Fire Services Museum of Victoria

Glossary of Firefighting Terms and Equipment

M

Minor Aerial Appliance
An aerial appliance with a vertical reach of 15 metres, also called a rescue monitor, Telescopic Aerial Pump, or Teleboom. e.g., in Queensland, a Teleboom is a Telescopic Aerial Pump, and an Aerial Pumper in NSW, not sure of other states. Sq**rt is also a common term in the US.

Monitor
Firefighting delivery that is established and left unattended. Typical uses include ground monitors, which deliver water onto large fires or provide a water curtain. Also known as deluge guns, Deck Monitors tend to be attended and deliver large water volumes onto the fire.

Multigas detector
Measuring device designed to indicate concentrations of multiple (typically four) selected gases, such as oxygen, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, hydrogen cyanide, etc.

Mutual Aid Agreement
A document which outlines cooperative arrangements between the NSW Rural Fire Service and the Fire and Rescue NSW on a local government area basis. These agreements are intended to ensure that every community is provided with the best possible response to incidents and are also common in other jurisdictions.

Mutual Aid Zone
The geographical area within which the provisions of a Mutual Aid Agreement apply. A Mutual Aid Zone will generally encompass areas contiguous with the boundaries of Fire and Rural Fire Districts. It may also cover significant assets or areas where the nature of the hazard or an identified type of incident would require joint response by both the NSW Rural Fire Service and the Fire and Rescue NSW, and similar Services, in other States.

MDT
Abbreviation for Mobile Data Terminal, typically a specialized laptop-style personal computer mounted in the cab of the apparatus, using a radio network for data transmission between communication centres and the apparatus crew. Often connected to computer-assisted dispatch system. May be used with a Global Positioning System receiver to locate apparatus and map routes to call locations.

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It's Seek Help Sunday!

We are in need of additional volunteers to assist with Tours and Counter Sales in the Museum during our opening times.
Thursday and Friday 9am to 3pm
Sunday 10am to 4pm

All abilities and knowledge welcome!

Contact [email protected] if you are able to assist or would like more information.

Finding yourself with some free time, why not join the Museum?

No minimum hours required.

Everyone is welcome and you don't have to have been involved with the Fire Services in the past.

We can always use more hands so why not give us a call or drop us a line at [email protected] or have a look at the webpage http://fsmv.net.au/members.html

Have you heard of Victoria's Container deposit scheme? You can get some money back for recycling some plastic containers and your empty cans!

Even better if your charity or sports club is registered you can donate your refund to them!

The Fire Services Museum is now registered in all zones for refunds so your refund can be donated to us using the reference C2000010580 or the barcode in the attached photo.

For a whole lot more information on the scheme check out https://cdsvic.org.au/

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is for

Prevent, Pump and Pumper.

The Fire Services Museum can come to you with a guest speaker!

We can cover a range of topics on the history of the Fire Services in Victoria.

Depending on the venue we can even bring along some small props.

Ideally give us 2 months notice so we can tailor presentations to your area and group.

So why not drop us an email via [email protected] to find out more?

This week the Museum would like to Thank our Generous partners Eastey Fire Trucks!

The Eastey boys assist the Museum with event attendances and restoration work on our vehicles.

Why not check them out at https://www.facebook.com/easteyfiretrucks

Profile of a Firefighter

Each week we will profile a Firefighter and get their history of service and some significant events during that time.

This week’s profile is a bit different; we are celebrating the Valour Medal Recipients from the MFB over a series of posts.

First awarded in 1922, the Valour Medal was created following then Chief Officer H. B. Lee’s recommendation to the MFB Board. Lee’s recommendation was for a medal that could be awarded for instances of outstanding bravery. Only ten Valour Medals have thus far been awarded. It is the highest award for bravery in the Fire Service.

Fireman Frank Scott
Mine Shaft Rescue 1958

On December 18, 1958, five-year-old Joan fell 60 feet down a goldmine shaft in North Balwyn, while she was walking home. Entry to the old mine on Hill Street, that was flooded and disused, had opened up beneath her. Initial rescue attempts by policemen became risky as the threat of a cave in from above became more obvious. Frank Scott was lowered through the hole by fellow fire fighters to find and rescue the girl. The bottom of the mine was filled with cold slimy water up to his waist, and he found Joan, limp and covered in weeds, by feeling her beneath his feet. He tried to resuscitate her as both of them were hauled to the surface, but she was declared clinically dead once out of the mine. However, two weeks of intensive care later, Joan was fully recovered.
Even as Frank was singled out for special recognition, he was quick to thank everyone else who had helped him in the rescue.

Source: Valour Medal recipients handout, Griffiths Gallery, FSMV.

If you would like to be profiled, please comment, contact us on messenger, or email [email protected]

Glossary of Firefighting Terms and Equipment

L

Life net
Portable net for attempting to catch victims falling or jumping from upper floors of burning structure.

Life safety line
A rope used where its failure could result in serious injury; a rope used for connecting a firefighter/rescuer to a fixed anchor point or to another person.

Light water
An additive to use with water in the extinguishing of petroleum and similar fires.

LMR
Abbreviation for land mobile radio. Component of New Zealand Fire Service communications system between a communications centre and a fire appliance over a radio network

M

Malicious False Calls
Deliberate false calls to the Fire and Rescue NSW and other services, also known as MFA’s - Malicious False Alarms

Medium-diameter hose
A hose with diameter between 2½ and 3 inches (76 mm).

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Its Seek Help Sunday.

We have an ongoing research and post topic in progress at the Fire Services Museum of Victoria at present.

We are reaching out, over time, to all CFA brigades, and will eventually do FRV Stations as well, with a few questions to gather some details for a social media post and to record some history of each brigade.

This year has seen a slight increase in the number of requests from Fire Brigades celebrating 50 / 75 / 100 / 125/ 150 years. We have endeavoured to assist where possible, but we do not have a lot of country brigade records, and even less 19th century records.

Calling ALL CFA Brigades!

If you are from any CFA Brigade, please PM the page or reach out to [email protected] - we have some questions for you and your brigade!

Please share/tag each brigade if you know someone who can help us!
Thanks!