COMMISSIONER’S BUSINESS
Professional standards # 2
Last week, I wrote about our shared responsibility to deliver top
quality services to the community, and also about the fragility of
our good name and high standing. The NSWFB and its staff enjoy high
levels of community admiration because we constantly deliver what
the community expects and deserves. Recent events have highlighted
to all of us how precarious our good name can be. The spotlight was
shone upon us due to a recent incident, and this resulted in significant
criticism, together with other complaints about a variety of issues.
The message I wished to convey was that all of us, by our actions
or inactions, can potentially affect the public perception of the
NSWFB. Seemingly minor matters like rudeness, untidiness, dirty appliances,
disobeying road and parking rules when on non-emergency duties, are
all examples of things that can detract from our well earned professional
image. On a Station basis, it only takes one Platoon to “drop
the ball”, for example shirking responsibilities to do station
or community safety work, to damage inter-Platoon relationships and
even tarnish the reputation of the entire station. We need to nurture
and protect our good standing and image so that the community remains
confident in our ability to help them during emergencies. This includes
treating each other with respect and dignity, and doing our fair share
of work.
I am deeply disappointed that the incident that attracted the media
attention occurred. However I am also disappointed that the media
attention resulted from an anonymous letter from a firefighter, who
has been described by the media as a “whistle-blower”.
For the record, disciplinary action was instigated on the night the
incident occurred. There was no cover-up as the term whistle-blower
suggests. Ultimately the anonymous letter, which was also quite inaccurate
in the claims made, served no purpose other than to attract negative
media attention. There is absolutely no point in trying to find out
who sent the letter, however I am left wondering what I can do as
Commissioner to ensure that staff are comfortable in the knowledge
that they CAN raise matters of concern and that they WILL be dealt
with.
I wish to reassure each and every employee of the NSWFB that if they
ever become aware of misconduct, corruption, harassment, or other
wrongdoing, they should have no hesitation in immediately reporting
such matters via formal channels. The matters WILL be dealt with.
If an employee does not feel comfortable doing this for whatever reason,
they have the option of making a protected disclosure, and maintaining
anonymity. If somebody feels more comfortable approaching me personally,
then do so.
We have a duty to the public and government to be transparent in
everything we do, however anonymous letters can be counter-productive.
They can hinder investigations, and as we saw recently, result in
unfair criticism of the entire organisation.
Nambucca Heads Fire Station opening
Tomorrow I will be attending the official opening of the new Nambucca
Heads Fire Station. The new station is the second environmentally-friendly
NSWFB station to be opened. Captain Gary McCudden and his crew have
been in the station for the last few months and report that they are
very satisfied with the new facility.
Coffs Harbour medal presentations
While in Zone North 5, I will be presenting National Medals to nine
firefighters at a ceremony at the Coffs Harbour Catholic Club. Also
attending will be the local Member of Parliament, Luke Hartsuyker,
Assistant Commissioner Bob Dobson, Chief Superintendent Roger Bucholtz
and Superintendent David Gray. Congratulations to all the recipients.
New equipment
As new equipment arrives at your fire station, you naturally want
to let your community know about it. However, be aware that under
the NSWFB’s Media Policy you are not permitted to publicise
new equipment. Any media announcement concerning equipment needs to
be arranged through the NSWFB’s Public Affairs and Communications
Strategy Unit (PACSU). For further information on the NSWFB’s
Media Policy, go to the intranet or contact your regional Public Affairs
Officer.
OPERATIONAL ROUNDUP
If you haven’t had a chance to catch up on the details of the
recent vehicle accident at Wauchope visit the intranet. If the story
is not on the home page, you will find it in Past Articles. Keep sending
in stories on incidents in your area so other firefighters can read
them. Contact your regional Public Affairs Officer to submit a story.
RUMOUR MILL
Rumour: Is it true that retained stations
in N6 are going to become permanent?
Response: There are no immediate proposals to position
permanent staff in any N6 stations. Region and zone management are
continually monitoring development and needs in all areas. However,
decisions are subject to the whole-of-state priorities and the allocation
of funding among all government departments.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Tsunami relief workers recognised
At a special ceremony at Government House on Thursday, Her Excellency
the Governor of NSW, Professor Marie Bashir AC, and Premier Bob Carr
presented plaques to emergency services personnel in recognition of
their work in South East Asia after the tsunami.
SOs Bruce Cameron and Chris Sykes and SF Greg Watson received their
plaques for providing logistical support to the medical teams in Banda
Aceh and the Maldives. Station Officer Tim Fox, who was deployed to
Sri Lanka, was unable to attend, but will be presented with his plaque
at a later date.
Assistant Commissioner John Anderson attended on my behalf while
I chaired a meeting of fire authorities in Melbourne. The Premier
spoke highly of the NSWFB to Her Excellency, explaining how we were
able to ensure the medical teams were totally self-sufficient.
Retained firefighter turnout
The NSWFB has used paging and Telstra services (called ERS7 and DTO
bells) for turning out retained firefighters for many years. Telstra
is no longer providing ERS7 and DTO services and is not replacing
them with an equivalent. The NSWFB and other emergency services throughout
Australia have had to look at alternatives.
After an exhaustive evaluation, Interactive Voice Response (IVR) technology,
similar to phone banking and other such services, has been selected.
IVR will not only perform the turnout role, but also support additional
capability. Note that IVR is a secondary alerting system, and that
paging will continue to be the primary method of alerting. The IVR
has been integrated into FireCAD. Considerable design work has been
undertaken to minimise the changes required to our call-taking and
dispatch processes.
A number of stations have been selected to pilot the new system and
the evaluation is now underway. The roll-out to all fire stations
with retained staff is anticipated to start early March 2005 and finish
by the end of April 2005. Training will be delivered to all retained
firefighters and ComCen staff over this period.
UPCOMING EVENTS
NSW Fire Brigades v NSW Police
The Fastball Firies from 216 Bathurst and Zone West 3 will rise to
the challenge to take on the Backyard Blues from Blayney Police Station
in a 40 overs-a-side one-day cricket game at Redman Oval, Millthorpe
on Sunday 20 February. The Fastball Firies consist of an Inspector,
a couple of grey-haired Station Officers and some highly-trained firefighters.
They also have a large consortium of 12th men and catering staff.
All the players need now is a crowd.
NSWFB Ball
Keep Friday 23 September free in your diaries for the NSWFB Ball.
This year the event will be held at Doltone House, Jones Bay Wharf
at Pyrmont Point. Tickets cost $95 and include a three-course meal,
drinks, music and entertainment from the NSWFB Band and Marching Drill
Team. For those interested in saving for Ball tickets, now is the
best time to act. Contact the Fire Brigades Credit Union on how you
can arrange a direct debit from your pay and guarantee your tickets.
Keep an eye out for the flyer which will be sent out soon.
Police Games
This year’s Police Games are to be held from 5 to 13 March.
The games are open to all members of NSWFB and their families. There
will be a total of 31 sports held over the nine days. You can choose
from sports ranging from Angling and Archery to Track & Field
or Triathlon. Get a team together or compete individually. Closing
date for entries is 26 February, and don’t forget to let the
Sports Association know that you are competing by emailing sports@fire.nsw.gov.au.More
information and a full list of sports to be played can be found at
www.nswpolicesport.com