ACT Emergency Services Agency

Volunteers make an incredible contribution to the ACT Emergency Services Agency, and to the wider Canberra community – and today on International Volunteer Day we say thank you. Thank you to the volunteers in the ACT Rural Fire Service, the ACT State Emergency Service, ACT Community Fire Units, the Mapping & Planning Support Group, and the ESA Pipes & Drums. As an Agency, we couldn’t do what we do without you.

The ACT Ambulance Service has dedicated a vehicle to former Intensive Care Paramedic Jean Young, who sadly lost her battle with breast cancer earlier this year. Jean joined the Ambulance Service in the late 1990s, having worked all around the world with her husband Tony, who was also a paramedic. Jean was known across the service as a compassionate and understated woman who, despite her smaller stature, would often be the strongest person in the room during the most dire of emergencies – always calm, always proficient, and always the consummate professional. Jean’s service number was 146, and the service has dedicated vehicle 146 in her memory. This is the third time a vehicle has been dedicated to a former member, ACTAS having previously honoured Terry Djordjevic and Helen Petrou in this way. The legacy of their namesakes will forever be a part of the service.

Summer is the season for fairy lights, but these colourful glowers can become fire dangers if not checked and installed correctly. ACT Fire & Rescue recently responded to a fire in Canberra that was caused by malfunctioning fairy lights, which had been hung on an outside tree. Don't let your fairy lights become a fire hazard: 🔌 use only one item per power socket, don’t overload power boards and avoid double adaptors; 🎄 make sure your lights have no frayed wiring, damaged plugs or missing globes; ✅ only use lights that have an Australian Standards label; 🏡 For the outside of your home, only choose lights and fittings designed for external use; 😴 switch off all decorative lights before going to bed. Find out more about being fire safe with Christmas lights on our home fire safety page: https://lnkd.in/g_DUnTBf

After a rainy Saturday, the ACT State Emergency Service received more than 90 requests for assistance from the Canberra community. Many of the incidents attended to were for leaking roofs and localised flooding, with more than 40mm of rain recorded across Canberra. Volunteers from every ACT State Emergency Service unit, along with firefighters from ACT Fire & Rescue attended to the jobs throughout the afternoon and evening. A big thank you to all the volunteers and staff who gave up time on the weekend to keep the Canberra community safe. More rain and storms are possible throughout Sunday. If you can, take the time to prepare your home and family for an emergency: 🚗 Move your car under cover and away from trees; 🔒 Secure or put away loose items; 🌳 Keep at least 8 metres away from fallen power lines; 🏠 Stay indoors away from windows; 🚧 Never drive, walk or ride through floodwater. If you need assistance during a storm or flood, call the ACT State Emergency Service on 132 500. Remember that in an emergency, volunteers make temporary repairs to keep everyone safe. After an incident, it's up to the homeowner or insurer to permanently repair the damage.

The ACT Ambulance Service (ACTAS) held three graduation ceremonies recently, recognising the service’s newest Ambulance Paramedics, as well as other significant qualifications that members have obtained in recent years. ❤️ 40 new Ambulance Paramedics, who’ve completed their training as Graduate Paramedic Interns 🚑 11 new Non-Emergency Patient Transport Officers ☎️ 6 newly qualified Communications Centre Emergency Call-Takers ⛑️ 7 upskilled Intensive Care Paramedics These qualifications represent years of study and training, with the graduates completing much of the coursework on top of their regular duties. Congratulations to all recipients and thank you for your commitment to keeping the Canberra community safe.

AFAC has released the Seasonal Outlook for Summer 2024, indicating normal grass and bushfire risk in the ACT during the season. The Territory received below average rainfall during winter and spring, resulting in drier soils and minimal spring grass growth, however the ACT is not entering the bushfire season under drought conditions. The long-range outlook for summer in the ACT predicts above average day and night temperatures, with average to slightly above average rainfall forecast. If below average rainfall is received across the Territory in the first part of summer, there could be an increased risk of grass and bushfires as the season progresses. Through the high-risk weather season, firefighters from the ACT Rural Fire Service and the ACT Parks and Conservation Service will continue to conduct mitigation activities, including prescribed burns when conditions permit. Read the full report from AFAC - https://lnkd.in/gySUXPdM

A wonderful effort by members of the ACT Emergency Services Agency, who took part in the Canberra First Responders Fun Run/Walk around Lake Burley Griffin, alongside colleagues from ACT Policing and ACT Corrective Services. Last Friday’s hot weather didn’t put off our runners, who all successfully completed the approximately 5km loop around the lake, raising money for mental health and suicide prevention, as part of Movember. All up more than $6000 was raised from the fun run, a fantastic effort!

Have your say on the Australian Fire Danger Rating System (AFDRS). A nationwide survey by the University of Adelaide wants to hear your perceptions on the benefits, impacts, and challenges of engaging with the AFDRS. Those who complete the survey have a chance to win a $50 gift card. Your participation will support continuous improvement of the AFDRS. The survey takes about 30 minutes and will close on 20 December 2024. Learn more and have your say: https://lnkd.in/gVgM7r4x

Calling all young creatives– could your artwork feature on the cover of our new bushfire plan? The ACT Rural Fire Service is asking ACT school students, from Kindy to Year 12, to design a new cover for the next Strategic Bushfire Management Plan. The design theme is: “Shared Responsibility – we all have a role in preparing for bushfires”. Entries close Sunday, 15 December. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/gxhjNmHN

We’re excited to announce that seven new paramedics are joining the ACT Ambulance Service as lateral transfers! These experienced officers have moved to the ACT from around the country, and around the world – heralding from the Northern Territory, New South Wales, Tasmania, and the United Kingdom! Since arriving they’ve been working hard, completing an induction into the service, and will now hit the road, ready to care for the Canberra community. Welcome to the ACT Emergency Services Agency and thank you for your commitment to serve the Territory! 🚑