On March 13 and 14, 2012 the staff and volunteers of the South Australian Country Fire Service (CFS) demonstrated just why our service is one of the most respected and valuable community services in this state.

Across a 48 hour period a combination of severe weather and significant emergency incidents produced a staggering amount of response activity across every CFS region. We responded to 140 incidents resulting in 172 Brigade turnouts.

The response of brigades, volunteers and staff in such a co-ordinated and professional manner across a diverse range of risks and hazards demonstrated to all the strength, diversity and depth of our organisational ability and for that every member should be very proud.

With nine fire bans in place across the state's 15 fire ban districts, heavy localised rainfall, gale force winds and far reaching lightning strikes, nearly every area of CFS operational expertise was called on.

In this period CFS also assisted the Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) fight one of Adelaide's worst ever industrial fires at Wingfield with fire fighting and support resources including aviation, provided another ten fire units and crews as change of quarters for MFS metropolitan stations over an extended period of time, responded to numerous grass fires, vehicle accidents and structural fires in CFS areas as well as assisted the State Emergency Services with flood and storm damage response.

For the record these are just a few of the facts within that 48 hour period across the state:

• Total Incidents attended -140
• Total Brigade Turnouts - 172
• 10 CFS brigades providing change of quarters backfilling for MFS in the Adelaide

Metropolitan Fire District

• 80 water bombing drops by our heavy rotary wing helitak at the Wingfield fire (almost 500,000 litres dropped)
• Fixed Alarm (No cause) - 9
• Hazmat Incident - 1
• Other Incidents/Attendance - 17
• Rural incident - 21
• Special Service Incident - 17
• Structure Incident - 1
• Vehicle Related Incident - 10
• Other incidents 64

The breakdown through the regions being (as per AIRS reports at time of writing):

• Region 1 - Attended 46 incidents
• Region 2 - Attended 39 incidents
• Region 3 - Attended 17 incidents
• Region 4 - Attended 14 incidents
• Region 5 - Attended 15 incidents
• Region 6 - Attended 9 incidents

These facts are quite staggering considering the diverse range of incidents attended and the capability we delivered. They are facts that we should all be proud of.

As Chief Officer I would like to extend my thanks to all our volunteers, their families, employers and our staff that make such a community service possible.
It is with great appreciation that I say thank you for a job well done this week.