COMMISSIONER’S BUSINESS
Reduced fire risk cigarettes
On Saturday I will brief the Federal Attorney General and Emergency
Services Minsters from every state and territory on the NSWFB initiative
to make reduced fire risk (RFR) cigarettes mandatory in Australia.
The Brisbane meeting of Ministers follows one earlier this year in
Canberra where there was unanimous support for the NSWFB initiative.
RFR cigarettes are designed to self extinguish when dropped, and early
data from New York State in the USA after one year shows a dramatic
reduction in fire deaths. In recent weeks, California and Vermont
have follows the lead of New York and Canada to mandate RFR cigarettes.
Many thanks to the Risk Management and Corporate Strategy divisions
for their work on this project, particularly Chief Superintendent
Jim Smith and Nick Nicolopoulos, Manager Strategic Information Services.
Retained firefighters’ function
On Wednesday I had the pleasure of attending the annual luncheon of
the NSWFB Retired Members and Partners Association. Dozens of old
friends were there including 100 year old retired Station Officer
Fred Oriell, looking as sprightly as ever.
Recruit graduation
Yesterday I attended the graduation of recruit classes 4A and 4B 2005.
The 38 men and women will start at fire stations across Sydney shortly.
Congratulations to all of you for meeting the challenges of the past
four months, and all the best in your careers with the NSWFB.
At the ceremony I also presented National Medals and Clasps and the
Long Service and Good Conduct medal to 10 officers and firefighters,
including retired Inspector Keith Blades AFSM.
Safer Communities Awards
On Wednesday I attended Emergency Management Australia’s 2005
Safer Communities Awards at Parliament House. On behalf of the NSWFB
I accepted three Highly Commended Certificates from the Minister for
our Community Fire Unit (CFU), Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
(CALD) and Cessnock Firesafe Arson Prevention (CAPP) programs. These
programs were developed by SO Terry Munsey, Bushfire/Natural Hazards
Section (CFU program), David Weir, Risk Management Division (CALD
program) and Retired Inspector Ray Manser (CAPP program). The awards
will be presented to the developers of the programs at local events.
Well done to all involved. For more details see the story on the intranet.
OPERATIONAL UPDATE
Second alarm response BEFORE the fire
The NSWFB installed and tested more than 140 smoke alarms for seniors
during a four-day blitz in the St George and Sutherland Shire from
Monday to Thursday this week. Over 20 firefighters and four appliances
were committed to the taskforce. A joint initiative with the FBEU,
the taskforce was coordinated by SO Greg Price and supported by Community
Risk Management. The taskforce forms part of the NSWFB’s ongoing
SABRE program which supports seniors to live independently and safely
by providing assistance with smoke alarms.
If you’re interested in conducting a similar exercise in your
area, contact your CRMO.
Rescue Champions
Our Rescue team has triumphed in the Australasian Championships held
in New Zealand from 9-11 October. Placed first from a field of 22
teams, the Burwood crew comprising Clayton Allison, Wayne Rush, Brett
Johnson, Mark Bradford, Dean Broadwood and Paul Hughes has won both
the ‘unlimited’ and ‘rapid’ vehicle extrication
events and placed third in the ‘limited’ vehicle extrication
event. Best Team Leader was awarded to Clayton Allison and Dean Broadwood
picked up the prize for Best Technician. Congratulations to everyone
involved. The team has now moved on to the World Championships and
are competing strongly at present. I’ll report on the results
next week. This is further evidence that we are one of the best fire
and rescue services in the world, and most certainly in Australia.
RUMOUR MILL
Rumour: Is it true that some station social clubs
and demo teams raise money by running raffles using the NSWFB name
and badge? Is this legal? Is it true that some of these accounts have
many thousands of dollars in them? Who is in charge of these funds,
what are they spent on and does the NSWFB audit them?
Response: The NSWFB logo is registered under the
Trademarks Act 1995 to the Crown in right of the State of NSW and
the old NSWFB logos are protected under the Copyright Act 1968. Authority
has to be sought for any use of the NSWFB logo which may be granted
with conditions and can be withdrawn at any time without notice. The
NSWFB have on occasion prosecuted other parties for the use of the
NSWFB logo.
Permission has not been sought, nor has it been granted, for use
by any social club in the circumstances stated. Social clubs are independent
of the NSWFB therefore the NSWFB has no control over the collection
nor the use or application of any moneys or the legal right to audit.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Tsunami DVD
The NSWFB has created a DVD profiling our global disaster assistance
capability in action. The DVD offers personal accounts from the four
NSWFB firefighters who provided logistical support to the Australian
medical assistance teams to disaster areas in SE Asia. In their own
words SO Bruce Cameron and SF Greg Watson (Banda Aceh Story), SO Chris
Sykes (The Maldives Story) and SO Tim Fox (Sri Lanka Story) describe
the creative use of basic firefighting skills and equipment under
extreme conditions.
The DVD will be sent to all NSWFB fire stations, zone, region and
directorate offices and is also being offered to other emergency services
and agencies in Australia and internationally.
Ellie’s been blessed
Our arson detection dog Ellie took part in a special ceremony to mark
World Animal Day last week. Accompanied by her handler SO Phil Etienne,
she joined police dogs and horses and other animals and pets at a
‘Blessing of the Animals’ service at St Mark’s Catholic
Church at Drummoyne on 4 October 2005.
Bookworms for a good cause
Firefighters who attended the Hannan’s Road school fire at Riverwood
in September rallied to collect donated books for the school library
which was gutted by the fire. Over 600 new and used books have been
donated to local fire stations at Mortdale, Riverwood and Lakemba
for students. Today the books were presented to Hannans Road students
and teachers by NSWFB Inspector Kevin Cooper.
UPCOMING EVENTS
MS Sydney to the ‘Gong Bike Ride
The 2005 MS Sydney to the ‘Gong Bike Ride is on again on Sunday
6 November, 2005. Around 6000 cyclists will ride to raise money for
research into Multiple Sclerosis and support for those with MS. Once
again there will be a NSWFB team riding. Cyclists can choose one of
three courses: an 88km ride starting at Sydney Park, St. Peters between
0615 - 0800 hours; a 54 km ride also starting at Sydney Park, St.
Peters between 0730 - 0800 hours; or a 52 km ride starting at Heathcote
High School between 0800 - 0900 hours. For more details on the courses
and the event see the website www.gongride.org.au
There is an entry fee of $50-$55 up to the day of event. When you
register, don’t forget to register as part of the NSW Fire Brigades
team. FF Matt Ruse is the NSWFB Sports Association coordinator for
this event. Contact him by sending an email to the Sports Association
Secretary (sports@fire.nsw.gov.au)
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