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Fire Engine Photos
Bullsbrook Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade
Ford, manufactured in Canada 4x4 fire tanker now in preservation by the Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade, Bullsbrook, Western Australia.
Okay, now I've made some noises I guess it's time to support Pat and post a couple of pics.
Bullsbrook is the location just north of Perth of the Royal Australian Air Force Base, Pearce. You'll all know the story of the sinking of the HMAS Sydney II on 19 November 1941, by the disguised German raider HSK Kormoran. Sydney went down with the loss of all hands 645 souls, the Kormoran crew 317 of 390 were rescued. Some time later a raft from Sydney was found far north of the engagement containing the remains of one unknown sailor.
It was from this Air Force Base that the RAAF aircraft were despatched several days after the disaster to search for survivors. They staged up the west coast and eventually found the Kormoran sailors.
Sadly, the total loss of the Australians still to this day evokes conspiracy theories as to why so many went down with their ship.
Anyhow, I'm getting side-tracked here. I actually know not a single detail about this fire truck. I know the Brigade came under considerable publicity recently, with the situation that faces many volunteer fire agencies in this day and age across the entire world.
Originally, this would have been a bush fire unit funded and operated by the locals to suppress bush fires and the occasional dwellings. But now these same people are being called upon to combat major incidents, horror highway crashes and rescues, hazardeous materials, etc, etc. So the training needs of these valuable souls has gone through the roof and what use to be a pleasurable and community- spirited service, is now very serious business.
Sound familiar? And before someone chimes in with "if they can't stand the heat get out of the fire,," it is a fact that there are few and far less people coming forward these days to give of their valuable time to undertake this worthy community service because they just don't have the time to maintain the raft of competency and knowledge required, to fulfil the duty of care obligations.
Ford, manufactured in Canada 4x4 fire tanker now in preservation by the Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade, Bullsbrook, Western Australia.
Okay, now I've made some noises I guess it's time to support Pat and post a couple of pics.
Bullsbrook is the location just north of Perth of the Royal Australian Air Force Base, Pearce. You'll all know the story of the sinking of the HMAS Sydney II on 19 November 1941, by the disguised German raider HSK Kormoran. Sydney went down with the loss of all hands 645 souls, the Kormoran crew 317 of 390 were rescued. Some time later a raft from Sydney was found far north of the engagement containing the remains of one unknown sailor.
It was from this Air Force Base that the RAAF aircraft were despatched several days after the disaster to search for survivors. They staged up the west coast and eventually found the Kormoran sailors.
Sadly, the total loss of the Australians still to this day evokes conspiracy theories as to why so many went down with their ship.
Anyhow, I'm getting side-tracked here. I actually know not a single detail about this fire truck. I know the Brigade came under considerable publicity recently, with the situation that faces many volunteer fire agencies in this day and age across the entire world.
Originally, this would have been a bush fire unit funded and operated by the locals to suppress bush fires and the occasional dwellings. But now these same people are being called upon to combat major incidents, horror highway crashes and rescues, hazardeous materials, etc, etc. So the training needs of these valuable souls has gone through the roof and what use to be a pleasurable and community- spirited service, is now very serious business.
Sound familiar? And before someone chimes in with "if they can't stand the heat get out of the fire,," it is a fact that there are few and far less people coming forward these days to give of their valuable time to undertake this worthy community service because they just don't have the time to maintain the raft of competency and knowledge required, to fulfil the duty of care obligations.
Ford
Hard to believe, that over 400,000 were built/assembled during World War 2, in Canada, India, South Africa, Egypt, your New Zealand and in Australia, here, by General Motors Holden, Ford Motor Company of Australia, Ruskin Motors Pty Ltd......
I have only got to see them, over the years, rusting away in back-lots and junk-yards; so really good to see this one.
Regards, from Canada,
Pat_R-B
Added by Pat Rivers-Bowerman on 21 January 2010.