MIDDLETON BRIGADE

How (and where) to drive a tanker.


For someone who's only been in the TFS for less than a year I seem to have done a lot of (required) courses in a very short time. The "Drive Vehicles Under Operational Conditions" course was yet another to do. Instead of the 14 hours over two full days we were down to 12 hours - a 4 hour theory (evening) session and a full day of extra-classroom stuff.

There were seven on the course and Mat, the instructor arrived spot on time at Kingston station. We'd all been there for at least ten minutes though. Runs on the board (Mat's not ours). Those who had done the course had warned us that the theory part would be a little dry. It wasn't. I hadn't driven many 4wd's, others hadn't driven them at all whilst there was a semi driver and tractors really shouldn't be compared at all! The emphasis was, throughout this session, more on the brain than the mechanics of the drive system (thank heavens or I'd have been a mechanic).

Personally the major insights I gained were the considerations of "entry, ramp over and exit" strategies, safety (why are you in this situation?) and the threat of peer pressure. All common sense really (but more on day two). Oh - and checking the vehicle before you take it out - especially if it's the group's 7-1!

To day 2 - the "off-road putting into practice what we've all learned" part. Not the best of days to have chosen for this as it's the South West's games day at New Norfolk so there aren't any vehicles and no Brigades want to have a 5-1 away at the moment! Three trainees, Mat and Phil (the 2ic for the day?) awaited our chariots - just two 7-1's. Mat offered to take his wife's Subaru - we persuaded him that it wasn't a good option. A couple of 'phone calls later and we had a 4-1 from Howden. For those like me, who only had a license to drive 5-1's, "L" plates were affixed and off we went. Its presence was invaluable.

The day wasn't exactly meant to be hard 4wd country. Assessment of driving on bitumen was undertaken; proper speed for the conditions, 'push pull' steering (pretty easy for me who hadn't driven a car with power steering before) before heading to the gravel. A break half way up the long hill for more instruction and then the first insight on hill stopping and starting in a tanker. I'd driven my Brigade's 5-1 but had never known this technique and, after many years of driving, it's hard not to put your foot on the clutch! On we go to the first 'risk assessment'. It was all a bit too easy actually so swap drivers (again) and back down for lunch - thanks Banjos (at Margate).


Back up the hill and things got serious. Some idiot/instructor noticed a trail into the bush so we're off to explore and find a man-made obstacle. Risk assesment undertaken and both the instructors think it can be overcome. Much debate but they're in charge so it's down to a driver, three guides and a photographer (for insurance purposes). Well, the left running rail almost bottomed out first, then two wheels weren't on the ground, the bottom was softer than we thought and it looked like we were seriously stuffed. No way forward and only way out was back, but it did get out. Would have been easier without the tow ball on though. For those of us who considered it a bad option anyway it was an example of 'peer pressure' - in this case the instructors! The important lessons here were to assess a track before committing yourself, ignore peer pressure and ask yourself "is it safe, is there a better route, should I even be here at all?" Good lesson learned!


Onwards to some sort of creek crossing. Well - large mud hole anyway but a series of them. Back to risk assessment - how deep, how soft. To their credit Mat and Phil showed us how to properly survey this by wading through the water before emerging at the other side and assuring us that it would be ok. We trainees declined the offer to repeat their assessment and drove through, thereby keeping completely dry.

Upon reaching the plateau near Snug Tiers we had a look at one final track. Deep ruts, full of water and we all, by now, knew that it was not an option. May get in but no way out. The 'brain' part of the course was now learned. A chat ensued about what we would have wanted of the course but didn't get - the only things that were raised were no sand work and no really steep hill work (as in driving some dozed fire trails).

So back down the track (with a stop to remove a rock from between the back tyres of the 4-1 and leeches from legs), past Banjos (the TFS don't supply afternoon tea?) and to the Howden Station where it was ensured that the units were handed back in as good if not better condition than they were when borrowed.


Like all of the courses I've done this one was both informative and done with a suitable mix of information and humour. I won't recount the camel joke though Mat. I also now know why horses wear blankets on a hot day - thanks for that one Phil! A great course to undertake and the concepts are, hopefully, now ingrained in my head for the forthcoming fire season.

Please - no-one mention Banjos car park again!