COMMISSIONER’S BUSINESS
Winter Fire Safety Campaign
I launched the NSWFB’s Winter Fire Safety Campaign
at the home of Station Officer Lance Haigh in Sydney’s inner
west on Wednesday. Recent fire deaths have reinforced the need for
the NSWFB to spread winter fire safety messages throughout the community.
The campaign materials are on the intranet and I encourage firefighters
to use them to increase awareness of the particular hazards at this
time of the year and help people protect themselves and their families.
Thanks to SO Haigh, his wife Chris, and FF Christian Haigh for their
hospitality and allowing the media into their home.
Recognition of NSWFB expertise
Last week the Minister for Emergency Services, Tony Kelly MLC, displayed
his and the government’s confidence in the NSWFB’s capabilities
and expertise in emergency and disaster management when he formally
appointed me as Deputy Chairperson of the State Emergency Management
Committee. My first duty was to chair a meeting of the SEMC on Thursday.
Country station visits
Next Wednesday I will head out to Condobolin for the Region West Management
Team Conference. I will visit Blayney, Canowindra, Cowra, Grenfell,
West Wyalong and Condobolin fire stations on Wednesday and Thursday,
and look forward to meeting the dedicated retained firefighters at
those stations.
OPERATIONAL UPDATE
Tragic weekend
Last weekend firefighters from South and West Regions had to deal
with two tragic fires. On Saturday night, crews from 386 Mount Victoria,
226 Blackheath and 343 Katoomba attended a house fire where a 13 year-old-girl
lost her life. Early on Sunday morning, 305 Goulburn and 234 Bowral
were called to a caravan fire. Sadly, an elderly man had perished
in that fire also. These incidents, and another tragic fire at Warren
in the far west, underline the importance of our winter fire safety
campaign.
Leeton school and pub fires
Last weekend the crew from 360 Leeton had two major fires on the same
day. At 0345 hrs on Sunday 29 May the crew responded to a fire at
Leeton High School. On arrival, crews were confronted with a timber
and iron building containing three science labs heavily involved in
fire. An aggressive internal attack by the Leeton crew led by Captain
Graham Parks, contain the fire to one laboratory. School principal
Peter Edwards praised the Leeton crew and noted the outstanding job
they did in minimising the impact of the fire on adjoining science
labs.
Within hours of the school fire, the Leeton crew were again called
out to a fire at the Wade Hotel in the main street of Leeton. When
they arrived they found a fire in the rear of the hotel which was
quickly spreading to the first floor. Once again the crew swung into
action, quickly evacuating the building and extinguishing the fire.
On a lighter note, Inspector Dave Felton noted one young crew member
was overheard stating to a new recruit, “We won’t ever
lose a pub in Leeton while I’m around!”
Well done to all involved.
New water restrictions and fire hose reels
On 1 June Level 3 water restrictions came into effect in Sydney. Information
on how the Level 3 water restrictions impact firefighting operations
can be found on the Sydney Water website. Fire hose reels may not
be used for domestic cleaning purposes under the tighter restrictions,
although ordinarily, they can be.
Rescue guide for cars fitted with airbags
The emergency rescuers’ guide to cars fitted with Airbag Supplemental
Restraint Systems (Airbag SRS) is now available on the State Operations
page on the Intranet.
This booklet provides information on how to respond to rescues involving
vehicles equipped with airbags and/or pyrotechnic seatbelt pretensioners
as supplemental restraint systems, whether they do or do not deploy.
Station Commanders should bring this information to the attention
of staff under their command. It is suggested that this topic be covered
in the Station Training Program and recorded in firefighters’
Training Logbooks.
RUMOUR MILL
Rumour: Is it true that due to increasing fuel prices
travelling allowances are being increased accordingly?
Response: There is no intention to increase travel
allowances across the Public Service due to volatile fuel prices.
Rumour: A recent safety bulletin refers
to Natural Hazard Stations. When will these Stations come on-line,
how will these stations be different to existing stations and what
does this plan involve?
Response: It was planned to commence training Natural
Hazard Stations in March. 15 stations had been selected for initial
training; nine in the gSa, two in S3, two in W3 and two in N7. The
Union has banned this initiative, and talks have been scheduled surrounding
“productivity” issues.
All firefighters have an ability to work on roofs using the cordage
pack on their appliance and basic cordage training to secure themselves
using a static arrest system. The Natural Hazard Stations were to
be trained to a higher level on a mobile arrest system which would
have given them the capability to move around on roofs with safety.
Staff at Natural Hazards Stations would undertake two days training
in safe working on roofs and one day on the repair of roofs. If the
Natural Hazards Station was not already trained in chainsaws this
would require an additional two days training. At the end of training
the stations were to be issued with the necessary equipment to respond
in support of other stations. It is hoped that discussions with the
Union regarding productivity initiatives will resolve this issue.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Region North CFU Training Day
More than 620 people turned out for the Region North CFU training
day at St Ives Showground last Sunday. As well as receiving training
in the use of portable pumps and hoses, CFU volunteers heard presentations
from the NSWFB, National Parks and Wildlife Service, RFS and St John
Ambulance. A planned water-bombing demonstration by FireAir1 had to
be called off when the chopper was called to assist Police with an
emergency involving a vessel in distress at Barrenjoey Point, but
volunteers did get the chance to inspect the helicopter before and
after the incident. Future Region North CFU training days are planned
for 17 July and 11 September.
Biggest Morning Tea
Last week’s Biggest Morning Tea was well-supported by the NSWFB.
In recognition of our ongoing support, the CEO of the Cancer Council,
Dr Andrew Penman, attended the Head Office morning tea to give a short
talk and thank the NSWFB. Well done to Barbara Mathews who organised
the Head Office event for the seventh time, raising $460. At other
events, 36 Crows Nest raised $1800 and 69 Dee Why almost $900. Thank
you to all involved.
Red Shield Reminder
The Credit Union account accepting donations for the Salvation Army
Red Shield Appeal will be closed on Monday 6 June so it can then be
included in the Salvation Army's calculation of this year's total.
The Salvos offer a tremendous amount of support to members of the
NSWFB and their families, and I encourage you to support the appeal
and help the Salvos continue their important work both with the NSWFB
and within the community. If you haven’t yet donated, please
dig deep and let’s try to break our previous record. Account
details are: Account Name: Red Shield Appeal; Account No: 106796;
Account Type: S1; BSB No: 802 825.
UPCOMING EVENTS
N5 Zone Conference
Station Officers and Captains from Zone North 5 will take part in
a zone conference this weekend. None of our work is done in isolation,
and it is important for station commanders to get together and discuss
issues as well as talk to representatives from other areas within
the NSWFB about the services they offer. All the best for a productive
conference!
2005 World Police Futsal Tournament
In November this year the 11th World Police Futsal Tournament will
be held in Belgium. The tournament is open to security and emergency
services personnel from around the world. Futsal is a five-a-side
indoor soccer game. The tournament will run for five days and the
entry and accommodation package costs 130 euros (about $210). For
more information contact SO Glenn Lockhart.
Softball competition
A new slow-pitch softball competition is being proposed for October/November.
It will be a mixed competition with five male and five female competitors
per team. The competition will cost $65 per person and will be held
at the Rooty Hill Olympic softball venue. If you are interested, please
contact the Sports email (sports@fire.nsw.gov.au). The team requires
a manager, so please advise if you are interested in the position.
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:
Stephen Norris (West) 9265 2613, John Suter Linton (South) 9265 2802
or Natalie Laharnar (North) 9265 2631
Cut off for submissions is 12:00pm Thursday