Seahampton Rural Fire Brigade

Established:

The brigade was established early in 1994, in response to the very severe 1993/1994 Fire Season, during which at one point the town of Seahampton came under direct attack and was partly evacuated. After things settled down, the community got together and formed a brigade.

Location:

Seahampton is nestled at the foot of Mount Sugarloaf, at the northern end of the Sugarloaf Range, which is the prominent range on the western side of Lake Macquarie. Lake Macquarie is home to Australia's largest coastal lake.

We operate two trucks, a Category 1, and a Category 7. The Category 1 is a heavy 4WD tanker, carrying about 3300 litres of water, and seating 6. The Category 7 is a light 4WD tanker, carrying about 1500 litres of water, and seating 3.

Activity:

The brigade is one of the busiest in the Lake Macquarie Rural Fire District, along with Killingworth, Dora Creek & Peninsula Brigades. We attend about 130 incidents each year. Of these incidents, about 40% are bush/grass/forest fires, about 45% are village incidents (motor vehicle accidents, vehicle fires, structure fires, oil/fuel spills), and the balance are false alarms. As well as attending incidents the brigade holds regular meetings of it's members, conducts regular training, and participates in community education.

The brigade is composed of field officers, administrative officers and ordinary members. The field officers hold rank and oversee the brigades combat operations. The administrative officers hold no rank, and oversee the meetings, training, welfare, safety, maintenance and so on. The brigade is managed overall by a management committee, composed of some of the field officers, some of the administrative officers, and three of the ordinary members. The brigade is entirely volunteer, with no paid positions, however it is extensively trained and operates professionally.

Seahampton RFB is one of 15 brigades in the Lake Macquarie Rural Fire District, the others being: Catherine Hill Bay, Nords Wharf, Wyee Point, Wyee, Peninsula, Mandalong, Martinsville, Cooranbong, Dora Creek, Rosco, Awaba, Wakefield, Killingworth & Reserve. There are two auxillary brigades, Communications, and Welfare/Support. There are 6 Group Captains, who oversee groups of brigades. These Group Captains are arranged geographically, and are also volunteers, though they are given a vehicle. Above the Group Captains are paid operational staff who operate from Headquarters. These are comprised of: Fire Control Officer, Deputy Fire Control Officer, Brigade Training Officer & Fire Mitigation Officer.



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Home About Gallery Honour Board Callout Statistics Hours Statistics Contact	Established: The brigade was established early in 1994, in response to the very severe 1993/1994 Fire Season, during which at one point the town of Seahampton came under direct attack and was partly evacuated. After things settled down, the community got together and formed a brigade. Location: Seahampton is nestled at the foot of Mount Sugarloaf, at the northern end of the Sugarloaf Range, which is the prominent range on the western side of Lake Macquarie. Lake Macquarie is home to Australia's largest coastal lake. Appliances: We operate two trucks, a Category 1, and a Category 7. The Category 1 is a heavy 4WD tanker, carrying about 3300 litres of water, and seating 6. The Category 7 is a light 4WD tanker, carrying about 1500 litres of water, and seating 3. Activity: The brigade is one of the busiest in the Lake Macquarie Rural Fire District, along with Killingworth, Dora Creek & Peninsula Brigades. We attend about 130 incidents each year. Of these incidents, about 40% are bush/grass/forest fires, about 45% are village incidents (motor vehicle accidents, vehicle fires, structure fires, oil/fuel spills), and the balance are false alarms. As well as attending incidents the brigade holds regular meetings of it's members, conducts regular training, and participates in community education. Brigade Structure: The brigade is composed of field officers, administrative officers and ordinary members. The field officers hold rank and oversee the brigades combat operations. The administrative officers hold no rank, and oversee the meetings, training, welfare, safety, maintenance and so on. The brigade is managed overall by a management committee, composed of some of the field officers, some of the administrative officers, and three of the ordinary members. The brigade is entirely volunteer, with no paid positions, however it is extensively trained and operates professionally. District Structure: Seahampton RFB is one of 15 brigades in the Lake Macquarie Rural Fire District, the others being: Catherine Hill Bay, Nords Wharf, Wyee Point, Wyee, Peninsula, Mandalong, Martinsville, Cooranbong, Dora Creek, Rosco, Awaba, Wakefield, Killingworth & Reserve. There are two auxillary brigades, Communications, and Welfare/Support. There are 6 Group Captains, who oversee groups of brigades. These Group Captains are arranged geographically, and are also volunteers, though they are given a vehicle. Above the Group Captains are paid operational staff who operate from Headquarters. These are comprised of: Fire Control Officer, Deputy Fire Control Officer, Brigade Training Officer & Fire Mitigation Officer.
		© Seahampton Rural Fire Brigade, NSW, Australia, 2005