So far during calendar year 2012 we have turned out to 15 incidents.
09-Feb 1715hrs Five firefighters were aboard Tanker One as it turned out in response to a call to investigate a suspected burn-off taking place on a property in Blackwood Lane, Gembrook. On arrival at the nominated address the crew immediately placed a stop on any further assistance being required extingished the fire and the incident controller had a talk to the property owner regarding the fire which had been lit despite the fact fire restrictions had been introduced by the Shire on 23 January and that the should property owner should have acquired a permit from the Shire prior to the burn off.
04-Feb 1213hrs The brigade received a call that smoke had been seen emanating from a property in Beenak East Road, Gembrook. On arriving at the scene the fire fighters found the property owner involved in burning off some cuttings and explained to the resident that fire restrictions were in place and that a permit is required to burn off at this time. The property owners stated that they were unaware that restrictions had been introduced. The crews then returned to the fire station. Nil further action.
02-Feb 1148hrs Tanker One with a crew of five aboard headed off to investigate a report that a burn-off was taking place on a property on Paternoster Road, Cockatoo. The Gembrook crew carried out an thorough investigation into the report and eventually found a small burn-off taking place alongside the road, about 200 metres west of Paternoster Road's intersection with Emerald-Beaconsfield Road, which is on the boundary of the Emerald CFA's zone. By the time the tanker and crew arrived at the exact location a property owner had very effectively extinguished the burn-off of pine needles and was spoken to by the Officer-in-Charge. The property owner explained that she was not aware that Fire Restrictions had been brought into force and was advised that contact with the CFA website or a call to the local council would have saved her from the embarrassment she had endured. The tanker and crew then returned to the fire station where four additional members had remained on stand-by. Nil further action.
01-Feb 1418hrs Gembrook's Tanker One rolled out with five crew on board in support of Cockatoo CFA following a call to investigate a possible burn-off underway on a propety in Mountain Road, Cockatoo. The crews from Cockatoo and Gembrook inspected the area where the fire was allegedly burning to no avail and the turn-out was recorded as a false alarm.
30-Jan 2035hrs It sometimes happens that a fire call is received when the volunteers are at the fire station (or thereabouts) for a training session and that was exactly what happened with this call. As soon as the call was received to support Cockatoo to attend an 'undefined' fire at or near the intersection of Warratah Way & Flora Close, Cockatoo the six crew members involved in training aboard Tanker One headed off to the location. On arrival they found that the Cockatoo volunteer fire fighters were in attendance and had the situation in hand and that their services were not required. They then headed on back to the fire station and resumed training exercises.
24-Jan 1239hrs Our firefighters turned out in response to a call that a fire was burning on a block of land in Devon Avenue, Cockatoo. On arrival at the location the Gembrook crew linked up with the Cocaktoo CFA's fire fighters. It was evident that the fire was the result of a legal burn-off (that is, set on fire before fire restrictions came into force) of building materials where a new home is being constructed. It was determined that the fire had re-ignited and the fire crews could deal with the issue without any difficulty.
16-Jan 1449hrs This turnout call was in relation to a house fire at the intersection of Evans and Pancake Creek Roads, Cockatoo. Tankers One and Two responded 'code one' (lights and sirens) to the site, some six kilometres distant from the fire station. On arrival at the scene Gembrook's crews worked with the Cockatoo fire fighters fighting the fire which had a good hold on the premises. Further appliances responded from Emerald, Macclesfield, Yellingbow and Pakenham Upper meaning that there were eight appliances, plus the CFA Breathing Apparatus unit from Frankston. In total there were 24 fire fighters at the scene, while an additional seven firefighters remained on standby at Gembrook ready to provide support to their colleagues if required. An ambulance was also in attendance but the crew was not required to provide medical aid as no victims were involved in the blaze, however the crew did maintain a close watch on the fire fighters as the temperature at the time was in the low-to-mid 30's and dehydration and heat exhaustion was an ever present risk.
11-Jan 1730hrs A total of eight firefighters crewing Tankers 1 & 2 and the FCV attended in response to a call that a power line on Beenak East Road in the vicinity of the intersection with Morbey Road, Gembrook was sparking and giving passing pedestrians and traffic cause for concern. On arrival it was found that a tree in Morbey had been blown over by stong winds and fallen across power lines, causing a chain reaction back to the power lines in Beenak East Road. The crews set up an 'exclusion zone' and alerted the power supply company about the problem. Police who also attended at the scene took over responsiblity for the maintenance of the problem area, releasing the fire fighters who returned to the fire station at about 1845hrs. As a foot note, the damage caused was so severe, power supply was not restored to numerous households 'down stream' from the incident until around 0230hrs the next morning.
10-Jan 1759hrs Right on tea-time came the call to a grass and scrub fire on a property on Launching Place Road, Gembrook (between Warwick and Beenak Roads). There was a total of 12 firefighters that responded in both Tankers and the FCV. On arrival the crews found that a relatively small legal burn off had caused embers to lodge in the bark of some surrounding trees and the attempts by the property owner to extinguish them didn't meet with any success. It was decided the matter was relatively minor and back up appliances on their way to the scene were advised that their services were not required. Tanker 1's powerful water pump was brought into action and the problem was fixed. Both tankers and the FCV then returned to the station.
08-Jan 1012hrs Tanker 1 with a crew of four and Tanker 2 with two crew, turned out to an incident in Knights Road, Gembrook. On arrival at the scene it was determined that fire fighters were not required and both appliances and crews returned to the fire station where an additional six volunteer fire fighters were on standby and waiting to see whether their services were required.
07-Jan 2011hrs Gembrook was called on to provide support to the Cockatoo Fire Brigade that had been turned out to a scrub fire in Maurice Street, Cockatoo. The Gembrook six crew members travelling on Tanker One upon receiving a message that the fire call was a 'false alarm' performed a '180' before they reached the nominated location and returned to the fire station, where four additional fire fighters had remained on standby, should their services be required.
07-Jan 1832hrs A report was received that an alarm has been heard operating on a property behind a home in Beenak East Road, Gembrook. Three firefighters on Tanker One and a further three on Tanker Two turned out and spoke to the resident who had reported the incident. Upon investigation the crews found that indeed there was an alarm operating on the property adjacent to the caller's home and it was located in a refrigerator, located in a shed on the neighbouring property. The situation resulted in a number of fire fighters feeling somewhat perplexed and in the property owner's absence, trying to determine the reason for the alarm activating. With no easy solution at hand the teams returned to the fire station where two additional members were on hand to help if required.
04-Jan 2248hrs A report that explosions had been heard and there was a bonfire burning in the Kurth Kiln park area resulted in Gembrook's Tanker 1 and the Forward Command Vehicle (FCV) turning out with five and four fire-fighters respectively to the intersection of Beenak and Soldiers Road, Gembrook - about six kilometres from the fire station. On arrival people using the Kurth Kiln camping area provided the Officer-In-Charge with information regarding activities in the immediate vicinity, but nothing that fell within the crews' responsibilities. In the knowledge that the police had also been notified about the activities which may have been responsible for the report of explosions being heard. The crews and their vehicles returned to the fire station without further incident.
04-Jan 0803hrs Four crew members headed out from the fire station following an call to triple zero reporting a tree fire in the vicinity of the intersection of Ure and Old Soldiers Road, Gembrook. On arrival at the scene the crew discovered a tree was smouldering following a suspected lightning strike, due to electrical storm activity that was moving through the area at the time. The crew blacked-out the tree and returned to the fire station where two more members remained on standby.
2-Jan 1537hrs On a day of total fire ban for Central District (and three others) the call alerting the brigade to a paddock fire close to the intersection of Ure and Old Soldiers Road (about 6kms from the fire station) resulted in a swift response involving Tanker One with five crew, Tanker Two with three crew and the Forward Command Vehicle (FCV) carrying two more fire fighters. On arrival at the scene which has been reported by one of our fire fighters who happened to be passing and noticed the problem, the crews found that a previously legally lit burn-off from a day or two before, had re-ignited. While it was extremely hot (around 40c) the weather was otherwise relatively benign and prompt action by the fire fighters restricted the spread to about 30 square metres (100 x 100 feet). So swift was the response and subsequent action that additional fire appliances heading to the scene from other brigades in support, were called-off as the fire was controlled and their services were no longer required.
During calendar year 2011 we turned out to 49 incidents.
29-Dec 2209hrs Five fire fighters were on board Tanker One when it left the fire station in response to a call to investigate the cause of an 'explosion' that had been heard in the vicinity of Pakenham Road, Pakenham Upper somewhere between Paternoster and Mann Roads. An additional six members were at the fire station also ready to turn out in the event their services were required. However as the Tanker was about to arrive at the nominated location, the Pakenham Upper brigade call a stop to additional responses and the Gembrook Tanker and crew headed back 'home'.
24-Dec 2134.16hrs On this occasion Gembrook was called on to provide assistance to Cockatoo Fire Brigade at a tree at an address on Woori Yallock Road, Cockatoo. Tanker 2 with two crew members responded but, the response was called off en route and the tanker and its crew headed back to the fire station.
24-Dec 2134.00hrs This was the first of two calls received within 30 seconds. (Note the times in the second column). This report indicated there was a fire of unknown origin in Williamsons Road, Gembrook. Initially tanker 2 responded to the report of a fire in a resident's property while five members also turned out in Tanker One to the same incident expecting a genuine fire. On arrival they discovered the resident burning a small amount of garden rubbish as he was allowed to do in the situation where fire restrictions have not yet been imposed. The Forward Control vehicle that also response with 2 members and the tanker returned to the station to await the expected call about some bearded red faced grandpa flying through the sky. During the course of this incident Tanker 2 left the area in response to another fire call. (See above).
14-Dec 1946hrs An 'undefined fire' necessitated a response and three of our members turned out on Tanker One to an address in Main Street, Gembrook. The fire turned out to be a resident burning a small heap of rubbish, grass clippings etc. which, in the absence of fire restrictions, was CFA legal but may have caused some concern to Shire by-laws officers. The tanker's crew after inspecting the situation returned to the fire station where an additional four colleagues were on standby.
10-Dec 2203hrs Six fire fighters were aboard Tanker 1 when it turned out to the report of a shed fire on a private property in Kitchener Street, Cockatoo. Both Cockatoo appliances also turned out and the Gembrook crew received a follow-up message before arriving at the specified location advising that their services were not required. The Tanker returned to the fire station where an additional two members were on hand to provide additional assistance if required.
03-Dec 2326hrs Gembrook CFA was called to attend a motor vehicle accident reportedly at the intersection of Launching Place and Beenak East Roads. It was subsequently discovered that in fact rather than being in the middle of Gembrook, the accident had occurred at the corner of Launching Place and Beenak Roads some 13 kilometres away, (not far from Ship Rock). When the crew arrived they found the ambulance and police were at the scene and they were requested to perform traffic control duties and and clean up activities. The four crew members involved with Tanker One returned to the station at 0114hrs.
26-Nov 2319hrs While the Gembrook area was receiving a total of around 70mm of rain overnight, Tanker One with four crew responded to Halifax Road, Gembrook where a tree was reported to have fallen across a SWER electricity cable, blocking the road. The cable was very much alive arcing and burning the tree even in heavy rain. The crew sheltered from the rain in their truck and was prepared to keep traffic away from the scene for the two hours it took the power supply authority's maintenance staff to arrive at the scene of the incident. It was noted that once the problem had been resolved, the tanker and crew returned to the fire station at 0114hrs Sunday morning.
25-Nov 1621hrs Cockatoo was once again the destination when the Gembrook Tanker One carrying four members was called on to attend at a spreading grass fire in the vicinity of 38 Pakenham Road, Cockatoo. During the trip to the nominated location Cockatoo CFA notified Gembrook that they were no longer required and the Gembrook Tanker 'about-turned' and headed back home before reaching the incident.
20-Nov 1401hrs On this occasion the crew were once again responding to a call to assist Cockatoo at the scene of another gas leak. Gembrook's three person crew travelled to the scene in Tanker One and on arrival conducted an inspection of the incident at which the leaking gas pipe was sealed with vice-grip pliers. The problem solved, the Gembrook crew returned to their fire station and were then stood down.
16-Nov 1417hrs Gembrook Tanker one with a crew of three fire fighters on board again headed off to Cockatoo following the receipt of a call to determine the cause behind a report that explosions had been heard in the vicinity of 40 Second Avenue, Cockatoo. A further report was received before the Gembrook appliance reached its intended destination indicating Gembrook was no longer required. The Tanker and crew returned to the fire station.
15-Nov 1504hrs A report of smouldering sleepers on the Puffing Billy rail line was the reason for three Gembrook fire fighters to travel to the scene of the incident near the Cockatoo Rail Station. While members of the Cockatoo CFA walked the rain line looking for any sign of the smouldering sleepers, Gembrook carried our a quick investigation with a negative result then returned in the tanker to their home base.
14-Nov 1120hrs Gembrook's fire fighters were called on to assist their Cockatoo colleagues at the scene of a gas leak at a property on the Belgrave-Gembrook Road in Cockatoo. A contractor had punctured a street gas main. The pipe had been sealed and Gembrook's Tanker One carrying four crew investigated the incident and with the incident under control, they returned to the fire station.
12-Nov 2241hrs The brigade was turned out to a report that there was a smouldering car fire on Ash Landing Road, Gembrook. Tanker One with a crew of five members travelled to the location that was within the Bunyip State Park and on arrival the crew determined that the vehicle was probably a stolen car that had been burnt out sometime earlier. The crew reported back and advised that the police should be notified about their find and returned to the fire station.
28-Oct 1926hrs A total of 12 firefighters responded to a call that there was a roof fire in business premises in McBrideStreet, Cockatoo which is the major shopping strip in that township. Tanker One was crewed by five of those 12 members when it left the fire station to assist the Cockatoo fire fighters at the scene of this incident. On arrival the crews from Gembrook, Cockatoo and Emerald searched for the cause of the report. The search found a damaged light fitting and there was the smell of smoke in the area. It was suspected lightning activity around the location at the time of the call may have given rise to the damage and smell and a thermal imaging device identified a small hot spot in the premise's ceiling area. An electrician was called and after he examined the area he declared that there was no further cause for concern on the part of the fire fighters. The appliances and their crews then returned to their respective fire stations.
22-Oct 1842hrs A report was received that a gas bottle, located close to a fire was leaking and Gembrook Fire Brigade was asked to assist the Cockatoo Fire Brigade at a private property in Lisheeen Road, Cockatoo. Five firefighters turned out in response to the call, however shortly after the crew gathered a supplementary message was received indicating Gembrook's assistance at the incident was no longer required.
05-Oct 1648hrs This turn out related to an automatic alarm that was activated at Puffing Billy's railway station in Main Street, Gembrook. It is a substantial building and eight members turned out immediately when the alarm sounded. When the first group of fire fighters arrived at the fire station they were greeted by the Officer in Charge at the railway station (which is less than 150 metres from the fire station) who had a story to tell. The 'story' meant the fire call was cancelled. It is spring. Being that time of the year where the birds and bees become particularly active, it seems some flying insects were involved in a 'romantic' embrace inside a 'bug zapper' that was active at the time. When their embrace took them toward the deadly grill ... there was this puff of smoke from the zapper, that reached the smoke detector, activating the automatic alarm. Knowing smiles greeted the story and the fire fighters were stood down and the call was cancelled.
22-Sep 1026hrs The responding crew turned out on Tanker One in response to a report from a local government officer that leaves were burning unattended in a gutter in Main Street less than a kilometre from the fire station. On arrival the crew found that the fire had burnt itself out and there was no action to be undertaken. With no further action required the tanker and crew returned to the fire station.
20-Sep 1208hrs A total of 8 members responded to a call to assist Cockatoo Fire Brigade following a report that a car was on fire in Cockatoo's main shopping centre area (McBride Street). Four members boarded Gembrook's Tanker One and headed off toward Cockatoo, but after travelling only about one and a half kilometres from the fire station there was a further message indicating Gembrook's crew was not required and the Tanker and its crew turned back and found that the additional members were at the fire station on standby should they be required. Nil further action.
16-Aug 1048hrs Four members responded to a call to assist the Cockatoo Fire Brigade at a washaway in the vicinity of the Woori Yallock and Bedford Roads intersection. However, before the crew could board the tanker at the Gembrook fire station, a follow-up call was received advising that Gembrook's assistance was no longer required. The crew members then stood down.
15-Aug 1719hrs Tanker One carrying a crew of five headed off to Cockatoo to assist in the investigation into a report that there was the smell of something burning inside the Cockatoo Community Childcare facility in Pakenham Road, Cockatoo. On arrival and investigation was conducted but the crew was unable to identify any problems and returned to the Gembrook fire station about half-an-hour after responding to the call. Nil further action.
12-Aug 2233hrs Four fire fighters were aboard Tanker One and two more on Tanker Two in response to a call that explosions had been heard in the vicinity of the intersection of Beenak East Road and Currawong Drive, Gembrook which is approximately 10 kilometres from the fire station and is surrounded by the Bunyip State Park. On arrival at the scene, Tanker One carried out an investigation and having found nothing, asked a local resident for information about the report. The resident indicated he thought some fireworks had been set off in the area, but had no further information. Tanker One advised Tanker Two about the outcome of the enquiry and both Tankers returned to the fire station, where two more members remained on standby should their services be required.
04-Aug 1806hrs Gembrook received a call to assist Cockatoo at the scene of a building fire at or near the intersection of Mountain and Woori Yallock Roads, Cockatoo. However, Tanker One had travelled only a few hundreds metres toward Cockatoo when a message was received indicating Gembrook's services were no longer needed. Nil further action.
30-Jul 1427hrs 12 fire fighters responded to a call in relation to a tree fire in the vicinity of 414 Mount Eirene Road, Gembrook. First on scene were two crew members aboard Tanker 2 who established there was no fire at that address, but elected to travel further down this unsealed road and discovered the fire was some distance further along Mount Eirene Road. Tanker 2 advised Tanker 1 (that was still en route to the scene with five crew on board) about the new location and together they tacked the fire which had spread to include some surrounding grass and scrub. The fire was quickly extinguished and both crews returned to the fire station where five more fire fighters were on standby in the event that their services were also required. Nil further action.
02-Jul 1157hrs We were called out to provide assistance to our colleagues in Cockatoo at an incident described initially as a tree fire in Maurice Road, Cockatoo. Tanker One with three crew members on board turned out and on arrival at the nominated location they discovered that a very large tree was not on fire but had fallen and crashed onto a brick house, causing an enormous amount of damage. Fortunately no one in the dwelling was injured, although one person narrowly missed being hit by a tree limb. The CFA fire-fighters assessed the situation at a distance and it was agreed that the State Emergency Service members who were also on scene, should be left to carry out the work to clear the scene. The Gembrook tanker and crew returned to their station where three more members remained on stand-by should their services have been required.
27-Jun 1414hrs A call was received that a power line located in Collie Road, Gembrook was smoking. On their arrival at the scene the two man crew aboard Tanker One found there was power line shorting in a tree. The event was also attended by police members. There was no fire, but the incident did cause a brief power outage. Approximately 20 minutes after the fire brigade arrived servicemen from the power supply company also arrived at the scene and started working on the problem. The appliance and crew then returned to the fire station where an additional member was on standby, about an hour after the initial turn out.
24-Jun 0819hrs Three fire-fighters in Tanker One and two more travelling in the FCV turned out to a 'washaway' incident near the intersection of Pakenham-Gembrook Road and Ramage Lane, Gembrook. On arrival at the scene the crew members found a sedan on its roof after having travelled out of control, struck a road-side embankment close to the base of a large eucalypt tree, causing the vehicle to flip on to its roof. Two passengers in the vehicle were examined by an ambulance crew but were not transported. The CFA crews provided traffic control in support of the police officers who also attended the scene. The scene was cleared within half an hour of the fire brigade appliances arrival and both Gembrook CFA vehicles returned to the station.
21-Jun 0032hrs A call was received that there was the smell of smoke in the vicinity of Innes Road, Gembrook (the same street in which the fire station is located) and five fire-fighters responded in tanker one and the FCV. Police were already at the scene of a fallen power line close to the intersection with Launching Place Road. Police suggested that the fire brigade members return and call it a night but shortly after they were called to another incident, so three fire-fighters remained 'on scene' to protect the area until a power supply repair crew arrived at about 0200hrs. Nil further action required.
17-Jun 0909hrs Two firre fighters turned out in Tanker One and a further three fire fighters in the FCV in response to a call that a 'washaway' was required in the vicinity of the intersection of Pakenham-Gembrook and Mount Eirene Roads. On arrival at the scene, the units rendezvoused with Police members responding to the same call and determine that the call referred to an 'oil slick' which appeared to be several kilometres long. Upon further assessment it was decided that the slick was probably a light coating of diesel fuel made obvious by the wet road surface, that the 'slick' was very light and posed minimal, if any danger to traffic using the Pakenham Road. Cockatoo Tanker One was turned out to assist, but was advised its services were not required and all appliances returned to their stations. On his return to his home one of the fire-fighters noticed an articulated vehicle stationary on the side of Beenak East Road. The driver of the truck revealed that a leak had developed in the 'return line' from the truck's diesel fuel injection system and he had stopped and called a mechanic who was on his way to repair the problem. With that information the mystery as to what (or who) was responsible for the 'leak' was resolved. Nil further action required.
30-May 1725hrs Gembrook was about to turn out Tanker one with six crew to assist Cockatoo following a report that flames had been sighted at a location (estimated) to be about five kilometres from the Cockatoo township centre, however the fire call ended with a report back from Cockatoo that Gembrook's assistance was no longer required and the crew stood down and joined two other members who were at the station on standby.
29-May 1912hrs An alert was raised following a report that there was a car fire in an area close to the intersection of Beenak East and Tentpole Roads (in the Bunyip State Park) Gembrook. Tankers one and two, both carrying three fire-fighters turned out to the call and found on arrival at the scene some 10 kilometres distant that an allegedly stolen Holden Commodore utility had been dumped and stripped of some parts and then set on fire ... and it was still burning when the crews arrived. Tanker One deployed its 'live' hose reel and used foam to extinguish what was left of the ute. As the burnt out vehicle posed no further danger the crews returned to the fire station and police attended the scene after the crews departed.
28-May 2104hrs Tankers one and two transported a total of five fire-fighters to a call to a that there was a backyard fire on a property in Williamson Road, Gembrook. On arrival at the scene local residents provided information in relation to the fire and the Gembrook appliances were joined by an additional appliance from Pakenham Upper. The crews inspected the area and following their assessment, returned to their fire stations determining that no further action on their part was required.
16-May 1913hrs The fire station's siren sounded and pagers sounded an alert as a number of our fire-fighters were making their way to the fire station for that evening's training session. Three members immediately boarded Tanker 2 and headed off to assist Cockatoo's two appliances and the police at the scene of a power pole fire at the intersection of Pakenham and Dorchester Roads in Cockatoo. The three fire crews isolated the scene due to the danger posed by fallen power lines and waited at the scene until a repair crew from the power supply company arrived at the incident site and carried out repairs. When the area was rendered safe the crew returned to the fire station where about 14 other members were undergoing training while at the same time they were ready to provide back up in Cockatoo if required.
28-Apr 1422hrs Our fire fighters were called on to provide assistance to the Cockatoo Fire Brigade in response to a fire alarm operating at a Childcare Centre in Pakenham Road, Cockatoo. Inter-brigade communications followed as both brigades tried to determine the cause for the alarm and eventually it was determined that it was a false alarm and both appliances and their crews returned to their respective fire stations. Four additional members remained on standby at Gembrook should circumstances have dictated that they were needed.
08-Apr 1000hrs Gembrook turned out Tanker One and the Forward Command Vehicle (FCV) in response to the report of a gas leak emanating from a house in Seaview Road, Cockatoo. On arrival at the scene the Gembrook fire-fighters who were responding in support to the Cockatoo CFA met with police who were also on the scene, however investigations revealed that the gas leak had been brought under control by the property owner and no further action on the part of the firefighters was required and the crews returned to their bases.
15-Mar 1923hrs Four members turned out on Tanker 1 to assist the Cockatoo Fire Brigade after a call was received that there was a fire near an overpass in Cockatoo. Three additional members remained on standby at the Gembrook fire station. The call gave some cause for concern to the fire fighters as there is no such thing as an 'overpass' in Cockatoo. Both crews went for an investigative drive in the immediate vicinity of the Cockatoo township and in the absence of any obvious problem, returned to their respective fire stations and put the event down to 'False Alarm - good intent.'
13-Mar 1317hrs Gembrook RFB was called on to assist Cockatoo Fire Brigade at the scene of an incident in Terrara Street, Cockatoo after reports that 'explosions' had been heard. On arrival, Tanker 1 with a crew of six members assisted in providing first aid to a man aged about 30 who had been using a large angle grinder with a cut-off wheel to remove a coil spring from the suspension of car on which he was working. During this activity the wheel 'exploded' and the shrapnel inflicted cuts to the man's arm and leg. The fire fighters continued with first aid treatment until the ambulance arrived. After the incident was cleared the Gembrook Tanker returned to the fire station where two more members remained on standby. Nil further action.
07-Mar 1100hrs Eight fire fighters arrived at the fire station ready to board the fire fighting appliance in response to a call that a car was on fire on the Launching Place-Gembrook Road in Hoddles Creek, however before the crew could climb on board the tanker and leave the fire station a follow-up call was received advising that the Gembrook Fire Brigade's services were not required and the crew members were stood down for this call. Nil further action.
26-Feb 1713hrs Four Gembrook fire fighters were aboard Tanker One as it left the fire station in response to a call to assist Cockatoo Fire Brigade at the scene of a grass, scrub and tree fire that was spreading on a property on Old Gembrook Road, Cockatoo. En route to the location a follow-up message was received from the Cockatoo crew that the situation could be addressed successfully without the assistance of Gembrook's crew, so the Tanker and crew returned to the fire station where five further fire fighter remained on standby should their services have been required. Nil further action.
25-Feb 1653hrs The call to a 'structure' fire involving the old flour mill at the intersection of Launching Place Road and Penrose Road, Gembrook resulted in Tanker One turning out with three crew on board while two additional members remained on standby at the fire station as back-up if needed. When the tanker arrived at the scene, the crew's investigation resulted in the crew calling a stop to any further need for fire fighting appliances. The enquiry revealed that a smoke sighting that had initiated the fire call, related to smoke emitting from the nearby sawmill's sawdust burner. No further action required.
14-Feb 1314hrs Three members were aboard Tanker One when it left the fire station in response to a report that a tree was on fire on a property in Stone Road, Gembrook, On arrival the crew quickly assessed that embers rising from a small burn off had lodged in the bark of the tree and as fire was slowly heading up the trunk and some of the branches. The crew quickly tackled the problem and were able to extinguish the problem successfully, after which they returned to the station where another member was on standby in the event that his services were required.
05-Feb 1051hrs Gembrook's Tanker One headed toward Halifax Road, Nar Nar Goon North in response to a call advising that power lines were sparking and arcing in that vicinity. On arrival at the location, it was assessed that as the problem was located on private property and power lines on privately owned land are the responsibility of the landowner that the matter should be addressed by the owner and he was advised to contact the power supply authority and arrange for a repair crew to fix the problem. Nil further action.
04-Feb 2112hrs This turn-out was to a report of a structure fire on Pakenham Road, Pakenham Upper. Four members were on Tanker One when it departed from the fire station in response to the call to assist the Pakenham Upper Fire Brigade. The journey to the nominated destination was terminated when the tanker was only about two kilometres from the fire station and followed a call that Gembrook's services were not required. The tanker headed back to the fire station where four addtional members were on standby.
04-Feb 1823hrs Five members were on board tanker one when it departed the fire station in response to a call to assist the Cockatoo Fire Brigade at the scene of an undefined fire in Neville Street, Cockatoo. Both tankers moved through the area trying to identify the cause behind the call, until Cockatoo's crew released the Gembrook tanker and its crew to return to Gembrook, while they continued their efforts to find the source of the 'undefined' fire. Our tanker and crew returned to the fire station where three additional members remained on standby in the event their services were required.
02-Feb 1014hrs Seven of our firefighters turned out to a call to assist Hoddles Creek Fire Brigade at the scene of a shed fire in Eacotts Road, Hoddles Creek. Gembrook's Tanker One and a separate support vehicle were only about two kilometres into the journey to Hoddles Creek when a further message was received from Hoddles Creek's brigade members that the problem had been resolved. The Gembrook tanker, support vehicle and the firefighters returned to the fire station.
25-Jan 1324hrs The alarm was raised when the authorities were advised that an undefined fire was burning in the Bunyip State Park. Gembrook and the Bunyip CFA Brigades turned out and the Gembrook's Tanker One with three crew arrived at the scene near a helipad at the intersection of Black Snake Creek Road and the Helmet Track more than 11 kilometres from the Gembrook Fire Station. The Gembrook tanker crew were preceded by another of their firefighters in his own vehicle who had rendezvoused with some Dept of Sustainability and Environment officers and worked on extinguishing a fire that had been maliciously set by a suspect arsonist in a Parks Victoria toilet facility adjoining the helipad and public parking area. Police were advised of the incident and a good description of a suspect person and his vehicle were provided to police. The fire had been extinguished by the time the Gembrook Tanker arrived 'on scene' and the Bunyip tanker athat was still on its way was advised that it could turn back as it was no longer required at the incident. Gembrook's tanker 'topped up' the 400 litre tank carried by a DSE 'slip on' which had used almost all its water fighting and extinguishing the blaze which had destroyed the toilet facility. Gembrook's tanker and its crew then returned to station.
24-Jan 0222hrs Five members turned out in response to a call that Gembrook services were required to back up the Cockatoo brigade following a report that a car was on fire close to the intersection of Pakenham Road and Mayeglen Court, Cockatoo. Gembrook's Tanker One and its crew were about half way to the identified location, when a follow up call was received indicating that the situation was under control and Gembrook's firefighters were not required. The tanker and its crew then returned and everyone went home and off to bed.
10-Jan 2108hrs The sounding of the alarm (happily) coincided with the end of the brigade's monthly administration meeting at the fire station which resulted in six of the more than 25 members in attendance turning out in Tanker One in response to the advice that sparks had been seen coming from the power lines connecting the Gembrook Primary School in Main Street. The crew kept watch on the situation for about an hour while a they waited for the power supply company's emergency workers to reach the scene. Nil further action required.
08-Jan 0818hrs A call to assist Cockatoo at an undefined fire in the vicinity of McKenzie Street, Cockatoo resulted in Tanker One turning out with four crew on board, while an additional five firefighters remained on standby at the fire station in the event their services were required. The Cockatoo and Gembrook fire crews checked out the area nominated in the fire call but were unable to identify the source. It was thought that a resident responsible for a burn off may have heard Cockatoo's fire station siren and extinguised the fire before the fire appliances arrived. Nil further action.
07-Jan 0511hrs Our first turn out for the new year was a bit of a non-event really. A call was received that Gembrook was required to assist our Cockatoo colleagues at the scene of powerlines arcing and sparking in Haylock Avenue, Cockatoo. That alert resulted in nine members arriving at the fire station in response and the number one tanker was about to depart from the fire station for the trip to Cockatoo when a second message was received indicating that Gembrook's services were not required. The volunteer firefighters were stood down.
During calendar year 2010 we turned out to a total of 56 incidents.
31-Dec 0842hrs This was the first day to be declared a day of Total Fire Ban in Victoria for the 2010-11 high fire danger period and both Tankers One and Two responded to a call that smoke had been spotted issuing from a point in the Bunyip State Forest just off the Gembrook-Launching Place Road. Upon arrival it was found that a substantial burn-off was still smouldering, but attempts were being made to extinguish it and a properly equipped and prepared crew would be on hand to continue those efforts and to maintain a watch until it was extinguished. On their return to the station one of the tankers headed up to the area of the Beenak Cemetry where additional reports had suggested smoke had been seen, while the other tanker headed back to the fire station via Kurth Kiln Park to ensure the campers there were fully aware that a total fire ban was in force for the remainder of the day. Nil further action(s) required.
29-Dec 1222hrs Gembrook's Brigade was called on to assist the Cockatoo Fire Brigade at the scene of a burn-off having got out of control on a property in Woori Yallock Road, about 3 kilometres from the Cockatoo Fire Station. As Tanker One with a full crew of six aboard, was approaching the nominated location, information was received that the fire was under control and additional resources were not required. The Gembrook crew then returned to their fire station, where an additional six members were on standby in case their services were required.
26-Dec 1059hrs The alarm was raised when a car ran off the Pakenham-Gembrook Road at the intersection with Bessie Creek Road. At this location there is a very tight corner in the main road and the female driver of a sedan ran off the highway and down an embankment. When Tanker One, the Forward Command Vehicle (FCV) and two other members arrived at the scene of the incident they found the driver was uninjured. A tow truck had also been called to the scene and retrieved the vehicle. Nil further action required.
13-Dec 1403hrs The fire alarm sounded following a call from a property owner in Bessie Creek Road, after a substantial garden refuse burn-off had spread and the flames had moved to include a nearby tree and setting it on fire as well. The Gembrook crew called to attend quickly contained and extinguished the fire, at about the same time that crews from Pakenham Upper and Maryknoll also arrived. Additional Gembrook members were also on their way to assist in the Forward Command Vehicle, but the additional crew members & the other brigades' services were not required. Nil further action.
12-Dec 0004hrs A call stating that a bonfire was threatening a house in Knight Road, Gembrook prompted a swift response and six firefighters attended the scene, but when they arrived at the nominated address found that there was no such threat - and that in fact there was no bonfire. The crews who travelled to the address aboard Tanker One and the Forward Command Vehicle returned to the fire station. Nil further action.
06-Dec 2145hrs Eight firefighters attended the fire station when the siren sounded following a call to assist Cockatoo Fire Brigade at a the scene of a fire in the front yard of a house in Fell Road, Cockatoo. The incident was resolved before Gembrook arrived at the scene. Nil further action required.
04-Dec 1628hrs Both tankers turned out in response to an incident requiring a 'washaway' on the Gembrook-Launching Place Road, about three kilometres from Gembrook. A total of nine firefighters attended the scene of an accident in which a motorcyclist collided on a bend with a car heading in the opposite direction. Three police cars, an ambulance and two tow trucks attended the scene in addition to the Gembrook crews. The motorcycle rider is believed to have sustained a broken wrist but escaped serious injury. An oil spill was cleaned up and the tankers headed back to the fire station where three additional members were on standby.
22-Nov 2223hrs Fourteen fire fighters responded to a call to a spreading grass fire on a property at the corner of Amphlett Ave and Mountain Rd, Gembrook. It is believed the property owner had been burning some plastic wrapping earlier in the day. On arrival the fire fighters found some tree stumps smouldering and they deployed a fire hose and dealt with the problem. The property owner was absent at the time of the incident. With the incident successfully dealt with, Tanker 1, its crew and those who travelled to the scene in the Brigade Support vehicle returned to the fire station.
19-Nov 1726hrs The crew of five members aboard Tanker One headed off to Tynong North following a report that a burn-off was out of control on a private property in Weatherhead Road. Gembrook's fire fighters were asked to support a crew from Tynong and on arrival at the scene they found the Tynong crews had matters well in hand, but they did ask if the Gembrook tanker could replenish their tanker's dwindling water supply to enable them to complete the blacking out procedure. Gembrook agreed to the request and after the transfer was completed headed off back to Gembrook.
18-Nov 1740hrs Four firefighters were about to depart from the fire station in response to a call to assist colleagues in Cockatoo at reported car fire in McBride Street, Cockatoo, however as the crew and appliance were about to depart a further message was received indicating that Gembrook Fire Brigade's services were no longer required and the crew was stood down.
22-Oct 2140hrs A report that there was a gas leak at the Ranges Hotel in Gembrook (not far from the fire station) saw first four members to arrive at the fire station respond quickly in Tanker One. Another member arrived at the scene independently and three others remained on standby at the station. The fire fighters found that the 'gas' was in fact refrigerant gas and that did not pose an immediate serious threat to the premises or individuals. It is believed one of the hotel's patrons may have interfered with the equipment causing the leak and the fire fighters departed while police who also attended the scene were conducting enquiries into the cause.
22-Oct 1934hrs A report that a car was on fire near the intersection of Beenak Road and Aukland Drive, Hoddles Creek resulted in four members responding to the call on Tanker One. On arrival at the scene they provided assistance to the Hoddles Creek brigade and extinguished the fire that had destroyed what was an allegedly dumped, stolen vehicle. The tanker returned to Gembrook where two more members remained on standby.
16-Oct 0301hrs Five members responded to a report that a car was on fire on Woori Yallock Road, Nangana and Gembrook brigade's assistance was required to assist those already responding from other brigades. As the tanker with the fire fighters on board was about to leave the fire station a further message was received that the situation was under control and Gembrook Fire Brigade was not required at the scene.
10-Oct 1430hrs A return to dryer, milder conditions saw a number of residents taking advantage and starting their pre-fire-season burning off. One such burn resulted in the sparks lodging in the bark and canopy of a nearby tree and a call to the fire brigade to assist in extinguishing the problem. Three members turned out in Tanker One (while two remained on standby at the fire station) and upon arrival at the Mr Eirene Road property the situation was quickly controlled and the appliance and crew returned to the fire station.
10-Sep 1949hrs In response to a call that there had been a diesel fuel spill on the main Gembrook-Belgrave Road on the western border of the township Tankers 1 (with a crew of three) and Tanker 2 (with a crew of two) arrived at the designated location to find a motor vehicle had struck a wombat that had been crossing the road. The impact resulted in a transmission radiator (located under the vehicle's normal radiator) had been damaged and automatic transmission oil had in fact escaped and coated the road surface and disabled the car. The fire fighters restored the road surface to a safe condition by covering the affected area with the contents of three bags of absorbent material. The crews then returned to the fire station where two more members remained on standby.
07-Aug 1748hrs Eight firefighters manned both Tankers One and Two and two other member travelled directly to rendezvous near the intersection of Tonimbuk Road and The Avenue, Gembrook after police received a call that some suspicious material had been found under a house by the new owners of the home. Investigations of what may have been sticks of explosives turned out to be a good deal less dangerous and after contact with the previous owners it was discovered to be sticks of bees wax. After about 30 minutes on scene, the firefighters returned to the station where two more members had been on standby.
10-Jul 2343hrs High among those calls that give cause for concern are those nominated as 'structures' as there is just about always a building that is important to someone that's involved. On other occasions it is the location of a fire report that raises anxiety levels. Such was the case on Saturday night when a message indicated there was a grass and scrub fire and smoke seen emanating from the vicinity of the Gembrook Primary School. Four crew were on board Tanker One and two on Tanker Two when they turned out very quickly in response. Another member attended in another vehicle. Meanwhile six additional members remained on standby at the fire station until it was determined whether their services were required at the scene. On arrival the tankers crews were relieved to find that the report related to smoke emitting from a smouldering burn off on a property that adjoins the school boundary. The problem was quickly resolved and the tankers with their crews returned to the fire station.
05-Jul 1419hrs Gembrook's Tanker One turned out in response to a call to assist the Cockatoo Fire Brigade to call where smoke had been sighted coming from a hall in Pakenham Road, Cockatoo. However before the Tanker had left the station, a radio message was received that it had been a false alarm and Gembrook's services were not required.
15-Jun 1853hrs When the driver of a late model Landcruiser arrived home in Gembrook he thought he could smell gas in the vicinity of his vehicle. A closer inspection increased his concerns when he could hear the gas leaking from the vehicle's LPG cylinder. His response in calling the fire brigade was exactly what was required and in response to the call a total of six firefighters and three Gembrook vehicles responded to the call to attend and isolate the scene in Russell Road - less than a kilometre from the fire station. The members in attendance took the necessary preliminary actions to minimise the risks of a fire or explosion and called the specialised CFA unit at Officer which is equipped to handle such problems to attend the scene. On arrival the three members from Officer set about decanting the gas from the cylinder and putting an end to the danger posed by the leak.
10-Jun 1834hrs A Gembrook home was completely destroyed when fire broke out inside the premises while the owners were absent. They arrived home to find all three Gembrook fire appliances that carried a total of 13 members, plus three others who made their way to the Grey Road incident independently were at their property and fully engaged in trying to extinguish the blaze. The alarm was raised by a neighbour, but the fire had a substantial hold on the mainly wooden structure when the fire fighters arrived at the scene. The Gembrook fire fighters received extremely welcome fire fighting assistance from the Pakenham Upper and Cockatoo fire brigades, while crews from the Emerald and Narre Warren SES provided additional lighting at the hilly property. Fire investigators have carried out an inspection of the burnt out premises and while they were not able to specifically identify the exact cause of the fire, based on the available information and evidence they have assessed that there are no suspicious circumstances.
02-Jun 0933hrs Three members were aboard Tanker One when it departed the fire station in response to a call to attend the scene of a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Woori Yallock and Belgrave-Gembrook Roads where fire fighting appliances could be used in clearing the road surface of material hazardous to road traffic. Shortly after the tanker left the fire station a report was received from an Emerald CFA crew who also responded to attend the scene that it was a relatively minor incident and Gembrook's services were no longer required. The tanker headed back to the fire station where three other firefighters were on standby should their services be needed.
26-May 1752hrs A motor vehicle collision involving two sedans resulted in a call for attendance by fire brigade, police, ambulance and rescue crews as one person was injured and in need of transport to hospital. The collision occurred on the Gembrook-Belgrave Road near the 'T' junction with Ure Road, on the edge of the township proper. Apart from Gembrook CFA, police and ambulance officers, additional support was provided by the Emerald SES and Monbulk SES Rescue. The female driver of the smaller of the two vehicles was transported after being stabilised by the ambulance crew.
24-May 1652hrs Eleven fire fighters responded to a fire call stating two trees were smouldering alongside Mt Eirene Road, Gembrook. Tanker One with a crew of five plus the Support vehicle with two members and one additional member who arrived separately attended the scene, about four kilometres from the fire station where indeed one large tree trunk was well alight and a large stump was smouldering. The crews immediately tackled the problem and the flames and embers were quickly extinguished before returning to the fire station where three more members remained on standby in the event their services were required.
22-May 0700hrs Gembrook's fire fighters were included in a general request for assistance for any members in Westernport Area (CFA Region 8) who have qualified in the use of breathing apparatus following a major blaze on Phillip Island that resulted in the destruction of the century-old triple story Isle Of Mann Hotel in Cowes. A number of fire fighters had been working on the fire overnight and the need for a relief crew was identified, however due to the presence of asbestos in the rubble, the replacement crew had to wear breathing apparatus due to the threat posed by the asbestos particles that would have certainly been released during the fire. While the fire was not in Gembrook's catchment area, one of our firefighters was in a position to offer his services and he was included among the members who travelled to Phillip Island to assist in the clean up arriving there at 0900hrs and returning at about 1600hrs.
01-May 1031hrs A full crew of six fire fighters were on board Tanker 1 when it turned out in response to a call that trees were down and on fire (but the fire was not spreading) in the vicinity of the corner of Beenak and Soldiers Roads, Beenak (or Gembrook). The location is about 18kms from the fire station and upon arrival at the nominated location the crew was unable to see any cause for the report. It was a chilly morning and the sun was rising and it is thought that water vapour rising from the logs due to the sun warming the logs, may have been behind the turn out call. The crew reported that the call was a false alarm and returned to the station where three additional members were on standby.
27-Apr 0018hrs Four firefighters were on board Tanker One when it turned out and another member attended separately in response to a call to support the Bunyip CFA that was sent to investigate a report that a chimney fire had spread to the surrounding wall cavity in a dwelling on the Gembrook-Tonimbuk Road, Tonimbuk - more than 18 kilometres from the Gembrook Fire Station. Five more firefighters remained on standby at the Gembrook Fire Station should their services or additional equipment be required at the fire scene. As the Gembrook tanker arrived at the scene, the Bunyip firefighters had brought the situation under control and the Gembrook tanker's services were no longer required. Gembrook's crew then returned 'home' without further incident.
19-Apr 1739hrs The value to the local community of having two tankers available to respond to fire calls was highlighted when Gembrook was called on to assist the Pakenham Upper Fire Brigade at the scene of a tree fire on a property on the Gembrook-Pakenham Road, Upper Pakenham. At the time of the call, Gembrook's Tanker One was engaged in an important training session and the fire fighters who responded to the call were able to turn out in Tanker Two. As events developed the crew on Tanker Two were well on their way to the scene when information was received indicating their services were not required and they returned to the fire station. Tanker Two was acquired two years ago as a result of substantial public donations and government grants to enable the Gembrook Fire Brigade to assist other nearby fire brigades without leaving the local community unprotected).
16-Apr 1435hrs A second call was received to assist Pakenham Upper at the property previously attended in Mann Road. The property owner reported that the tree that had been the cause for attention on the previous fire call, had developed a further small and very high-up fire since the fire appliances that attended earlier departed. As Gembrook Tanker One was heading toward the scene, the Pakenham Upper brigade reported they were 'on scene', had the problem covered and that additional assistance was not required. The Gembrook crew returned to the fire station.
16-Apr 1156hrs Gembrook CFA received a request to provide assistance to the Pakenham Upper Fire Brigade following advice received that a tree stump was on fire, on a property in Mann Road, Pakenham Upper. When Gembrook arrived at the scene the five crew members immediately deployed a hose and started extinguishing a fire that had spread up the trunk of a large, tall (approx 18 metres) tree. Embers from the property owner's nearby burn off that would have been regarded as being a 'safe distance' from the tree, had lodged in the bark of the tree, started the fire and then spread. The Gembrook and Pakenham Upper crews ensured the fire was thoroughly blacked out before returning to the station where an additional member remained on standby. Nil property damage and nil injuries.
15-Apr 0842hrs Gembrook received a call to attend a grass and scrub fire following a smoke sighting. The informant advised that the smoke could be seen coming from a property on the Gembrook-Launching Place Road, Gembrook. Upon investigation Tanker One and the five crew on board were only able to identify one property emitting smoke and that was at the intersection of the Pack Track where a safe burn-off was taking place, so the Tanker's crew advised they could not find any problems and returned to the station where two additional members were on standby should their services be required.
11-Apr 1346hrs All three Gembrook CFA vehicles (Tankers 1 & 2 plus the Support vehicle) carrying seven fire fighters and a further three members who travelled in the private vehicles, turned out in response to a report of a Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) at a tight bend on the Gembrook-Pakenham Road involving a tour coach carrying a number of scouts and/or cubs as passengers and a car. One of the two people travelling the car was injured necessitating transport by ambulance to hospital. The Gembrook fire fighters stood guard over the vehicle with fire extinguishers and hoses and also provided assistance for the police that attended by establishing traffic control at the scene, which was located at a particularly tight bend in the road about a kilometre from the fire station. The coach driver and none of his passengers was harmed and the passenger in the sedan also escaped with minor injuries.
05-Apr 1236hrs Five members aboard Tanker 1 turned out in response to a call to investigate smouldering logs on another property in Bessie Creek Road. On arrival the fire fighters found that the fire was attended by a two property owners who were carrying out a legal burnoff operation to clean up ground litter. The fire crew wished them well and returned to the fire station.
28-Mar 1239hrs Gembrook Tankers One and Two with a total of eight fire fighters, plus the Pakenham Upper and Nar Nar Goon Tankers attended at the scene of a grass fire on a property on Bessie Creek Road. The fire was unattended by any member of the public and the crews tackled the fire and were able to apply appropriate fire fighting techniques to extinguish it before the flames could spread beyond about 0.1 hectares in size. Nil injuries. Cardinia Shire's by-laws officer was provided with the details of the fire.
28-Mar 1132hrs In response to an approach by a member of the public to a Gembrook Lieutenant in attendance at the fire station, the Officer called a colleague and both attended to a vehicle leaking fuel as the result of a stone strike, that was parked in Main Street, Gembrook opposite the Gembrook Railway Station. Both members remained at the scene with an extinguisher at the ready, until the RACV attended and managed to plug the leak.
27-Mar 1919hrs The Gembrook CFA was called on to Investigate a burnoff taking place on a private property on the Gembrook Launching Place Road and found that there was indeed a burnoff taking place and it was being closely watched by the land owner. It was obvious to the crew that the nature of the burn may have given members of the public some cause for concern and after chatting to the landowner who was well prepared and equipped for the burnoff, it was decided to slightly reduce the size of the area being burnt (particularly the outer perimeter) and make it more centralised to ease the concerns of observers. Tankers one and two responded to this call and a total of seven members attended the scene while two more members remained on standby at the fire station.
26-Mar 2354hrs When a four-wheel-drive motor vehicle rolled and landed on its roof during a trip through the Bunyip State Park, Gembrook CFA received a message requesting attendance and both Tankers 1 & 2 responded and with directions from other 4-wheel-drive drivers along the way they arrived near the scene of the incident to find the passenger, a young woman (19 years) was trapped. The vehicle had ended up with its roof resting on an embankment and the young woman's head was protruding from the vehicle's sun roof, while her body was lying on the roof of the upturned 4x4. The woman's head was trapped between the roof of the vehicle and the ground, but she was still concious, calm and in a stable condition. To remove her from the vehicle, required very careful rescue work on the part of the Gembrook crew members, the CFA Nar Nar Goon rescue crew, SES crews from Pakenham and Emerald, Police and Ambulance officers who all attended the remote location near Nash Creek Loop Track. The Gembrook fire fighters were in attendance at the scene for three and a half hours and witnessed the successful rescue of the young woman who was transported to hospital for observation but miraculously suffered minimal injuries as a result of her ordeal. The young woman, her father and two brothers attended the Gembrook CFA training meeting on Monday 29 March and extended their sincere and heartfelt thanks to the members at the Fire Station for their excellent and professional approach to a difficult situation that had such a happy ending. Tanker one and the support vehicle, plus another member in his own vehicle also attended making a total of eight members at the scene. One additional member remained on standby at the fire station.
26-Mar 1851hrs Gembrook Tanker One turned out in support of the Cockatoo CFA to attend report that smoke was emitting from a Paintball Skirmish field in Evans Road, Cockatoo. The problem was identified and was quickly attened to and rectified.
25-Mar 1226hrs The report of an Elgas Tanker on fire near the intersection of the Belgrave-Gembrook Road and Station Road, Gembrook resulted in a very swift response with Tanker One with a crew of four responding in a matter of minutes, quickly followed by Tanker Two with two crew members and additional support from the Brigade's support vehicle with one member on board. On arrival at the scene of what was a potentially extremely serious event, it was found there was no LPG tanker at the location and certainly no fire. Information provided indicated that a tanker had been at the local service station and the driver was investigating an over-heated radiator that was emitting steam. A passing motorist saw the steam and mistook it for smoke and made the emergency call. The event was recorded as a false alarm and the appliances and crew returned to the fire station.
23-Mar 1300hrs The report of a burn-off being out of control near the intersection of Soldiers and Hunters Roads, Beenak resutled in three crew aboard Tanker One and two crew aboard Tanker Two responding and travelling to the scene where it was found that a relatively small fire (essentially a garden rubbish fire) had caused a convection column and lifted some embers into some nearby gum trees. The embers lodged in the bark of one tree and it started a fire about 12 metres up the trunk that then threatened to spread to the canopy above. Tanker One deployed a hose and using foam attacked the problem from the ground and successfully reached the smouldering limbs of the tree and resolved the problem. Both tankers then headed back to the fire station where one more member was on standby throughout. Nil injuries and nil damage.
22-Mar 0100HRS CFA FIRE RESTRICTIONS FOR THE 2009-10 FIRE DANGER PERIOD ENDED IN WESTERNPORT (CFA REGION 8) AREA
18-Mar 1554hrs Tanker One with a crew of four, tanker two with three members and the support unit with three members and another member who arrived separately, attended a fire close to the intersection of Beenak Road and Kurth Kiln Track. Due to the almost windless conditions the fire had not spread far and was quickly extinguised. All Gembrook units and their crew members returned to the station where one additional member was on standby. Nil injuries and nil damage.
17-Mar 0653hrs Eight crew spread through three vehicles responded to a call to attend a report of smoke seen in the area close to the intersection of Ure and Shepherds Creek Road, Gembrook. On arrival at the scene, the fire fighters discovered a suspercted. stolrn and dumped Holden Commodore station wagon that had been totally destroyed. Police were notified.
15-Mar 1403hrs Gembrook CFA received a call to assist Hoddles Creek Fire Brigade at a grass and bush fire at Beenak Road, Yellingbo. However in transit the tanker with five crew were advised that their services were not required and returned to the fire station where one additonal member was on standby.
14-Mar 1152hrs Gembrook Tanker One with four crew was the first on scene to the report of a tree fire in Kurth Kiln State Park. The specific location was identified as Beenak Road, Yellingbo. The crew quickly tackled the fire and extinguished it and returned to station.
12-Mar 1932hrs Gembrook turned out Tanker One and the Support vehicle and a total of seven members to the report of a Motor Vehicle Accident Gembrook-Pakenham Road south of the intersection of Mann Road Gembrook where a driver had lost control of the vehcile trying to avoid an oncoming vehicle and subsequently rolled the Falcon sedan. The driver and her passenger both survived the incident and both occupants escaped injury.
11-Mar 1854hrs Gembrook Fire Brigade was called on to assist at a house fire at View Hill Road in Cockatoo. As the six fire fighters who responded to the call were about to leave the fire station a further call was received that they were no longer required in Cockatoo and they were stood down.
05-Mar 1602hrs Gembrook Tanker One carrying four crew turned out to investigate the report of a burn-off taking place on a property in Beenak East Road, Gembrook. At the scene the crew leader spoke to the residents regarding the fire and the fire was extinguised. Nil further action.
28-Feb 1800hrs A call was received from the Victoria Police asking Gembrook Fire Brigade to attend what is officially termed 'a washaway' on the Gembrook-Launching Place Road between Protea Track and Toms Track where a vehicle had left the road and had ended up on its roof after running into a roadside embankment. On arrival at the scene four fighters aboard Tanker 1 and four more in the Support vehicle attended at the scene. An additional two members remained on standby at the fire station should their services be required. The car driver involved in the incident had escaped injury and was able to get out of the car and Gembrook fire fighters provided traffic control at the scene while a tow truck righted the vehicle and removed it from the scene. Nil injuries and damage was sustained by the motor vehicle.
28-Feb 1800hrs Shortly after the crew arrived to fight the fire at 1813hrs another lightning strike was reported in the vicinity of Black Snake Creek Road and Jackman Road intersection. As Gembrook's Tanker 1 had completed duty at Boyd Road, (1814hrs) it had indicated it would move to assist Tanker 2 (1813hrs call) but en route it was re-directed to the fire near Jackman Road. The crew from Gembrook was joined by Maryknoll Tanker 2 and DSE firefighters to do some bush-bashing on foot for about 400 metres to reach the tree fire. Both crews used the equipment they carried in by hand to bring that fire under control. Gembrook Support arrived on scene and after determining the situation there was under control moved on to the fire where Tanker 2 (and others) were engaged in controlling that burn. (All the while eight other firefighters who had arrived at the fire station during the storm event readied themselves for action by hydrating with coffee and refuelling with biscuits).
27-Feb 1813hrs A call was received from a property owner off Black Snake Creek Road that lightning had also struck a tree on, or close to his land and smoke could be seen. On arrival the crew of Tanker 2 with assistance from firefighters from the Cockatoo Number 2 appliance moved into the rugged terrain on foot to investigate. They found that there had in fact been two lightning strikes about 15 metres apart and that each had started a fire. The crews tackled the hard to reach fire and managed to control the blaze in wooded country.
27-Feb 0005hrs Gembrook received a call to support the Cockatoo at the scene of a 'non-structure' fire but prior to turning out, the nine members about to board the appliances received a message that their services were not required and were stood down.
31-Jan 1813hrs A call was received from a property owner off Black Snake Creek Road that lightning had also struck a tree on, or close to his land and smoke could be seen. On arrival the crew of Tanker 2 with assistance from firefighters from the Cockatoo Number 2 appliance moved into the rugged terrain on foot to investigate. They found that there had in fact been two lightning strikes about 15 metres apart and that each had started a fire. The crews tackled the hard to reach fire and managed to control the blaze in wooded country.
31-Jan 1814hrs Tanker 1 still with its crew of three firefighters responded to another call that lightning had struck a tree alongside Gembrook Road, in the vicinity of the intersection with Boyd Road, however as an appliance and crew from Seville that had been called in to assist with the many fire calls, together with a crew from Cockatoo had arrived at that scene first and were tackling the problem, the Gembrook appliance was released from that fire and sent on the 1813hrs fire call (above). The Gembrook Support was turned out to the Mt Eirene Rd call but came across the Gembrook Rd incident on the way. Tanker 2 had been released from its Step up position at Cockatoo but en route to the Gembrook Fire Station was diverted to Black Snake Creek Rd
31-Jan 1807hrs Tanker 1 with a crew of three responded to a call to a grass and scrub fire (started by lightning) in Mount Eirene Road, Gembrook. The conditions were such that the fire had not spread very far by the time the tanker arrived at the scene and the crew was able to quickly control, then extinguish the fire.
31-Jan FOR INFORMATION: A southwesterly cool change passed through the area after a very warm day (top approx 36 degrees) at about 1750hrs. The change was accompanied by some storm cells generating quite a lot of electrical activity and on average - between about 5mm and 10mm of rain. This resulted in a number of calls to fires started by lightning in and around our 'catchment' area.
31-Jan 1531hrs The CFA made contact with the Gembrook Brigade to provide its number two (back-up) tanker to the Cockatoo Fire Brigade due to the fact that both the Cockatoo appliances were involved at this time in fighting a slow moving grass fire in an area around Stewarts Road, Emerald. The Cockatoo units formed part of the 26 CFA appliances engaged in bringing that fire (which eventually spread to four hectares) under control. Gembrook's Number 2 tanker then moved temporarily to backfill for the Cockatoo appliances in an activity known as 'Step-up'.
29-Jan 2056hrs Gembrook RFB was called out to investigate a report that a burnoff was taking place on a property in Agnes Street, Gembrook. When the crew arrived a property owner was found to be finalising a clean up for a party by burning off some leaves. While the fire had been extinguised it was pointed out to the property owner that there are fire restrictions currently in force.
22-Jan 1645hrs Unsettled weather was moving through our area with associated strong gusts of wind which is suspected as the cause for a call to attend the site of powerlines arcing and sparking alongside Gembrook-Launching Place Road in the vicinity of the intersection
06-Jan 1148hrs A crew of 4 was on board Gembrook Tanker 1 when it attended a report of a car fire in Little Bunyip Track, inside Bunyip State Park. By the time the tanker and crew arrived on the scene 12 kilometres from the fire station, the vehicle had been totally destroyed. Police attended to investigate the theft of the Holden Commodore.
During calendar year 2009 we turned out to 76 incidents.
27-Dec 1913hrs Tankers 1 and 2 turned out together with the Support vehicle to the report of an undefined fire in Collie Road, Gembrook. Shortly after the first crew aboard Tanker 1 arrived they determined that their attendance was not required and advised the following two units that they could return to the fire station.
14-Dec 0100HRS CFA FIRE RESTRICTIONS FOR THE 2009-10 FIRE DANGER PERIOD COMMENCED IN WESTERNPORT (CFA REGION 8) AREA
13-Dec 1931hrs A number of fire fighters were present at the fire station when the alarm was sounded and they immediately donned their Personal Protection Equipment and boarded the fire appliances (both tankers 1 and 2, and the support vehicle (a total of 10 members) and travelled to private premises in Beenak East Road, Gembrook where an automatic fire alarm in the hallway of the property had activated. When the crews arrived at the scene they quickly determined that the call was a false alarm and all members returned to the station where four more members remained on standby in the event their services were also required.
10-Dec 1537hrs As a storm cell was travelling through the area, the alarm was sounded calling the Gembrook fire fighters to attend a grass and tree fire in Ure Road, Gembrook. Tanker 1 with ?? Crew on board attended the scene and tackled the fire and quickly brought it under control.
03-Dec 1340hrs The report of a burn-off being out of control on a property in Main Street, Gembrook about 200 metres west of the Post Office prompted the response of six crew aboard Tanker 1 and an additional member in his own vehicle. On arrival it was discovered that a property owner had started a burn-off on a block of land that falls within the fire restriction zone of the township where burning off is not permitted and that the prevailing conditions (strong and gusty winds) were not appropriate for such activity in any event. Further, the abundance of tall grass and other combustable material (wooden pallets and etc) made the burn off a matter that should have never been contemplated. A Shire officer was in attendance when the fire appliance arrived and after checking the fire was totally extinguished the truck and crew returned to the fire station where another member remained on standby throughout.
21-Nov 1702hrs The Gembrook Fire Brigade was called on to attend to the report of a fire in a toilet block in Redwood Road, Gembrook. The structure in question is adjacent to the Gembrook Park (a nature reserve on the southern perimeter of the Gembrook township). The brigade's members were advised that the fire had been extinguished prior to their arrival, but further investigation into the event was seen as appropriate.
21-Nov 1537hrs 9 members turned out following a report of the odour of gas in the vicinity of 1030 Cockatoo Pakenham Rd., near Mt Burnett Road. Gembrook provided support to the Cockatoo CFA who were the principal response team at this event.
19-Nov 2126hrs On this day the crew aboard Tanker 1 travelled to the scene of a report of a campfire sighting in Kurth Kiln Park (about five kilometres from the fire station) with more concern than usual as this had been declared a day of Total Fire Ban. On arrival at the location the fire fighters found a group of overseas visitors who were unaware of the status of the day. They were not left to wonder too long about the seriousness of their activity and the fire was quickly extinguished. The matter is the subject of a report to the CFA.
14-Nov 2037hrs A crew of 6 members turned out on Tanker 1 in response to a call that there was a bush fire sighting in Red Road, Gembrook. On arrival at the scene of the report, the resident advised he could see flames leaping from a location to his east. On arrival at the location the crew found a bonfire burning (legally) on a private property where the residents were having a party. Having identified the source and determined it posed no risk the Tanker and crew returned to the fire station.
31-Oct 2116hrs Halloween took on a new twist when three crew aboard Tanker One turned out together with another member who travelled direct to a call made by an automatic smoke alarm system inside a restaurant in Launching Place Road about three kilometres from the fire station. On arrival at the restaurant the crew found a dance band hard at it entertaining the guests, while the smoke machine they were using was also hard at it, pumping out sufficient stage smoke to trigger the venue's hard-wired smoke alarm and fire warning system. The appliance and crew were able to convince the members of the group to 'tone down' the smoke output and returned to the fire station.
28-Oct 1702hrs The brigade's number one tanker with a crew of three responded to a call that an unattended burn-off was occurring in Red Road, Gembrook. The fire truck crew was backed up by an addition three members in the Brigade Support Vehicle. The truck returned to station as the crew was not able to identify the source of the report, whereas the fire fighters in the support vehicle had a chat to a local resident about the matter. The issue was satisfactorily resolved and the support crew also returned to the fire station.
27-Oct 1008hrs Six members turned out in Tanker One to investigate a report that trees were on fire on a private property in Tonimbuk Road, about two kilometres from the fire station. On arrival it was found that embers from a small burn-off had lodged in the bark of a nearby tree and the tree was indeed on fire. The property owner's hose was not sufficiently powerful to reach the problem, so the fire fighters used the tanker's pump and fire hose to reach the problem and extinguish the fire. Nil injuries.
26-Oct 1920hrs The time at which an incident occurs can have a large part to play in the number of volunteers available to attend the scene. Such was the case when a compact four wheel drive vehicle got out of control on Mountain Road, Gembrook hit an embankment and flipped onto its roof. The event coincided with the training night meetings of both the Gembrook CFA and the Emerald SES. In addition to police and ambulance officers, Gembrook turned out 15 members while the SES sent at least 10 members to the scene. A Gembrook CFA member provided first aid to the driver until the Ambulance officers arrived. The driver was transported to hospital for treatment and the scene was cleared by about 2045hrs.
09-Oct 1822hrs Tanker 1 was called to assist Cockatoo at a house fire in Baker St. Cockatoo. Five members assisted and another five stood by at the station, however their services were not required.
04-Oct 2033hrs A call to support Hoddles Creek at a grass and scrub fire resulted in six members in Tanker 1 being called off after having travelled 7kms toward the scene and the other six members who were on standby at the fire station standing down.
02-Oct 1613hrs The brigade was called to a vehicle fire in Red Road, Gembrook. Tanker 1 with a three person crew left station quickly whilst a number of other members were arriving. The truck drove past a derelict wheel-less car off the side of the road not realising that was the site of the supposed fire. On further inspection it was found someone had tried to set fire to the vehicle. The six remaining members on standby at the fire station were not needed.
19-Sep 2123hrs Tanker 1 with 3 crew and Support with 2 responded to a ''washaway'' vehicle incident 10 km from the station with the Captain arriving directly. Washaways involve flushing the road to clear it of any fluids (particularly oils) that may present a skid danger to other traffic, from the surface. On arrival the crews concluded that the Toyota Hilux had run into a tree and had been locked and left by the driver. They then returned to the station.
16-Sep 1109hrs Another tree fire as a result of fuel reduction activity at a private property in Black Road gave Tanker 1 with a crew of six further experience. Two more remained at the station. Two lengths of hose were needed to access the tree which was quickly extinguished.
12-Sep 1604 hrs Five members in Tanker 1 and two in the Support vehicle were able to take a familiar tour of the district in response to a 'smoke sighting' in Ure Road. Some smoke was confirmed kilometres away from the designated road. ''Still - it gives the trucks a run!'' veterans could be heard to say.
12-Sep 1357hrs The brigade was called to a to a tree fire on a private property in Tonimbuk Rd and attended with minimum crew. Two others attended in the Support vehicle and another directly. This was a first attendance for some recent recruits. They quickly extinguished the tree, burning as a result of early summer cleanup activity. On return to the station they were assured that was likely to be the first of many such turnouts.
23-Aug 2214 hrs The brigade was called to a vehicle fire some 8 km from the station on the Gembrook-Tonimbuk Rd. Two members went direct followed by Tanker 1 with a crew of 6. Four members remained at the station ready to provide additional assistance. On arrival a fully involved and abandoned Toyota Hi Ace van was quickly extinguished with two 38 mm lines from the tanker. The police were advised as to where the suspected stolen vehicle was located.
22-Aug 2151 hrs A call was received to a bin fire at the corner of East Beenak Rd and the Gembrook Pakenham Road. A crew of 3 in Tanker 1 turned out to find the incident at the Gembrook Skate Park, where they rendezvoused with the Captain who turned out direct to the incident. Some youths had been excluded from a party at the nearby hall and had decided to amuse themselves by igniting a wheelie bin which contained a number of spray paint cans. The resulting misbehaviour suggested the police should be called. The brigade extinguished the fire and returned to the station leaving the youths in the care of a number of police.
23-Aug 1704hrs A call was received to provide assistance to the Pakenham Upper Fire Brigade at an unspecified fire in the vicinity of Apple Tree Lane, Pakenham Upper however, during the response phase by Tanker One with five crew on board an additional message was received indicating that Gembrook Fire Brigade's attendance was no longer necessary. The tanker and crew returned to the fire station where six more fire fighters remained on stand-by in the event more assistance was required.
22-Aug 1625hrs In response to a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Main Street and Gembrook-Launching Place Road, three members responded in Tanker One, two in the brigade Support vehicle and another went direct to the scene. On arrival the members helped with traffic control until the police arrived, then assisted with the clean-up by sweeping debris (glass & etc.,) from the road. One person sustained a suspect broken collar bone and was transported to hospital while both vehicles sustained substantial damage.
08-Jun 1820hrs A full crew of six fire fighters was aboard Tanker 1 when it responded to a report that a tree was on fire adjacent to Mount Eirene Road, Gembrook which is about four kilometres from the fire station. On arrival at the scene, it was clearly evident in the darkness that a sizeable eucalypt with trunk about 500mm in diameter was well alight to about 6 metres up the trunk and there was a substantial ember shower being driven by a strong southwest wind. Shortly after the crew began fighting the fire, the Cockatoo tanker arrived on scene and provided back-up support to the Gembrook crew. The fire was quickly extinguished and the crew returned to the fire station where three more members had remained on standby throughout the incident. Nil injuries. Nil property damage.
03-Jun 0751hrs Tanker 1 headed off in response to a fire call to assist the Hoddles Creek Fire Brigade fight a tree fire in Beenak Road, Yellingbo. The tanker was about five kilometres into the journey to the scene when a radio message was received that the tanker and crew's services were no longer required. The tanker returned to the fire station where three additional members were on standby to assist should their services be required.
14-May 1229hrs Gembrook Rural Fire Brigade was called out to attend an event described as a hazardous material incident in the vicinity of Tynong North and Camp Roads, Tynong North. Tanker 1 with three crew on board returned to the fire station, where an additional five members remained on standby in the event their services were required at the incident scene.
11-May 1215hrs Smoke seen in the area of Grey Road, Gembrook led to a call for the Gembrook Fire Brigade to attend the scene. Upon investigation, it was determined that the smoke had been seen and reported from a distance and that in fact a property owner in Grey Road was involved in a legal burning off activity. Nil further action required.
08-May 0813hrs Gembrook members were called on to provide back up for the Cockatoo Fire Brigade at the scene of a tree fire in the vicinity of Ivy Street and Devon Avenue, Cockatoo. However before any crew members were able to respond to the alert the call for fire brigade attendance was cancelled.
24-Apr 1334hrs Four firefighters (three in Tanker One and another who attended in his own vehicle) responded to a call to a bonfire burning out of control in Station Road, Gembrook near the intersection of Main Street. In fact a fire that had spread to a tree near business premises had given some cause for concern, but quick action by the proprietor brought the fire under control. As their services were no longer required the appliance and crew returned to the fire station where an additional member remained on stand by.
24-Apr
23-Apr 0100HRS FIRE RESTRICTIONS FOR THE 2008-09 FIRE DANGER PERIOD ENDED IN WESTERNPORT (CFA REGION 8) AREA.
20 Apr 0900hrs A burn-off taking place in the back yard of a property on Beenak East Road, Gembrook was reported and Tanker One crewed by five fire fighters attended the scene, extinguished the fire and pointed out to the resident (as was the case in the previous report) that the fire restrictions imposed on 1 December 2008 are sill in effect and the rules relating to open air fires require the owner to acquire a permit to enable burning off to take place before the restrictions are lifted.
1907hrs Tanker One with a full crew of six members on board responded to a request to investigate an alleged burn off taking place on a property in Williamsons Road, Gembrook. On arrival the tanker's crew used the property owner's garden hose to extinguish the fire while pointing out that despite the cooler conditions and recent rain, the current fire restrictions in Cardinia Shire remain in force until further notice.
11-Apr 0926hrs A column of smoke was reported to have been seen issuing from the vicinity of Phillip Road, Avonsleigh and that gave rise to two fire fighters turning out to crew Gembrook's Number Two Tanker. Before departing to the scene the crew questioned whether the smoke could possibly be coming from the house fire in Cockatoo (see previous report). The fire fighters were assured it was a separate fire and on arrival at Phillip Road they were able to confirm it was indeed a separate fire - coming from the chimney of a residence in Phillip Road residence that had been lit by the occupants to keep warm.
08-Apr 0913hrs A call was received by Gembrook Fire Brigade to provide assistance to the Cockatoo Fire Brigade who had been called at 0900hrs to fight a fire in a multi-storey stone and wood dwelling in Amphlett Avenue, Cockatoo. In total, seven appliances were called to the scene (Cockatoo - two tankers, Emerald - tanker, Emerald - a pumper appliance, Berwick - a pumper (called off en route), Gembrook - Tanker and Upper Pakenham Upper - Tanker - this appliance was also turned back en route to the scene). A school student resident at the premises escaped uninjured, but the dwelling was totally destroyed and the source for the blaze is being investigated.
06-Apr 1029hrs Gembrook Fire Brigade was called upon to provide support for the Cockatoo Brigade in response to a report that a bonfire was burning and the fire was spreading in Cockatoo. However, Gembrook Fire Brigade's need to attend was called off before the Tanker with six crew members left the forecourt of the Gembrook Fire Station.
06-Apr 1700hrs Tanker One turned out with five fire fighters on board, while a sixth member attended in his vehicle, to the report of a tree on fire Black Snake Creek Road, Gembrook On arrival an inspection revealed the tree in question was actually off Andersons Track in an area burned out in the Bunyip State Park fire. It is thought the tree in question was hit by lightning the previous day. The fire fighters called the DSE and told them about the incident and the need to deal with the problem.
05-Apr 1528hrs Gembrook was called on to turn out to the report of a grass and scrub fire in the vicinity of Blue Range Road, Gembrook. On arrival at the fire station the five fire fighters who responded to the call elected to first check the source of the report and then double check the validity of the call through the Look Out stationed at Egg Rock Fire Watch Tower in the Bunyip State Park. The very experienced Look Out conducted surveillance of the area in question but was unable to identify any suggestion of a problem that may have led to the report. It was then recorded that the call was a false alarm and the fire fighters were stood down.
04-Apr 1828hrs 10 members in total responded to a call to attend a gas leak on a private property in Main Street, Gembrook. Six members in Tanker One, plus another three in the brigade's Support vehicle attended, while one additional member remained on standby at the fire station. The volunteer fire fighters found that the operator of a small trenching machine had accidentally damaged a mains gas pipeline in the front yard of the private dwelling. Gas company servicemen were called and the firefighters remained on scene for more than an hour until the servicemen arrived and sealed the leak. While waiting for the servicemen some of the firefighters visited adjoining properties alerting residents to the danger posed by the gas leak, advising them not to ignite naked flames until the gas repair crew arrived. The firefighters re-visited the households after the leak was fixed to advise residents that the area was now safe.
29-Mar 2019hrs A tree on fire led to four volunteers aboard Tanker One plus three more crew aboard Tanker Two travelling to Beenak Road, Gembrook in response to the call. On this day of Total Fire Ban any fire report was always a matter for concern. Cockatoo and Pakenham Upper Brigades also assisted, but despite all attempts to locate the problem, none could be found and the appliances and their crews all returned to their respective fire stations.
19-Mar 1248hrs With a close eye on the weather which was the subject of several severe weather warnings (strong north to northwest winds followed by an equally strong wind change from the south to southwest), a full crew of six fire fighters turned out in 'quick time' to a report that some sawdust on a property on the Gembrook-Pakenham Road in Pakenham Upper was on fire. As Tanker One and its crew was more than half way to the destination a radio message was received advising that Gembrook's assistance was no longer required. Tanker and crew returned to the fire station.
03-Mar 0904hrs We turned out to a report that there was a 'non-structure' fire burning in the backyard of a property in Stone Road North, Gembrook. An investigation into the report resulted in Tanker One with four crew aboard recording the incident as a false alarm and returning to the station together with another member who turned out in his own vehicle. At the fire station there were nine more members on standby in the event their services were also required.
03-Mar 1352hrs Our main tanker with a full crew of six members turned out when a report was received stating there was a grass and scrub fire in the Bunyip State Park near the intersection Black Snake Creek Road and Helmet Track. On arrival the crew identified a smouldering tree trunk and were able to extinguish the problem..
28-Feb 1227hrs Six members arrived at the fire station in response to a report stating that a fire column had been sighted issuing from a location known as Knob Track. The location was not known to the Gembrook Fire Brigade prompting the need for clarification at which stage the report was sourced to a member of the public travelling along the Princes Highway. To determine the veracity of the sighting contact was made with the fire spotter in the Egg Rock Tower (Bunyip State Park). He was not able to identify any new smoke columns and it was suggested the report referred to a smoke column from the fires in the vicinity of Narbethong. The crew was stood down.
25-Feb 0707hrs It was an early morning call to the Gembrook Park (corner Gembrook and Redwood Roads) that saw Tankers One and Two with nine members again travel to the park. Reports indicated that there was a grass and scrub fire sighted in the park area. The crews extinguished a small fire which appeared to be a result of a previously unnoticed ember that had drifted some distance from the site of yesterday's fire and had been smouldering overnight. It was quickly extinguished.
24-Feb 1758hrs Tankers One and Two plus the Brigade Support vehicle were turned out with a total of 14 members to a report of a grass and scrub fire in the Gembrook Park near the intersection of Gembrook and Redwood Roads. Gembrook's appliances received support when a Macclesfield Tanker and six crew also arrived on scene. The fire was in fact two separate fires burning in the park that consists of native vegetation include a sizeable stand of mature (about 30 metres or 100 feet high) Mountain Ash trees. As local residents looked on anxiously the fire fighters went about their business and quickly controlled the outbreak. Blacking out took a considerable amount of time and police are investigating the cause of the fire.
24-Feb 1614hrs On this day of Total Fire Ban the Gembrook Fire Brigade was called on to provide assistance for Pakenham Upper in response to a report that smoke and flames had been sighted in the vicinity of Gembrook (to Pakenham) Road, Pakenham Upper. An appliance from Cockatoo was also requested to attend. The tankers and their crews searched the area but were unable to identify any cause for the report but was unable to find a source. The turn out was reported as a false alarm.
23-Feb 1507hrs Tanker One headed out of the fire station carrying a full crew of six following a call that a sawdust pile and logs were smouldering adjacent to Dyers Picnic Ground on Black Snake Creek Road. As this location is also in the Bunyip State Park in an area where a great deal of back burning has been taking place the tanker arrived at the scene and confirmed the cause for the report. The volunteer fire fighters hosed down the area, extinguishing the smouldering logs and took appropriate action to douse the sawdust.
23-Feb 1746hrs Gembrook and Cockatoo Fire Brigades were requested to provide assistance to Pakenham Upper Brigade in response to an alarm stating that a grass and scrub fire was burning in the vicinity of Pakenham Road, Mount Burnett. Gembrook's Tanker Two turned out with three fire fighters on board and was called off en route.
16-Feb 1439hrs For the second time on this day, Gembrook's number two tanker was called in to support the Bunyip Fire Brigade answer a call to a grass fire in the vicinity of Old Sale Road, Garfield North. However as Tanker two was heading toward the nominated destination a radio message from another responding appliance was received and the response was cancelled and the tanker returned to station.
13-Feb 1210hrs Gembrook's number two tanker with three crew turned out in support of the Bunyip Fire Brigade to a report of a grass fire in the vicinity of Jolley and Tonimbuk Roads. On arrival at the scene the tanker investigated with Bunyip Tanker and finding no fire returned to Gembrook.
13-Feb 2114hrs As both Gembrook Tankers were engaged in the Bunyip State Park at the time of this call, the Gembrook Support vehicle responded to a reported motor vehicle accident near the intersection of the Belgrave-Gembrook and Station Roads. On arrival at the scene the four fire fighters in the Support vehicle found a motor vehicle had left the road near the railway crossing and crashed into a tree. The driver had been able to get out of the car, but a female passenger was injured and remained inside the vehicle where she was more comfortable until the paramedics arrived. Cockatoo's number two tanker and Gembrook Tanker One (which by this time had both been released from Strike Team duty in the State Park) started heading toward the accident scene - but Gembrook Tanker One was recalled to Strike Team activity. Cockatoo's appliance continued on to the crash site and provided traffic control. Police, ambulance and the Pakenham SES also attended the scene. Both the passenger and the driver were then transported by ambulance to hospital.
13-Feb 2028hrs A reported grass and scrub fire causing a smoke column prompted a number of calls for fire brigade attention. Initially the smoke was thought by those reporting it to be located in the vicinity of the Gembrook-Launching Place Road, but as additional calls were received it became clear that the smoke was emanating from an area in the vicinity of Hunters Track in the Bunyip State Park. Gembrook Tanker 2 with a full crew of three members travelled to the nominated location. At the same time, Gembrook's Tanker One carrying five crew members was working with the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) on control lines and back burning in the Bunyip State Park. It had been there throughout the day as part of a Strike Team and was fairly close to the scene. As it was so close to the nominated site it was released from the Strike Team to investigate. That investigation revealed that a tree fire possibly caused by a lightning strike, was the likely source of the smoke. However the tree was in terrain that was far too difficult to allow CFA tanker access and it was agreed that the DSE using a bulldozer and much lighter 'Slip On' fire fighting appliances would address the problem. Both CFA tankers were released from that response.
11-Feb 2201hrs A call was received that there was a fire in the bush close to the intersection of Burgess Road and Towt Track, which is the location that was being patrolled by the crews earlier in the evening. On arrival Tanker One with a full crew of six fire fighters found that there was no problem as the flames that had been sighted were part of the controlled burn taking place to establish the fire control lines. The crew remain at the location for about half an hour and then returned to the Gembrook fire station.
11-Feb 1300hrs Both tankers (1 & 2) with full crews (a total of nine personnel) responded to a call of a Grass and Scrub fire in the Bunyip State Park near the intersection of Black Snake Creek Road and Andersons Road. Cockatoo's Tanker also joined the Gembrook appliances and on arrival at the designated location the CFA personnel were met by a Department of Environment and Sustainability crew and Gembrook's tankers were redirected to the intersection of Helmet Track and Burgess Road, while Cockatoo's tanker returned to base. Following discussion with the DSE it was agreed that the Gembrook volunteers would provide assistance in establishing a secure fire line as the DSE established control lines in a bid to control the going fire in the Bunyip State Park. Both crews were released from their role and function at 2100hrs that night and arrived back at the fire station at about 2145hrs .
09-Feb 1152hrs Tankers 1 and 2 both turned out with full crews (nine volunteers) to investigate the sighting of smoke in Kurth Kiln Park. Gembrook's appliances received support from the Cockatoo Brigade and despite the search of the area and thought to be in the vicinity of Ure Road, and with additional assistance from the Egg Rock Fire Lookout tower, they were not able to locate a problem and all personnel returned to their stations.
09-Feb 1620hrs Gembrook Tanker One carrying a crew of five and with assistance from the Cockatoo Brigade were called to a fire in the vicinity of the intersection of Nash Track and Black Snake Creek Road, Gembrook. The area is close to the boundary of the Bunyip State Park. On arrival the CFA crews provided assistance to a number of Department of Sustainability and Environment personnel who were tackling a grass fire. Both CFA crews and their appliances stayed on scene until the area was declared 'safe' then headed back to their stations. There were nine other members on standby at the Gembrook fire station.
09-Feb 2049hrs A call was received to a smoke detector at an aged care facility in Pakenham, due to a shortage of back up vehicles available at Pakenham. Gembrook Tanker 2 with three crew on board was called off quickly when the first Pakenham vehicle arrived. Five additional fire fighters remained on standby at the fire station).
08-Feb 2014hrs Another call was received from Ure Road where the respondent reported smoke to their east in Gembrook Launching Place Road. The 8 fire fighters at the station advised Vicfire that the smoke was in every likelihood from the still running Bunyip Ride fire affected by the wind change.
07-Feb 1938hrs A call was received from Mountain Road to a forest fire. Tanker 2 responded with a full crew of three. On arrival at Mountain Road it turned out to be a sighting of a lightning strike to ground in the forest some 10-15 km to the north. Vicfire (the emergency communications base) was advised and Tanker 2 returned to the station to join the five other firefighters at the station.
07-Feb 1240hrs Called to an undefined fire on Gembrook Launching Place Road with a full crew of six in Tanker 1 responded while 11 others remained on standby at station. It soon became clear this was a sighting of the smoke blowing out from the Bunyip Ride fire which had begun is run to the south. The tanker was redirected to Tonimbuk then to join Srike Team 0844 at Nar Nar Goon to battle the Bunyip Ridge fire. The tanker eventually returned to Gembrook about 0100 hrs on the 8th of February.
07-Feb 0044hrs On this day of Total Fire Ban, a total of 14 active firefighters responded to this 'just after midnight' call to a grass fire in Beenak Road, Yellingbo. However, just as the crew members were about to climb on board the tanker and head off to the scene, a follow-up message was received cancelling the earlier call.
07-Feb
07-Feb FROM THIS DAY 07-02-2009 (NOW BEING REFERRED TO AS 'BLACK SATURDAY') THE GEMBROOK RURAL FIRE BRIGADE WAS A PARTICIPANT BRIGADE IN A GREAT MANY CFA STRIKE TEAMS. ON EACH OCCASION TANKER 1 WITH FIVE OR SIX CREW (AS REQUIRED) WAS DISPATCHED TO DESTINATIONS AS DETERMINED BY SENIOR WESTERNPORT REGIONAL OFFICERS. THE MAJORITY OF THE STRIKE TEAM'S DUTIES HAVE BEEN AIMED AT SUPPRESSING THE FIRE IN THE BUNYIP STATE PARK. STRIKE TEAM PARTICIPATION WAS ONGOING AS AT 24 FEBRUARY, 2009.
1415hrs It was warm (around 30c and the winds light) as the call was received indicating that there was an 'undefined fire' burning in the vicinity of Beenak Road, Gembrook and Tanker One with five crew on board reponded while an additional three members remained at the fire station on standby. During the trip to the alleged location, the crew's own observations were supported by an assessment from the Egg Rock Fire Lookout that the call was more likely related to one of a couple of small fires that had been burning in difficult terrain in the Bunyip State Park - but are under control and being closely watched closely by Department of Sustainability and Environment crews. Contact with the DSE Officers resulted in Tanker One ending the move toward that area and returning to station.
1858hrs Brigade turned out to a fire in conjunction with Strike Team 0844 to a fire believed to be caused by lightning at Bunyip Ridge Track. The tanker returned to the station at 0100hrs leaving the task of tackling the fire to the Deptarment of Sustainability and Enviroment crews at that scene.
05-Feb 1541hrs Six fire fighters boarded Tanker One and two additional members in the support vehicle responded to a call that some scrub was on fire in the vicinity of Rankins Track, which is accessed via Link and Burgess Roads inside the Bunyip State Park. One further member remained at the fire station on standby to deal with any additional contingencies. On arrival an initial assessment of the fire called on the services of five tankers. When the appliances arrived on the scene they met up with crews from Parks Victoria and it was agreed that the fire did not require quite as many tankers and crew as first thought. Most of the others appliances and their crews were 'released' and departed leaving sufficient Gembrook volunteers and Parks Victoria personnel , plus their equipment (inlcuding a bulldozer) 'on station' to deal with the fire. The Gembrook crew stayed on at the location for about another hour then departed as the situation had been brought under control by the heavy equipment and a helicopter water bombing operation.
04-Feb 1615hrs A call was received to assist Bunyip Fire Brigade to tackle a grass and scrub fire in the vicinity of Tonimbuk Road, Tonimbuk however when Tanker One and five crew members arrived at the scene the crews reported back that depsite their investigations into the report, they were unable to locate any sign of a fire in the area and reported the call as a false alarm and returned to their stations. Coincidentally a further call was received reporting the sighting of a column of smoke in the vicinity of one of the earlier turn-outs (0941hrs) nominating Burgess Road as the location, however no smoke could be seen in that area to confirm that report either - and it was agreed that whatever it was that prompted the first caller to report a fire (such as a cloud formation that looked like smoke) was also the likely reason for the second call.
04-Feb 1404hrs Gembrook Fire Brigade's members responded to a report that smoke could be seen issuing from the vicinity of Ure Road in the Kurth Kiln National Park, in what is officially designated Nangana. Gembrook Tanker One with assistance from one of Cockatoo's appliances searched the area for signs of a fire problem but were unable to identify any cause for the report and recorded the incident as a false alarm, then returned to their stations.
03-Feb 0941hrs Four firefighters manned Tanker 1 and two additional members followed up in the support vehicle while one more member remained on standby at the station, following a call that an undefined fire was smouldering in the Bunyip State Park in the vicinity of Burgess Road (an unsealed road located well inside the park). En route to the scene the tanker's crew met up with vehicles and crews from Parks Victoria who indicated they too were heading for the same location. The CFA crew accompanied the Parks Victoria crews to the same location to determine if they could be of assistance. Upon arrival it was agreed that Parks personnel should take control of the situation as the problem was quite some distance from the road. The CFA tanker and firefighters then returned to the station.
03-Feb 1237hrs Tanker One's crew had arrived back from the fire near Black Snake Creek Road and had just refilled the tanker with a fresh load of water, when the alarm went off in relation to the sighting of a smoke column in the vicinity of Hunters Track, in the area known as Beenak. Tanker One commenced a search of the area which is typical State Park terrain (steep hills and deep valleys) and with the increased levels of humidity creating lots of mist in the valleys that hampered efforts to find the smoke. The search continued through the area of the smoke sighting. Gembrook's support vehicle and another member in his private transport joined the search to find the smoke and as a result of meeting up with a DSE crew, it was agreed that the fire that was only minor at that time, was in very difficult terrain and specialised equipment provided by the DSE would be required. Tanker 2 had also responded to this fire on return from Garfield North. At this stage it was agreed that the Gembrook personnel and another crew from Cockatoo that had also arrived on the scene, could return to their stations..
03-Feb 1147hrs Gembrook fire brigade was called on to assist to extinguish a pine tree fire close to the Princes Freeway, Garfield North, a township some 33 kilometres from Gembrook. Due to other brigades' commitments at this time Gembrook had been called provide assistance. The crew of 2 in Tanker 2 found other brigades had handled the fire just prior to Gembrook’s arrival.
02-Feb 1102hrs Gembrook received a further call to attend a grass and scrub fire alongside Soldiers Road, Gembrook. Gembrook Tanker 2, which is held back for just such an event (where Tanker 1 is already engaged in a fire fight) responded, being crewed by members on standby at the fire station. They found that the incident had been handled by the resident who quickly extinguished the fire.
02-Feb 1057hrs As the crew was finalising the packing up of the equipment from the last fire a call was received that a column of smoke had been sighted alongside Black Snake Creek Road, near the intersection with Stump Gully Track - on the opposite side of the township, about eight or nine kilometres distant and on the edge of the Bunyip State Park. On arrival Tanker One with a full compliment of six firefighters rendezvoused with a Dept. of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) tanker and its three man crew who had started and attack on what was a lightning strike 'going' fire in quite dense virgin bush and scrub and joined the fight against the fire. At this time there was continuing heightened electrical activity and a number of nearby lightning strikes were cause for some degree of concern. Notwithstanding the storm activity the wind remained calm and the fire was stopped in its tracks and an area of less than half-an-acre was blacked out by the crews. It was agreed that had this fire occurred in more aggressive weather conditions may have proved to be quite a handful.
02-Feb 1035hrs This and the next four reports (all within just over 90 minutes) relate to a substantial storm with elevated electrical activity that passed over Gembrook and the surrounding area. On this occasion tanker one with a crew of five turned out to a reported tree fire in Maisey Road, Gembrook (about 1.5 kms from the fire station). On arrival some local residents directed the firefighters to the tree in question, which had been hit by lightning. The crew quickly extinguished a small smouldering patch on the trunk of the eucalypt and resolved the problem..
02-Feb 1910hrs An alarm on a day of Total Fire Ban always gives rise for concern and a speedy response. As Tanker 1 was already engaged with a number of other tankers in strike team activity in the area of Endeavour Hills (Melb. Outer suburban zone) Tanker 2 with three crew (its capacity) was deployed to a report of a grass and scrub fire in Ure Road, Gembrook. On arrival the crew and one other member who attended in his own vehicle, found that the report was the result of someone observing water leaking from an irrigation pipe in farmland. The leak was under high pressure and the water was misting. With the sun shining on the mist it had the appearance of smoke. The call out was reported as a false alarm and the tanker returned to the station where five additional members were standing by in case they were needed.
02-Feb 1254hrs Due to the challenging weather conditions (quite warm together with strong and gusty winds) a decision was taken within Region 8 that any fire call received would result in three appliances being sent to the scene. Gembrook's Tanker One was involved in one such event following a reported grass and scrub fire in the vicinity of Champions Road, Nangana. With a full crew of six and an seventh member responding in a seperate vehicle the crew set off for the fire scene. (Three additional members remained on standby at the fire station). Additional Brigades responding included Emerald and Cockatoo. The crews conducted a thorough search of the area in question but were unable to locate any sign of fire. It was suggested that report may have been prompted by the sighting of a branch falling across power lines, causing sparks and some smoke and then falling (unseen) harmlessly to the ground. With no problem evident the crews returned to their respective stations.
30-Jan 1642hrs Tanker One with a full compliment of six fire fighters headed out toward Tonimbuk in response to a call to assist fight a reported grass fire in the vicinity of the intersection of Tonimbuk and Ellis Roads. An additional five members remained at the fire station in the event they were also required at Tonimbuk or should a call be received requiring attendance at an incident in or near Gembrook. Tanker one travelled more than 12 kilometres toward the grass fire before the Tonimbuk crew at the scene reported that the blaze was under control and no further assistance was required. The Gembrook crew then terminated their response and returned to the station.
22-Jan 1352hrs Tanker One with four crew members on board left the fire station in response to a report that an electricity supply sub-station or transformer was on fire at the intersection of Gembrook-Pakenham Road and Boyd Road, Gembrook. Upon their arrival the crew identified some arcing taking place and remained on the scene until the arrival of power supply authority servicemen. An additional five members remained on standby at the fire station until it was clear their services were not required.
20-Jan 1920hrs In response to an alert regarding hazardous materials (Hazmat) alert Tanker One with five fire fighters on board and an additional member who responded in his own vehicle travelled to a location on the Launching Place-Gembrook Road about seven kilometres from the fire station. Six addtional fire fighters remained on standby at the fire station ready to transport any addtional equipment to the scene if required. On arrival at the location the tanker's crew advised that an ambulance was also required at the scene of the incident, but no additional equipment or manpower would be required. Those on at the fire station were stood down, while Tanker One and its crew departed the scene of the incident shortly after.
05-Jan
04-Jan
During calendar year 2008 we turned out to a total of 61 incidents
2141hrs We received yet another report of 'explosions' having been heard, this time the information indicated the noise eminated from the vicinity of the corner of Main Street and Knight Road. As was the case with the two previous reports, we went, we searched and we found - nothing. Again we filed a report that we were responding to another false alarm and the 11 fire fighters who responded, returned to their homes.
2157hrs Tanker One and the support vehicle with a total of five fire fighters, plus an additional two member (one of whom remained at the fire station and the other travelled direct to the scene) responded to a call that an explosion had been heard in the vicinity of Main Street and Knight Road, in Gembrook proper. The crew members searched in vain to determine the cause and after a short time advised that it was a false alarm.
25-Dec 2349hrs A report was received that explosions had been heard in the vicinity of the intersection of Main Street and Redwood Road in Gembrook proper. Tankers One and Two plus the support vehicle turned out with a total of nine personnel on board, while an additonal two members responded in private vehicles and another four fire fighters placed themselves on stand-by at the fire station. As the location was only about 200 metres from the fire station it was quickly determined that the 15 volunteer members involved had responded to a false alarm.
23-Dec 1043hrs A call was received requesting Gembrook Fire Brigade to provide assistance to Hoddles Creek Brigade at what was defined as a 'Hazmat Incident' on the Gembrook-Launching Place Road. As Tanker One with three crew was nearing the scene of the incident a message was received advising that Gembrook's services were no longer required and the Tanker and crew members returned to the fire station where three more crew members were on standby in the event they were requested to provide assistance
22-Dec 1112hrs Three crew were on board Tanker One when it left the fire station in response to a call to investigate a burn-off near the intersection of Ramage Lane and Williamson Road, Gembrook. Four members were at the fire station, standing by should they be required, but the crew aboard the tanker were unable to find any problem and reported the incident as a false alarm and return to the station.
06-Dec 1645hrs Tanker One was about to turn out in support of the Cockatoo Fire Brigade in response to a call to perform a washaway near the intersection of the Gembrook-Belgrave and Fielder Roads, Cockatoo. Gembrook Brigade's need to attend was cancelled before the appliance departed from the fire station and the crew was stood down. It is understood the call related to a motor vehicle incident at that intersection.
05-Dec
04-Dec 0100hrs FIRE RESTRICTIONS FOR THE 2008-09 FIRE DANGER PERIOD INTRODUCED IN WESTERNPORT (CFA REGION 8) AREA.
01-Dec 1726hrs Six firefighters and tanker one turned out in response to a call that there was an 'undefined' grass and scrub fire in the vicinity of Livio Drive, Gembrook, while an additional four fire fighters remained on standby at the fire station should their services be required. On arrival at the scene the tanker's crew determined that there was a great deal of smoke being created by a property owner burning off prior to the introduction of restrictions on 1 December but no danger of it speading. It seems that the alarm had been raised following the sighting of the smoke after some lightning and thunder in the area. The report was treated as a false alarm and the tanker returned to the fire station.
0257hrs Nine members awoke to their pagers going off in the early hours and attended what was described as a non-structure fire at the intersection of Beenak East and Gembrook Roads, Gembrook. Shortly after Tanker 1 with crew on board arrived, it was joined by Tanker Two with two crew on board. Two additional members arrived using their own vehicles, while two more fire fighters remained on standby at the fire station. The crews members found a small pile of wood and some rubbish burning in the skate park. Those responsible had left the scene but the time the crews arrived. They quickly extinguised the fire. Nil injuries. Nil damage.
27-Nov 1400hrs Nine firefighters responded to a call indicating a power pole was on fire at the intersection of Gembrook and Boyd Roads, Gembrook. Tanker 1 with five crew on board waited a short time at the sdcene until the arrival of a power company crew who were able to isolate the pole and the event was finalised shortly after. The tanker returned to the station where two additional personal were on hand to provide assistance if required, while two additional members who turned out separately in their vehicles also departed from the fire scene.
21-Nov 1152hrs Six crew members were on board Tanker One when it responded on a mild to warm and windy morning to a report that a burn-off was out of control near the intersection of Mountain Road and Amphlett Avenue, Gembrook. On arrival at the scene the crew rendezvoused with four more members from Gembrook. Another tanker from the Cockatoo Fire Brigade was also involved in fighting the problem. A further radio message was received that there may be an additional problem further along Amphlett Avenue. Gembrook's tanker conducted a searxch in the area but nothing was identified that would be cause for concern. Tanker One returned to the original location and linked up with the Cockatoo crew and provided some water to extinguish a small but troublesome hot spot about 8-12 metres up a roadside tree. Both crews then returned to their stations. Minimal damage to a couple of trees. Nil injuries to the crews.
13-Nov 1955hrs Tankers one and two with a total of seven firefighters on board responded to a call that a burn off was out on control on a private property adjacent to Amphlett Avenue, Gembrook. On arrival the crews, who had additional support from the Cockatoo Fire Brigade, tackled the fire which had spread from a burning pile of timber. Fortunately the fire had caused minimal damage and was quickly extinguished.
02-Nov 2330hrs A report that mulch was on fire at the intersection of Beenak East and Launching Place Roads, resulted in a response by Tanker One. Further details will be posted when available.
30-Oct 1427hrs Both Gembrook tankers with support from Cockatoo fire brigade responded to a call that a burn off was out of control on a property on Back Creek Road, Gembrook. The problem fire was quite a distance from the fire station, however on arrival the seven crew on board the Gembrook tankers dealt with the problem speedily bringing the outbreak under control with the assistance of the Cockatoo crew. The fire fighters remained at the scene blacking out for more than an hour before returning to the station at approximately 1625hrs.
25-Oct 0737hrs Sparks from a campfire were responsible for igniting some quite dry nearby bush and as the property owner's equipment was unable to reach the scene located some distance away he called the fire brigade. Tanker 1 with a crew of six plus three other members and the Gembrook support vehicle, with further assistance from a Cockatoo appliance attended the scene. Due to the topography and spread of trees the tanker's crew was obliged to deploy several hose lengths to reach the seat of the fire, which was quickly brought under control. The activity was an excellent example of the flexibility of the tankers, equipment and crews that attend fires in difficult terrain. The crew remained on the property for another hour or so blacking out. Nil injuries and nil assets loss.
18-Oct 2123hrs Both tankers turned out with a total of seven members in response to a call advising that there was a smouldering fire inside the toilet block of the Gembrook Skate Park-Playground and BBQ area at the intersection of Gembrook-Pakenham Road and Beenak East Road, Gembrook. The report related to an act of vandalism in which some toilet paper had been set on fire after some other acts of senseless destructive activity in the toilet facility. Three members remained on standby at the station. Nil injuries, minor damage to fitments in the toilet block.
18-Oct 1020hrs The number one tanker turned out to a report that a tree was on fire on a property in Ure Road, Gembrook. On arrival it was determined that sparks from a burn off had lodged in some branches approximately 15-18 metres above ground level. The crew was able to generate sufficient pressure from the tanker's pump to reach the trouble spot and the smouldering limb was quickly extinguished. Nil injuries and nil assets damage.
16-Oct 1028hrs In response to the report of a tree on fire adjacent to the Gembrook-Pakenham Road about a kilometre from the fire station, Tanker 1 turned out and found that a small burning-off fire had spread to the base of the trunk of a nearby tree. A concerned observer called the fire brigade and it was a rather surprised property owner who emerged from his home where he had gone to get a bucket of water to splash on the tree trunk only to find a fire fighting appliance outside his premises applying water to the tree trunk. Nil injuries. Nil damage.
11-Oct 0549hrs Another Commodore on fire, this time near the pavillion at the Sports Ground. Both tankers attended, plus Cockatoo Tanker and in a now well practised procedure quickly extinguished the fire. Police again attended. 9 firefighters on site plus 3 at station. Nil injuries. Motor vehicle destroyed.
28-Sep 0604hrs A call to another car fire, this time in Soldiers Rd, some 9 km from the station saw 6 members in Tanker 1 and 3 others directly turn out, with 3 more at the station. The car had been burning for some time when reported and the tanker crew was only required to mop up and make safe. Police again attended. Nil injuries. Motor vehicle destroyed.
26-Sep 0456hrs Brigade turned out to a car fire near the toilet block in Gembrook Park. Both tankers attended and quickly subdued the flames using water from hose reels. Police attended the apparent stolen car incident. Nil Injuries. Motor vehicle destroyed.
24-Sep 1246hrs Wind caused an electric toothbrush to short circuit in a Launching Place Road house some 7 km from the station. Both tankers, with 6 crew, turned out for a structural fire only to discover a smouldering toothbrush.
22-Sep 0316hrs A call to an undefined grass and scrub fire at the Gembrook Sports Ground proved to be a deliberate false alarm involving both tankers and 12 firefighters.
12-Sep 2033hrs The brigade despatched Tanker 1 with 6 crew to an undefined fire in Maurice Street, Cockatoo. The fire was a house fire and the crew supported Cockatoo and Emerald in the fire fight.
04-Sep 0012hrs The brigade was called out to a burnoff in Main Street which turned out to be the same pile of logs in the new subdivision adjoining the Primary school we attended on 28 April. The members returned to bed as soon as possible.
02-Sep 0624hrs The brigade was called to a house fire some 5 km from the station. The wooden structure, clad with hardiplank, was fully involved when the brigade arrived with both tankers and support. The vehicles had been relocated to the homes of several members because the station floor was being resurfaced. This meant most members travelled directly to the fire. The fire destroyed the home and a nearby shed was saved. The mother and 4 young children escaped unhurt and are being cared for by friends.
31-Aug 0822hrs Called to assist neighbour Cockatoo to a chimney fire, Tanker 1 with its crew of 6 was called off before it had cleared the station forecourt
17-Aug 0846hrs Brigade received a call to support Cockatoo at a car fire near corner of Mountain Rd and Evans Rd Cockatoo. Cockatoo had arrived at the scene and the Gembrook tanker was called off before the crew of 6 left the station.
20-Jul 1157hrs Tanker 1 and Support with minimum crew turned out to do a washaway on the Belgrave-Gembrook Rd. After travelling across our boundary with neighbouring Cockatoo and across its boundary with Emerald, we came upon a rolled over semi-trailer carrying fruit and vegetables. Emerald were called out and after helping them set up control we returned home leaving others to sort out the road blocking mess.
21-Jul 1734hrs Tanker 1 responded with a crew of three to attend a 'washaway' at the intersection of Gembrook and Launching Place Roads, Gembrook. The call out was due to a fuel leakage from a vehicle at that location. Due to rain falling at the time of the call, support was also turned out with a crew of three members. Both vehicles conducted a thorough check of the scene and having found nothing to support the report, both crews returned to the station.
17-Jul 2205hrs A report that a bonfire was causing a problem on a Beenak East Road property resulted in Tanker 1 turning out and three additional members travelling to the scene using their own vehicles. On arrival at the scene it was found that while there was indeed a bonfire the person who called the fire brigade had been a little 'over cautious'. The fire fighters judged that as the bonfire that was lit as part of a celebration for one of the residents celebrating a birthday and was being used to keep the party-goers warm did not pose a threat, they returned to the station.
30-Jun 0848hrs Tanker 1 with four fire fighters on board was called out to support the Pakenham Upper fire brigade that had responded to call reporting that a concrete mixer truck was on fire in Mann Road, Pakenham Upper. Four members remained on standby at the Gembrook fire station. Both fire appliances arrived on the scene almost simultaneously and reported that the truck was 'fully involved'. The fire was quickly controlled and the crews remained on standby to ensure the scene remained secure while they awaited the arrival of a heavy duty tow truck. The situation was further complicated due to the fact the truck was carrying a full load of wet cement in its agitator.
28-Jun 0715hrs Gembrook Tanker 1 with a crew of four turned out in support of the Cockatoo Fire Brigade in response to a call stating that there was a grass and scrub fire in the vicinity of Old Gembrook Road, Cockatoo. When the Gembrook crew rendezvoused with the Cockatoo crew, Cockatoo reported they had conducted a search of the area that had failed to find any sign of a fire as reported. Both crews returned to their respective fire stations.
27-Jun 1605hrs Tanker 1 carrying five firefighters and another firefighter travelling by private transport headed off to tackle a fire that resulted from a previous burn off in close proximity to the Puffing Billy rail line not far from the Belgrave-Gembrook Road in Gembrook. Extremely strong winds that swept many parts of the state on this day were responsible for causing the burn off to re-ignite. The crew quickly brought the situation under control and extinguised the fire. Two members remained on standby at the fire station should their services be required.
27-Jun 2210hrs A call was received that power lines had caught on fire in Halifax Road, Nar Nar Goon North. Tanker 1 with a crew of five, Tanker 2 carrying two members and an additional two members used their own vehicles to travel to the scene. Upon their arrival on scene Tanker 2 was sent back to the fire station. Tanker 1's crew had found a fallen branch had crossed the power lines and caught fire. Tanker 1's crew remained on scene keeping the situation in a safe mode and following the arrival of a power authority repair crew the fire fighters were given the all clear to return to the fire station.
25-Jun 1250hrs The Gembrook Fire Brigade was called out to provide assistance to the Pakenham Upper Fire Brigade in response to a report that a mini-bike had caught fire in a shed on a property on the Gembrook-Pakenham Road. Radio contact was made with the tanker with a crew of four on board that was en route to the scene advising that it was not required as a back-up. The tanker then returned to the station where an additional three members were on standby. One additonal member travelled independently to the scene before also returning to Gembrook.
22-Jun 1747hrs The brigade turned out to a call at the corner of Beenak East and Tonimbuk Roads. The undefined fire probably reported from someone seeing flames in the distance turned out to be a bonfire with the person who lit it in attendance managing it. Four Firefighters on Tanker 1 and three others attended directly with an additional three at the station.
22-Jun 1126hrs The brigade was called to a structure fire and explosion at a property on Launching Place Road. Two members turned out in tanker 1 with another two arriving directly fearing the worst. They discovered that the new property owners had been doing a clean up in the yard and the bonfire had been a little difficult to get going. The male owner in a bid to encourage it to burn, splashed a bit of petrol on it and suffered from the inevitable backflash. He was given first aid by immersion in the shower and waited for the ambulance to come. The four members remaining at the station had nothing to do as was the case with those at the 'explosion' who returned to the station.
10-May 1825hrs 12 members made themselves available to turn out to a report of a bonfire alight in the grounds of the Gembrook State School. Tankers 1 and 2 with a total of seven fire fighters on board were quickly on the scene of the fire, while a further five members remained on standby at the fire station in the event their services were also needed. It was indeed a bonfire that was burning, consisting of trees that had been lopped in preparation for a housing estate adjacent to the school grounds. The fire posed no danger to assets in the vicinity.
02-May 1639hrs A grass and scrub fire in Boundary Road, Yellingbo resulted in four fire fighters turning out in Tanker 1. Eight additional members remained on standby at the fire station in the event they were required. Tanker 1, after travelling 14 kilometres toward the destination was recalled as it was no longer required at the scene.
28-Apr 2153hrs To wind up one of the brigade's more eventful days, For their fifth turn out) Tanker 1 with a crew of six responded to a report that a burn off was threatening property adjacent to Gembrook-Tonimbuk Road in Tynong North. The appliance and crew travelled the 19 kilometres to the reported address only to be 'called off' upon arrival on scene. The tanker and crew returned to the fire station at 2240hrs.
26-Apr 2053hrs Tanker 1 was sooner parked in the fire station when yet another call was received requesting attendance at a grass and scrub fire in Beenak East Road, Beenak. The call was cancelled about two minutes and the tanker and 11 crew remained in station.
25-Apr 2014hrs Just as Tanker 1 was being parked in the fire station engine bay after returning from the Ure Road fire, another call was received to assist Bunyip Fire Brigade at a house fire in Tonumbuk Road, Bunyip. As the Tanker with a crew of five on board were heading toward the scene an additional call was received advising that their services were no longer required. At the same time Tanker 2 with three crew was in the process of gearing up to leave, but remained in station after Tanker 1 was turned back.
25-Apr 1936hrs So after their return to station for the Tynong fire, there was another call to attend a tree fire, in Ure Road resulting in eight crew aboard the two tankers turning out and quickly extinguishing the tree - which was yet another tree catching fire as the result of a burn off
25-Apr 1303hrs Tankers 1 and 2 and Gembrook Support with a total of 12 fire fighters turned out to a report of a grass and scrub fire in the vicinity of a burn off by the Department of Sustainability and Environment adjacenet to Lupton's Track, Tynong North (approx. 12 kms from Gembrook). This new fire went on to burn a total of more than 800 hectares over two days. Gembrook was actively involved at the scene for more than six hours. At the end of of their shift strike teams from Casey and Westernport Group were brought in to standby overnight.
25-Apr 2245hrs Hoddles Creek was again the destination as Gembrook Tanker 1 crewed by five fire fighters provided back-up for the Hoddles Creek fire brigade in response to a reprt that a tree fire was spreading, but after the appliance had travelled about four kilometres toward Hoddles Creek a radio message advised the Gembrook crew their services were not required. The tanker and crew returned to the fire station.
25-Apr 2145hrs There was a quick response to an alert that there was a fire in the laundry of the Gembrook Hotel in the township's main street - about 200 metres from the fire station. 13 members turned out for the call and when the first crew arrived on the scene they found a member of the hotel's staff had removed a clothes drier from the hotel's laundry and had taken appropriate action to extinguish the fire and removed the appliance from the laundry into the open. As there was no further danger to the premises the crews from Tankers 1 & 2 and the Gembrook Support Unit returned to the fire station. Nil injuries. One clothes drier was destroyed.
24-Apr 1107hrs A tree that ignited as a consequence of residents burning leaves and twigs at the foot of the tree required the attendance of Tanker 1 with four crew members on board (a fifth fire fighter arrived on scene in his own vehicle) and the flames were quickly extinguised. Nil injuries and nil assets lost.
19-Apr 0857hrs A report that there was a tree on fire following a burn off resulted in Tanker 1 with four crew turned out in support of Hoddles Creek (some 18 kilometres north of Gembrook). The fire was quickly extinguised and the crew returned to station. Nil injuries. Nil assets lost.
19-Apr 1453hrs Gembrook Tanker 1 with a crew of four turned out following a report that a burn-off was out of control on a property adjacent to Hunters Road, Beenak and reported back that an area of some four hectares of natural bush and scrub were ablaze and further assistance would be required . Gembrook Tanker 2 and the support vehicle were also sent to the scene where they joined appliances from Cockatoo, Hoddles Creek, Pakenham Upper, Emerald and Macclesfield. Additional assistance was provided by the Department of Sustainability and Environment who were keeping a close watch on the situation as the fire was burning close to the Bunyip State Park and they provided assistance as required with a bulldozer, a heavy duty tractor and two slip -ons. The crews remained on scene until approximate 7.30pm until they were sure that the fire was contained within the perimeter lines established by the earth moving equipment. Nil injuries and nil assests damage.
14-Apr 1122hrs Gembrook was again called upon to provide assistance - this time for Cockatoo in response to a reported grass and scrub fire on the Woori Yallock Road about three kilometres from Cockatoo proper. On arrival at the scene, the four members from Gembrook assisted at the scene for approximately two hours before returning to Gembrook. Two members remained on standby at Gembrook Station.
11-Apr 0907hrs Gembrook Fire Brigade received a call to assist Maryknoll brigade in response to a reported grass and scrub fire. The Gembrook Tanker 1 with a crew of four was called off en route to the scene and returned to station.
11-Apr 0050hrs Vandals were thought responsible for an incident requiring brigade attendance when a Police patrol spotted a fire in the electric barbeque facilities adjacent to the skate park at the intersection of East Beenak and Gembrook Roads. Tanker 1 with four crew attended and an additional three members responded in their private vehicles, while two further fire fighters remained on standby. This turn out was slightly delayed due to the loss of electricity (see previous incident) and the fact that the roller door to the engine bay had to be manually raised.
11-Apr 1450hrs Gembrook Tanker 1 responded to assist at a fire call indicating that a burn-off was out of control in the vicinity of Bessie Creek Road, Nar Nar North. The extremely destructive gale force winds that were sweeping the state on that day also brought down a number of trees and power lines which forced the tanker to advise that it was unable to reach its destination due to the fact that the roads between Gembrook and Nar Nar Goon North were blocked. The Tanker returned to the fire station. On this day it is worth noting that for approximately one and a half hours Gembrook was isolated due to fallen trees blocking all access roads and the township lost electricty supply for approximately 36 hours. Gembrook fire fighters patrolled the township during this period to ensure that no other properties were compromised.
03-Apr 1530hrs Called upon to assist Pakenham Upper at a location known as 'Tram Line Track' off Bessie Creek Road, Nar Nar Goon Gembrook Tanker 1 with a crew of three responded and attended at the report of a grass and scrub fire, while four additional fire fighters remained on standby at the fire station. The fire did present some problems as it was burning on an uphill slope, but the crews succeeded in extinguishing the flames after working at the scene for more than 90 minutes. Nil injuriues and nil property damage.
02-Apr 2015hrs Tanker 2 turned out in response to a call reporting that flames had been sighted in bushland in the vicinity of a previous burn-off. The crews from Gembrook Tanker 2, Gembrook Support and Cockatoo Brigade conducted a thorough search of the area but were unable to find any sign of a out of control blaze. The incident was recorded as a false alarm.
01-Apr
19-Mar 0100hrs FIRE RESTRICTIONS ENDED IN WESTERPORT (CFA REGION 8) AREA.
17-Mar 1810hrs A reported burn off taking place on a property in Williamsons Road resulted in Tanker 1 turning out to investigate. Upon arrival it was found that an incinerator was burning given rise to the call for brigade attendance.
1218hrs Sparking power lines in Ure Road, Gembrook were cause for concern to locals who placed a call to 000. The fire brigade responded in Tanker 1 with three crew members turned out. Two fire fighters attended in their private vehicles, while an additional two members remained on standby at the station. The cause was a limb being trimmed from a large tree had snagged a power line as it fell and the electricity shorted out through the tree to the ground and ignited both part of the tree and the surrounding grass. The crew were required to wait until confirmation had been received that power had been disconnected before extinguishing the fire. Nil injuries. Nil assets damage.
08-Mar 1510hrs The report of a motor vehicle accident on the Gembrook-Launching Place Road resulted in Tanker 1 with a crew of five and Tanker 2 with three firefighters and the support vehicle with two members turning out. Two additional members went direct to the scene in their own vehicles and a further three fire fighters remained on standby at the station in the event their services were also needed at the scene. The reason for the large turn out followed the call from those first on scene that a prime mover and semi-trailer transporting fresh fruit had run off the road into roadside trees resulting in a massive amount of damage to the prime mover. The driver survived but was trapped for almost two hours before emergency crews including the SES, Police and Ambulance were able to release him from the wreckage. The driver was then transported to hospital by air ambulance. The last of the CFA members left the scene at one o'clock the next morning having assisted in the removal of the wreckage and the payload from the crash scene.
29-Feb 0736hrs With a crew of six on board, Tanker 1 responded to a report of an unidentified fire burning in Williamson Road, Gembrook. Two additional members attended the scene in their own vehicles, while four more firefighters remained on standby at the fire station in the event their services were also required. On arrival the tanker's crew found a relatively small pile of rubbish (approx 2m x 2m) burning on a residential block and due to the fact fire restrictions were in force at the time of this call, the crew extinguished the fire. Nil injuries and nil damage.
17-Feb 1657hrs Tanker 1 with a crew of four, plus our Support vehicle with crew of two and the Brigade Captain using his own car, all turned out to investigate a report of “oil on the Gembrook – Pakenham Road. They didn’t find any spill as reported and came to the conclusion that the caller may have confused tar on the road being softened by the heat of the day and heavy activity of gravel trucks using the road as part of the Gembrook-Tonimbuk Road reconstruction. Five members remained on standby at the station ready to provide assistance if required.
23-Jan 1311hrs Two brigade members made up a composite crew for Pakenham Upper's Tanker as part of the Strike Team 0843 response to a grass and scrub fire at Dromana. (This participation on the part of Gembrook firefighters is not recorded as a fire response incident and is shown here for information.)
15-Jan 1339hrs Tanker 1 with a crew of five, responded to support Cockatoo on a day of Total Fire Ban to a Grass and Scrub fire in bush opposite the Cockatoo Fire Station. Tanker 1 provided water to local tankers in combating a spot fire. Seven additional Gembrook volunteer members remained on standby at the Gembrook station but were not required to attend the fire scene.
11-Jan
10-Jan
In calendar year 2007 we turned out to 63 incidents
0749hrs Tanker 1 with a five member crew, Tanker 2 with three, and the Brigade Support with 2 turned out in support of Pakenham Upper Brigade to investigate smoke coming from a shed at Mt Burnett Road, Pakenham Upper. The incident turned out to be electrical shorting caused by heavy rain. Gembrook’s vehicles were not needed and were therefore returned. Two other members responded directly in their own vehicles and one remained on standby at the station.
0336hrs A crew of five turned out in Tanker 1, and Tanker 2 with a crew of three turned out to a vehicle fire in Mountain Road, Gembrook. Tanker 1 extinguished the fire and the Police were called to deal with an apparent stolen vehicle. One member remained at the station.
22-Dec 1242hrs Tanker 1 with a crew of four, and another member in his own vehicle, turned out in support of Cockatoo Brigade to a vehicle fire in Pakenham Road, Cockatoo. They were called off en route. Cockatoo Brigade handled the incident.
22-Dec 1442hrs Tanker 1 with a crew of three, and Tanker 2 with a crew of two turned out to a grass and scrub fire at Tymon Road, Cockatoo. The fire was quickly brought under control.
21-Dec 1537hrs Two members in Tanker 1 turned out in support of Cockatoo to a grass and scrub fire at Doonah Road, Cockatoo. The fire was quickly extinguished. Two members remained on standby at the station.
12-Dec 1427hrs A crew of three turned out in Tanker 1 to a tree fire caused by burning off on Launching Place Road. The fire was quickly extinguished. Two members remained on standby at the station.
10-Dec 1921hrs The Brigade was called out to a fire near the Belgrave/Gembrook Road and Ure Road corner. Tanker 1 investigated with a crew of three as five members remained at the station. Smoke was located arising from a legal burn-off further down Ure Road. The event was recorded as a false alarm – good intent.
30-Nov 1202hrs Tanker 1 with a crew of five was turned out in support of Cockatoo Brigade to a non-structure fire in Maurice Street, Cockatoo. Gembrook Tanker was called off en route.
28-Nov 1222hrs Three members crewed Tanker 1 which was turned out in support of Pakenham Upper to Morrisons Road. A small grass and scrub fire was quickly extinguished. The four members on standby at the station were un-needed.
27-Nov 2045hrs The Brigade was called out to a fire burning in the back of a property in Main Street. Tanker 1 with a crew of four, and the captain in his own vehicle, investigated only to discover a bonfire which was under control. The fire was allowed to burn out. Four members remained on standby at the station.
20-Nov 1236hrs Tanker 1 with a crew of three and another in the Brigade Support turned out to a motor vehicle accident on Ure Road. The car had rolled with its female driver luckily escaping injury. The brigade provided assistance to the Police, Ambulance, and Tow Truck. One member remained on standby at the station..
16-Nov 1742hrs Tanker 1 with a crew of four was diverted to Bessie Creek Road. The Brigade Tankers and Support had been en route to the CFA’s South Eastern Training Ground at Carrum for a scheduled training exercise. Neighbouring brigades had been put on standby. The call came in when Gembrook Tanker 1 was passing the Bessie Creek intersection with Gembrook/Pakenham road. The incident was a tree fire caused by burning off, and was quickly extinguished. The Brigade Tanker then resumed its trip to Carrum.
16-Nov 1123hrs Tanker 1 with a crew of three turned out to a vehicle fire on the Bunyip Ridge track. The vehicle was burnt out by the time Tanker 1 arrived on scene. Police were called to investigate an obviously stolen vehicle. Two members remained on standby at the station.
12-Nov 1200hrs Tanker 1 with four crew, Tanker 2 with two firefighters on board turned out again to Olsen Rd. Nar Nar Goon North to a re-ignition of the earlier fire. Four members remained at the station. Fortunately only a small area was involved and it was quickly dealt with.
12-Nov 1135hrs Tanker 1 with a crew of five, Tanker 2 with three and two more members in the Support responded to assist Maryknoll at a grass and scrub fire in Olsen Road. The fire was burning in undergrowth and access was difficult in the hilly area made worse by lush clover pasture. About 20 trucks were eventually called and both Gembrook Tankers returned to the fire next morning. About five hectares were eventually burned.
28-Oct 1745hrs Tanker 1 with four firefighters and three in Tanker 2 turned out to a grass and scrub fire in Livio Drive. On arrival it was discovered that the strong wind of the previous day had reactivated a fuel reduction burn carried out by the residents. Unfortunately the fire destroyed a near new tractor and was limited to a couple of hectares. Four firefighters remained on standby at the station.
21-Oct 1400hrs Just as the tanker arrived back from Hoddles Creek it was again called out to a grass and scrub fire in Kirk Rd. Cockatoo. With six members aboard Tanker 1, two more members turned out in Tanker 2 and two more in the Support while and another member remained on standby at the station. About six trucks eventually were needed to extinguish the fire which was restricted to about three hectares. Spotting behaviour suggested a potentially bad fire season ahead.
19-Oct 1215hrs Tanker 1 with a crew of five, and the captain in his own vehicle, turned out in support of Hoddles Creek Brigade to a scrub fire in Beenak Road east of Launching Place Road. The weather was warm and windy. Fortunately prompt action by those in attendance limited the threat. Two members remained on standby at the station.
18-Oct 2110hrs A call was received to an electrical fire in a house in Livio Drive. Fearing the worst four members turned out in tanker 1, three in tanker 2 and two in the Support with two additional members remaining at the station for logistics support. On arrival it was discovered that the “fire” was caused by a faulty external light on a weatherboard wall which had charred the wall. Thankfully clear thinking by the resident and a prompt turnout resulted in minimal damage
18-Oct 1055hrs A call was received to support Cockatoo to a roof fire in Hillside Road. Tanker 1 with a crew of four turned out. Two other firefighters followed in their own vehicles. The Gembrook tanker was called off en route and returned to the fire station when Cockatoo arrived on scene.
04-Oct 1845hrs Tanker 2 turned out with Tanker 1 for the first time to a serious car crash on the corner of Belgrave - Gembrook Road at the Ure Road intersection. The call was to washaway but the two crew members in Tanker 2 and four in Tanker 1 were busy with traffic control and cleaning up as the fine evening turned to night. The two residents returning home and the local driver turning into Ure Road were all taken to hospital by ambulance. Fortunately none sustained serious injury. The Captain attended directly and two members remained at the station and were available to deliver oil absorbent and other equipment to the scene.
26-Sep 1745hrs A call was received to attend a car crash in Launching Place Road near Bonds Lane. On arrival the tanker with a crew of 4 met up with 5 other members who lived nearby or had to pass the incident on the way to the station. The car had hit a tree on the western side of the road and bounced off. Fortunately the lone driver was not seriously injured and the brigade members only needed to help with traffic control. Police and ambulance attended. Four additional firefighters remained at the station.
21-Sep 1635hrs Encouraged by the fine weather and a recognised need to clear up their residential property in Launching Place Road a landholder decided to carry out some burning off. Unfortunately it burned more intensely than expected and set fire to a stringybark tree. Tanker 1 turned out with a crew of 4 with another 9 in reserve at the station. The fire was quickly contained and red faces soon returned to normal.
08-Sep 1136hrs Tanker 1 was turned out to Kirk Rd/Rainy Hill Road, Cockatoo to assist the Cockatoo brigade at a tree fire which was caused as a result of burning off by a landholder. The tanker turned out with a crew of 4 with the captain turning out in his own vehicle. The fire was soon extinguished using water from the tanker. The weather was fine.
02-Sep 1310hrs The No.1 tanker with a crew of three plus one other member (who arrived separately) turned out to a report of a tree fire in Morbey Road., Gembrook. The crew's investigation of the incident revealed the re-ignition of a tree which had been the subject of clean-up and burn activity on the property earlier. The fire was only smouldering and was quickly extinguished utilising a line of hose and water from the tanker. Two members remainded on standby at the station. As this was a day when the temperature reached a warm 22oC it is to be hoped it is not a sign of things to come.
01-Sep 1735hrs The brigade was called to an address initially identified as Pakenham Road, Upper Pakenham (near Mann Rd) for assistance at a tree fire. (Weather conditions at the time were cold and wet). The four members who attended at an address (that in fact turned out to be Pakenham-Cockatoo Road, rather than Pakenham-Gembrook Road), found a well set up windrow cleared of timber and burning well at the bottom end of Mann Rd. The crew inspected the situation, determined there was no problem and departed from the scene. During this call two additional members were on standy at the fire station.
27-Aug 1305hrs Five members responded to a call to a property in Maisey Road, Gembrook. On arrival at the scene it was found that a slow combustion wood heater had been burning with the heater's door left open. This resulted in the heater burning vigorously and reaching a higher than planned temperature giving the resident cause to think it best to call the brigade. The resident closed the heater's door and it had quietened down by the time the brigade arrived. An additional six members remained at the fire station on standby should they be required at the scene.
03-Aug 2235hrs The call to attend a reported grass and scrub fire at an address in Ure Road some distance out of town, resulted in the Tanker with five crew members attending the scene, while an additional five members were also on standby at the fire station in the event that their attendance was also required at the scene. As there were rain showers in the area at the time, there was a deal of scepticism on the part of the crew. They searched the area around the reported scene of the fire and found nothing. The turn out was recorded as a false alarm.
08-Jul 0710hrs Gembrook Brigade received a firecall to assist Cockatoo at a grassfire. However information was received that resulted in the turn out being called off by the time six of our fire fighters had arrived at the fire station. No information is available at this time at to what the fire call actually turned out to be.
29-Jun 0935hrs The Gembrook Fire Brigade was called to provide assistance for the Cockatoo Brigade in response to a report that a burning smell had been noticed at the Cockatoo Child Care Centre in Pakenham-Cockatoo Road. When the Gembrook tanker was about two-thirds of the way to its destination, the tanker received a call cancelling the need for its attendance at the scene. Gembrook was advised that Cockatoo Brigade had identified the problem and an electrician had been called to attend to a light fitting.
30-May 2345hrs A car was reported to be on fire near the intersection of Ure and Shepherd's Creek Roads in Gembrook and the Gembrook tanker with a crew of five members and the support vehicle with three members turned out in response with support from the Cockatoo Fire Brigade in their tanker. The Gembrook Bridage's Captain travelled to the scene separately while another member remained on standby at the station. When the crews arrived at the scene they found an early model Toyota Corolla sedan that had sustained substantial damage in a collision with a tree. There was additional evidence that the vehicle had also collided with a number of 'wheely bins' prior to hitting the tree leading to suspicions that the car had been stolen. Both the car and the tree were on fire. The fires were extinguished and the tankers' crews conducted a thorough search of the area to ensure there were no injured occupants of the vehicle in the vicinity. As the search was fruitless, the tankers and the support vehicle returned to their respective stations approximately an hour after arriving on scene. Two Gembrook Brigade officers remained at the scene for some time to finalise a report for the police.
24-May 1505hrs A log near the interection of Triangle and Links Roads in the Bunyip State Park was reported to be smouldering and in response eight members attended at the fire station. As they were preparing to depart additional information was received indicating that the log was smouldering as a result of a controlled (fuel reduction) burn and that a crew from Parks Victoria was on its way to the area to attend to the problem. In the wake of this information the crew was stood down.
16-May 1810hrs There was a quick response to the alarm that a burn-off was out of control on a property on the Gembrook-Tonimbuk Road, about two kilometres from the fire station. Nine members made themselves available to attend the scene, while an additional member remained on stand-by at the fire station. When the Captain assessed the scene and spoke to the property owner it became obvious that there was indeed a burn off underway, but it was not 'out of control'. Shortly after the tanker and crew returned to the fire station. Nil further action.
04-May 0125hrs Nine members turned out following an alarm that a tree was on fire on a private property on Black Snake Creek Road, several kilometres from the Gembrook township proper. The tanker and brigade support vehicle attended and the tree fire was brought under control.
27-Apr 1540hrs A report that a tree was on fire at the edge of the Bunyip State Park near the intersection of Beenak East Road and what is known as the SEC Track (adjacent to overhead high-tension power transmission lines) resulted in the tanker with a five member crew responding to investigate. An additional fire fighter remained at the fire station on standby. The tanker conducted a full sweep of the area, which is quite a few kilometres from the fire station, in a bid to find the burning tree without success. The incident was recorded as a false alarm.
25-Apr 1300hrs The fire call to a tree on fire in Morbey Road, Gembrook resulted in five members turning out in response, while one member remained at the fire station on standby. The tanker crew was quickly on the scene and tackled the blaze in a large eucalypt, which had spread to the trunk from a burn-off. The flames candled their way toward the top of the tree requiring the brigade's high pressure hoses to reach the fire. The fire was extinguished and the crew returned to the fire station. Nil injuries. Nil property damage.
22-Apr 1150hrs Six members responded to a call to attend a bushfire alongside the Gembrook-Pakenham Road, near the intersection of Black Road in Pakenham Upper. Gembrook's tanker was joined by Pakenham Upper, Cockatoo Tanker 1 and the Pakenham Tanker to tackle the going fire which had stopped traffic on the main road. The crews from each of the tankers immediately tackled the fire as it threatened to cross the Gembrook-Pakenham Road being fanned by a fresh breeze from the south-west and succeeded in preventing that spread. The fire was started by embers from a local citizen's burn off the day before. In the absence of rain for more than two weeks, the area is now tinder dry and the fresh breeze caused the 'extinguised fire' to come back to life and spread some embers into the adjoining bush country. Gembrook's firefighters remained at the scene for more than two hours. Approximately 1.5 acres was involved. Nil injuries. Nil property damage.
21-Apr 1310hrs A burn off that got out of control resulted in the Gembrook tanker with a six-man crew turning out to control the fire on a property on Beenak East Road, just on the outskirts of the township proper. The heat generated by the flames was attacking a number of nearby trees. The fire was stopped in its tracks as also it tried to spread from the property where it started, across the road into more roadside trees. The crew spent about an hour on the scene to ensure that the fire did not pose a danger to any assets. Nil injuries. Nil property damage.
18-Apr 1540hrs Nine members responded to a call to assist at a Department of Sustainability and Environment controlled fuel reduction burn in the Bunyip State Park close to the intersection of Beenak East Road and The Pack Track, Gembrook. The crew kept a close watch on the edge of the controlled burn to minimise any risk of it moving beyond the intended 40 hectare burn area. As the burn progressed without incident, three members of the crew departed the area at 1930hrs, while the remaining six members stayed on until approximately 2130hrs. The controlled burn was monitored overnight by the DSE crew members at the scene and was regarded as very successful.
17-Apr 1635hrs The Gembrook tanker responded with a crew of five to a report that a tree was on fire near the intersection of Gembrook-Launching Place Road and Beenak Road. The Cockatoo tanker also turned our in support. An additional five Gembrook members remained on standby at the fire station in the event their services were required. The Gembrook tanker crew conducted a thorough search of the area but were unable to locate a tree fire and it was decided that the call related to some fuel reduction burns being conducted in the area.
15-Apr 0750hrs The report of a tractor on fire on a property in Evans Road, Cockatoo saw four Gembrook members responding immediately, while an additional four members who arrived at the fire station remained on standby after the tanker had departed. When the Gembrook tanker and crew members arrived on the scene, they we joined by the Cockatoo tanker with a two member crew. The firefighters extinguished the fire, however the machine did sustain a deal of damage.
14-Apr 1940hrs This was a day of TOTAL FIRE BAN. In response to a report that a fire was burning in a 44 gallon drum on a property in Agnes Street, Gembrook, a five-member crew turned out in the tanker, while a sixth member attended in his own vehicle and was able to tackle the problem and extinguish the fire. A further three members remained at the fire station in the event they were required to ferry equipment or supplies to the fire scene. The tanker was advised the problem had been resolved and returned to the station.
12-Apr 1350hrs The Gembrook tanker with a crew of five members responded to a report that an alarm was operating inside a private residence in Heroes Avenue, Gembrook. Cockatoo also responded with a tanker to the turn out. On arrival at the scene the Gembrook crew did not observe any immediate cause for the alarm to be functioning and as it continued to operate further investigations strongly suggested the alarm was located in the master bedroom. At this time the need for Cockatoo to continue to the scene was cancelled. The Gembrook firefighters were then able to establish who resided in the premises, made contact with them and established there was no one inside. Permission was granted from the resident to enter the house which the crew was able to achieve with nil damage. The crew then turned the alarm off. Investigations gave the crew to believe that a ceiling light (left 'on' in the empty bedroom) in close proximity to the smoke alarm may be the cause for the alarm to sound. In the absence of any other obvious reason for the alarm to operate, the next most probable cause was that the alarm is faulty.
23-Mar 2325hrs 12 members, several of whom were awoken by the call to action, attended when the alarm was raised to investigate a report that a bushfire was burning in the vicinity of the intersection of Beenek East and Black Snake Creek Roads. As this is a well wooded area on the edge of the Bunyip State Park the brigade response was swift with support from the Cockatoo Brigade. On arrival at the designated location the Gembrook crew could not see any indication of bushfire and the crew headed deeper into the Park along Black Snake Creek Road. Cockatoo's crew held at the initial intersection while Gembrook continued the search - which also proved to be fruitless. It was agreed that the call should be regarded as a false alarm. Both crews returned to their respective fire stations.
20-Mar 1340hrs We were 'rattled' again! We have experienced yet another seismic event (the most recent previously was 13 July last year). On this occasion seven members responded to a report of an 'explosion' having been heard in the vicinity of Currawong Drive, Gembrook. The members who attended at the station were however aware of an earth tremor felt in the area (epicentre thought to have been around Powelltown) accompanied by a 'bang' that coincided with the report that was made soon after the tremor. The Vicfire dispatcher double-checked with the person who made the report and it was determined that the 'explosion' was due to the seismic activity. Nil further action.
14-Mar 2005hrs Gembrook was called on to respond to reports that there was an 'unspecified fire' burning in Olsen Road, Nar Nar Goon. Six Gembrook firefighters attended at the scene while two additional members remained on stand-by at the fire station in the event that their services or equipment were required. The crew found a fire burning in a pile of timber and took appropriate action to extinguish it.
08-Mar 1345hrs A Victoria Police crew traveling near the intersection of Beenak East Road and Black Snake Creek Road, reported sighting whisps of smoke emanating from the surrounding bush land of the Bunyip State Park. The tanker was dispatched to the location where the crew undertook an intensive search of the area in a bid to determine the cause of the smoke. The search then widened with a helicopter moving into the area to conduct an aerial search, in addition to crews from the Department of Sustainability and Environment and the Police. Despite the intensity of the search to find a source for the smoke sighting, the personnel on the scene were unable to determine the cause and the search was suspended.
24-Feb 1105hrs While the thunderstorm and associated heavy rain from the evening before had long since passed, this call to attend a tree fire in Grey Road was a legacy of nature's fury. On this occasion a tree was still smouldering from the events of about 17 hours earlier and was quickly extinguished by the Gembrook Tanker's crew.
17-Feb 1910hrs The report of smoke sited again in the vicinity of Ure Road resulted a crew of six manning the tanker (with a further three members on standby at the fire station). However before the investigation of the reported incident had progressed very much further, the turn-out crew was able to establish that (again) the smoke issuing from the fire at Launching Place was responsible for the report and they then stood down.
17-Feb 1830hrs The alarm was again raised and the brigade responded with six members on the tanker and an additional five members on standby at the fire station, to a report of a grass and scrub fire in the vicinity of the intersection of the Pack Track and East Beenak Road. When the tanker arrived at the scene they discovered a tree was on fire as the result of a lightning strike. The fire was extinguished and the crew returned to the fire station.
16-Feb 1755hrs As the tanker was returning from the previous turn-out, another call was received of an 'undefined fire' in Ure Road, Gembrook. The tanker immediately headed toward Ure Road and at that location the crew also observed smoke. It was quickly established that they were looking at the smoke being generated from 'going' blaze near Launching Place and well beyond their area of response.
16-Feb 1745hrs Five firefighters were on board the tanker when it turned out to the first of several calls, while on this occasion seven members remained on standby at the station. The scene of the problem was on the Launching Place-Gembrook Road where the crew identified a tree that had been struck by lightning. However due to the extremely heavy rain falling at the time, the matter had 'resolved itself' and the crew began to return to the station.
16-Feb
16-Feb Late afternoon. Gembrook and environs were swept by an active storm cell that produced numerous lightning strikes and more than 30 millimetres of rain. As is often the case with such storms they are very localised and rainfall is recorded in an equally varied number of locations. The rain can also completely miss other nearby locations. While Gembrook received quite a decent drenching - Launching Place (about 20kms distant), where a fire of serious proportions started from a lightning strike, was deprived of the rain.
16/2/2007 1750hrs The report of a fallen power line across the Gembrook-Launching Place Road resulted in 10 members responding to the alarm. Weather conditions during this afternoon brought very strong winds and several power black outs, due mainly to uprooted trees and falling tree limbs bringing down lines across Melbourne and the outer suburbs. However, despite an assessment of power lines in the area of the reported problem, the crew was not able to find any fallen lines. In the absence of an identified problem, the turn out was recorded as another false alarm.
1510hrs The report of an 'undefined fire' on the Gembrook-Launching Place Road, resulted in the crew that responded investigating additional information of smoke having been sighted in the vicinity of The Pack Track. The crew was unable to find any fire in the vicinity, but it is suggested that smoke emanating from the local saw mill's waste burner (seen from a couple of kilometres away) may be the reason for the fire call. The turn out was recorded as a false alarm.
11-Feb 1720hrs 14 members responded to a report that a domestic smoke alarm had activated in a private dwelling in Williamson Road, Gembrook. When they arrived on the scene shortly after the alarm was raised, the crew conducted an investigation at the scene and reported back that the call was a false alarm. All members involved were stood down. Nil further action.
07-Feb 0655hrs The call to attend a reported structure fire at the intersection of the Launching Place Road and the Pack Track brought a response from 15 members. Nine members immediately attended at that location, while five more remained on 'stand-by' at the fire station. An investigation of the report resulted in the crew members identifying the waste wood burner at a local sawmill at that location as being the source of a smoke sighting leading to someone reporting it as a fire. The matter was recorded as a false alarm. Nil further action.
05-Feb 1725hrs 12 of our volunteers responded to a call to investigate what was reported as a burn off in Morbey Road. It was quickly determined that a resident had 'fired up' his slow combustion space heater following the arrival of a cool change and the smoke emanating from the chimney gave cause for the report. The investigation into the report having concluded, the crew was stood down. Nil further action.
26-Jan 1600hrs 10 members were on hand to attend to a call that a column of smoke had been sighted in the vicinity of Seven Acre Rock (approx. 6 kilometres east of local landmark and fire lookout tower location 'Egg Rock'). The crew was about to depart, however a follow up check with the fire spotter in the Egg Rock Lookout Tower, was unable to confirm any smoke column and as the alert was received from a caller even further from the alleged sighting than the lookout, the crew was directed to stand down. It is believed that the call emanated from a cloud formation that had the appearance of a smoke column.
21-Jan 1015hrs It was to be a quickly resolved problem when eight members turned out in response to a call that smoke was seen issuing from a property on the Gembrook-Tonimbuk Road. As the firefighters were donning their gear and about to board the truck, a further message was received that the smoke was the result of an organised fuel reduction burn in the area. All members stood down. Nil further action.
20-Jan 1255hrs As part of the initial group of four who remained behind when the tanker responded to the Tonimbuk Road call, one of the members said he had seen what appeared to be smoke emerging from an area to the south of the Belgrave-Gembrook Road as he was driving into Gembrook from Cockatoo. It was decided that the support vehicle should be crewed by three members to investigate whether there was in fact smoke - or perhaps something that looked like smoke. As the crew headed toward the suspect area, a call was received that there was in fact, smoke sighted in the area. At this stage, the Gembrook crew had again sighted the smoke and had to find a way to the scene, which turned out to be a fire alongside the Puffing Billy Line bordered on both sides by private property and approx 1.5 to 2 kilometres east of the Fielder level crossing. The firefighters managed to link up with a track maintenance crew from Puffing Billy and in a united effort, the personnel 'on scene' managed to prevent the fire from speading. The scene proved to be a bit of a challenge for the tanker which was sent on from the false alarm of the previous call out. When the tanker arrived on scene, it provided the necessary quantities of water to totally extinguish the grass fire which had covered an area of approx. 8 x 20 metres. Nil injuries or damage. Nil further action.
12-Jan 1250hrs A total of 14 members responded to a call to a grass and scrub fire on the Tonimbuk Road. The first six members who arrived at the station crewed the tanker and turned out in response to the call. They reported back a short time later that it was a false alarm.
06-Jan
06-Jan
During the calendar year 2006 we turned out to a total of 53 incidents.
1115hrs Nine volunteers responded to a call to attend a motor vehicle accident in Main Street, opposite the entrance to Puffing Billy Station car park. On arrival the crew found one of two cars involved had hit a tree head-on and the other vehicle was stationery, on the side of the road. The occupant of the first car had been removed from the vehicle and was being cared for by on-lookers while the occupants of the other vehicle were resting alongside their only slightly damaged vehicle. Neither had sustained injury. The elderly male driver of the car that hit the tree was transported by ambulance to hospital for observation. It is believed his chest came in contact with the centre of the steering wheel upon impact. Police, ambulance and tow trucks attended. The CFA crew members provided initial first aid for the injured man, traffic control at the scene and kept watch over the damaged vehicles until the amublance and police arrived on scene.
0330hrs The tanker with a full crew of six members turned out to provide assistance to the Hoddles Creek CFA following a report that a house was on fire at Hoddles Creek. In addition to the crew on board the tanker, four more Gembrook volunteers who had responded to the alarm, remained behind at the Fire Station and waited until it was determined whether they too would be required. The fire was reported to be under control as the Gembrook tanker arrived on the scene. The older-style weatherboard structure sustained damage to only two room and was saved due to the prompt response by the local brigade's members.
28-Dec 2000hrs In the midst of a thunderstorm and despite heavy rain at the time, the lightning strike that hit a tree on the Beenak East Road, about 150 metres past the intersection of Russell Road brought a swift response from seven firefighters who quickly extinguished the tree that had caught fire as a result of being struck. The tanker and crew were safely back in the fire station within 30 minutes of the alarm being raised. Nil damage (apart from a slightly 'battered and bruised' gum tree).
23-Dec 2305hrs Quick thinking on the part of a Beenak East Road resident prevented a potential catastrophe when she used a garden hose to extinguish a fire that had started in an old three-seater fully upholstered lounge (or couch) located on an outside verandah of her weatherboard home. On arrival the 12 volunteer firefighters who turned out to the fire call, found that the couch which had been well alight, was still smouldering and that the flames had created severe scorching of the weatherboards and were trying to enter the roof cavity. The resident's swift action prevented the fire's spread and saved the dwelling. Damage was restricted to the old lounge and some other surrounding items near it, in addition to those weatherboards in the immediate vicinity of the lounge. Smoke and scorching extended along the length of the verandah. The heat from the fire had also cracked a window and flames had entered the inside of the house through a nearby open door, destroying some curtain material just inside the door. The fire fighters carefully checked the situation to ensure the roof cavity and its surrounds had not been compromised and that the fire was fully extinguished before they departed.
22-Dec 2300hrs The Gembrook volunteers were turned out to a report of a fire in the skatepark at the intersection of Beenak East and Pakenham Roads (not far from the fire station). The tanker with a full crew and an additional four members attended at the scene, where it was determined that some young men had set fire to a substance in an aluminium can in a park area next to the skate park and when seen, quickly fled the area. The fire was out by the time the members arrived and caused little if any damage to the park's facilities. Nil further action
18-Dec 1217hrs No sooner had the door been closed and one crew member driven off from the fire station (from the previous incident) than the siren sounded again. This time the call related to a smoke sighting from an area about 5km from the smoke. The four man tanker crew travelled along the Gembrook-Launching Place Road to the location of the smoke, that turned out to be the sawdust burner of the local sawmill.
02-Dec 1144hrs The volunteers responded to a call to a fire in Currawong Drive which had been reported from Egg Rock Fire Tower. The firefighters stood by at the station whilst Dept. of Sustainability and Environment staff who were in the area attended and extinguished a small smouldering heap that shouldn’t have been lit. The brigade was saved from making the 25 minute trip to one of the most distant 'outposts' of our 'empire'. The five member tanker crew and one other member at the station stood down at 1215hrs.
22-Nov 1810hrs Near 260 Ure Rd Gembrook. A small patch of lank, almost green grass burned, about 200 square metres. It was probably caused by a small branch falling from a tree and falling across the power line. It apparently rested long enough on the line to ignite the branch before falling and setting the grass on fire. Fortunately the grass was not completely dry and the fire was seen early. Six firefighters attended in the tanker and and additional six members remained on standby at the station. The tanker returned @ 1910hrs
22-Nov 1651 hrs. On the Gembrook-Pakenham Road just downhill from Redwood Road. A spindly gum tree on the eastern side of the road fell across the road snagging the powerline and bringing it to the ground. The brigade provided traffic control diverting traffic through Gembrook Park. Police arrived and a repair crew from the electicity transmission company arrived later to remove the snagged line and remove the tree. Five members responded in the tanker and returned to the station @ 1910hrs
21-Nov 2140hrs A total of 16 members responded to a report of an electrical fire in the laundry of the Ranges Hotel in Main Street, Gembrook. The first members on the scene very shortly after the alarm was raised discovered a clothes dryer and its contents had caught on fire - but the machine had been switcvhed off and the fire had been partly extinguised by the owner,. However, the appliance still had to be removed from the danger area as it was a continuing cause for concern because the contents that were being dried at the time were still smoldering. Quick action resulted in the problem being extinguised and the area being declared safe. One clothes dryer and its contents were destroyed. Nil further action required.
14-Nov 0745hrs Gembrook tanker and crew turned out to investigate a reported grass and scrub fire behind a property in Station Road, Gembrook. When the appliance and crew arrived on the scene the fire was visible some distance to the north of the tanker's location. A further investigation of the flames and smoke found that they were caused by a legitimate burn off. Nil further action required.
29-Oct 1230hrs In the absence of the Gembrook Tanker (expected back in the near future from Hazelwood) seven members responded to a report that there was a chimney fire in Main Street, Gembrook. The responding appliances (Cockatoo 1 and Pakenham Upper) were on their way to the scene, when the Gembrook Support vehicle that was able to attend the scene at the Puffing Billy Gembrook Railway Station quickly, was able to report that the situation was under control and the fire was out. The two other appliances returned to their stations and the seven Gembrook members who turned out in response to the call, also returned to the fire station.
25-Oct 1915hrs Co-inciding with the conclusion of the disposal of the gas in the previous incident, the Gembrook firefighters were called to assist Cockatoo Tanker 1 and the Pakenham Upper Tanker at Harewood Park Road, Gembrook in reponse to a report of a grass and scrub fire in the area. The fire was quickly controlled and extinguised by the crews on board the Cockatoo and Pakenham Upper appliances, plus the 10 Gembrook members who also attended at the scene.
21-Oct 1815hrs As Gembrook's tanker was still in attendance at the Hazelwood coal fire (see report: 13-14 Oct), two Gembrook firefighters provided information and assistance to Cockatoo Tanker 1 and a specialised unit from Officer, following a request from officials with the Department of Sustainability to assist in the removal of gas that remained in the cylinder attached to an abandoned vehicle that was the subject of the gas leak in an earlier call (see: 24 Sept - leaking gas cylinder). DSE wanted the gas removed, before undertaking measures to remove the abandoned car from the bush environment. The CFA appliance based in Officer carries specialised equipment to remove un-used gas from cylinders in such circumstances. The operation was finalised successfully and without further incident.
17-Oct All Day (both days) A total of 10 Gembrook firefighters indicated their willingness to participate as members of a Westernport Group Strike Team and were called on to assist in fighting the fire in the Hazelwood Power Station's open cut mine in Gippsland. Two crews participated - one on the Friday and one on the Saturday.
17-Oct 1500hrs Day of TOTAL FIRE BAN -Gembrook and Cockatoo were called on to support Pakenham Upper to fight a grass and scrub fire close to the intersection of Gembrook Road and Pakenham Rd. Gembrook's tanker turned out with a five-person crew, while four additional members remained on standby at the fire station. Just as the Gembrook tanker arrived at the scene Pakenham Upper Brigade advised the fire was under control. Gembrook and Cockatoo tankers returned to their stations.
13-14 Oct 1850hrs Six members turned out on the tanker (while an additional seven members remained on stand-by at the fire station) to a report that a burn-off was out of control on Beenak Road, Gembrook. This fire was linked to the previous fire (windrow) brought to the brigade's attention the previous night. As the following day (Thursday) was listed as a day of Total Fire Ban - on this occasion with Cockatoo's number two tanker and crew in support, the burning wood was fully extinguished after a chainsaw was employed to cut the logs open to reach the hot spots. The members at the station were not required and the tanker and crew returned to the station approximately one-and-a-half-hours after they arrived on-scene.
12-Oct 2115hrs A full crew turned out to a report that there was a grass and scrub fire that was spreading from the vicinity of Beenak and Launching Place Roads, Gembrook. The investigating fire fighters found a small outbreak as described eminating from a windrow burn. The crew attended to the problem and extinguished the small fire. Nil damage. Nil further action.
11-Oct 1440hrs Gembrook was requested to assist Cockatoo in response to a report of a tree on fire on the Pakenham Road. Investigations by the crews revealed that a concerned resident had reported the fire which was in fact a burn-off taking place and there was no need for fire brigade involvement.
07-Oct 1510hrs Gembrook was called to attend a grass and scrub fire burning in Nar Nar Goon North as one of 10 appliances (initially) and as a result, a number of members who had been assisting at the gates of five properties which were participating in an open garden day (Open Gardenfest) which was raising funds for the Gembrook CFA, were required to leave the properties and man the tanker in response to the call. At last report the number of tankers attending had increased to 19 but by 1845hrs the fire was described as 'safe'. Further reports will be posted here if required.
07-Oct 1250hrs A call was received for the Gembrook RFB to attend the scene of a leaking gas cylinder on Scout Camp Track in the Bunyip State Park. The call was received as a number of members were in the process of closing down a 'Sausage Sizzle' fund raising stall at the Gembrook Market. (The market was being closed earlier than scheduled due to inclement weather as a cold weather front passed through the area which had brought with it, some very heavy showers). Four of the members working at the fund-raiser left and returned to the nearby fire station and then crewed the tanker responding to the call. Other members (not at the sausage sizzle) responded as usual and in total eight members travelled to the scene of the incident utilising both the tanker and the support vehicle, while two more members remained on standby at the fire station. On arrival at the scene, an assessment of the situation revealed that a dumped motor vehicle's gas cylinder was leaking. The crew's investigation of the problem found that the leak could be halted by the members in attendance with minimal danger. After rectifying the problem they returned to the fire station. Nil injuries. Nil further action.
01-Oct 0945hrs Not too long after the crew had returned from the shed fire (below), washed and cleaned their gear and returned to their homes, a further message was received indicating that a burn-off in the vicinity of Clink Road, Pakenham Upper had got out of control and fire brigade attendance was required. Six members turned out and on arrival in the area of Clink Road, together with the Pakenham Upper crew they were able to assess that the situation had 'settled down' and that their services were not required and they could return to their stations. Nil further action.
24-Sep 0400hrs An early morning call was received that a shed was on fire on a property in Boyd Road, Gembrook. 10 Gembrook members turned out in response and on arrival at the location found a substantial shed-type structure (approx 10m x 25m) well alight. The Gembrook members were joined by fire fighters from Cockatoo and Pakenham Upper and at the height of the fight to control the fire there were about 30 volunteers at the scene. Strong and gusty northerly winds spread the fire through the structure. The blaze destroyed the shed and its contents including a tray truck and a substantial amount of specialised equipment. There were no injuries sustained by any of the fire fighters.
22-Sep 1350hrs A turn out call was received indicating that a grass and scrub had resulted from a burn-off getting out of control in the Hoddles Creek area. Four members responded, but just as they were about to leave the Gembrook fire station further advice was received that their services were not required and the turn out was cancelled.
22-Sep 1750hrs 10 volunteers turned out following a report that a power pole was on fire alongside the Gembrook-Launching Place Road (not far from the fire station). Six of those members attended in the tanker and Brigade support vehicle. They assessed the situation and determined that a power authority repair crew was required. The additional four CFA members remained behind at the fire station, in the event additional equipment was required at the scene. The six CFA members at the incident scene remained there until the power supply repair crew arrived - to ensure the area remained secure and did not pose any threat to the safety of members of the public.
18-Sep 0300hrs 10 members responded to a report that a man had sustained burns. Six members attended at the scene on a private property in Launching Place Road, Gembrook while four additional members remained on standby at the fire station, ready to provide assistance as required. The crew that attended in the tanker quickly determined there was no ongoing fire danger. Ambulance officers who also attended the scene rendered first aid to the burns victim. The man was then transported by ambulance to hospital for ongoing treatment for the injuries he sustained.
06-Sep 1500hrs An event of truly and literally seismic proportions was responsible for a report of an 'explosion' at the Gembrook Fire Station in Innes Road, Gembrook. Six members turned out in response to the report and Cockatoo CFA also turned out as support to investigate. With nothing obvious to those members who responded both crews conducted surveillance in the immediate area around Gembrook for any obvious signs of the cause of the 'explosion'. It was subsequnetly revealed that a mini-earthquake registering 2.7 on the Richter scale, with its epicentre in Gembrook had shaken the area. Many residents described the event as more like a single 'thump' rather than an ongoing series of tremors. One resident thought a tree had fallen on his house, while another described it as being like a sudden, muffled explosion. Nil reports of damage or injuries.
06-Aug 0115hrs 15 volunteers turned out to a reported classroom fire at the Gembrook Primary School. 11 members attended at the scene in two fire response vehicles to investigate and an additional support crew and tanker from Cockatoo also turned out. Four members were on hand at the Gembrook fire station ready to repond with additional equipment if required. The investigation by members at the scene was unable to find any problem and the incident was recorded as a false alarm.
13-Jul 2035hrs Five members crewed the tanker in response to a call to assist Cockatoo following a report that children were locked in a house in Cockatoo. As the tanker was about to leave, an update on the incident advised that the Gembrook crew were not required at the scene.
05-Jul 1525hrs The Gembrook tanker and support vehicle turned out to assist the Pakenham Upper Brigade at the scene of a reported diesel fuel spill on the road surface near the intersection of Pakenham and Mt Burnett Roads. Assistance was also provided at the scene by Cockatoo Tanker One. The crews assessed the situation and concluded that due the nature of the spill, Vicroads crews would be better equipped to handle the situation. A call was placed to Vicroads who advised that they would respond. Nil further action.
23-Jun 1445hrs Tanker One with five volunteers on board in addition to two other members who also attended, responded to a reported tree on fire in Beenak East Road, Gembrook. Investigation revealed that a pile of cypress cutting were burning a little more fiercely than antipated by the property owner, and the flames were threatening the canopy of nearby cypress trees. A check of the situation revealed that the danger of the fire speading had subsided and there was no need for any action by the members on scene. Nil further action.
01-May 1330hrs As Tanker 1 was returning to the fire station a call was received that trees were on fire in Ure Road, Gembrook. However supplementary information indicated smoke at another location which may have given rise to suggestions the fire was in Ure Road. At this time, Tanker One was joined by the Gembrook Support vehicle carrying three additional members. Both crews, plus three other members travelling indepently were unable to identify any trees on fire and the incident was treated as a false alarm.
14-Apr 1305hrs In response to a reported tree fire Gembrook tanker with five crew and an additional three members travelled separately and arrived at the location (Tonimbuk Road), while a ninth member remained at the station to co-ordinate communications. An unlucky resident had started burning a small pile of leaves when an ember lodged in the bark of a nearby tree, setting it on fire approximately 8 metres from ground level. The tanker crew were able to quickly extinguish the trouble spot. Nil injuries. Nil further action.
14-Apr 1040hrs A report from a local resident of a gas cylinder seen on a burn-off site on a property in Main Street, Gembrook resulted in Tanker 1 with a full crew turning out, with support from an additional seven operational volunteers to investigate the sighting. The tanker crew and support members assessed that the 45kg cylinder did not pose an immediate danger and were able to remove it from causing any danger.
Nil injuries. Nil further action.
14-Apr 1405hrs Gembrook Tanker one with a full crew responded to a call to assist Pakenham Upper at a grass and scrub fire in Pakenham Upper. Three additional Gembrook members also arrived at the scene to assist in extinguishing the fire which was quickly controlled. Nil injuries. Nil further action.
14-Apr 2005hrs Tanker one with a full crew of six members responded to a call from Pakenham Upper Brigade to assist fighting a shed fire on a property in Pakenham Upper. Additional assistance was provided by the Cockatoo Brigade which also turned out with its 10,000 litre tanker. Four other volunteers remained at the fire station in the event there was a need for additional personnel or equipment. The fire was controlled in about 45 minutes however, mopping up continued for some time after the blaze was controlled. One citizen is believed to have been treated at the scene for smoke inhalation. Substantial loss of assets housed in the shed.
Nil member injuries. Nil further action.
13-Apr 0935hrs Tanker one and our support vehicle turned out with seven volunteer members to attend at a fallen power line in Boyd Road, Gembrook. The crew provided security at the scene to prevent pedestrians and vehicles from crossing the power line. Shortly after the Gembrook RFB crews arrived, a power supply serviceman arrived to carry out repairs. Nil injuries. Nil further action.
12-Apr 1100hrs Tanker One with a crew of six responded to a call to investigate smoke seen in the vicinity of the Mt Eirene Road - Halifax Road area. It was suggested the source of the smoke may have been a grass and scrub fire. On arrival the crew entered a private property and found a burn off taking place. With assistance from the Cockatoo No.1 tanker the burn off was extinguished. An investigation into the incident is continuing.
Nil injuries.
01-Apr 1115hrs Gembrook tanker one with a crew of six attended a reported grass and scrub fire on private property in Launching Place Road, Gembrook. On arrival the crew found some smoldering piles of small logs and grass in a cleared area. The crew easily extinguished the fires, and returned to the fire station.
31-Mar 0520hrs Tanker one with a full crew responded to a reported small grass or scrub fire in the grounds of the Gembrook railway (Puffing Billy) station. An additional six crew members also attended the scene that was close to the Gembrook fire station where they idenified a small fire in some logs in the vicinity of the rail station. The fire was quickly extinguised.
Nil further action.
25-Mar 1250hrs Gembrook RFB received a request to assist Cockatoo Brigade together with an appliance from Emerald black out a grass and scrub fire at Nangana. Gembrook's Tanker one with a full crew of six members responded, while three Gembrook members remained, 'at the ready' to provide additional manpower if required. Their services were not needed.
Nil further action.
25-Mar 1455hrs Tanker one crewed by five members responded to a call to attend what was described as an 'unidefined fire' in the vicinity of Eacotts Road, Hoddles Creek. Three additional members remained at the fire station on standby. En-route to the location a message was received that Gembrook services were not required and the crew returned to the fire station.
Nil further action.
22-Mar 2140hrs Tanker one crewed by six members, turned out to a request to investigate a burn off in Stone Road North, Gembrook while an additional four members remained at the fire station on standby. Upon arrival at the scene the crew members were not able to indentify any fire or related problem and returned to the station. The turn out was recorded as a false alarm.
Nil further action.
21-Mar 1730hrs In response to a turn out call, six members crewed Tanker 1, with an additional five members on hand should they be required to attend a reported grass and scrub fire in the Cockatoo area. However, before the appliance could leave the fire station the crew was advised its attendance was no longer required.
Nil further action.
17-Mar 1410hrs In response to information about an 'undefined fire', Tanker 1 turned out to Stoneycroft Road which intersects with Mt Eirene Road, Nar Nar Goon North. On arrival the five crew members found a small fire burning on the verge of Stoneycroft Road that had started to encroach onto private property. The crew quickly extinguished the fire, the cause of which could not be determined.
Nil further action.
06-Mar 1545hrs Tanker 1 crewed by four members responded to a report that a car was on fire in Main Street, Gembrook near the Post Office. Three additional members remained on stand-by at the fire station. On arrival at the scene, the Tanker's crew found that the vehicle owner had extinguished the fire.
Nil further action.
22-Feb 1840hrs Tanker 1 and nine members responded to a call to investigate a burn off in Livio Drive, Gembrook. Five additional members were on standby at the fire station, ready to also respond if required. it was discovered that the report referred to a small fire in some paper on a private property which had already been extinguished when the crew arrived on scene.
Nil further action.
21-Feb 1850hrs Gembrook RFB requested to investigate a burn off on a property in Launching Place-Gembrook Road. Tanker two with a full crew (six members) was about to respond when a message was received from the Brigade's captain who had immediately travelled to the location, that a tanker response was not required. Two additional members were prepared to remain at the fire station in the event they were required.
13-Feb 1805hrs Tankers 1 and 2 and 10 crew turned out to a report of an 'undefined fire' in Hunters Road, (near the corner of Soldiers Rd) Gembrook. Cockatoo's Tanker 2 was also turned out in support. An additional nine members remained behind at the Gembrook Fire Station in the event the support vehicle was required to bring additional equipment. On arrival at a private property in Hunters Road, the volunteer fire fighters found a small pile of timber on fire, that was quickly extinguished.
11-Feb 2205hrs (Immediately following the arrival of a cool change after a top temperature of 40oC (104oF) 10 members turned out in two appliances (Gembrook Tankers 1 and 2), in response to a reported grass and scrub fire in Bessie Creek Road, Gembrook. An additional 12 members remained behind at the Fire Station on standby. Both appliances conducted an investigation into the report but were unable to find any fire in the area and reported that the incident was a false alarm. Nil further action.
05-Feb 1415hrs (Temperature approx 36oC = 97oF). 11 Members turned out in two appliances in response to a report of a grass and scrub fire in the vicinity of Beenak Road and Correa Road, Yellingbo. Additional appliances from Cockatoo and Hoddles Creek were also called to the scene and placed on standby in case they were needed to assist following assessment of the fire. On arrival in the area the crews had difficulty reaching the exact location due to the nature of the terrain. The CFA volunteers were joined by crews from the Department of Sustainability and Environment who called upon the services of a fire spotting helicopter and a second helicopter to water bomb the fire which was burning in a difficult-to-reach area. The DSE also brought in a bulldozer to clear a fire break around the scene and isolate the fire. As the conditions in the area were relatively benign (despite the high temperature) the officers in charge agreed that the DSE crews and their equipment should continue to work at the scene and release the CFA crews all of whom returned to their respective stations.
22-Jan 2115hrs In response to a report of trees on fire in Mt Eirene Road, Gembrook, Tankers 1 and 2 plus the support vehicle turned out with a total of 17 volunteer members involved in the response. Shortly after the initial call, further advice was received that the call referred to a (legal) burn-off. All appliances and crew returned to station. Nil further action.
21-Jan 0310hrs Gembrook Tanker One with a crew of six turned out in response to a call to support Cockatoo following a reported gas leak in the Cockatoo area. An additional four volunteer fire fighters remained on standby at Gembrook Fire Station should they be required to also attend. Cockatoo advised that support from Gembrook was not required and the crew returned to Gembrook Station.
12-Jan
03-Jan Gembrook RFB provided a second 'Strike Team' crew that travelled to Morwell to relieve the first crew at 0830hrs and worked throughout the day to successfully bring the fire under control. The second crew departed Morwell at 1930hrs.
2006 2130hrs Gembrook RFB provided a 'Strike Team' crew that travelled to Morwell to assist other brigades fighting a fire at the Morwell Brown Coal Open Cut Mine. Gembrook and the other crews worked throughout the night on the fire.
31-Dec 1340hrs Gembrook tankers 1 & 2 and 11 members, with support from Cockatoo's number 2 tanker and crew responded to reports of a burn-off out of control in Williamson Road, Gembrook. On arrival the crews found fire burning through ground litter on two adjoining private properties, which had spread to involve a small storage shed and small stacks of firewood. The crews quickly extinguished the fire. The shed sustained substantial damage and its contents were burnt, but there was minimal other damage. Nil injuries. Victoria Police members also attended the scene.
30-Dec 1050hrs Gembrook Tanker 1 with six crew members (with support from Cockatoo Tanker 2) turned out to a report of a grass and scrub fire on a property in Currawong Drive, Gembrook that was threatening to spread into the adjoining Bunyip State Park. Both crews tackled the fire and quickly extinguished it with additional assistance from five members of the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) who had also attended given the concerns expressed over the fire's potential threat to the State Park.
30-Dec 1300hrs Turn out to assist Cockatoo CFA in relation to a broken gas pipe behind a property in Cockatoo. The Gembrook crew's response was cancelled shortly after they left the fire station as their attendance was no longer required.
21-Dec 1225hrs Eight members turned out to attend a fire (the circumstances of which were not clearly defined) in Morbey Road, Gembrook. Fire fighters found on arrival that a small burn off was slightly out of control. Concerned that the situation could deteriorate the property owner did the right thing and called the fire brigade. The members responded in two appliances and extinguished the fire. Nil damage and nil further action required.
13-Dec Request received to assist Cockatoo CFA to fight a kitchen fire in the Cockatoo area. Tanker 1 with a full crew (6 members) turned out, with additional members on hand at the Gembrook Fire Station to provide further assistance if required. Tanker 1 response terminated en-route to the incident. Nil further action required.
01-Dec 1910hrs Request received to assist Pakenham Upper control a grass and scrub fire in the vicinity of the Gembrook-Pakenham Road. Tanker 1 with a full crew (6 members) turned out, with several other members ready to provide further assistance if required. Tanker 1 response was terminated en-route to scene. Nil further action required.
04-Nov 2145hrs Persons reported trapped in vehicle (4x4) in Bunyip State Park. Exact location not known. An extensive search involving CFA crews from Gembrook and Nar Nar Goon (Rescue), Victoria Police members and crews from the SES. Approximately 30 personnel and more than 10 vehicles involved. Police located the missing vehicle. Nil injuries. Vehicle safely recovered.
16-Oct 0930hrs Hay shed fire. Assisted Cockatoo CFA fight fire in a shed storing hay near the town of Cockatoo. Bales of hay and stacked timber were destroyed, fire damage to hay shed. Nil injuries.
05-Oct 2130hrs Fallen tree. Beenak East and Russell Roads. Power lines down and on road. Water main damaged. Crews established road blocks either side of the substantial damage to high voltage and domestic supply power lines. Damage resulted in power loss for 24 hours to many power consumers on the eastern side of Gembrook. Nil injuries.
25-Sep 1615hrs Tree across power lines. Beenak Rd. On arrival the crews found sparks coming from the live wires (carrying 20,000 volts). Electricity supply repair crew cut the power and the tree was removed using chain saws. Nil injuries. Nil damage.
30-Aug 0540hrs Scrub fire. Trees on fire. Private property. Firefighters found on arrival the property owner had controlled the fire. The crews blacked out the undergrowth. Nil damage. * The Bureau of Meteorology had issued warnings about damaging (gale force) winds across the state on this day. These winds commenced overnight 29 August and persisted throughout the day and well into the night of 30 August and continued into the early hours of 1 September.
30-Aug 1820hrs Fires reported in the Gembrook (Puffing Billy) Railway Station, Main Street, Gembrook. False alarm.
30-Aug 0905hrs Trees on fire. Main Street, Gembrook. Fallen trees set on fire. Nil damage to property/assets.
26-Aug 1330hrs Burn-off out of control. Main Streeet, Gembrook. Minor damage to fencing.
31-Jul
21-Jul
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