COMMISSIONER'S BUSINESS
IRC decision
On Wednesday, the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) ordered the reinstatement of a firefighter who had been dismissed after an incident at Maroubra Fire Station in January this year. The NSWFB is currently reviewing the decision and considering its position, so I cannot comment further on it. When this matter was first made public, I made comments through internal channels about the need for every member of the NSW Fire Brigades to ensure that they are complying with our procedures and protocols and conducting their duties in a professional manner, and I am proud of the manner in which the vast majority of NSWFB employees always conduct themselves. Appropriate discipline for breaches of NSWFB regulations and procedures also still apply. Information about this matter has been aired on radio and it will generate discussion. Please be aware of the media policy, particularly in relation to commenting on the administration of the NSWFB. Public comment on this matter, particularly that arising from speculation, could be damaging to the organisation.
Executive appointments
From next Monday, 5 December, we will have a new Director Human Resources, and a new position of (Acting) Deputy Commissioner. Mary Grace, whose profile appeared in a previous issue of CC, joins us from the Roads and Traffic Authority. John Anderson, who has been acting DHR since Wendy Barrett's departure, will act in the new position of Deputy Commissioner. John's specific role will be to develop a detailed implementation plan for a new executive structure that will be fully explained over coming weeks and months. The new structure will include two Deputy Commissioners, and will provide better consistency and support for frontline operations. Watch this space!
MOU with CSIRO
On Monday 28 November I joined Vicki Tutungi of CSIRO's Manufacturing and Infrastructure Technology division to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Centre for Critical Infrastructure at CSIRO Manufacturing and Infrastructure Technology's fire and infrastructure research facility at North Ryde, Sydney.
The research and training work of the Centre for Critical Infrastructure will bring together the scientific expertise of CSIRO and the disaster management experience of the NSWFB. The centre will be a specialist resource to help refine training and operational response through the modelling of disaster scenarios, risk analysis and contingency planning.
The NSWFB will contribute its expertise in firefighting, emergency management, and community safety education and training. CSIRO will contribute research facilities, resources and expertise in fire science and emergency management.
This is an exciting opportunity for the NSWFB which will help reinforce our capabilities as an emergency response agency capable of dealing with a wide variety of natural and human-caused disasters. Congratulations to Assistant Commissioner Graham Dewsnap and Superintendent Greg Buckley for all their efforts negotiating the MOU.
Maitland commendations
On Monday I presented the Commissioner's Commendation to three police officers, Senior Constable Tim Brown, of the Dog Squad, and Senior Constables Chris Fowler and Brad Muddle, both of Maitland Police, for their courageous actions at a house fire at Windella on 4 September 2004. When they arrived at the scene, they were confronted with an escalating fire with people trapped inside. With no thoughts for their own safety, they entered the burning, smoke-filled house to rescue the occupants until they were relieved by firefighters from Telarah Fire Station, who received a Unit Commendation for Meritorious Service. At the ceremony at Maitland Fire Station Assistant Commissioner Dobson also presented N4 Zone achievement awards, and I presented the EMA Australian Safer Communities Highly Commended Award 2005 to Cessnock Fire Station for the Arson Prevention Program, as well as a number of National Medals and NSWFB Long Service and Good Conduct Medals.
SES Director General's Conference
On Wednesday I made a quick visit to the crew at 472 Turvey Park before delivering a presentation on NSWFB strategic directions and leadership at a meeting of State Emergency Service Division Controllers in Wagga.
OPERATIONAL UPDATE
Linking with Asia
Assistant Director Operational Communications Chief Superintendent Mark Whybro will travel to China to present a paper at the Emergency Communications Asia 2005 conference in Shanghai from 6 to 11 December. Mark will present on NSWFB's Inter-CAD Messaging Project and will also visit the Shanghai Emergency Communication Centre. Forging links with our regional neighbours is increasingly important. During the week the NSWFB hosted delegates from the National Emergency Management Agency of South Korea who were interested in seeing first hand our technical communications facilities and public information strategies.
False Alarm Reduction Unit (FARU) open for business
A team of firefighters has been working since 2004 to establish the False Alarm Reduction Unit (FARU). The aim of the FARU is to reduce by 30% the incidence of false alarms caused by occupant activity, building work and faulty equipment. In many cases simple education techniques and correct installation of smoke detectors and fire alarms will help to reduce the 51,000 false alarms we respond to each year.
Over the coming months the FARU staff will visit NSWFB stations across the State to support firefighters in identifying problem premises, developing education strategies and processing False Alarm Notification slips (FANs). A FARU office has been established in Kogarah as a resource for firefighters. The FARU is ready to take your calls on phone: (02) 9588 2833.
RUMOUR MILL
Rumour: Is it true that retained shortages are covered in all country areas, but not covered in an inner city area such as Rhodes which closes down almost every day? If so, why?
Response: Rhodes Fire Station's primary response area is more than adequately covered by our network of strategically located, permanently staffed stations which have no difficulty in meeting the NSWFB guarantee of service to the community in that locality. There is considerable response overlap on the Rhodes peninsula from 42 Ryde and 16 Concord.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Lidcombe firies teach that smoke alarms can save lives
Firefighters from 30 Lidcombe joined St John Ambulance, State Emergency Service and Police representatives at Lidcombe's new Juniperina Juvenile Justice Centre on Thursday 24 November to speak to young people about the services they provide to the community.
Many of the young people at Juniperina come from troubled and difficult backgrounds and communities that can be vulnerable to the threat of fire. The event was a great opportunity to promote the NSWFB's work to young members of the community. The presentation highlighted the importance of smoke alarms and the crew were impressed by the young people's fire safety knowledge.
After the presentations everyone enjoyed a BBQ lunch. It was a great opportunity for the young people and the uniformed services to meet in an environment conducive to learning.
Safer houses project
The NSWFB has commenced a joint research project with CSIRO to identify changes in the residential environment, in particular, changes in Class 1a buildings over the past three decades that may increase the risk of injury and death for residents and firefighters exposed to residential fires.
As part of stage one, FIRU is trying to establish whether house fires have changed in intensity over the past 30 years due to changes in contents, construction and layout. While this will involve a literature review and statistics analysis, FIRU also wants to interview firefighters who have been consistently at fire stations and actively fighting house fires for the past 25-30 years about their experiences and any perceived changes of the intensity or speed of those fires. If you think you fit this profile, and you are happy to tell some “war stories”, please contact Steve Apps in FIRU, either by email steve.apps@nswfire.nsw.gov.au or phone 9742 7395.
Joint Emergency Services Band Concert
On 11 December the first ever joint concert of the bands of the NSWFB, NSW Ambulance Service and NSW Police will be held at Sydney Town Hall. All proceeds will support Special Olympics NSW, the major NSW Police charity, which provides year-round access to sporting facilities and specialised coaching to people with an intellectual disability. For more information or to find out where to buy tickets, see the intranet.
Do you feel like a roll?
The NSWFB lawn bowls club is currently seeking new members. The club holds four championships throughout the year plus other social events periodically. The club's major event is the 2006 Australasian Carnival in September 2006 on the Gold Coast. If you'd like to renew or make some great friendships, email SO Mark McGuire.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Last 000 for 2005
The final 000 party for 2005 is being held this evening, Friday 2 December. The party is being held at the U.T.S Glasshouse at Broadway and begins at 8.30pm. It costs $15 to attend with money going to charity, so get down there and make the Christmas of someone less fortunate brighter.
COMMISH’S CORNER
Commissioner’s e-mail: Commissioner@fire.nsw.gov.au
Cora Sarmiento, Commish’s PA: 9265 2930
PACSU: fax 9265 2882
Commish’s Corner Rumour Mill: 9265 2627
To contribute a story, please contact Public Affairs Officers:
(West) 9265 2613, (South) 9265 2802 or (North) 9265 2631
Cut off for submissions is 10:00am Thursday