On Tuesday the15th April we left around 9.15am with only 7 Sticky Beaks on board. This time we headed to the CITIES METROPOLITAN FIRE STATION for our monthly Sticky beak.
Having been booked in by our highly efficient secretary GAE at the MOSHCC for our arranged tour we proceeded hoping to be there at the station by 10.30am thus having to forgo our usual stop for a cuppa and biscuit. Allow for the traffic going to the city then finding a park we made it to the main entrance to the fire station at 10.25am.
We were met at the highly secured building (like Fort Knox) by a young fireman named Lockie.
With a quick introduction he pointed out that the Adelaide Station is the Headquarters for the SOUTH AUSTRALIAN METROPOLITAN FIRE SERVICE.
It is an operating Station, manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year.
Throughout the day there can be hundreds of operational and non-operational staff at the Station.
The firefighters at the METROPOLITAN Stations work on a shift roster over 4 days. Two 10-hour days followed by two 14-hour nights then 4 days off.
From the front entrance he escorted us out through the station to a very large compound where the fire trucks are kept.
Out on the yard we watched firemen training with their equipment.
Walking past each appliance Lockie pointed out what each appliance (truck)carried on board. The first truck they call a (PUMPER) used mainly for small fires, grass fires, vehicle fires, etc which carry approximately 2,000 litres of water and an assortment of safety gear like emergency apparatus, extra fire hoses, jaws of life, stretchers, chainsaw, ropes. The vehicle is well laid out and very versatile.
Then on to the HAZ MAT (Hazard Material) vehicle. This vehicle carries various levels of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) which include: chemical suits, breathing apparatus, specialized gloves and boots to protect from hazards. Some trucks carry chemical detection equipment to identify specific substances and to assess the level of contamination. On board they also carry plugs for sealing punctures, I’m assuming chemical drums of the like, not tyre punctures on your kid’s bike. Absorbent material for containing and cleaning up materials.
They may have on board depending on the emergency decontamination showers for removing containment from their fire suits and equipment after the incident.
Then on to the BRONTO LADDER TRUCK Appliance vehicle. This vehicle is used for high building rescue. Carrying similar equipment on board it is mainly used to fight fires high up reaching to the height of 48 metres.
Having a safety bucket on the end of the boom in which the firemen are lifted along with their firefighting equipment saves the fireman from climbing the 48 metres, although there is still a ladder attached on the boom in case it’s needed.
Lockie pointed out that while ones concentration is on the job in hand, when in the bucket (although completely safe) one can’t help feeling the sway of the bucket 48 metres above the ground.
This escorted tour lasted approximately one and a half hours and we were still trying to absorb all the information of their constant training and equipment they use in their trucks to save the lives of you and me as we said our thanks when the tour ended.
Off for some lunch we headed to the Adelaide Markets in Gouger St hoping to find something to eat. Well, which door do we go in as some of us had never been to the Markets, some went 50 years ago and I went about 20yrs ago and how much has it changed? We entered a door into Chinatown and found a seat so we could have lunch not knowing there were so many food outlets further along in the markets. Not bothering to go further we settled. Some ordered Chinese food other weren’t sure so didn’t eat. Not their type of food.
Little did we know, so we slowly ambled back to the bus parked down the street somewhat we headed for Macca’s at Mt Barker for the traditional soft serve. We arrived back home around 3pm. The day was great and enjoyed by the 7 Sticky Beaks Norman, William, Mel, Alan, Ron, Tony and myself Gerry.
Remember to check your SMOKE DETECTOR BATTERIES and organize with your family in having an escape plan in case of fire in your home. STAY SAFE.
If you would like to venture on the next Sticky Beaks trip contact the MOSHCC.
Cheers Gerry