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House destroyed in early morning blaze  03/07/2010

At  3:20am this morning the Brigade responded to support the Gisborne Fire Brigade at a structure fire in Saunders Road in New Gisborne. The vacant house was fully involved prior to the Brigades arriving on scene. Riddells Creek provided support with both Riddells Creek Pumper Tanker and Riddells Creek Car attending to assist with the fire suppression operations. The fire was brought under control within 30 mins and Riddells Creek crews didn't return home for 3 hours. The fire at this stage is listed as suspicious and anyone with information should contact the police at Gisborne.

Smoke in house cause for alarm    01/07/2010

At  8:40am Riddells Creek brigade with support from Gisborne and Sunbury responded to a possible structure fire in Racecourse Road, Riddells Creek. The call resulted after residents noticed smoke issuing from inside their home. The brigades assisted with locating the cause of the smoke before returning back to station.

New financial year also sees in new officers at brigade   01/07/2010

The new financial year also sees in the office bearers as elected at the brigades April meeting.

At this point we would like to thank those members who have held positions for the last two years and have not been elected again. We also welcome the new position holders as we forge ahead into the next two years with whatever challenges are thrown at us.

Historic Coach & Horse Inn in Clarkefield saved   29/06/2010

At  4:45pm the Brigade was responded to assist Clarkefield Fire Brigade with a chimney fire at the Coach & Horse Inn in Clarkefield. Fire brigades from Clarkefield, Riddells Creek and Bolinda attended to find sparks and embers issuing from the top of the main bar chimney. After initial attempts to extinguish the fire that was burning in the chimney between the first floor and top, a thermal imaging camera was called for to establish the full extent of the fire. The thermal camera from the Sunbury fire brigade revealed that the fire was well established and had great potential to spread into the adjoining floor cavity and roof space. With this further information it was decided to bring in an aerial appliance (similar to a cherry picker with a hose attached to the end). The nearest aerial appliance was a ladder platform appliance from the MFB in Deer Park. The fire was extinguished shortly after its arrival at the scene.

The Brigade reminds all residents to ensure their chimneys are cleaned prior to use and monitor their fires during the winter season.

Tragedy narrowly averted on Kilmore road  19/04/2010

This afternoon a truck collided with a van on Main Creek bridge on Kilmore road. Main Creek bridge is on Kilmore road between Yaamba road and Mt Eliza road.

The near tragedy occurred when a the truck and trailer moved out to overtake a cyclist on the narrow stretch of road. When the truck driver realised that the van was on coming he corrected his course and during this correction lost control of the truck and trailer. This loss of control resulted in the truck striking the bridge and then colliding with the van. The occupants of the van where trapped. Fire and rescue crews worked for over an hour to release the occupants. The passenger of the van was sent to hospital in an ambulance with non life threatening injuries. The driver of the van was flown to hospital in the air ambulance with significant injuries, yet non life threatening. The driver of the truck was treated on scene for shock.

Kilmore road now has traffic lights installed, a reduced speed limit and only one lane open due to the extensive damage to the bridge.

We ask all drivers to please take it easy on our roads and always concentrate.

Election Results   13/04/2010

The brigades Biennial elections were held at the station on Tuesday the 13th of April, 2010 for the positions to take effect on 1 July, 2010 for a period of two years.

The results are as follows:

CAPTAIN Toby Tresise
1st LIEUTENANT Nick Tschuck
2nd LIEUTENANT Chris McColley
3rd LIEUTENANT Jo Metz
4th LIEUTENANT Martin Leitch
COMMS. OFFICER Ross Hall
SECRETARY Michael Hemingway
TREASURER Rury Bucknall
FEM OFFICER Don Clark
OH & S FACILITATOR Dave Thompson
GROUP DELEGATES 1st Toby Tresise, Deputy Jo Metz
COMMUNITY SAFETY MANAGER Harriet Metz
TRAINING MANAGER Martin Leitch
EQUIPMENT MANAGER Marcus Bootle
C & SG MANAGER Louise Hemingway
JFB COORDINATOR Mark White

We take this opportunity to thank those who have held positions and given there valuable time for the last two years that expire on the 30th of  June and welcome those taking on positions on the 1st of July.

Daylight Savings Ends - Remember to Change Your Smoke Alarm Battery - 3/04/2010

The end of daylight savings also marks that time of the year when residents are urged to change their smoke alarm battery as they change their clocks. Given that daylight savings ends this weekend, all residents are urged to replace their smoke alarm batteries. More information can be found at www.changeyourbattery.com.au/ or by phoning the Riddells Creek Fire Brigade on 5428 6000. 

Riddells Creek raises $2176 for the Royal Childrens Hospital Good Friday Appeal - 2/04/2010

Firefighters from the Riddells Creek Fire Brigade helped to raise a record $2176 for today's Royal Childrens Hospital Appeal! Like every other year, volunteer firefighters from Riddells Creek were on-hand and shaking the donation tins at the front of the Riddells Creek Bakery and at the Webbers Garden Centre during the first day of their Easter plant sale.

We would like to take this chance to thank those who donated to this worthy cause. Also, it's important to note that such a success could not have been made possible without the ongoing support of the team at Webbers. 

Fire Restrictions End   21/03/2010

Fire restrictions for the 2009/2010 fire season will end for the Macedon Ranges and Hume councils at 1am on Monday the 22nd of March 2010. Whilst this means you can now burn off without a permit, you must still abide by your councils by-laws and the CFA act. For more information check our tips for burning off.   http://www.riddellcfa.com/restrictions.htm

DSE burnoff produces large amounts off smoke   14/03/2010

A Department of Sustainability and Environment fuel reduction burn 8 kilometres North West of Lancefield has today put up a large plume of smoke which is travelling in south westerly direction. Tonight as the wind turns more northerly and over the next few days it is likely Riddells Creek will be enveloped in smoke to some degree. The brigade advises people that Fire Restrictions are still in force and this is not an indicator that it okay to burn off. Please also be vigilant for fires as it may be difficult to tell a fire from the surrounding smoke. If you can see flames as well as smoke please call '000' and report it.

Kilmore road closed after accident on bridge   -   11/02/2010

A car lost control at 9.30pm tonight and collided with the bridge over Riddells Creek. The road was closed for over and hour while emergency services treated the patient and the cleared the road of debris and the badly damaged car. The driver is now assisting the police with enquiries.

Man suffers severe injuries after a motorcycle accident  -   09/02/2010

A man aged in his mid thirties lost control of his motorcycle on Hamilton road near Kilmore road.

The loss of control resulted in the motorcycle and rider tumbling for approximately 50 metres. The resulting injuries to the rider left him in a bad way. Two ambulance crews worked on stabilising him for 45minutes before he was transferred to an air ambulance which landed on Hamilton road. . It was a further hour before the patient was able to be flown and the debris removed from the road and the road being reopened.

Wild weather causes havoc  -  09/02/2010

Riddells Creek brigade was responded to three trees struck by lightning and causing small fires. One of these trees needed felling and over 6000 litres of water to extinguish. The tree was about 35metres high and was aged at around 400 years. Despite the efforts of the brigade to save this tree, due to it being hollow inside the only option was to fell it.

Many areas from Lara to Wallan were hit by a tropical low weather cell which brought lightning, hail and flash flooding to these areas. Most brigades responded to fires or floods.

New Year welcomed by rain   -    2/1/2010

After a small amount of rain to welcome the New Year in a large amount of rain fell on New Years evening causing flash flooding. Between 70mm and 100mm fell in a three hour period across the Riddells Creek district. Conditions were the worst seen for many years with lightning and hail also present.

 Approximately 30 homes had minor flooding and 5 with serious flooding. Many of the towns businesses have also been flooded causing loss of stock and hefty clean up bills. The following roads were covered by water and some were unpassable for a few hours :

Sutherlands rd, Main rd, Amess rd, Racecourse rd, Riddell rd, Kilmore rd, Gap rd, Filmer pl, Egan crt, Larter crt, Whitakers ln, Sandy-Creek rd, Yaamba rd, Station st, Bolitho rd.

The fire brigade were not spared either, with our station being flooded with 50mm of water through out. We only found this out when attending the station for a response call to assist the SES. Unfortunately there was little the brigade could do to assist people due the sheer amount of water running off. People were advised to lift valuables off the floor and disconnect any powered products that may be on the floor or subject to water ingress.

A reminder that Fire Restrictions are still in force at that despite all the rain it is still illegal to burn off or light a fire in the open without a written permit.

Merry Christmas and a Happy Safe New Year

The Riddells Creek Fire Brigade wishes all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Safe New Year.

In these festive times do take care and if drinking consider who is driving you home. A reminder that it is now becoming very dry and the use of  illegal fireworks has already caused several fires in the district. The members of the brigade would like to enjoy the festive season as well without the added burden of fires started through stupidity.

Take care of yourselves and enjoy the festivities in a responsible manner.

Boy rescued from tree   -   7/12/2009

A ten year old boy became stuck at the top of a 25 metre tree in the Lions Park in Riddells Creek this evening. The initial call to the fire brigade at approximately 20 minutes past six saw two units from the Riddells Creek fire brigade respond to the scene. Upon arrival it was clear that the height of the tree  involved was greater than any equipment the brigade had to deal with this type of incident. A discission was quickly made to call in a specialist aerial appliance. The brigade and SES cordoned off the area and reassured the young boy and his parents until the extra help arrived.. A ladder platform appliance from the MFB arrived and access was made for it to set up and effect a rescue. At almost 8pm the boy was finally return to the ground and into the arms of his mum and dad for a big hug before being checked over by ambulance crews. A by now large crowd of locals cheered as the rescue was complete.

Four youths questioned over fire and fireworks   -   06/12/2009

A grass fire in the Wybejong Park threatened the church on Melvins road and an adjoining property at 1130am on Sunday morning. The fire raced up the embankment quickly and if not for the fast response from the fire brigade could have caused more serious property damage as well as the damage to the native parkland that was burnt. The fire was suspicious in nature and upon investigation by police, four youths are now being questioned in relation to the fire and the use of fireworks/sparklers.  The fire burnt an area 50m x 25m and took 15 fire fighters one hour to fully extinguish.
This serves as a timely reminder that fireworks are illegal unless carried out by professionals and that if sparklers are being used that it should be under the supervision of an adult and suitable water is on hand to extinguish any resulting fire. Any form of fireworks and sparklers should not be used on days of Total Fire Ban or high fire danger.

Fire Restrictions announced   -   15/11/2009

Fire Restrictions for the Macedon Ranges Shire and Hume City Council municipalities are set to commence on the 30th of November, 2009. On this date it will be illegal to light a fire in the open air without a written permit. A Zero Tolerance policy will be in place again this season with the Police being called to all fires and possible charges resulting.

Residents are urged to continue their fire preparedness activities and if planing to do any burning off check our tips for burning HERE

Pilot escapes unhurt after local plane crash - 9/3/2009                                                

A 58 year old pilot has walked away from a plane crash at Penfield Airfield near Settlement Road this morning. Firefighters from Riddells Creek and Sunbury, along with local police, ambulance and SES personnel were called to Penfield Airfield south of Riddells Creek shortly before noon today.

It's believed the plane was taxiing along the runway after landing when its nose wheel collapsed, causing the plane to flip onto its roof. 

Daylesford / Muskvale fire - 26/2/2009                                                

A fire at Muskvale near Daylesford recently burned over 2000ha of grassland and bushland on Monday night. Riddells Creek responded one fire truck and one control vehicle to the fire shortly before 6pm on Monday 23rd February. Upon arrival to the fire, firefighters helped to save a number of houses on the outskirts of Daylesford.  

At the peak of the fire, burnt leaves and ash could be seen fallen in and around the Riddells Creek township. During the past three days, CFA and DSE fire-fighters have been working around the clock to put in place containment lines amid fears that the fire could re-ignite with Fridays predicted extreme fire weather.

If the fire should reignite on Friday, residents of the Macedon ranges may be impacted on by this fire depending on the wind direction at the time. Residents are urged to regularly check the CFA webpage for updates or listen to 774 ABC radio. 

380 residents attend bushfire information session at primary school - 21/2/2009                                                

The Riddells Creek Fire Brigade played host to a bushfire information session today at the local primary school. A crowd of at least 380 residents from the township were in attendance to learn how they could prepare their own Bushfire Survival Plan.  

The session was delivered by Dean Anderson, one of CFA's Wildfire Safety Presenters, who is also a member of the Riddells Creek Fire Brigade.   

Anybody who missed the information session and would like further information about bushfire safety should contact tour Community Safety Manager, Dean Anderson, on 0401-080-369. In addition to this, a newly developed website known as "Fire Ready"  has been produced by Victoria's fire services in order to help you prepare for a bushfire. The new site contains information for developing your own Bushfire Survival Plan as well as providing you the access to your own free Information Kit and other fire related material. The site is a worthwhile resource for the first timer as well as the seasoned resident. To find out more, visit www.fireready.vic.gov.au or click here to view the new TV commercial.

 Riddells Creek Catering & Support members do us proud-14/02/2009

Other than sending fire-fighters to the Whittlesea / Kinglake fire, the Riddells Creek Fire Brigade have also sent a strong team of men and women who assisted with catering for the fire-fighting effort. 

Red Cross and Salvation Army volunteers who were working around the clock to prepare meals for the fire fighting effort were supported by members of the Riddells Creek Fire Brigade Catering & Support Group during the past 3 weeks. Our catering members travelled to Whittlesea on a daily basis to help prepare meals for those who were working at the Kinglake Complex fire in the Whittlesea area. Other than our core group of support members, the Catering and Support Group welcomed the assistance of a further 30 casual members of the community who wanted to lend a hand.  

Victorian Bushfire Crisis - East Kilmore/Mt. Disappointment/Whittlesea/Kinglake-14/02/2009

Nearly three weeks have passed since the beginning of one of Australia's worst natural disasters in living memory. Extreme fire weather conditions gripped the state of Victoria last Saturday with temperatures soaring to beyond 46ºc, combined with very strong north-westerly winds. 

In addition to a number of fires which ravaged the state on Saturday, the fire of most concern was a grass fire which started at Kilmore East shortly after 11.30am, which in the space of a few hours spread to the nearby forest areas of Mount Disappointment, Whittlesea, Humevale and Kinglake where significant numbers of houses and lives were lost.   

Riddells Creek were called upon to respond one of it's fire trucks to the fire at 4.40pm on Saturday to work throughout the night in the Humevale protecting lives and houses. Our fire truck continued to operate at the fire until finally returning home late on Thursday night. In addition to supplying the fire truck, Riddells Creek were committed to sending fire fighters who worked 12 hour shifts on a rotational basis for the entire week.  

We wish to thank the community for their support and words of thanks. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have been touched by this horrific event.

Further information:

• Donate to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal: Click here to donate to support those effected by the crisis.

• Fire updates: Visit the CFA web page for more information about fires still burning throughout Victoria. 

• Send your message of support: Click here to send a message of support to those battling the fires. 

Slasher starts grass fire near Gisborne South- 24/1/2009                                                

Fire-fighters from Gisborne, Riddells Creek, Sunbury, Macedon and Bullengarook were called to a grass fire near Emmeline Drive in Gisborne this afternoon.

It is believed that a tractor started the fire while slashing grass at around 4.00pm. Fire crews were quickly able to contain the blaze and restrict the fire to around one hectare. 

Woodend grass and forest fire- 23/1/2009                                                

A large grass and forest fire near Woodend has been contained which had threatened the Woodend township earlier yesterday afternoon. Approximately 40 fire trucks from surrounding fire brigades were supported by fire-bombing aircraft at the 160ha fire near Harpers Road in Woodend.

One fire truck from Riddells Creek was deployed to the fire fighting effort shortly after 4.30pm on Thursday afternoon to attack the fire which was being fanned by strong winds. The Riddells Creek Fire Brigade also supplied several fire management personnel who helped to manage and coordinate the firefighting efforts on the ground. Fire-fighters from Riddells Creek returned to the fire on Friday to ensure the fire would not reignite.

Youth likely to be charged after losing control of illegal campfire - 8/12/2008                                                

After being caught on two separate occasions during the past week for for lighting an illegal campfire, a male aged in his late tees is likely to be charged by police. The second of these illegal fires had the potential to spread to neighbouring properties and nearby forests today after burning two acres of grassland at an address in Yaamba Road this afternoon. Firefighters from Riddells Creek were responded to the fire shortly before 3pm today and managed to extinguish the blaze only metres before it reached thick grassland on a neighbouring property.

Now that Fire Restrictions are upon us, it is illegal to have a campfire unless certain conditions are met. To find out more, click here to view a copy of CFA's "Can I or Can't I" brochure. 

Severe car accident on Melbourne-Lancefield Road - 28/09/2008                                                

The Riddells Creek  Fire Brigade attended a severe car accident on the Melbourne-Lancefield Road near Clarkefield this afternoon. Firefighters from Riddells Creek and Clarkefield assisted police, ambulance and SES crews at the two-vehicle collision which occurred shortly after 4pm. The rescue effort took almost two hours in order to free a male occupant who was later flown to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with critical head and leg injuries. Another male driver was treated at the scene for minor injuries. 

Unfortunately this crash follows a similar accident which claimed two lives on the same stretch of road last Thursday.  

Large shed destroyed during Melbourne Cup blaze- 4/11/2008                                                

Fire-fighters from the Riddells Creek and Sunbury Fire Brigades were called upon to battle a large shed fire at a rural property on Palmers Road this evening. After receiving the call shortly after 5.30pm, fire-fighters arrived on scene to find the steel shed well alight. SES crews from Sunbury were later called upon to assist with the cleanup and salvage operations. The damage bill is expected to top $200,000 and the cause of the blaze is still under investigation, but is being treated as non-suspicious. 

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Fire Restrictions Announced - 30/10/2008 

The Fire Danger Period (Fire Restrictions) for Macedon Ranges Shire and City of Hume councils is set to commence on Monday the 17th of November, 2008 at 1am. Residents are reminded that any burning off after this is prohibited without a valid written permit until mid 2009.

A number of significant fires have already occurred in and around Riddells Creek as a result of people not controlling their burn offs. If you are planning on burning off before the Fire Danger Period (Fire Restrictions) then we suggest you read our tips for burning. Click here

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Firefighters battle out-of-control burnoff at Riddells Creek - 27/10/2008                                                

Fire-fighters were called upon to battle a large blaze on a rural property near Royal Parade this afternoon. Volunteer and career firefighters from Riddells Creek, Gisborne, Sunbury and Bolinda-Monegeeta formed a team of up to 30 firefighters who battled the fire which began shortly after 2.30pm. It's believed the blaze began as a result of a private burnoff becoming too large for the owner to handle. The fire scorched through up to 5 acres of gorse bushes before getting alarmingly close to the nearby forest at the back of Riddells Creek. Photos from today's fire can be viewed below.

The dry conditions combined with warmer weather and strong winds have caught a number of residents by surprise during the past week. The Riddells Creek Fire Brigade urge all residents to take the necessary precautions when burning off during the coming weeks. For further information about burning off, click here.   

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Severe car accident on Sutherlands Road - 22/09/2008                                                

The Riddells Creek  Fire Brigade attended a severe car accident on Sutherlands Road this afternoon. The sole occupant of the vehicle unfortunately sustained fatal injuries after the car he was driving left the road and crashed onto it's roof near a creek crossing shortly after 4.30pm. Firefighters from Riddells Creek, Clarkefield and Sunbury worked alongside SES, police and ambulance personnel to brave the cold and wet conditions as the vehicle was recovered from the edge of the creek.

The steepness in terrain saw the need for a large crane to be called in to hoist the vehicle back onto level ground which resulted in the closure of Sutherlands Road for a number of hours. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.  

Riddells Creek firefighters attend Cranbourne gas leak - 14/09/2008                                                

Two firefighters from the Riddells Creek Fire Brigade spent today talking with concerned residents of Cranbourne's Brooklands Estate, the centre of the ongoing methane gas emergency. Following Wednesday's announcement by the Victorian State Government to declare the issue an emergency, CFA delivered a series of 18 roadside information sessions aimed at educating the residents about the risk of a gas explosion and treatments they may take to prevent such an explosion. 

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