COMMISSIONER'S BUSINESS
Cranebrook Fire Station opening
On Monday I had the pleasure of attending the official opening of the brand new Cranebrook Fire Station, which will enable the NSWFB to provide better fire protection in the western suburbs of Sydney. Our Minister, Tony Kelly opened the fire station with the Member for Londonderry, Allan Shearan, the Member for Penrith, Karyn Paluzzano, and Mayor of Penrith, Councillor Jackie Greenow, in attendance. The $1.75 million fire station with one pumper, which accommodates S/O + 3 around the clock, is state-of-the-art and designed to blend in with the local surroundings. It features a double engine bay, office, public reception area and watch room as well as indoor and outdoor training areas and storage for equipment and uniforms. My thanks to Property Services and Region West for their substantial efforts on this project.
Tingira Heights Fire Station opens
The new Tingira Heights Fire Station opened on Tuesday this week. The state of the art station replaces Windale Fire Station, which was fully retained, and will house a Class 4 Pumper (10/14 SO + 3 crew) and a Class 1 Tanker (retained crew from Windale). It will significantly improve protection to residents of the Lake Macquarie area. An official opening ceremony will be held at a later date. Many thanks to Properties, the Newcastle Area Command, and Region North. Also, congratulations to Captain Don Spence and the Windale crew for their excellent record of community service which will continue from the new fire station.
Australasian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC)
On Tuesday and Wednesday I attended meetings of the AFAC Executive and Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) in Brisbane. Many issues of strategic importance to fire services were discussed, including global warming and terrorism. During the meeting I received the welcome news that we have retained our very supportive Minister, Tony Kelly, MLC.
Long Service Medals
At a special ceremony at No. 1 City of Sydney I presented Long Service and Good Conduct Medals to 23 retired members of the NSWFB and seven serving officers last Sunday.
Other ceremonies held recently include the presentation of medals to the retained and permanent crews at 93 Narellan. A ceremony to be held tomorrow night for firefighters at 412 Orange will include presentations to the employers of retained firefighters. Their support in allowing their employees to attend fire calls and safeguard the community is invaluable, and it is always a pleasure to recognise the contributions made by employers.
OPERATIONAL UPDATE
There have been several kitchen fires throughout NSW this week. I encourage all stations to keep up their efforts in getting the kitchen fire safety message out to the community. I have noticed many great stories in regional and suburban media and thank those who have been proactive. The kitchen fire safety template media release is on the intranet . Your station Media Kit also provides useful tips on dealing with the media and getting fire safety messages out.
RUMOUR MILL
Rumour: Is it true that you no longer have to do the beep test for the actual PAT or as a recruit to get into the NSWFB and once in there you no longer have to pass the beep test?
Response: It is a requirement of the current Recruitment Campaign that applicants successfully complete the Physical Aptitude Test (PAT) to progress further in the selection process. The beep test is a component of the PAT. New recruits at the Training College are expected to successfully complete the beep test again during the 16 week training course. After graduation from the College there is no further requirement to do the beep test.
NEWS IN BRIEF
In Case Of Emergency
The community is being encouraged by Telstra to store the names and telephone numbers of emergency contacts in their mobile phones under the name ICE (In Case of Emergency). The aim of the campaign is to allow emergency services and medical personnel to quickly contact next of kin in an emergency situation. Ideally the ICE contact person would know basic medical information, such as blood type and allergies, and be able to help emergency services make decisions if needed. Blood type could also be stored as part of the ICE entry.
Firefighters should be aware that this may be a source of emergency contact information if needed. I also encourage all staff to enter these details in their own phones we are not immune from accidents and injuries.
NSWFB wins Emergency Services Charity Shield
The NSWFB soccer club took out the inaugural Emergency Services Charity Shield on Wednesday 13 July at The Crest, Bankstown. The event was a fundraiser for the Children's Hospital at Westmead and involved the NSWFB, NSW Ambulance Service, NSW Police and NSW Corrective Services playing each other in a round robin tournament.
In a hugely successful day, the NSWFB won the shield undefeated beating the Police 2-1, Corrective Services 3-1, Ambulance Service 6-1 before winning the final 4-1 against the Police. Doug Anderson from Newcastle won the Golden Boot Award for the most goals during the tournament. The first ever NSWFB women's team combined with the Police women's soccer team to take on the women's Ambulance Service team, with our women winning 12-0.
The next games for both sides will be on Wednesday 24 August. Please contact Steven Walker if you are interested in playing.
Newcastle fundraising ball
On Saturday 23 July I attended Newcastle firefighters' annual fundraising ball. There were around 500 people in attendance, including Assistant Commissioners John Anderson and Bob Dobson as well as the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Councillor John Tate and his wife Lady Mayoress Cathy Tate. The evening was great fun and $30,000 was raised for the children's unit of John Hunter Hospital, Hunter Kidsafe and the Newcastle Burns Survivor Support Group. A highlight of the night was watching Chief Superintendent Bob Lewthwaite vainly trying to blow out his 60 birthday candles luckily the sprinklers did not activate and ruin the cake. Congratulations to the organisers for an enjoyable and successful night.
UPCOMING EVENTS
City to Surf
On Sunday 14 August a group of firefighters, support staff and family will participate in the City to Surf fun run. This year the NSWFB will once again host a team from the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Melbourne. The MFB team will be competing against our runners for the John Host Memorial Shield, which the NSWFB has held for the past four years. Our runners will also be starting this year's run as the team champions of the Uniformed Services division and will be attempting to hold the title against the Army, from whom it was wrenched last year, and other services.
The tender will be taking the MFB runners and others from the Training College at 0730 to No 1 station where it will stand by to collect other competitors' bags to take to Bondi at 0830. There will be refreshments, supplied by the Sports Association, at the park after the race and the tender will leave Bondi by approx 1500 1530 to return to No1 and the State Training College.
The NSWFB is fortunate once again to have a limited number of shirts supplied by New Balance and sponsored for screen printing by ComSafe Training.
Please advise Inspector Ron Sinclair by email if you intend using the tender or for other information.
Next Triple 0 party
The next Triple 0 party will be held on Friday 9 September at the UTS Glasshouse, Broadway. Entry is $15 and festivities get under way at 8pm. All proceeds go to charity so go along and support a worthy cause.
Blood Donor Awareness Month
The month of August recognises blood donors and the enormous contribution they make to our community. Over one million donations are made each year by just under 500 000 Australian donors, saving more than 100 000 Australian lives each year.
Why not become a blood donor yourself? The whole process takes less than ninety minutes and there are collection centres across NSW. Every donation can save up to three lives or contribute to 15 different forms of life-saving or life-improving blood products . Firefighters are encouraged to give blood, but should do so at least 12 hours before a shift in accordance with In Orders 1988/14, with amendments (Standing Orders 1-318).
For more information and to see if you are eligible visit the Australian Red Cross Blood Service website at www.donateblood.com.au or call the National Donor Information Line on 13 14 95 .
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