Auxiliary Adventures

Get Ready Week 2019

#GetReadyWeek had all of the QLD state emergency and disaster agencies working side by side to prepare our local communities for storm season… with ambassador JT!! 🏈⛈☔️⚡️

Notes. Attended by: SES, QFES, RFS, QAS, DMO, BCC, Red Cross, Lifeline, Bunnings, TMR, ABC Radio w/ Rebecca Livingstone (10min interview). 5x late primary school groups (10+ kids)’ 3x kindy age groups, public on way to/from work. Focus on storm messaging, some bushfire.

By Amanda Bacchi, ago

Brisbane Region SES Week Awards 2019

Today, I was incredibly honoured to receive a Brisbane Region SES Week 2019 award for special contribution to the State Emergency Service through leading the implementation of community engagement strategies for Brisbane City SES Unit!! So very grateful to the many SES members who have directed my enthusiasm and passion over the last few years (which I know can’t have been easy at times)! I am especially proud to have received the only award today specifically noting community engagement. Thank you so much to whomever sent in a nomination! 🥰🧡🎉

Was proud to stand beside the hard working award winners and national/service medal recipients today, especially so many from Brisbane Northern group! 👏🏼🧡
Brisbane Region SES Award Winners 2019
Brisbane City SES Unit
By Amanda Bacchi, ago

Queensland Fire & Emergency Services – HAZMAT Visit

Brisbane Northern SES group visit to the QLD State HAZMAT unit to learn about their functions. Station Officers took us through the site, educating our members on their role in supporting firefighters with specialty equipment when chemical, radiation, or biological issues arise. Their unit tests and reconditions all of the hazmat suits, breathing apparatus, and scientific firefighting equipment for the whole state.

Operationally speaking, the QLD HAZMAT unit deployed to Townsville to help with the cleanup in the floods at the end of last year, was a part of the teams activated during the G20, and can also be found at any incidence of house fire or gas leak in Brisbane.

Their team of expert scientists, who are also firefighters, liaise with state, federal, and international agencies to ensure that Queensland is up to date with all of their policies and procedures, keeping us as safe as possible! We all learned a lot and we’re grateful to extend or knowledge of the QFES family!

Suit testing.
Roll out! Off to a job (possible trapped in vehicle) on Gateway Motorway!
By Amanda Bacchi, ago

State Operations Centre ~ Public Information Officer

Just completed 20hr/2day shift at the State Operations Centre (SOC) shadowing the Public Information Officer (PIO) for the current QLD bushfires.

Absolutely honoured to be in the room where the top brass were making the BIG decisions for this historic fire event, coordinating as they affect several communities across the whole of QLD.

It was a phenomenal learning opportunity that puts me in a position to better assist with or deploy to any disaster event in the state to help with PIO roles such as information/warnings, media liaison, & community liaison.

Thank you to all our wonderful agencies working together to minimise the fire disaster impacts, to all those involved in the massive effort that is controlling the current fires, and to those maintaining the business as usual activities (that don’t just stop when disasters hit)!! Heroes, the lot of you!! 🧡

Many, many thanks to my encouraging and knowledgeable mentor, Trevor Doyle, and fellow trainee, Moreton PIO, Michelle Bowker for all the help and tips!! Look forward to working with you in the future!! ~ AB🌻
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(Approval sought for posting photos from inside SOC – yes, I was on the news!)

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By Amanda Bacchi, ago

Fire Station Visit

Joined tonight’s Monday night mystery exercise visiting the Kemp Place Fire Station in Fortitude Valley!! So interesting to find out more about what skills the firies would most like us SES to have (chainsaw and flood boat), to hear some war stories, and learn about their functional capabilities across the state – from bushfires to road crash rescue to the inner city student accommodation false alarms!👩🏻‍🚒🔥👨🏻‍🚒

By Amanda Bacchi, ago

‘Get Ready Week’

Busy day out with the SES 👩🏻‍🚒🔥🏚🛠 #GetReadyWeek

Who put that up there?! Oh right, the wind did!! Secure all loose outdoor items & keep that garden tidy 🧡 #GetReadyWeek

Photog 📸 Faye Gibson 🌻

Hmmm yess, I can see you didn’t bring your deck chairs inside before the storm and they are now in your living room via a broken window 🧐 Is there a tarp & rope in your emergency kit?! #GetReadyWeek
Did I mention about that emergency kit…? Don’t have one get one. Got one, check it for expired items!! 🏚🛠🧡 #GetReadyWeek
Do you want more infos? We have flyers, broshures, magnets, mints, bags, torches, and even wooden spoons!! GETREADY.QLD.GOV.AU #GetReadyWeek 🌻
Chatting with Rebecca and Craig from ABC Radio QLD about our wonderful My Resilient Schools program!! 📻🎙👩🏻‍🏫

By Amanda Bacchi, ago