Hay Flat Country Fire Service

01/09/2026

Our very own Lieutenant 1 as of today, Kylie, alongside her mates in the service, Shay and Jessamy.

Meet these 3 dedicated women within our Group, each bringing their own experience, skills and passion to serving their communities and supporting those around them.

Jessamy McNeill
Jessamy began her CFS journey as a cadet, later progressing to Senior Firefighter with Yankalilla CFS. Today, she also serves as Cadet Coordinator and Community Engagement and Recruitment Officer.

With many years of dedicated volunteer service, Jessamy is actively involved in emergency response, while also mentoring and supporting the next generation of volunteers. Her connection to the cadet program is particularly meaningful, with her own children now following in her footsteps as cadets.

Jessamy also works closely with the local community to strengthen awareness, connection and recruitment, helping to support the future of CFS.

Shay Malthouse
Shay has been a volunteer with both the CFS and SES in Yankalilla for 12 years. She holds numerous qualifications, including Road Crash Rescue, Large Animal Rescue, Pumping Operations and AAIMS.

Shay is the President and Finance Coordinator of the Yankalilla Committee and Lieutenant 2 of the Southern Fleurieu Operations Brigade. She regularly supports welfare operations during significant fires and incidents while also working alongside her team on the fireground.

Inspired by her grandfather’s own commitment to volunteering, Shay is proud to follow in his footsteps to supporting her community.

Kylie Ewins (Geary)
Kylie has been a dedicated CFS volunteer for almost 9 years, actively involved in fireground operations and a wide range of emergency responses. She currently serves as Lieutenant 1 and Cadet Coordinator at Hay Flat, and Admin and Finance Coordinator for the SFGroup. She has a personal investment in the Cadet Program, with her own children as Cadets, and is passionate about supporting and developing the next generation of volunteers.

Among other skills training, Kylie is qualified in Road Crash Rescue, B.A, Tactical Command I.C L1, First Aid and Advanced Resus. She is also a Peer Support Officer, supporting the wellbeing of CFS/SES Volunteers across the Region and State.

Kylie is also participating in the Melbourne Firefighter Stairclimb this year for the 4th time, fundraising for charities.

09/08/2026

Following our recent Brigade AGM and elections, we’re pleased to announce our position holders:

Captain: Rick Ewins
Lieutenant 1: Kylie Geary
Lieutenant 2: Daniel Nunn
Lieutenant 3: Michael Johnson
Senior 1: Bronte Bond
Senior 2: Jessica Young
Senior 3: Tyson Christian

Admin Coordinator: Nigel Pile
Equipment Coordinator: Jeff Mountford
Training Coordinator: Daniel Nunn
Communications Coordinator: Jacob Ewins
Cadet Coordinator: Kylie Geary

A special congratulations to our Captain, Lieutenants and Senior Firefighters, who have each progressed into their new positions, and to Bronte as previously mentioned stepping down from Captain and taking on Senior as a mentoring role. Their appointments reflect their ongoing commitment, experience and willingness to take on greater responsibility within our Brigade. We look forward to seeing this leadership team continue to grow and guide Hay Flat into its next chapter.

🚑 Supporting SAAS Medical Responses

Our members have also voted to support SA Ambulance Service (SAAS) with selected time-critical medical responses, including CPR incidents.

Our members are already First Aid trained, with several holding Advanced First Aid qualifications. SAAS will provide further familiarisation training around their appliances and equipment to aid better at incidents.

For our rural community, where every minute counts, this is another important way Hay Flat CFS can support those who need us most.

We’re looking forward to an exciting year ahead for our Brigade. 🚒

Pictured: All members in attendance.

04/08/2026

Today marks an important milestone in the history of Hay Flat CFS as we officially recognise the impending handover of Brigade Captain for September 1st, 2026.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Bronte Bond for your outstanding leadership, dedication and commitment to our brigade and community over the past 23 years as Captain.

As a respected local dairy farmer and long-serving volunteer, your steady leadership, wealth of knowledge and unwavering commitment have helped shape the brigade we know today. While stepping back from the Captain's role, we're incredibly grateful that you'll continue to serve as a Senior Firefighter, sharing your experience and mentoring the next generation of leaders. Your contribution to Hay Flat CFS is far from over, and we're fortunate to have your continued guidance.

Congratulations to Rick Ewins on your appointment as Brigade Captain. With 29 years of dedicated service to the CFS, including the past six years as Hay Flat's Lieutenant 1, Rick has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to both the brigade and our community. During this time, he has played a significant role in strengthening the brigade through membership growth, improvements to equipment, our appliance upgrade, and fostering a positive, progressive culture. His experience, vision and dedication make him well equipped to lead Hay Flat CFS into its next chapter, and we have every confidence he will continue to build on the strong foundation Bronte has established.

Please join us in thanking Bronte for his exceptional leadership over the past 23 years and congratulating Rick as he takes on this important role. We wish them both every success and look forward to the future of Hay Flat CFS under Rick's leadership, with Bronte continuing to support and mentor those who follow.

02/08/2026

🚒 **Support Our Hay Flat Firefighters – One Step at a Time!** ❤️

On **12 September**, members of **Hay Flat CFS** will be taking on the **Melbourne Firefighter Stair Climb** – climbing **28 floors in 25kg of firefighting gear** to raise vital funds for causes that impact so many of us.

This incredible event raises money to support:
💜 Peter Mac Cancer Foundation
💙 Lifeline
🧡 000 Foundation

Every donation, no matter the size, helps make a difference in the fight against **cancer, depression, and su***de**.

If you're able to support our team, we'd be incredibly grateful. Your generosity will help our firefighters take every step knowing they have their community behind them.

❤️ **Donate Here** https://www.firefighterclimb.org.au/station/sa-cfs/hay-flat/

Thank you for backing our volunteers, supporting these amazing charities, and helping us climb for a cause. Every step counts. 💪🚒

27/07/2026

🚨 AUSALERT NATIONAL TEST – TODAY 🚨

Today at 1:30 pm ACST, Australia will conduct the first national test of the new AusAlert emergency warning system.

📱 During the test, you may receive a notification on your mobile phone accompanied by a loud alert tone. There's no need to be concerned – it's only a test.

This is a great reminder to:
✔️ Familiarise yourself with emergency warnings.
✔️ Ensure your phone is ready to receive alerts.
✔️ Know where to find trusted information during an emergency.

When a real emergency occurs, stay informed through official sources such as:
🚒 Alert SA
🚒 SA Country Fire Service website and social media
🚒 ABC Local Radio

Being prepared before an emergency happens can make all the difference.

22/07/2026

"Lights play a critical role in safe driving, as the chance of an accident increases if you can’t see or be seen,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “From the driver’s seat you may not notice a light that isn’t working, so inspect all of your car’s lights and replace those that are out.”

Lights are normal wear items that require periodic inspection and replacement. The vehicle lighting system provides nighttime visibility; signals and alerts other drivers; and supplies light for viewing instruments and the vehicle’s interior. In addition to replacing dimming, rapidly blinking and non-functioning lights, the following tips can help keep you safe:

• Keep headlights, tail lights and signal lights clean. External dirt and debris can dim operational lights from being seen by others.

• Make sure that your headlights are properly aimed. Misaimed headlights blind other drivers and reduce your ability to see the road.

• If there is any doubt on whether or not your headlights should be on, turn them on. Lights not only help you see better in early twilight, they also make it easier for other drivers to see you.

• Don’t overdrive your headlights; you should be able to stop inside the illuminated area, otherwise you are creating a blind crash area in front of your vehicle.

Ensure you turn on your lights during the night, whenever it's raining or foggy, they're not just there for you to see, but to also be seen by others. Check your lights and change out blown globes, stay safe on the road!

21/07/2026

We're excited to share that Hay Flat CFS has officially taken delivery of our newly refurbished Hay Flat 34.

Built on a 2011 Isuzu FTS800 4x4 crew cab, Hay Flat 34 carries 3,000 litres of water and was refurbished by CFS. It is powered by a Deutz BF4L2011W motor and features a Gaam Mk450 pump.

Most importantly, the appliance includes a number of enhanced firefighter safety features, including a Halo water deluge protection system and an in-cab breathing system, along with a number of additional hazard and work lights around the vehicle helping to keep our crews safer while operating on the fireground and other incidents.

The truck is also equipped with an Engel fridge to replace our eskies, a Milwaukee chainsaw to match our new quick-cut saw, and an urban package ensuring our firefighters have the equipment they need to respond to a wide range of incidents.

Hay Flat 34 replaces our 13-year-old Isuzu appliance, Hay Flat 24, which will now undergo refurbishment before beginning its next chapter serving another brigade.

A big thank you to Dean Norman and Region 1 for their support throughout the process. We would also like to thank our leadership team and the Southern Fleurieu Group who have all played a massive role in making this happen for our Brigade. We look forward to seeing Hay Flat 34 serving our community for many years to come.

18/07/2026

We're incredibly grateful to the Volunteer Association for generously gifting this fantastic new 6-burner BBQ to our brigade.

Hay Flat CFS is proud to be one of just eight brigades across South Australia to receive one of these BBQs, generously donated to the CFS by Bunnings. A big thank you to our Lieutenant 2, Kylie, for submitting the successful application on behalf of our brigade.

A special shout out also goes to our Lieutenant 3, Daniel, and Firefighter Wyatt, who generously gave up their time (and plenty of patience!) today to assemble it.

This is a wonderful addition to our station and will help bring our members together for more social gatherings, team-building activities, and shared meals. Strong brigades are built on strong connections, and we're looking forward to making plenty of great memories around the BBQ.

14/07/2026

🚒 Another year of serving our community.

When the pager goes off, our volunteers answer.

Over the past 12 months, Hay Flat CFS members have dedicated more than 1,537 volunteer hours, responding to 75 incidents across our local area and beyond, and these figures do not account for the countless hours spent training, maintaining and behind the scenes activities.

From road crash rescues and grass fires to fallen trees, severe weather, and helping other emergency services, every call required teamwork, commitment and professionalism.

Behind every response is a volunteer who leaves work, family dinners, celebrations or a warm bed to help someone in need.

To our members, their families, employers and our wonderful community, thank you. Your support makes it possible for Hay Flat CFS to continue serving our community, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Here's to another year of protecting what matters most. ❤️🚒

12/07/2026

Yesterday, volunteers from Parawa and Hay Flat CFS responded to a vehicle fire on Range Road.

Hay Flat BA Operators arrived quickly on scene, working together to bring the fully involved vehicle fire under control before ensuring the area was safe and all remaining hotspots were extinguished.

Thanks to the prompt response and great teamwork between both brigades, the incident was safely managed. A big thank you to all of our volunteers for their professionalism and dedication to keeping our community safe.