SOCIAL OUTINGS - Home
QFireS and QAmbulanceS
For our first outing for 2014, Nancy organised a dual visit to Queensland Fire Service and Queensland Ambulance Service. Our group of 24 members was split in two and the camera went with Nancy's group

Our two Seniors Fire Fighting Officers Steve and Nat enlightened the group about Household Fire Safety and the importance of photoelectric smoke alarms. The alarms must be placed near or in bedrooms and in the living area of the house, but not in the kitchen.
Your smoke alarms should be tested once a month, using the Test button and cleaned with a soft brush or vacuum cleaner.
Change the 9v battery every year on your birthday or an anniversary and your alarm should be replaced every 10 years or according to the manufacturers instructions.
All households should have a fire escape plan. Try to plan two ways of escaping from any room. Always ensure that all doorways are clear at night before going to bed, Don't leave shoes at the bottom of the stairs, don't deadlock your door
Queensland Govt Smoke Alarms
The Govt website covers all aspects of Fire Alarms from selecting, placing, and maintaining
 

Other than for random electrical fires, Kitchen fires can get away very quickly. A greasy range hood over the stove, curtains near the stove. An element left on containing oil-

For your safety you should have a fire blanket handy. Pull on the two tabs at the bottom, pull the blanket out, ensure your hands and face are covered, walk toward the fire and place the blanket over the burning pot. Then if you can safely do so turn the main switch off and call Phone 000

Queensland Govt Fire Blankets

 
DO NOT PUT WATER ON THE FIRE
 
Cover your hands and face with the blanket and approach the fire
 
Place the fire blanket over the fire
If it is safe to do so you can attempt to replace a lid on the pot or pan
     
 
Nat holds the blanket and places it over the fire
There are a range of household type fire extinguishers and the most common is Dry Chemical Powder or DCP. A red cylinder with a white band. Extinguishers come in a range of sizes, however a 1kg cylinder will provide general peace of mind and be affordable. On the link above a better understanding of the types and uses can be gained.
WHEN YOU DIAL 000
The 000 command center at the QAmbulanceS is operated 24/7. When a caller first dials 000 they will get a Telstra Emergency Operator who will ask "which service do you require"
you then say one of the following - Fire or Ambulance or Police for more information on this se rive go to the website
Many years ago people were able to attend the casualty bay at QATB. This service is no longer in operation. If you call into the QAS for help, they will transport you to the Base Hospital
Our local QAS has a range of vehicles from single Paramedic, four-wheel drive, single stretcher and multiple and a vehicle capable of transporting multiple numbers of people. All staff are trained and certified at various levels and are able to provide assistance as required. The task of shuffling available staff considering the center takes 150 acute case calls a day must be a stressful job.

We would like to thank the Officers of both QFS and QAS who assisted us on our tour of the two centers. Members of our U3A now have a better grasp on the workings and understand their necessity to try to stay calm in an emergency especially when dialling 000.
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