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The Brigade

Peninsula Brigade was formed in June 1985. It was the effect of a merger between Bonnells Bay and Morisset Park Bush Fire Brigades.  These brigades merged because NSW Fire Brigades took over the responsibility of the growing township of Morisset from the Morisset Bush Fire Brigade. They also took over part of the Morisset Peninsula. 

[As a side note, some people refer to a Peninsular (notice the 'r') brigade back in the 60's. This brigade was based at Balcolyn, and with dwindling numbers was taken over by Bonnells Bay Bush Fire Brigade. ]

Our Area

The brigade's area has a permanent population of 3000 with 1500 non-permanent. Residents are located in the towns of Balcolyn, Brightwaters, Mirrabooka, Silverwater, Sunshine and Yarrawonga Park on the Morisset Peninsula, as well as areas of Bonnells Bay, Morisset Park and Windermere Park. Dwellings consist of low to medium density housing, small hobby farms and larger properties. On the Morisset Peninsula there are:

  • over 1350 dwellings
  • 3 churches
  • 1 Buddhist temple
  • a small commercial/retail centre including takeaways and a hardware store
  • 1 primary school
  • 1 catholic school
  • 1 catholic camp
  • 2 petrol stations
  • 1 telephone exchange
  • 1 preschools
  • a nursing home and village
  • a hotel/motel and
  • Morisset Hospital

A major component of the Peninsula brigade area is residential housing in clusters surrounding patches of medium timber on both crown and private land.   The remainder consists of medium timber and grazing land.

Our Fire Season

Because of where we are located and our role, our fire season lasts all year, with quiet periods thrown in.  On average we receive around 100 calls per year.  Bush fires make up 40% of our calls.  Bush fires tend to occur from September to February.  It's not uncommon to experience an early fire season around August to September, followed by wet conditions, then a further fire season from January to March.  The brigade is often called away (or volunteers) for task forces / strike teams.

We receive a high number of MVA's, due to the high population in the area, and the close proximity to the F3 freeway.  We also attend structural fires, car fires, power lines down, oil spills, rubbish fires, trees down, and occasionally AFA's.  We are the back up units for Dora Creek and Cooranbong, and sometimes Morisset NSW Fire Brigade.  In a quiet month you could expect 4 fire calls, in a busy month we will see around 15 fire calls.

Peninsula Station

Our station has the basic amenities. It's a two bay station with excellent views.  It has an office, store room, toilet, shower, and a common room. It also stores an amount of replacement equipment.

Junior Brigade

This year Peninsula has joined with Dora Creek to make 1 big junior brigade. The new Central Cadets meets every Wednesday at 6pm for training.  It is structured with it's own captain and is for children aged 12 - 16 years.

Juniors/Cadets learn about fire fighting techniques and practise different types of drills, but don't actually go out on active fire grounds even though they have their own truck.  When they turn 16, they are invited to join the active brigade as an ordinary fire fighter.

 

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2009 / 2010

Field

Captain Darrell Tenbosch
Snr Deputy Captain Noel Townsend
Deputy Captain

Wayne Hart
Dave Lemcke
Craig Bateman

Administration  
President Dane Nielsen
Vice President Terry Burns
Secretary Paul Hanning
Assistant Secretary Dane Nielsen
Treasurer Kristy-Lee Lowe
Assistant Treasurer Dane Nielsen
Executive Member

Terry Burns
Craig Bateman
Ron Harris

Risk Management Terry Burns
Community Education Ron Harris
Training Officer Bill Rollo
Station Officer Noel Townsend
Welfare Officer Kristy-Lee Lowe
Cadet Co ordinator Ron Harris
Assistant Cadet

Neil Carter

Equipment Officer Terry Burns
First Aid Officer Dane Nielsen
BA Officer Ron Harris
IT Officer Dane Nielsen
   
Life Members  
2009 Darrell Tenbosch
  Craig Bateman

Fire Report – June was an above average month with 6 calls. Total Hours was 26, with an average turn out time of 7.5 minutes (We are slipping). Our average crew size was 6.

Long Range forecast – At this time of year it is difficult to get good long range forecasts, but I can tell you the BOM saying that the climate models indicate a warming of the Pacific Ocean which means we will head into “El nino”.

Group Officer Elections – Were held yesterday. We should know the results soon. Expect some changes.

Radio Watch – I have been toying around with running a radio watch on Fridays. If anyone is interested please let me know. When fire season returns I am planning on being here 4 every total fire ban day, as has always been the case. I will not stop any member who wishes to do radio watch, but I need to remind you that to go on Radio Watch you need a crew of 3, including driver & crew leader. Any other time you should still radio on but the term you will use is “at station”

Borrowing Brigade gear – If you wish to borrow any gear from the brigade, you must 1st ask for permission from either me (If it’s equipment off the truck), or the equipment officer (If it’s equipment from the station).

Cameras in the station – Are now operational.

Next Weekend. – Is the Bay fun weekend. We are getting all of the proceeds so I need many members each day. Trucks are to be washed before hand.