Achieve Records from 2004

On this page you will find news, events and stories from 2004. You can also find links to stories that were published in the Maitland Mercury.

Kurri Kurri Fire Brigade plans 100^th birthday celebration - Issued: 17/11/2004

Busy Week for Local Fire Brigades - Issued: 14/05/2004

No Fires Without Permits - Issued: 01/11/2004

Kurri Kurri Fire Brigade plans 100^th birthday celebration 2

Media Release: 17/11/2004 Issued By: Capt K. Maxwell

The NSW Fire Brigades (NSWFB) is calling on past members of the Kurri Kurri Fire Brigade to become involved in the Brigade’s centenary celebrations on 5 February 2005.

Kurri Kurri Station Commander, Captain Ken Maxwell, said plans for the 100^th birthday bash were well underway, with many members of the community getting involved.

“Because this is a celebration marking 100 years of the Kurri Kurri Brigade, we’d like as many firefighters as possible who’ve made this such a great brigade to be a part of it,” Captain Maxwell said.

“If you or a family member served as a firefighter at Kurri Kurri, contact us at the fire station to find out about taking part in the special parade down Lang and Barton Streets, which will also feature vintage fire trucks, as part of the celebrations.”

Captain Maxwell said Kurri Kurri Tidy Towns was also calling for anyone with old photographs, especially of local firefighters in action, for a display they are putting together.

Tickets are on sale for the Fire Brigades Dinner Dance to be held on Saturday 5 February at Kurri Kurri Bowling Club. Tickets are $30 each and are available by phoning 4937 1025. Local resident Elizabeth Wood, and mother of firefighter Simon Wood, has made a quilt, commemorating the Kurri Kurri Fire Brigade centenary, which will be raffled to raise money to help fund a mural.

Town Coordinator Wendy Franklin said a mural on the side of the fire station would be unveiled as part of the celebrations.

‘The mural will be painted by artist Jeremy Kang and will be on the eastern wall of the fire station. The Fire Brigade is an integral part of the establishment of the town, and it is fitting that we have a mural to commemorate this important occasion,’ said Wendy

Anyone wanting further information about the Kurri Kurri Fire Brigade 100^th Birthday Celebrations should contact Captain Maxwell on 4937 1025.

Busy Week for Local Fire Brigades

Media Release: 14/05/2004 Issued By: Capt K. Maxwell

You might be mistaken for thinking that this time of year is a quite time for your local fire brigades at Kurri Kurri, Weston and Abermain. "The next few months are notorious for house fires" said Ken Maxwell Captain of the Kurri Kurri Brigade. It is this time of year that people start using their heaters, electric blankets and clothes dryers more. If these appliances are not properly maintained they can start a fire. "In fact the Kurri Kurri Brigade has attended 15 incidents in the last 9 days" Captain Maxwell said.

Kurri Kurri Brigade has responded to a House Fire in Heddon St, 2 car fires one at Loxford and the other at Stanford Merthyr. Power Lines Down and Burst Water Main Maitland St Stanford Merthyr, a ruptured gas line at Kurri TAFE, a spillage on the road in Lang St, Bush Fire Behind Kurri Hospital. 2 backyard fires one in Mitchell Ave and the other at Cliftleigh and 4 False Alarms. The largest fire occurred on Friday Morning 7^th May. At about 5.30 am brigades from Kurri Kurri and Weston were responded to numerous 000 calls to a building fire at the Kurri Wreakers corner of Railway Parade and Alexander St. Upon arrival the brigades were confronted with a large building fully engulfed in flames and called for assistance of additional units from Abermain and Maitland. A special aerial unit from Mayfield West and the Hazmat Unit from Newcastle were also dispatched to the scene. Roads in the area were closed by Police who also kept bystanders at a safe distance. Energy Australia attended to disconnect power to the building. Ambulance crews also attended. Large volumes of water were required, so much that the water mains in the area were struggling to cope, so an additional unit was dispatched from Cessnock as well as 2 Bulk water tankers from the Rural Fire Service, Hunter Water Staff also attended. Special hazards faced by the fire-fighters were oxy acetylene and LPG cylinders that were inside the building. The building was destroyed and partially collapsed. The fire took 4 hours to extinguish then the Police Crime Scene Officers moved in to commence their investigations. Investigations are continuing and the exact cause is still to be determined.

No Fires Without Permits

Issued By: NSW Rural Fire Service 01/11/2004

Fire permits are now required across all of NSW except the Tumbarumba local government area.

Fire permits can be obtained from Rural Fire Brigade stations, RFS Fire Control Centres and NSW Fire Brigade stations.

During a Total Fire Ban permits are suspended and no fire of any kind may be lit in the open.

This includes incinerators and barbecues, which burn solid fuel, e.g. wood or charcoal. You may use a gas or electric barbecue, but only if.

	It is on residential property within 20m of the house or dwelling;
	It is under the direct control of a responsible adult;
	The ground around the barbecue is cleared for 3m of all material which could burn;
	You have a continuous supply of running water.

You may require a Bush Fire Hazard Reduction Certificate if using fire for hazard reduction purposes. The RFS can assist. Contact your RFS Fire Control Centre.

``We ask people to be careful with weather conditions which can cause fires to burn out of control and escape, causing damage to life, property and the environment,'' RFS Commissioner Phil Koperberg said.

``We encourage people to get advice from their RFS Fire Control Centre on how to safely conduct burning activities and how to prepare your homes and families for the next bushfire season by doing hazard reduction work.

``If an environmental approval or consent is required, the RFS can assist private property owners in bushfire prone areas with this by providing free environmental assessment and issuing of Bush Fire Hazard Reduction Certificates.''

For More information regarding fire permits contact the station or visit the NSWFB web site www.nswfb.nsw.gov.au