COMMISSIONER’S BUSINESS
Commissioner Greg Mullins is on leave. This week’s Commissioner’s
Corner comes to you from Acting Commissioner John Anderson.
Tsunami aid workers return
NSWFB fire officers who were involved in the Australian relief effort
for the tsunami disaster received a warm welcome from their families,
acting Premier, Andrew Refshauge and Senior NSWFB officers, when they
returned home over the weekend of 8/9 January.
Station Officer Chris Sykes and Station Officer Tim Fox, who were
located in the Maldives and Sri Lanka respectively, returned home
on Saturday 8 January, while Station Officer Bruce Cameron and Senior
Firefighter Greg Watson (located in Bandah Aceh) returned on Sunday
9 January.
NSW Premier Bob Carr also welcomed home the firefighters and other
medical staff when he attended a briefing at our USAR facility at
Greenacre on Monday 10 January.
Premier Carr, who was joined by the Minister for Emergency Services,
Tony Kelly, commended the efforts of the NSW emergency services, medical
and police specialists who spent 11 days in the region.
The Premier was glowing in his praise of the NSWFB’s ability
to respond, together with that of the medical teams, within 48 hours
of being asked to help. He said that our actions reinforced his confidence
that the NSWFB had the ability to respond to any type of disaster
or emergency.
Acting Director State Operations Jim Hamilton, Manager Rescue John
Denny, and Acting Commissioner John Anderson accompanied Premier Carr
at the briefing, explaining the important role of the firefighters
on the task force.
Joint NSWFB/Relief and Welfare Fund
The NSWFB generosity to the Tsunami Appeal continues with donations
being received at about the same rate as last week. We are getting
closer to $50,000 and by the weekend it’s predicted we should
have a total of $60,000.
The Relief and Welfare Committee has decided that the Fund will remain
active until Monday 31 January. If you are still considering donating
you still have time, but remember that after the end of the month
you will have to donate to a specific aid agency such as Red Cross,
AustCare, Unicef, World Vision, etc.
All money in the account at the end of the day on 31 January will
be donated to World Vision. Arrangements will be made for the names
of all donors to be forwarded to World Vision to enable receipts to
be issued. These will be distributed by the Relief and Welfare Committee
later in the year.
Thank you to everyone who has made a donation, not only to this appeal,
but to the many appeals that have been set up in the aftermath of
the disaster. Your efforts in contributing to the appeal are very
much appreciated, as are the efforts of those who have organised collections,
and the Relief and Welfare Fund Committee.
Special mention also goes to Jim O'Connell and the staff at the Credit
Union for assisting in the effort.
The combined effort of everyone has exceeded all expectations. The
NSWFB is truly an organisation with heart.
National Day of Mourning
A reminder that the Prime Minister has announced that Sunday 16 January
will be observed as a National day of mourning and reflection for
the victims of the devastating earthquakes and resulting tsunamis
in South East Asia.
All stations are to fly their flags at half mast from 8.00am until
sunset, and a minute’s silence should be observed, where possible,
at 11.59am.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Players needed for the NSWFB AFL Team
Training for the NSWFB AFL team will commence on Thursday 20 January
at Jubilee Oval Glebe, starting at 6.15pm. Those interested in playing
for the team can contact Mark Graham via GroupWise or at 39stn “C”
or just turn up to training.
The team will be playing for the Father Mac Cup in the Navy Games
on 4 March at Randwick Army Barracks and in the Police Games on 17
March at Quakers Hill, with a side to be picked for the Anzac Day
match at the SCG.
Ladder 49 Screening Raises Money for Museum of Fire
On the evening of 12 January many firefighters, their families and
friends attended a special screening of Ladder 49 at the Reading Cinemas,
Auburn.
The screening was attended by a couple of hundred people who were
also treated to a display of Vintage Fire engines care of SO Guy Ellis,
SF Shane McDonald and the Museum of Fire.
Many thanks go to the staff at Reading Cinema for their hospitality
and to the firefighters involved in this event.
The Museum of Fire at Penrith has a fantastic display and is a reminder
of our heritage and purpose in the community. I encourage you all
to visit the museum and to tell your friends.