Murphy’s Bush Fire Fighting Laws
You are not superman
If it’s stupid, but works, it isn’t stupid
Don’t look conspicuous; it attracts work
When in doubt empty your knapsack on the nearest stump
Never work at a fire with someone braver than you
Never forget your equipment was made by the lowest bidder
If your efforts are going really well your at the wrong fire
No plan survives the first contact
All fire fronts 1 hour away will arrive in 30 minutes
Try to look unfit, because the sector/crew leaders may be running out of people for the rake hoe line
A fireball has right of way
When you have an area under control don’t forget to tell the fire
If you are forward of your position the helicopter will drop its load short
The unimportant fire you are ignoring is the main front
The easy way is always full of wombat holes
If you are short of everything except fire things are normal
No ready fire crew has ever passed inspection
Things that must be together to work aren’t shipped together
Radios will fail when you need support
Anything you do can get you into trouble, including nothing
If you put out more than your fair share of fire you will be given more than your fair share of fires to put out
With a little bit of organisation chaos can be assured
If one item is hard to get grab three of them
It is easier to receive forgiveness than permission
When accused, admit nothing, deny everything and make counter accusations
Success forgives all sins
The pump you’ve been warming up will run out of fuel just as the front gets to you
The 800 metre rake hoe line is 90 degrees in the wrong direction
Any wind blows no good
Murphy never made it to Captain
