19 fire fighters perished

[Red Amor]

My Elder Brother Terry is a firery in NSW Australia

I worrie about him every time I here they have trouble up there
Im not a prayin kinda guy but I will say a few you the brave men lost you
may their God bless them

 

[Karl Robbers]

Only just last night there was a segment on a local current affairs television program dealing with the "red tape" that is being experienced by people rebuilding in Dunalley after a major fire ripped through there earlier this year.
Dunalley is on the Tasman Peninsula at the southern end of the state, primarily a fishing village with a fair number of retired persons also. In the devastating fores that swept through the area I would estimate that 75-85% of structures were lost although there was no loss of life. How I still do not know. If you have ever seen pictures of Hiroshima after the bomb was dropped, you will be able to picture Dunalley post fire.
Anyway the main thrust of the arguments were the fact that the people rebuilding had to comply with the current building codes for bushfire prone areas. One man complained that he now had to spend $1700 to put in a 10,000 litre tank with a Fire Service standard coupling for future fire fighting.
I have great sympathy for the residents of Dunalley and in fact my Brigade from the north east of our state sent 1 truck load of hay and several truck loads of household goods to add to the relief effort, but I do not have any sympathy for those wishing to circumvent relevant standards or codes. The $1700 for a water tank is miniscule in the cost of replacing a complete house and as any firie knows, without water all we are is a fancy red taxi full of men and women in yellow clown suits.
These people had seen the very fires of hell, yet don't want to work to best practice. One said that he should be exempt because "It's not a new dwelling, the only reason I am rebuilding is because it burnt down" Hello, doesn't that mean that fire is a hazard that needs managing.
It seems that despite the thousands of miles separating our countries, we have much in common.

 

[1Alpha1]

It was just reported on the news, that the 19 fire fighters left the area that was threatening them and retreated to "the black", a term used to describe a previously burnt area that is considered / thought to be safe.

They radioed that they were in the black and had made it safely. Then......for some unknown reason, they left the black and attempted to make it to a ranch that was about 1/4 mile away, that was still in an unburnt area.

It was at this time, that they became surrounded by flame and they then deployed their personal shelters.

 

[1Alpha1]

The remains of the 19 fire fighters that perished in the wild land fire, were returned home today, for services and burial.

This community has been emotionally devastated. I think the whole community was out and awaiting the arrival of the 19 hearses.

The memorial service is planned for Tuesday, and will be a ticketed event. Meaning that the general public will have to attend outside the building and watch the service on a jumbo tron. Only family, VIP's, fellow fire fighters, politicians, govt. officials and others associated in one way or another, will be allowed inside. Word is, VP Biden will be attending.

The venue (bldg.) that will house the service, is approx. 1.5 miles from where I live. It's gonna be so very packed with people, that I plan to watch the service on tv.