Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for information after a vehicle was stolen in Tennant Creek yesterday evening.

Around 9pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received a report of a white 2018 Hyundai iMax van being stolen from a residence on Kittle Street.

It is alleged a group of up to seven youths were witnessed entering the vehicle and ramming through the front gates of the property when fleeing the scene.

The vehicle was subsequently seen driving dangerously at high speeds through Tennant Creek.

The offenders and vehicle remain outstanding at this time and anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444, quoting reference P26202156. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via https://crimestoppersnt.com.au.

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force is calling for public assistance after a 28-year-old male escaped from police custody yesterday in Arlparra.

Around 3pm, police arrested the offender following an alleged domestic violence related aggravated assault and conveyed him to the police station. Upon arrival, the offender suffered an apparent medical incident and was conveyed to the local clinic in a stable condition for assessment and monitoring.

At 7:10pm, while being monitored at the clinic, the 28-year-old fled police custody on foot and jumped a fence. He was last seen running into nearby scrubland and police are actively searching for him.

He is described as being of Aboriginal in appearance, approximately 170cm tall, with a slim build, shoulder length black hair and a black short beard. He was last seen wearing a pair of shorts and a black singlet.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts, or who sights him, is urged to not approach and to contact police on 131 444 or attend their local police station.

If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to family or domestic violence, support services are available, including, but not limited to, 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or Lifeline 131 114.

Source: Tasmania Police

Investigations continue into Coles Bay armed robbery, arson

Thursday, 16 July 2026 – 10:40 am.

Police investigations continue into an aggravated armed robbery and arson at Coles Bay on Saturday morning (11 July).
Detectives from South East CIB, with support from other investigative areas, have conducted numerous inquiries in the Coles Bay, and southern Tasmania areas, over the past five days.
“We have received a significant amount of information from members of the public and we continue to review those reports to identify the offenders responsible,” Detective Inspector David Gill said.
“So far, more than 20 searches have been conducted between Coles Bay and the greater Hobart area.
“Two unlawful firearms have been recovered during these searches. Analysis of these firearms continues, but they are not believed to be linked to the firearms stolen from Coles Bay.
“It remains a concern to investigators that we have not received information pertaining to the possible location of those firearms stolen last Saturday.
“Illegal firearms, in the wrong hands, represent a significant threat in the community,” Inspector Gill said.
A 76-year-old man assaulted during the armed robbery at the rural property on Coles Bay Road remains in the Royal Hobart Hospital in a stable condition and continues to assist investigators.
Police believe two masked men broke into the house on Saturday morning where they assaulted the homeowner, forcing him to reveal a firearms safe, before he was tied up and dragged outside. The home was set alight and a Hilux utility stolen.
The stolen vehicle was recovered later Saturday, partially submerged under the Apsley River Bridge near the Tasman Highway and has since undergone forensic testing.
Police have repeated their call for anyone with information on the incident, or who is aware of suspicious behaviour or vehicle activity on Coles Bay Road and the Tasman Highway around 5am on Saturday, to contact 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania anonymously on 1800 333 000.

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

Former captain of Lake Boga Fire Brigade Michael Tempini and Wycheproof South Fire Brigade Captain Lynda Rumbold were paired as mentor and mentee through CFA’s Captains Peer Mentor Program (CPMP).

Although their brigade experiences were distinctly different, they quickly established common ground and have built a strong bond through the program.

Lynda

“I was put up for the CPMP team by the District 18 headquarters. When you’re asked to do something that’s not your everyday, it’s nice to know that they think of you that way.

I first met Mick before the program actually started. Lisa Clinch (Volunteer Sustainability Manager – North West Region) organised a get-together and gave us all the info about what was going to happen. We were at District 18 headquarters and just had a meet and greet in the office to get to know each other before the program started.

Mick and I got along from day one, and I think Lisa did a great job pairing us together. Mick has been a mentor a number of times. He’s been at it for a while, so it was great to glean information from him. The CPMP was an open, safe space for people to talk about what’s happening in their brigades.

I think the biggest difference for Mick and me is our brigades. Mick’s brigade (Lake Boga) is a really busy brigade, whereas at my little country brigade we basically put wet stuff on hot stuff and attend the occasional car accident. It’s not as intense as what Lake Boga has to deal with on a weekly or monthly basis. So hats off to him and the guys up on that highway.

One of the key things we discussed [through CPMP] was succession planning. It’s something we wanted to implement down here, so Mick went through how they developed their program. I went ahead and implemented it in our brigade which has been good. We’ve got a couple of new younger members so it’s about getting them up to speed using some hints I got from Mick.

The CPMP is a brilliant idea and a reinforcement of everything that we do in our volunteering with CFA. Quite often up here [District 18] I’m the only female captain in the room, but that doesn’t scare me. I have faith in what I can do and hopefully I can impart that to other people in the program. We’re all doing a good job and don’t doubt yourself.”

Mick

“I’ve had three different mentees during my time in the CPMP. I got a call from Gavin Wright (District 18 Assistant Chief Fire Officer) asking if I’d be interested in participating and ever since then I’ve been a pretty consistent part of the program. This time around, I was paired with Lynda, and the program was my first interaction with her.

Lynda is very experienced generally in life and so it’s probably been just a little bit more conversation about CFA and a little bit around succession planning in the brigade. I’ve learned quite a bit from Lynda too. She’s just a great human being. She has a lot of energy and is always helpful.

She took over the captain role from her husband and I think she’s really stepped into that leadership role. She is also a really good, calm operator. I don’t think she gets rattled by too much. She has gone to a few forums and is a great advocate for CFA and leadership. 

Across the district, we cover a range of areas. Some brigades are pretty much urban brigades and others are extremely rural. There are different levels of responses, but there’s still a lot of common ground among them. Even though I’m a mentor, I’m always learning from different people. There’s lots of things that everyone goes through in CFA, but people come at a problem from different perspectives. 

I think leadership is something that really does shape the future and you can see when people have a good understanding of it because things function well. Giving people the opportunity to be part of this program really helps with the future. It provides an understanding of the importance of looking after your teams, working together and being part of something bigger.”

Submitted by	News and Media

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

The end of this school year will also be the end of an amazing 50-year contribution to community safety in the Mt Dandenong area.

Kalorama-Mt Dandenong Fire Brigade member Ken Stewart, or Fireman Ken as he is known throughout the community, will be stepping down from his role as a fire safety presenter at the local primary school and pre-school. 

Ken started delivering fire safety training to the local Mt Dandenong Primary School and Mt Dandenong Pre-school in 1976, and since then has educated an estimated 10,000 children over 50 years. 

These sessions included classroom sessions, fire truck visits, visits to the fire station and forest walks discussing fuel and risks. Many of these children are now parents themselves, with their children also being taught fire safety by Ken and some of these students have become members of CFA and other emergency services. Unsurprisingly, Ken is a legend in the local area.

Wendy Britt, ex-Principal of Mt Dandenong Primary School described Ken’s work as “absolutely outstanding”. Educating the children without frightening them was a priority, as was getting the message home to families. Ken used humour to put children at ease and had endless patience. It was important for the children to understood what to do in smoke and that a firefighter could be your friend.

In addition to his local commitment, Ken was a casual educator with CFA for more than 10 years. During this time he drove a mobile education unit around the state, delivering fire safety messaging at more than 500 schools and more than 50,000 school students. His efforts have equipped countless families and young people with essential knowledge that has strengthened community resilience. 

Ken said he will miss teaching fire safety as it is such an important topic and he will miss the fun and excitement that the students bring to his life.

When he goes into the local pizza takeaway to pick up his order, the young man serving him will often call out, “Hey, Fireman Ken”.

He will always be Fireman Ken to the local community.

Submitted by	News and Media

Source: Victoria Country Fire Authority

CFA has introduced a simplified and more consistent Child Safety Risk Assessment (CSRA) process to support safer planning and delivery of activities and programs involving children and young people.

The updated approach helps members better identify and manage risks that could lead to harm and ensures a more coordinated approach across CFA.

What’s changing?

• Brigades no longer need to create risk assessments from scratch
• A central CSRA Library with ready-to-use assessments for common brigade activities
• A simple online form to register brigade-level activities and apply the relevant CSRA
• A new standard template for program-level CSRAs (HQ, regional and district programs).

What this means for you

If your activity, event or program involves children or young people, a CSRA must be completed before it begins.

• Brigades: Register activities using the online form and apply the relevant CSRA.
• Program leads: Complete a program-level CSRA for broader programs delivered across CFA.

Brigades remain responsible for:

• Applying controls in practice
• Ensuring safe supervision and environments
• Clearly communicating expectations to members.

Support available

A range of resources has been developed to support the new process:

• CSRA Factsheets: overview and guidance
• CSRA FAQs: answers to common questions
• SMEACS Briefing Template: support team briefings

These tools are designed to make it easier to identify risks, apply controls and deliver activities safely.

Find out more

Visit the Child Safety Risk Management page on Members Online for full details, templates and resources.

For support, contact: ChildSafetyOfficer@cfa.vic.gov.au  

Submitted by	Jennifer Clement