Ocean Grove Voice - Your Local Newspaper

WITH prevailing weather conditions now playing an increasing role in determining bushfire risk, better knowledge of the relationship between temperature, humidity and wind direction is more ammunition for Ocean Grove fire fighters as we enter the risky season.
A group of local brigade volunteers has taken it upon themselves to grab the technological advantage.
Since moving into their new fire station in Shell Road a year and a half ago, the brigade has gone about setting up its own weather station halfway up their lofty hose tower.
Over time they’ve developed a good record of trends in heat, cold, rain, humidity and wind direction.
Now though they’ve taken a step further and have also made it available to the public through the brigade’s own website.
This new free facility went live just before Christmas and gives the public the most accurate live weather reporting available for the town.
Linking the weather station and the brigade’s website is a software program that has been funded to the tune of $500 by the local Rotary club.
Captain Bob Smith admits to being a convert to its uses and now believes it is a “fantastic” facility for the brigade.
Among the champions behind the project was brigade member Andrew Cooper. The IT guru who also looks after the website has helped install the software to get it up and running.
Andrew explained that most of this has been pretty trouble free, apart that is, from non-technological issues.
Issues such as as galahs and cockatiels eating the weather station have been a problem. The initial station had to be replaced thanks to the damage caused. A cage may have to be installed if the birds continue to target the plastic equipment.
Ocean Grove CFA will also be posting the new Fire Danger Ratings (FDRs) on the site.
Victoria has adopted the new nationally agreed Fire Danger Rating scale to help communities understand information about fire danger. For more information go to www.oceangrovecfa.com.au.