The A.C.T. Bush Fire Council has recorded its respect, admiration and appreciation for the work of all members of the Bushfire Service in minimising the impact of fire on the A.C.T. so far this year. The policy of early detection, quick response and quick knockdown is working, but it can only be achieved by the efforts of individual members.
We also very much appreciate the support of families and others for the Service. It looks a long, hot summer, and a great deal will be asked of the Service.
Council has asked me to pass this expression of gratitude to all of you, to which I add my personal thanks as I come to the end of my three year term in the Chair.
A safe season to all of you, take care - the community needs you.
M J (Mike) Castle
Executive Director
Emergency Services Bureau
31 December 1997
I would like, through the FIREBREAK Newsletter, to pay tribute to the efforts of all the emergency services members over the festive season. This I believe balances the unwarranted criticism of bushfire fighters by Mr I’ons (Canberra Times Letters 27 December 1997) in relation to the fire on Mount Taylor.
During this unprecedented dry spell with high temperatures and winds the A.C.T. community is well served by the efforts and professionalism of all members in the A.C.T. Bushfire Service, the A.C.T. Fire Brigade and the A.C.T. Emergency Service.
What Mr I’ons and the community may not understand is that the suppression of fires is then usually followed by, sometimes days of, “blacking-out” the burnt area to ensure the fire does not escape the control lines. In the case of the Mount Taylor fire, volunteers and departmental firefighters were on the fireground all through Christmas eve and other crews took over on Christmas morning - a sacrifice not recognized in Mr I’ons letter.
To all members of the A.C.T. Ambulance Service, A.C.T. Bushfire Service, A.C.T. Emergency Service and A.C.T. Fire Brigade, thank you for your contributions to the protection of life and property in the community. Along with members of the Australian Federal Police your efforts are particularly appreciated while the community relaxes and celebrates the festive season.
Gary Humphries MLA
Minister for Police and Emergency Service
15 January 1998
To Peter Lucas-Smith (Chief Fire Control Officer)
I have recieved the below letter from Ms Robyn Kruk, Director-General of the N.S.W. National Parks and Wildlife Service, asking that I pass on her thanks to those involved in fighting fires in the Brindabella National park over the New Year period.
To her thanks, I would like to add my own. We have all witnessed tragedy and devastation too often this fire seaon - to continue to face those dangers while fighting fires and, just as importantly, providing logistical support to fire operations, is a service the entire community recognises as a valuable and selfless one. I certainly appreciate the role of each and everyone of your personnel.
"Robyn Kruk
Director-General
N.S.W. National Parks and Wildlife Service
8 January 1998
Dear Mr Humphries
I refer to the recent fires within the Brindabella National Park which started by lightning on New Years Day. The fire was initially attacked by fire fighting units of the N.S.W. Parks and Wildlife Service and Yarrowlumla Shire Rural Fire Service. Later, as part of the Memorandum of Understanding between our Governments, the A.C.T. Emergency Services Bureau was invited to be involved in the fire operation as joint Incident Controller. This reflected proximity of the fire to the A.C.T. and the threat the fire posed to A.C.T. assets, including the nearby pine forests. It was agreed that the optimum fire control centre for this fire was the A.C.T. Curtin facility.
The quick containment and control of the fire which had the potential to become a major problem was the result of all agencies working together. The cooperative effort between the N.S.W. National Parks and Wildlife Service, A.C.T. Bushfire Service, the A.C.T. Emergency Service, the N.S.W. Rural Fire Service and the N.S.W. State Emergency Service worked efficently and effectively.
I would like especially to thank you for the most professional assistance and support from the A.C.T. Bushfire Service in particular and for the provision of the A.C.T. Incident Control Room. Use of your helicopter for surveillance work and the professional assitance from your staff and volunteers both in the control room and on the fire ground also assisted.
The cooperative effort was a model fire operation.
Thank you once again for your assistance. "
Bob Allison
Fire Control Officer
18 March 1998
Peter Lucas-Smith
Director
Bushfire and Emergency Services
On behalf of the Yarrowlumla and Queanbeyan Rural Fire Service I would like to thank you for your assistance provided at the Lake Road Fire on Friday 13 March 1998.
Despite the extreme weather conditions, heavy forest fuel loadings and severe fire behaviour, property losses were kept to a minimum and the fire was contained to a relative small area. This would not have been possible without help provided by yourself and others. Many of the local residents have contacted me and ask that I pass on their gratitude, to which I add my personal thanks.
It would be appreciated if you could pass on these comments to any of your people involved in this operation.
Peter Lucas-Smith
Director
Bushfire & Emergency Service
I wish to thank your Service most sincerely for the excellent support provided by your teams during the most difficult response operation we have experienced.
Your volunteers acquitted themselves admirably and their skills were more than equal to the tasks allocated.
Thanks once again.