Aratula Rural Fire Brigade

26/05/2026

Coming up in July is our FirePrep26 day. We're needing flyers printed. There would be 3300, A4, full colour, double sided to be done. If possible in a tri-fold. If anyone has someone who'd like to sponsor this please contact us either on the brigade phone or message us.

06/05/2026

Tuesday night was an opportunity taken. The narrow window for burns is right on the edge, and the weather has to be just right.
Last night Paul, Mark J, Andrew B, Leanne, Leonie and Doug H cleaned up 2 piles.
The rain that came through made sure all was safe.
The new truck is getting a good run and we're not having any major issues, although on running out the high pressure hose the quote was "will it ever stop?" 90m of hose gives a huge coverage from a single spot.
Following the return to the station and putting everything in working order again, we got called to a QAS Assist job. Will, Brad, Mark J and Paul attended.
It ended up being a late night!
(Videos to follow)

03/05/2026

We started the Sunday with driver training for Leanne and Andrew B, and familiarisation for Terry. Apologies to residents in the Hughes Ct area and the Philip St area for the beeping - reversing around a corner is part of the Transport Dept requirements.
We were able to put a few hours behind the wheel for everyone and it was a sucessful morning.
Then! Back at station, packed up, out of RFS gear and ready for home and a call for a grass fire at Fassifern.
Kalbar and Aratula got the call and the fire was contained and extinguished very quickly. It does show what a simple, unintended spark can do. The new truck performed perfectly and knock down was sorted as one front was heading to a shed.
Thanks to the Kalbar crews on their 41 & 51 for backing us up.
Pics in no particular order.

22/04/2026

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-22/fire-conditions-on-knifes-edge-in-queensland-amid-burns/106589788

The conditions heading west go from 'not too good' in the Warwick are through to 'OMG' at the border.
Be careful, even with out a wind a fire will carry at the moment and now we're entering the dry time of the year.

(7pm Monday's at the fire station if you want to join up.!!)

A Queensland Rural Fire Service superintendent says fire conditions in parts of the state are on the edge after receiving very little rain this wet season.

16/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18B2PLdexb/

https://www.fire.qld.gov.au/join-our-team/rural-fire-service-queensland/volunteer/eoi

12/04/2026

It's taken a bit, and it doesn't include everyone, but an actual Brigade photo. Chief photographer (and catastrophic training scene developer Arlo) got to capture some of the team at training.
There's always space for you in this photo - Monday's at the station at 7pm - just wander in and meet the team.

(L-R - Craig, Andrew B, Dotti, Kaylene, John, Leanne, Paul. Brad, Leonie, Trevor C, Doug, Damon)

12/04/2026

In the last 48 hours we've had 2 calls. The first was to help out at Maryvale - mid afternoon Friday. Craig, Brad & Paul were called off just on departure.
And today Greg and Mark J responded up to Morang to assist Tarome and Rosevale.
Please be careful if you are burning, using tools that can spark etc.

11/04/2026

09/04/2026

"Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it." — Alan Armstrong

And when one of the newest members rolls a hose like this - it's worth a photo. Brad ran a night on hose bowling (unrolling it) and rolling up.

Physically demanding and a few went various directions, but it's a skill that with practice makes the actual work easier. It is not just about the physical rolling but alos the interesting tips - like empty the water out before storage or even collecting it off the fire ground - 25mm hose at 30m long has an extra 15kg of water in it and a 38mm hose has an extra 34kg in it.

Not only is this required training for our new members, it's good practice for the exprienced members.

09/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1FMmAiob7C/

Another one coming together on the floor.

These builds go through every stage here. fabrication, fit out, systems integration and testing before they ever see the field.

A lot happens inside these walls before a truck is ready to go out and do the job.