Hello to you all again.  Well it has been a couple of months since the last time since I have put pen to paper ( or in my case used my two typing fingers ) since the last report

Once again the Brigade and crew have been keeping ourselves busy, we have been fortunate enough for the weather conditions to be favourable thus enabling us to complete several controlled burns around the district. By doing these controlled burns it works in our favour in three ways:
Hazard Reduction 
Brigade Training
Creates a patchwork of burnt ground. 
All three of these factors make our job easier once fire season is upon us, if you are concerned about the fuel loading around your property there are some things that you as a landholder can do:
Slash excess grass in your paddocks
Ensure that excess foliage is clear around your home
Fire breaks
Burn any unwanted stacks of timber on your place
Controlled burn of your property
Keep gutters clean and free of excess debris
All of these suggestions will help you and your property in the event of fire.  Local contractors can help you with slashing and earthworks; your local brigade can help you with the burning of stacks and property; and you can clean your gutters and foliage from around your house.  If you are not sure about what to do around your place, or what order to do it in, you could ring your local brigade contact ie. Officer or fire warden (phone nombers in local directory and newsletters.  Also see the back section of this year’s Dayboro Progress Association Calendar or, for the most up-to-date information, go online to http://www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au/ and click on Fire Warden finder). 
Please remember NO PERMIT NO FIRE.  On that note recently we were called out to a wildfire in the Basin area.  We turned out two crews and appliances only to find out it was a landholder who had not obtained a fire permit and Firecom hadn’t been notified.  As it turned out the landholder had the fire under control but this still doesn’t make it ok - It was a waste of resources.  All of this could have been avoided if the landholder had done what he was supposed to do.  Fire permits don’t cost you anything.  Do the right thing and it makes everybody’s life easier.
Now on a lighter note 9 crew members have just completed their Certificate 1 Chainsaw Course.  Other members have also completed training in Air attack guidelines and Rural pump operations.  Training is ongoing at the brigade with different aspects covered monthly.  At our last meeting in July, it was pleasing to see some new faces present and keen to get involved.  We had 2 juniors and 4 seniors filling out the paperwork to join the brigade.
Meetings are on the second Wednesday of the month and training is on the third Wednesday.  All are welcome to attend. 
Remember prevention is better than a cure.  Think smart and don’t be afraid to make a call and ask some questions.
Trevor Brown