COMMISSIONER’S BUSINESS
Smoke alarm campaign
Thirteen people have died since 25 May in a series of tragic home fires. On Tuesday I met with Premier Carr, Minister Kelly and RFS Commissioner Phil Koperberg to discuss a number of recommendations to reduce the number of home fire deaths. Following the meeting the Premier announced new measures, including proposed changes to legislation making it compulsory for homes to be fitted with smoke alarms, and a community awareness campaign.
The education campaign will warn people about the dangers of home fires - including community service television and radio announcements featuring Commissioner Koperberg and myself urging residents to take precautions to protect their families and property. To underpin the introduction of compulsory smoke alarms, the fire services recommended to the government improvements to existing community safety campaigns and a joint NSWFB/CSIRO research program into residential fires. We will also be looking at the effectiveness of the SABRE program. Firefighters are encouraged to assist less fortunate members of the community who are unable to do so themselves, to fit smoke alarms (battery operated only). I have indicated in media interviews that the NSWFB is not able to do this for people who have the economic and physical capability to help themselves, as we must always be ready for response.
If you would like more information on the proposed measures, please read the story on the intranet. Thank you to the people from Risk Management and Corporate Strategy for their efforts in strengthening the NSWFB input into community fire safety.
OPERATIONAL UPDATE
Reducing paperwork across the Tasman
Superintendent Bob Murray, Manager Operational Information Service, and Superintendent Marcus Baker, Manager Operational Personnel, visited the New Zealand Fire Service Head Office in Wellington recently to observe the electronic timesheet and rostering system our New Zealand colleagues are currently trialling.
NZ firefighters enter information about staffing levels at their station when they change shift. This information is then automatically updated on an electronic timesheet and in the NZFS HR system. Since the trial began, the system's simplicity and the removal of paper timesheets, leave and overtime returns, have proved very popular.
Superintendents Murray and Baker also visited Canterbury District Health Board in Christchurch to observe a similar system. Superintendent Baker reports that while not as "firey friendly" as the Wellington system, it still made paper timesheets a thing of the past.
Supts Murray and Baker are currently researching how similar systems can be implemented by the NSWFB. Of course, before any proposal is put forward, there will be detailed discussions with the Union.
RUMOUR MILL
Rumour: Why is an aerial pumper that has been sent for non-urgent repairs replaced with an International pumper? There are ten stations with aerial pumpers and there are three SEV aerial pumpers. The Scania aerial pumpers don't spend much time off the road. I understand that the SEVs are Macks and the in-service aerial platforms are Scanias, and crossover training has to be carried out, but when a 28m ladder platform replaces a 37m ladder platform, the crossover training is always carried out. Similarly when DL37 TTLs replace 30m TTLs. Where is the equity? Are the aerial pumpers important? Can the qualification/re-qualification be simplified to facilitate the use of SEV aerial pumpers for their intended purpose (as identified above)? What is the point in paying the ongoing costs of an SEV if it cannot be fully utilised for its intended purpose? If an SEV aerial pumper is not available, could a more modern SEV pumper be used instead of an International? I am sure the locals are impressed when their impressive modern appliance is replaced by an old International.
Response: The allocation of aerial SEVs is based on a policy which takes into account available resources within specific geographical areas. The policy rates the various allocations to ensure the most appropriate use of aerial SEVs. Depending on the allocation, the use of a pumper in the absence of an aerial appliance is necessary in some circumstances at present. The Fleet Officer allocates the Firepac SEVs in the first instance and then older appliances if necessary.
Presently eight stations have been cross-trained on Mack aerial pumpers and training is nearly complete for operators at another station. Training at 47 Revesby will begin soon, meaning that all 10 aerial pumper stations will be cross-trained on Mack aerial pumpers.
Rumour: Is it true that the current instructions on recording overtime on timesheets is unrealistically inflated and that actual overtime could have been avoided if the NSWFB maintained proper relieving officers and firefighters levels?
Response: There are numerous drivers that generate overtime but insufficient relieving officers and firefighters is not one of the major ones. On the establishment we have a certain number of permanent and relieving firefighters and have worked hard to maintain the quota at the required level.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Heart to Heart
A funny thing happened in the Cardiac Unit of the Royal North Shore Hospital recently. SO Denis Shepherd from 1 City of Sydney Relay Room had gone in for a routine procedure and when he rolled over in his bed he discovered he was next to 97 year-old Retired SF Alf Gardner. I can report that they have both been discharged from hospital and are on the mend. I hear the nurses are glad to see the back of them too after days of relentless firefighting stories and joke-telling.
Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Management Plan 2005-2008
The NSWFB is committed to treating all employees and the diverse community we serve fairly and with respect. The NSWFB Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Diversity Management Plan 2005-2008 is now available on the intranet. The plan outlines strategies to ensure that the principles of EEO and diversity are incorporated into our day-to-day business, and will enable us to monitor our progress over the next three years.
CARS improvements
Recent tragic events have highlighted just how important our community activities are, and the Community Activity Reporting System (CARS) enables us to track and evaluate that work. Based on feedback from workshops with operational personnel last year, Community Risk Management, in conjunction with the Operational Information Service, have developed a new more user-friendly version of CARS.
The new version will be available from 1 July, and all stations will receive a CARS kit shortly. The kit outlines the changes and provides instructions on how to use the new system. You must enter all outstanding CARS reports into the existing system by 30 June. For further information contact your Regional Community Risk Management Officer.
UPCOMING EVENTS
City to Surf
The 2005 City to Surf is closer than you think. The NSWFB is the reigning Uniformed Services Division Champion and traditionally enters a strong contingent in the fun run being held on 14 August.
In this Sunday's Sun-Herald there will be a story about training and preparation which features some of the NSWFB City to Surf team. We have a long-standing rivalry with Melbourne's Metropolitan Fire Brigade who travel up from Victoria every year to participate, and we're hoping to maintain our dominance and retain the title. If you would like to be part of the NSWFB team, just put NSWFB as your team name in the Uniformed Services section of the entry form. Contact Inspector Ron Sinclair at North 7 for more information.
Red Nose Day
Next Friday, 24 June is Red Nose Day which raises money for research into Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). SIDS is the most common cause of death in babies between one month and one year of age - approximately 2,400 babies die from SIDS each year.
The event attempts to improve community awareness through the purchase of a red nose, whether it is for you, someone else, cars, buildings or planes. Proceeds go towards providing a 24-hour crisis outreach for families affected by SIDS, the SIDS and Kids Safe Sleeping Program, and research into the causes and prevention of sudden infant deaths.
If you can, do support this special cause by purchasing a Red Nose next Friday. For more information visit the Red Nose Day website at www.rednoseday.com.au . Alternatively, you can contact NSWFB Health Services on 9265 2800 or 1800 425 282.
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:
John Suter Linton (West) 9265 2612, Michelle Halloran (South)
9265 2802 or Natalie Laharnar (North) 9265 2631
Cut off for submissions is 10:00am Thursday