Mobile boost for fire-fighting plans

Caboolture Sports Club (CSC) has donated more than $11,000 to the Caboolture Group Rural Fire Brigade – despite having to abandon most of its fundraising plans.

The donation is being used by the rural fireys to start efforts to buy a mobile command vehicle, says Caboolture Group Officer Thomas Mathews.

Tony Clarke, CSC Group Sport and Community Manager, says fundraising efforts started in February in response to last summer’s devasting fire season.

CSC Group had a series on fundraising initiatives planned over the winter months including bingo, raffles, meal deals, barefoot bowls and a special bushfire cocktail dinner.

But the COVID-19 pandemic quickly put a stop to all fundraising efforts.

Collection tins

The donation total was made up of funds provided by members through the collection tins at each venue and a donation by CSC on behalf of the board of directors.

It comes as the community needs to think about staying safe ahead of another summer of potential fire danger.

The brigades have already responded to fires in Wamuran, Mt Mee, Delaneys Creek, Pumicestone, Mt Delaney, Neurum, Kurwongbah and Moorina.

Control point

The new mobile command vehicle would travel to a forward control point of fire areas from which incident management, communications, tactical strategy planning, logistics, resource deployment and personnel support is able to be better coordinated.

The vehicle will be equipped with computers and monitors, large area maps, map draws, whiteboards, communication equipment, tables, chairs, shade tents, a generator and fridge among other supplies.

Caboolture Group Rural Fire Brigade includes the local units of Toorbul, Pumicestone, Delaney’s Creek, Mt Mee, Wamuran, Rocksberg and Narangba.

Volunteers needed

Currently, command operations take place from within one of the Brigades’ fire trucks, which in turn, limits the ability for that vehicle to respond directly to fire fronts or undertake back-burning efforts.

Alongside its goals to buy a mobile command vehicle, Caboolture Group Rural Fire Brigade is calling for volunteers to help with its various roles include command operations, communications, incident control, fire planning and investigation, fire crew support, and of course fire-fighting.

CSC Group includes Caboolture Sports Club, North Lakes Sports Club and Centenary Lakes Sports Club & Function Centre.

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