot of rain about. That combination of cool
weather and dryness is ideal for hazard reductions and that's what's
been
happening in the past few weeks and will do so throughout August. The
RFS in
conjunction with other authorities will be burning off selected areas of
bush in preparation for the summer months ahead and I'm guessing
thatyou've
already seen and smelt the smoke in the air. No need to be alarmed but
take
precautions if you are in a smoky area by closing doors and windows,
bring
in any washing and if you have any medical conditions such as asthma, be
prepared and stay
indoors while the burn-off or smoke is about. Simple things but well
worth
thinking about.
My pet "irrit" for this month is that insidious, irresponsible and
down-right dangerous breed inhabiting our roads. Who is he talking
about? I
hear you say. The DRUNK DRIVER that's who. We've all seen the ads, heard
the
statistics and watched the news reports on telly and I'm sure even Mr. &
Mrs. Fred Citizen knows the score on the whole deal but do you think the
message has sunk in yet? You be the judge. From where I stand being a
part
of an emergency service, it can drive you to despair particularly when
you
attend an accident where you see mums, dads and kids sitting around
their
belongings strewn all over the road. The family car is damaged or worse
and
the offending driver who hit them, who is being interviewed by the
constabulary, is oblivious to what's happened because all they can
remember
is leaving the pub, club or mates place and can hardly stand up. Please,
do
your friendly emergency service personal a big favour, if you drink then
DON'T DRIVE.
OK, as promised I'm going to profile another one of Kariong RFS's finest
this month. I've probed long and hard into the goings on of our "Supreme
Commander" well, Captain anyway Mr. Barry Myers. It all happened in 1994
for
Barry when he came to Kariong with his family after years of "soft
living"
in sandshoe alley or Manly as most would know it. That year NSW
experienced
the worse bushfires ever and along with Bazza's mate Dave Catt,
encouraged
him to join the service and as Barry put it, "I came up to the station,
liked what I saw and joined". He says that, at the time he can still
remember the anxiety and turmoil of that year particularly in December
when
he received a real Baptism of fire being caught in a fire over-run at an
incident in Dell Road West Gosford. With fire all around and the
pressure of
an injured crewman, Baz still has vivid memories of the day and is one
he
would rather not ever have to relive. Over the years he has attended
many
calls for help going as far as Coonabarrabran and Wollondilly to assist
in
fire fighting operations there. He attributes his rise into the ranks
from
encouragement given him by other members of the brigade namely Kirri
Vile
and Mal Smit. Barry became senior deputy in 1999 then Captain in 2001
and
has been joined by his long suffering wife Lorraine who was treasurer
for the
brigade for 7 years and his daughter Sam who was secretary for 2 years
so
the RFS appears to be a family thing down at the Myers household. These
days
Barry is regarded as the elder statesman around town with his recent
elevation to Deputy Group Captain.
So that's it in a nutshell. An eventful journey in the service with many
more years to come.
That's it troops. Seeya next month.
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