COMMISSIONER’S BUSINESS
Open Day
Open Day 2005 was a great success again this year. Thank you to all
staff who worked so hard to prepare for, promote and conduct Open
Day. Across NSW thousands of people visited our stations, giving us
the opportunity to get to know local communities and impart important
safety messages. On the day I visited 24 Manly, 69 Dee Why and 68
Narrabeen and took the opportunity to talk with firefighters and members
of the public. See the intranet for stories and pictures from across
the state. If you haven’t yet sent a story and/or photos in
from your Open Day, please send them to your Public Affairs officer
so that we can publicise your efforts.
National Women in Firefighting Forum
Yesterday I presented one of the opening addresses at the inaugural
National Women in Firefighting Forum. Also speaking at the forum were
the Minister for Women, Sandra Nori MP, RFS Assistant Commissioner
Mark Crosweller, Department of Environment and Conservation Director
General Lisa Corbyn, and UWS expert, Dr Merilyn Childs, the chair
of the forum’s organising committee.
The two-day forum was attended by women from fire services across
Australia and New Zealand including volunteers, permanent and retained
firefighters. It was great to see the enthusiasm the attendees exhibited
towards finding solutions to why more women don’t take up this
profession.
As a sponsor of the forum, the NSWFB fully supports and welcomes
new strategies to increase gender diversity in the fire services.
There are many challenges yet to be overcome but it’s hoped
this forum can generate new ideas to address the issue of why there
are not more women applying to become permanent firefighters.
Thanks to SO Michael Morris and RF Fiona Crockford who were members
of the organising committee for this important event.
Visit by South Korean fire officers
Following a visit to the NSWFB recently by the head of the Vietnamese
fire services, this week Assistant Commissioner John Anderson, Chief
Supt Jim Hamilton and I hosted Commissioner Lim Yong Bae and two other
senior officers of the Seoul Metropolitan Fire & Disaster Department.
Commissioner Lim was very impressed with City of Sydney Fire Station
and appliances, and with the display of USAR 1, Hazmat, and mass decontamination
facilities at the Training College. In 2003, when representing Australia
at a United Nations USAR meeting, I had the opportunity to visit Seoul,
including fire service facilities. The fire service in Seoul is well
equipped, well trained and progressive. Commissioner Lim and I agreed
that it would be beneficial to both services, particularly given our
sister city status, to develop close links, perhaps with a view to
exchanges in the future.
Union Notice 3 May 2005 – Health and fitness assessments
It is pleasing to note that the union is encouraging firefighters
to get healthy, stay healthy and have regular medical check ups. The
NSWFB has been in negotiation with the FBEU since February 2004 regarding
the implementation of the health and fitness program and you will
be aware of some of the positive initiatives that have come out of
those negotiations, including the Swiss Ball and Quit Smoking Programs
and, more recently, the Peer Fitness Leader trial. These are all examples
of what can be achieved when the NSWFB and union work together for
the benefit of firefighters.
While negotiations continue, the NSWFB is offering a health and fitness
assessment that is voluntary, comprehensive, conducted by professional
staff and highly qualified doctors, with medical information treated
confidentially, and provided at no cost to firefighters.
I have undertaken a health and fitness assessment provided by Health
Services and I strongly encourage all firefighters to participate,
particularly given that last week was National Heart Week. For more
information on this topic, see the article on the intranet.
Tamworth Championships
Tomorrow I will be in Tamworth for the Zone West 5 Championships.
I look forward to catching up with firefighters in the Zone and witnessing
the spirited competition. Good luck to all involved.
OPERATIONAL UPDATE
464 Toronto’s new tanker
The Member for Lake Macquarie, Jeff Hunter, officially handed over
the keys to 464 Toronto’s recently delivered Class 1 tanker
at a special ceremony held yesterday, Thursday 12 May. The keys were
handed to SO Doug Hale and his crew, with Operational Commander Inspector
Dave Turner in attendance.
RUMOUR MILL
Rumour: What is the NSWFB's opinion of the fact
that employees of a private firm of fire and security consultants
are wearing fire brigade issued Station Officers' epaulettes as part
of their uniform? SOs work long and hard to earn them and they are
just being handed out willy-nilly to some private company. This has
been confirmed to me by a member of this company.
Response: The NSWFB does not supply any uniform or
insignia to any private business or organisations. The impellers which
are used on various rank insignia within the NSWFB are not exclusive
to the NSWFB and are in fact used by most fire services in Australia.
Both the current NSWFB logo and all old logos are protected by copyright
and no person or organisation can use them without the written permission
of the Commissioner. If the company is using insignia, they did not
receive them from the NSWFB via official channels.
NEWS IN BRIEF
ComSafe preps Mariners for big win
Only a couple of weeks ago the Mariners spent a day at the Training
College being put through their paces by ComSafe’s SO Glenn
Lockhart and SF Brad Kelleher. The Mariners’ coach Lawrie McKinna
said on the day that the exercises had galvanised his team. In fact,
the Mariners have gone from strength to strength, and just last Wednesday
won their game against Adelaide City 4-0, putting them in the final
that could see the Mariners travel to Germany to compete in the World
Club Championship. SO Lockhart spoke to coach McKinna on Thursday
after the win and the coach attributed much of the Mariners’
success to the team building day at Alexandria.
Community events
Recently I wrote about the community events focus on our external
web site and encouraged you to submit information on any events you
are involved in using the template on the intranet. Check out the
Community Events section on the NSWFB website for ideas on the types
of stories we are after. The community response to Open Day was great,
now we need to let the public know what else we do in our communities.
488 Shellharbour receives thanks
Last Thursday 12 May, Shellharbour Council awarded 488 station and
other emergency services and local community support organisations
with Certificates of Appreciation. According to SO Dennis Cornell,
apart from being grateful for the acknowledgement, the event was also
a great networking opportunity with all involved getting to know each
other better, which will mean a healthier working relationship in
the future.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Winter Fire Safety
It’s coming to one of our busiest times of year again for residential
fires. To spread the word to your local communities on the need to
take fire safety steps to prepare for winter, please download the
template media releases and fact sheets prepared by PACSU and Community
Risk Management available now on the intranet. If you need further
assistance contact your local Public Affairs officer or Community
Risk Management officer.
Win the Best Seat in the House
On behalf of the NSWFB Sports Association you can win the best seat
in the house to each match of this year’s State Of Origin series,
plus other prizes.
Email sports@fire.nsw.gov.au for an entry form and conditions of
entry. Email your completed entry form to liverpool@wizard.com.au
attention Mark Burton. The draw closes 5pm Wednesday 18 May 2005 for
game one, 5pm Wednesday 8 June 2005 for game two and 5pm Wednesday
29 June 2005 for game three.
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