Yesterday evening South Coogee voted in a new Captain and 1st Lt. With Brad Treasure and Les Woodcock both stepping down, Brad for work commitments and Les with his promotion and move in to DFES as Community Emergency Services Manager, we needed new leadership.

We are very happy to announce Michael Tait as South Coogee’s new Captain. Mick has… been with the brigade for over 7 years, holding most of the Senior Officer positions within the brigade previously. His experience and sound leadership will be a significant benefit to the brigade.

Justin Goodwin takes up the role of 1st Lieutenant. Justin has a long background within Law Enforcement and Military which will provide South Coogee with needed leadership and management experience. Justin has previously held the role of training officer within the Brigade and sits on the management committee.

We’d like to thank both Brad and Les for their commitment to the brigade over many years and are happy that they will remain active members within the Brigade.

Please wish Michael and Justin every success and support them and the brigade through this transition at a busy time of the year.

Mick Tait shows the team how it is done!

***Hazard Reduction Burn Notice***

South Coogee Bush Fire Brigade will be conducting Hazard Reduction Burns this weekend weather permitting.

Location: Water Corporation Woodman Point WWTP, Lot 9 Cockburn Rd, Munster

Date: 9th/10th/11th November
Time (Approximate):
Fri 6pm – 12am
Sat/Sun: 7:30am – 17:30pm

Action Required:
*Motorists should take care, turn on headlights and travel at appropriate speeds when travelling in these areas.
*People with conditions exacerbated by smoke should take precautions in line with their medical advice for these circumstances.
*Prepare Livestock which may be affect by smoke in the area
*Close Doors and Windows

A door knock for neighbouring properties will be conducted prior to burn start.

Any questions or queries can be directed to our email (Enquiries@SouthCoogeeBFB.org.au)

This weekend saw South Coogee Volunteer Fire-fighter Nathan Ramage win the FESA Youth Achievement Award for which he had been nominated. Unable to choose between Joshua Lourenco and Nathan the Awards Committee awarded both the Award.

Nathan received his award from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services newly appointed Commissioner Wayne Gregson. Commissioner Gregson spoke about the commitment that volunteers within Western Australia give to supporting their community. He was pleased to see the next generation of Fire fighting Leaders being acknowledged at the awards and was very impressed with the quality of both nominations.

The award is well deserved recognition for Nathan who has put in lots of time and effort this year. Margaret River, Bindoon, The Perth Storms are just a few of the deployments Nathan was sent on. His involvement in many of the Brigades committees has been a great assistance to the running of the brigade. Nathan’s youthful enthusiasm and willingness to help his fellow brigade members and the larger communities of Cockburn, Perth Metro and Regional Areas is something he should be proud of.

South Coogee are lucky to have committed, enthusiastic members like Nathan in the brigade. With members such as Nathan the brigade can only go from strength to strength.

Congratulations Nathan!!!

This month see’s the South Coogee Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade complete 40 years of service to the local, regional and state communities.

A dedicated group of Cockburn residents decided to form the Brigade when concerned the efforts to fight fire with wet towels, blankets and buckets of water were no longer enough. The Brigade began with the acquisition of an ex-fire unit from the Jandakot Brigade, which had been establish some 5 years before, which was followed by the commissioning of a small new station.

The brigade has gone through many changes, the most recent of all being the move to the purpose built Emergency Services Facility in Cockburn. The move reflects both the commitment by local and federal government as well as the members of the brigade to support Volunteer Emergency Services in our local area. South Coogee look forward to many more years protecting and serving our communities, both here in Cockburn, the the wider Perth metro area and across the State of Western Australia as we are required.

Check out some photo’s from the event here. If you have any more please let us know!

It seems South Coogee’s members cannot stop receiving nominations for awards. With Nathan Ramage already nominated for FESA’s Youth Achievement Award we now have Les Woodcock and Michael Ricci nominated for Cockburn City’s Inspirational Volunteers for 2012 Awards.

Both Les and Mike were nominated in the Community Volunteer category and demonstrated one or more of the following attributes in being a “Inspirational Volunteer”

• Duties & commitment;
• Going above and beyond the call of duty;
• Rising above personal or special challenges to achieve volunteering goals;
• Volunteering commitments that span beyond one organisation; and
• Encouraging others to volunteer or achieve their potential.

South Coogee wishes them both the best of luck in the upcoming award ceremony, and would like to thank them both for being part of the brigade and Inspiring us all to be the best Volunteers we can.

See the Cockburn City Website for a list of all nominees

City of Cokcburn Inspirational Volunteer Awards

South Coogee Bush Fire brigade joined a Task Force with several other Southern metro Brigades to assist with a fire burning near the Bindoon Town site last week.
The Light Tanker and 2.4 spent the day assisting DEC crews in the control and establishment of Control Lines.

Crews had to battle difficult weather conditions and terrain throughout the day.

Thanks to the crews who responded at short notice on a work day and putting in a long shift, and to their families for enduring another night without their loved ones.

All crews and vehicles returned safely after a long day on the fire ground.

Great Job South Coogee!

Check out the Gallery for a few pictures from the incident

South Coogee Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade would like to wish Chief Bush Fire Officer Don Johnston all the best as he retires today.  Don has been committed to furthering the Local Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades for many years, and without his sterling efforts South Coogee would not be where it is today.

Last weekend saw the opening of the new Cockburn Emergency Services Station, housing South Coogee BFB and the Cockburn SES unit.  This station would not have been built without Don’s efforts.  He has campaigned for it’s construction for many years, and worked hard throughout its build to ensure a quality finish.  It’s a great legacy for him to leave behind, and with it being used as a mould for other similar stations being built around the metro area a great compliment to his vision.

I’m sure Don won’t be a stranger, we hope he isn’t.  Our doors are always open to him and we expect to see him any many of our functions going forward.

Don, best of luck from the entire South Coogee Bush Fire Brigade!

We’re pleased to announce that South Coogee Firefighter Nathan Ramage has been nominated for a FESA 2012 Firefighting award.

Nathan has been nominated in the Youth Achievement Award category.

The firefighting awards provide an opportunity to recognise exceptional achievements and provide firefighters the chance to acknowledge the hard work of their fellow team mates.

Devotion to duty beyond normal expectations, exceptional commitment to the team, or the development of an initiative or idea are just some of the many qualities that make a firefighter worthy of being nominated.

Congratulations Nathan, best of luck in the finals!

Signage arrives on new building!

The day is fast approaching when the South Coogee Bush Fire Brigade will be moving into the new Cockburn Volunteer Emergency Services Building. Brigade and SES signage was erected yesterday. Stay tuned for more details on the official opening dates for this fantastic facility in the coming month!