Open day at Oberon 411 Fire Station

May 16, 2024

It was a miserable, rainy day for the Open day at the Oberon Fire Station, but as Deputy Captain David Martin pointed out, while the rain reduces the probability of grass and other fires it increases the rate of motor vehicle accidents, so the weather didn't mean a day off for the fire and rescue workers.

Rain doesn't stop the work.

The fact that attendance at road accidents and the rescue of occupants is a big part of the station's work was demonstrated by showing how a car can be cut apart to get someone out.

Your mum told you not to run with scissors, but you would need to be strong to run with these.

The sacrificial victim was an early Nissan Xtrail, and it was transformed into a convertible by removing the roof.

A volunteer from the audience was recruited to demonstrate how someone in the car can be extracted using a back board.

Sliding the patient out.

But what if the occupant's legs are trapped under the dashboard? Easy - just use some hydraulic pressure to bend the car.

Television news programs and exciting fictional dramas love to concentrate on fire fighters with breathing apparatus rushing into burning houses (they actually don't "rush" anywhere), but Fire and Rescue NSW attends about 4,500 house fires a year while the number of people hospitalised following motor vehicle accidents is more than twice this number, so you are propbably more likely to meet a fire fighter while in your car than in your house.

Another demonstration on the day was coping with a smoke-filled room in the dark, something the young people there liked experiencing. Also something that you don't want to experience in real life, but knowing how could save your life.

Speaking of house fires, Fire And Rescue provide free smoke alarms (the latest models can go for ten years without needing a battery change!) and free safety audits of homes. You can book a free home safety check here.

It was a very interesting day and time well spent finding out just what the Fire and Rescue service is all about.

A special thanks to to Jesse Graham from JJG’s Chill & Grill for providing a free sausage sizzle.

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Coincidentally, the weekend marked the 60th anniversary of Peter Ryan starting with the Oberon fire brigade. This makes him one of the longest (and maybe the actual longest) serving fire fighter in the organisation's 140 year history in NSW.

Peter is still an active member of the local fire fighting group, and everyone must congratulate him for both his dedication and long service.

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