Sun, 13 May 2012 14:09:02 +1000WeeblyThu, 10 May 2012 20:52:27 +1000http://www.baxterfirebrigade.com.au/1/post/2012/05/pony-club.htmlLast weekend the volunteers of the Baxter Fire Brigade had the opportuniy to provide gate security for the State Trials that were held at Baxter Park. I would like to thank those members that were able to commit to some fairly cold and damp conditions over night and during the day. The club provided well with hot drinks, meals and a good supply of wood for the fire. hundreds of people came through the gates during the weekend and it was good to see many Baxter locals come up and say hello to the fireys, including some retired members and officers of the Brigade. A big thank also to the Pearcedale Brigade that were able to fill a number of shifts over the weekend.  The pony club also provided both fire brigades with a substantial donation which we are all very greatful for.]]>Thu, 10 May 2012 20:43:29 +1000http://www.baxterfirebrigade.com.au/1/post/2012/05/new-management-team.htmlThe Brigade elections have been completed. A new team of officers will commence work on 1 July with Rod Taylor as 1st Lieutenant, Damian Willmott 2nd, Derek Chugg 3rd, and Dan Reinhardt 4th. Secretary David Hartigan and Treasurer Peter Furze and Communications Officer Ian Winterton remain in thier previous roles.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank the outgoing officers, being Neale Hutcheon and Orson Johnstone for the work they have done for our community over the time they have spent assisting with the running of our volunteer fire brigade.]]>Thu, 03 May 2012 13:50:22 +1000http://www.baxterfirebrigade.com.au/1/post/2012/05/smoke-alarms.htmlWinter is just about here and the smoke coming from the chimneys around town tells me that the temperature inside the houses is dropping fast.

Have you checked the fireplaces and had the chimneys swept?  Are the seals on the doors of the fireplaces still OK?  Does the screen in front of the open fire cover the whole hole?  Are the fire bricks intact and not missing or cracked?

AND HAVE YOU CHECKED YOUR SMOKE ALARMS?

Please spend a couple of minutes and click on the link below that will take you to the current New Zealand Fire Service TV commercial.

It is a very powerful use of pathos and emotion.

http://vimeo.com/38534872

FIRE SAFETY STARTS AT HOME.]]>Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:38:55 +1000http://www.baxterfirebrigade.com.au/1/post/2012/04/burning-off.htmlJust because some one "thinks" that it is OK to burn off , doesn't means it is. The Brigade has been called to a number of burn offs over the last month or so and every one of them has been illegal. We are not the Police or the Council Local Laws Officer, so we explained the situation and made sure the fire are extinguished.

Some of the burn offs have been on road sides, some have been burning stuff other than vegetation, many have been during strong winds and all of them have been outside the Council Law in terms of time, proximatey to other vegetation or in locations that require a permit.

We don't like being called out to these as much as the community does not want us there.  The solution is easy, ask the Council for approval and if they issue a permit then it is OK.

Do the right thing and keep us all a bit safer.]]>Mon, 12 Mar 2012 21:00:43 +1000http://www.baxterfirebrigade.com.au/1/post/2012/03/burn-offs-not-yet-legal.htmlBe aware that the Fire Danger Period is still in force. Whilst it has been a bit cooler and the humidity has been high, there is still a good chance that embers from your burn piles could get away.

There is talk of the restrictions being lifted on Monday 19th, but you should confirm this with your Council before you light up.

Don't get into a situation where the Police are called in. Make sure you get your permit. ]]>Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:12:16 +1000http://www.baxterfirebrigade.com.au/1/post/2012/02/woolies1.htmlI need to send a big thank to Brad and his STAFF at the Woolworths Store in Baxter. There hard work on their day to celebrate their 25th birthday raised over $800.00 and the management matched the community donations dollar for dallar and I have just been presented with a cheque for $1,781.80.  This money will be earmarked to go towards the massive investments facing our community over the long term which include the building of a new fire station (after we find an appropriate piece of land) and the replacement of our old (but very efficient) pumper. That alone will cost upwards of $250,000, so we have a lot to do over the next few years. THANK YOU WOOLIES BAXTER AND THE STAFF. ]]>Sun, 05 Feb 2012 07:28:28 +1000http://www.baxterfirebrigade.com.au/1/post/2012/02/hot-day.htmlThis is just the sort of morning they talk about. Walk outside and it is already warm and dry. Hopefully the humidity will kick in early to reduce the risk of fires, but there is no guarantee this will happen. The Fire Danger Rating for Central District is Very High for today and there is a Total Fire Ban in force. These two things are a good indicator that it is a dangerous day and fires could happen anywhere. So be safe, be alert and be aware. ]]>Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:05:56 +1000http://www.baxterfirebrigade.com.au/1/post/2012/01/woolies.htmlIt's been a while but I have been on holidays. Back just in time to see the real start of the summer for 2012. Fire season is starting to kick in now so it is a time to be vigilant and considerate. The Woolies tag does not relate to the weather.

This is a big thank you to Woolies at Baxter (best Woolies around) for their ongoing support for their Brigade. They had their 25th birthday celebrations last week and raised a few quid for Baxter Fire Brigae. Well done to the company and the staff for their efforts HAPPY BIRTHDAY ]]>Sat, 24 Dec 2011 16:35:08 +1000http://www.baxterfirebrigade.com.au/1/post/2011/12/santa-run.htmlThe truck s are decorated and crews allocated. The Brigade have just left the station for the annual Santas run where the members ferry Santa around the Baxter respoonse area and hand lollies to the children.

The night will be wound up with a Santa shave at the Baxter Shopping Centre Car Park. All monies donated for the opportunity to reveal who Santa is this year will go towards ensuring the Brigade is viable for the next twenty years.

The locations and times for Santa are in the BRATPAC newsletter.

Join in the fun. ]]>Sat, 10 Dec 2011 20:27:54 +1000http://www.baxterfirebrigade.com.au/1/post/2011/12/christmas-cheer.htmlThe members of the Baxter Fire Brigade will be celebrating Christmas with a get together at the Fire Station tomorrow (Sunday) about lunchtime. I believe that I can say on behalf of the community of Baxter, thank you to the members of the Brigade for the work over the last year and may you and your families have a Merry Christmas and a safe summer. ]]>