Northern Territory | Two men injured, one seriously, in RTC with extrication in Alice Springs
Gap Road | 22 Feb 2012
Alice Springs Southern Traffic Unit is investigating a crash on Gap Road overnight.
Sergeant Conan Robertson said that the 31 year-old male driver failed to negotiate a right hand turn and hit a tree just after 3am this morning.
“The driver received minor injuries and managed to get himself out of the car however his 26 year-old male passenger was trapped in the vehicle until Officers from the Fire and Rescue Service could cut him out.”
The passenger was taken to hospital by St John Ambulance in a serious but stable condition.
Sergeant Robertson said the driver will receive a summons for ‘Drive Disqualified’ and believes more charges will follow.
“Investigations are continuing into the crash but at this early stage it seems that alcohol is a contributing factor. It is very disappointing for Police that despite all the warnings people continue to risk their life and the life of others by driving under the influence.”
Northern Territory | Ambulance officer assaulted on emergency call in Alice Springs
Elliot Street | 22 Feb 2012
Detective Sergeant Janelle Snigg from the Southern Domestic Violence Prevention Unit said the Ambulance was attending an unrelated, urgent call out in Elliot Street at around 9.20pm last night when the offender approached and began punching and kicking the ambulance. When the Paramedic exited the vehicle he was punched once to the jaw.
Detective Sergeant Snigg said the offender walked away but was arrested by Police a short time later.
“Police are stunned that an organisation that is dedicated to helping others would have one of their paramedics subject to this kind of assault.”
The 22 year-old male offender has been charged with Assaulting a Person Providing Medical Treatment and Providing a False Name to Police.
He will face the Alice Springs Magistrate Court in March.
Northern Territory | New Top End warning for Murray Valley encephalitis
Top End NT | 22 Feb 2012
Top End residents and visitors are being urged to protect themselves against mosquitoes after chickens in the sentinel detection flock in the Katherine region indicated widespread Murray Valley encephalitis and Kunjin virus activity.
The chickens in the sentinel detection flock are tested in liaison with the Berrimah Veterinary Laboratory.
This finding, combined with similar recent Murray Valley encephalitis activity in sentinel chickens in northern WA, highlights the presence of the viruses and the consequent need for all proper precautions to be taken.
“The main mosquitoes that transmit Murray Valley encephalitis are the common banded mosquito and the floodwater mosquito,” Centre for Disease Control Director, Dr Vicki Krause said.
“The common banded and the floodwater mosquitoes mainly breed in grassy depressions and sewage ponds. To avoid mosquito borne disease, residents are urged to use personal protection, and to avoid outdoor exposure around flooded areas – especially after sundown between now and the end of July.”
Dr Krause stressed the seriousness of Murray Valley encephalitis, saying that symptoms can include severe headache, high fever, drowsiness, tremor, seizures (especially in young children), and in some cases the disease progresses to delirium, coma, permanent brain damage or death.
“In young children, fever might be an early sign. If the child also has drowsiness, floppiness, poor feeding or general distress, parents should consult a doctor.”
To minimize mosquito problems in your area you should:
- ensure children are adequately protected against mosquito bites,
- avoid outdoor exposure around dusk, and at night, near rivers and areas of dense vegetation as well as other areas of high mosquito activity;
- consider bifenthrin insecticide barrier treatments by pest control companies for use around residential grounds;
- use mosquito proof accommodation and camping facilities at night;
- wear protective light coloured clothing with long sleeves, long trousers, and ankle protection with socks, between dusk and dawn in areas where mosquito bites are likely;
- use a protective repellent containing 20% DEET or Picaridin and other mosquito protection devices as a supplement to protective clothing when out doors at night in areas of mosquito activity.
Queensland | Two people injured in house fire in Bellara
Sylvan Beach Esplanade, Bellara, Bribie Island | 22 Feb 2012
Multiple Queensland and Fire Rescue Service crews responded to a house fire at Sylvan Beach Esplanade, Bellara (Bribie Island) around 8.47pm.
On arrival they found the single storey structure well alight.
It took firefighters half an hour to extinguish the fire.
A male in his 50’s was taken to Caboolture Hospital with burns to his hands, and a female patient was treated for smoke inhalation.
Fire investigators are on scene this morning working to determine the cause of the fire.
Victoria | Smartphone FireReady app a hit at expo for CFA
Seymour Alternative Farming Expo | 22 Feb 2012
Huge interest in the new FireReady app was a highlight of last weekend’s CFA display at the Seymour Alternative Farming expo, with large screen demonstrations of the app attracting crowds of onlookers.
“I was staggered by the response we got to the live demos,” said Alex Caughey, a Hume community education coordinator who has been involved with the event for 10 years.
“A lot of people had the app already but weren’t aware of how to modify the settings to receive information about their local area. Many others had no idea an app existed and downloaded it then and there on their smartphones.
“We also demonstrated a new VicTraffic app which can also be personalised to provide information on road closures or incidents close to your current location,” Mr Caughey said.
CFA Hume region has had a presence at the event, which attracts around 45,000 visitors, since 2002 and this was one of the most successful years yet in terms of the number of people wanting to talk to CFA about fire safety or volunteering.
“Township Protection Plans proved to be an important conversation starter for us. People became interested as soon as they saw the name of their town,” said Alex.
“We displayed 48 different TPPs including a handful from districts 2, 13 and 14 and noted down whenever we had a chat that lasted five minutes or more.
“All in all, we had at least 130 people come up over the three days who were really keen to get into a proper conversation about their TPPs and they could use them to develop household bushfire plans,” Alex said.
Victoria | Port of Portland haz mat incident update
Port of Portland | 20 Feb 2012
CFA is continuing to monitor a hazardous materials incident at the Port of Portland.
Audio of an interview given by Deputy Chief Officer John Haynes with Mixx FM at 1.30pm today is available here.
120220 CFA DCO John Haynes by cfavic
The Liquid Pitch Facility is currently leaking at 4 tonnes per hour with a total of 250 tonnes of bitumen spilled so far.
There are currently no toxic vapours in the air but CFA continues to monitor the situation with 6 monitoring stations set up in the local area.
The latest advice can be viewed on the CFA Website.
CFA will be hosting two community meetings for business owners and other community members from 7pm at the Fawthrop Community Centre, Hood Street Portland.
Those seeking information prior to and after the meetings are urged to call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line 1800 240 667.
While the Port remains closed, businesses on the Portland foreshore have resumed trading and the Visitor Information Centre has reopened.
A Community Information trailer has been situated on Bentinck Street opposite the cafes and copies of a community newsletter are available.
There are a number of road closures and access to the boat ramp is closed. There is no access for recreational activities and vessels.
Sandbagging has been conducted at the incident scene to protect critical assets including pump house and heater.
A ship is being sent from Newcastle to Portland to empty a portion of the tank.
Consultation with EPA has resulted in a backhoe been brought in to remove the material that has solidified and relocate it via skips to an appropriate area.
CFA firefighters are in attendance, supported by Victoria Police, DSE, Vic SES, Glenelg Shire, Rural Ambulance Victoria, Port of Portland, Koppers Australia and technical specialists from Portland Aluminium.
CFA expect activity at the site to continue for several days.
Resources on scene:
28 Breathing apparatus wearers in the day time;
18 Breathing apparatus wearers in the night time;
13 Appliances;
6 Monitoring stations
Road closures:
Lee Breakwater Road and Cliff Street, Cellana Road and Madeira Packet Road, Southern end of the Lee Breakwater Road, Boat Ramp and Marina, Greenmount Lk and Wellington Road
Western Australia | Teen rescued by SES volunteers from cliff near Geraldton
SES Volunteers securing patient in a basket stretcher during a training exercise
Ellendale Pool | 20 Feb 2012
A teenager has been winched to safety after becoming stranded on a cliff at Ellendale Pool near Geraldton.
The State Emergency Service says the boy was climbing up a ledge above the pool on Saturday afternoon when he fell.
Fifteen State Emergency Service Volunteers worked hard to gain access to the boy who was stuck in an unstable area of the cliff and carryout the rescue.
The boy was placed on a stretcher and lowered down to the foot of the cliff before being winched to safety by the rescue helicopter. He sustained minor injuries and was flown to Geraldton Regional Hospital for treatment.
New South Wales | SES volunteer praised for rescue efforts
NSW SES volunteer, Robert McFarland with NSW SES Commissioner, Murray Kear speaking at a press conference earlier today. Image courtesy of City of Sydney Council.
Sydney | 20 Feb 2012
Ten people have been single-handedly rescued from floodwater by a NSW SES volunteer in Sydney overnight.
Robert McFarland, from the SES City of Sydney Unit was first on the scene in his role as a council worker for the City of Sydney. He arrived at Joynton Street in Zetland shortly after 10pm where he found several people trapped in vehicles that were submerged in water that was about chest height.
Being a specially trained Flood Rescue Operator, Robert managed to safely rescue 6 people and with the help of other emergency service personnel he was able to get another 4 people out of their vehicles.
NSW SES Commissioner, Murray Kear has praised the efforts of Robert and the other emergency service members.
“Our emergency service personnel do a terrific job in helping people in times of crisis. Robert, in particular, has shown great dedication and courage to get these people out of their vehicles and to safety,” Commissioner Kear said.
“Robert is just one example of the 10,000 volunteers the NSW SES has across the state who give up their time to help people in times of crisis. The NSW SES has several specially trained Flood Rescue Operators that are on hand to respond to these types of situations,” Commissioner Kear added.
Having been a volunteer with the NSW SES for the past 20 years, Robert MacFarland is no stranger to flash flooding and says last night’s flood rescue was all in a day’s work.
“I just want to be able to help people,” he told a press conference earlier today. “However, it makes my job easier if people can remember to stay out of floodwater. If you see that the road is blocked, turn around and go back or call the SES on 132 500 for assistance.”
NSW SES Commissioner has urged residents to be prepared for the possibility of further flash flooding as storm season continues throughout the state.
“We are well into the storm season and this latest storm is just one example of how dangerous they storms be. I’d urge everyone to prepare their homes now by clearing gutters and downpipes and securing or putting away any loose items around the backyard that can blow around and cause damage,” Commissioner Kear explained.
“If you’re driving in bad weather, drive to the conditions and never drive, ride or walk through floodwater,” he said.
Learn how to be StormSafe .
For emergency help in a storm or flood call the SES on 132 500. Dial 000 in a life threatening emergency.
New South Wales | 8,000 isolated by floodwater and more to come
NSW | 20 Feb 2012
Around 8,000 people in the north west of New South Wales remain isolated by floodwater and that number is expected to rise to up to 10,000 as the floods move further west of the state.
Towns like Lightning Ridge, Walgett, Collarenebri, Weilmoringle and Goodooga are currently isolated and these areas are expected to remain cut off by floodwater for several weeks to come.
While rainfall has been minimal in these places, the floodwater still remains high and is continuing to move further west. Approximately 1,000 residents in Brewarrina are expected to become cut off by next week and possibly 1,500 people in Bourke a couple of weeks later.
Evacuation Orders remain in place for Weilmoringle, Goodooga Reserve and Namoi Village and Evacuation Warnings are current for Goodooga and Alice Edwards Village at Bourke.
NSW SES Commissioner, Murray Kear, said now is the time for residents in these areas to prepare for the incoming floodwater.
“We’re asking people to make sure they have enough supplies to last them for the duration of the flood,” Commissioner Kear said. “Livestock and equipment should be moved to higher ground and plenty of feed for animals should be made available.”
“People driving through floodwater is the leading cause of death and injury in a flood so it’s important for residents to remember to never drive, ride or walk through floodwater. Floodwater can also contain diseases, hidden snags and rubbish so please don’t let your children play in it,” Commissioner Kear explained.
With the assistance of other emergency service agencies, the NSW SES is delivering vital supplies like fresh food and fuel to isolated communities. Resupply efforts have been enhanced by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), providing a C130 Hercules aircraft which delivered more than 19 tonnes of goods to Lightning Ridge this week.
Residents in isolated areas needing assistance are advised to call the NSW SES on 132 500. In life threatening situations dial 000.
Learn how to be FloodSafe .
New South Wales | Busy night for SES volunteers due to storms
Sydney Metro Area | 20 Feb 2012
Overnight severe storms affected the Illawarra and particularly the Sydney Metropolitan area. Storms resulted in over 330 requests for assistance being received by the NSW SES. The majority of these were in the southern and western suburbs of Sydney.
The storms resulted in localised very heavy rain with 26mm in 10 minutes recorded at Peakhurst and 18mm in 10 minutes at Sydney airport. Terry Hills received 51mm in one hour. These high rainfall rates in many areas resulted in flash flooding, with the NSW SES undertaking flood rescues in a diverse range of suburbs including Taren Point, Sylvania, Darlington, Padstow Heights, Canada Bay, Gymea, Rosebery, Banksia, Mortdale Zetland and Alexandria. At one of these rescues at Zetland an SES volunteer with flood rescue training rescued 10 people trapped in their vehicles, with emergency services including the NSW SES and Police Rescue assisting a further 10 persons. The other rescues undertaken by the NSW SES were for people who were trapped in vehicles due to flash flooding.
There have been reports of trees and branches down as well as localised flash flooding threatening homes and reports of leaking roofs causing propewrty damage.
With further storms forecast for today the NSW SES is asking people in areas likely to experience storms to prepare by cleaning gutters, drains and downpipes, trimming overhanging trees and branches, securing or bringing inside loose items from yards and balconies and ensuring that their roof is in good repair.
If you need the assistance of the NSW SES call 132 500. If it is a life-threatening emergency call 000 immediately.