SPGS CADET RURAL FIRE BRIGADE | The 2019-2020 Summer Bushfire Crisis
The 2019-2020 Summer Bushfire Crisis St Paul’s Cadet Rural Fire Brigade Programme Events in the final months of 2019 and the opening chapters of 2020 were unprecedented. St Paul’s stood with our local community in mourning the tragic loss of life, damage and devastation wrought by the 2019-2020 summer bushfire crisis, which engulfed much of the Australian east coast and beyond. As a community, we stood in awe of the incredible volunteers and emergency workers who gave so much of themselves for such a long period of time, wherever and whenever they were called upon. In late 2019, St Paul’s made the uncommon decision to close the school for a day following a ‘catastrophic’ fire warning issued by the Rural Fire Service. This proved to be a wise course of action as bushfire erupted only one kilometre from the school’s campus at Cranebrook. The ceaseless efforts of our local bushfire brigades, particularly those from Castlereagh and Londonderry, saw the fire extinguished and the grounds of St Paul’s spared any damage, but many other individuals, businesses and communities were not as fortunate over these incredible months. We acknowledge and thank members of our school staff, senior students and alumni who were involved in firefighting efforts as part of their local brigades. With firefighting efforts and resourcing thrust into the national and international spotlight, the value of grassroots local initiatives like the St Paul’s Cadet Rural Fire Brigade programme were heavily emphasised. Providing a highly beneficial service learning experience and a potential springboard into local RFS brigades, the worth of this programme to students and the wider community is significant. Peter Horan, St Paul’s Cadet Rural Fire Brigade Coordinator (and Secondary School teacher), spearheads the programme at St Paul’s and is currently overseeing a surge in popularity for this unique cocurricular opportunity, especially amongst Year 7 and 8 students.
Firefighters undertake property protection as a bushfire impacts property in Mangrove Mountain. 5th December 2019. Photo by Wolter Peeters
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St Paul’s Grammar School
How many students are in the St Paul’s Cadet Rural Fire Brigade? In 2020, there are forty-five cadets - fifteen new cadets and thirty existing from last year. A large-scale renewal of the programme commenced in 2018 and the growth that started then has continued through to this year. Our younger Secondary School students have been working hard to fill the boots of departing senior cadets. As with any team rebuilding, outgoing students leave a hole to be filled, especially in terms of leadership
