COMMISSIONER'S BUSINESS
Armidale Training Centre visit
On Wednesday I visited our Training Centre at Armidale as a guest of the Appliance Training section. It was great to observe the excellent work Leo McCrory and his team of instructors are doing in recruit driver training, and I didn't “kill” any witches hats while learning how to stop an appliance going sideways.
While I was there I also inspected the new gas suit washing and drying facility. Thanks to everyone involved for their efforts during my visit.
Planning for an Avian Flu pandemic
Together with the Department of Health and other emergency services, the NSWFB is currently developing contingency plans for a possible flu pandemic.
Health authorities are concerned that the H5N1 virus, which at present has been largely confined to the bird population, will mutate and become transmissible by human to human contact. Dr Anne Lear from the Risk Management Division has modelled the possible impact on the NSWFB workforce, based on information from the 1918, 1957 and 1968 flu pandemics. Using this information, the NSWFB is developing internal Business Continuity Plans based on best and worst-case scenarios, as well as operational plans involving distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE). If the virus makes the transition to a human form, the NSWFB and State Government will be well prepared.
Happy Birthday SES
Last Saturday I attended Sydney Town Hall with the Governor General, Minister Kelly, the Deputy Lord Mayor of Sydney, Ms Verity Firth, Director General of the SES Brigadier Philip McNamara CSC, and heads of other emergency services in NSW, to witness a street parade of SES volunteers, marking 50 years of proud service to the community.
I passed on my best wishes to Brigadier McNamara and the SES volunteers. I was particularly pleased with the many volunteers who made a point of coming to me and expressing their appreciation of the excellent working relationship they enjoy with NSWFB staff, particularly in small country towns.
Happy 50th birthday to our friends in the SES - it is good to see them recognised for the excellent work that they do, and particularly for the support they often provide to NSWFB operations.
OPERATIONAL UPDATE
Explosion in Tamworth restaurant
At 2200 hours on Monday crews from 452 Tamworth and 508 West Tamworth responded to reports of a large explosion with persons trapped in Peel St Tamworth.
A woman trapped at the rear of the premises, having sustained serious injuries, was rescued by a firefighter, Ambulance officer and Police officer, while firefighters extinguished the considerable blaze. The use of a thermal imaging camera and gas detection equipment proved invaluable at the scene.
The three emergency services personnel, including 452 Tamworth Retained Firefighter Alex Singh, will be recommended for awards following their outstanding efforts in rescuing the woman. This is an excellent example of cooperation between the emergency services.
You can read more about the explosion on the intranet.
Fire fatality at Glenfield
Just before 0300 hrs on Saturday, crews from 84 Macquarie Fields, 79 Ingleburn, 7 Horningsea Park, 92 St Andrews and 8 Liverpool responded to a house alight at Glenfield. The two-story townhouse was fully involved and threatened townhouses on either side. Firefighters evacuated the neighbours and mounted a defensive attack, quickly bringing the fire under control. Unfortunately, a search of the home revealed the body of a man inside.
Congratulations to the attending crews who showed professionalism while performing their duties under difficult circumstances. Read more on the intranet .
Busy time on the northern beaches
Firefighters from 6 Mona Vale, 68 Narrabeen, 69 Dee Why, 24 Manly, 51 Forestville, 25 Mosman, 40 Willoughby, 53 Neutral Bay and 36 Crows Nest have been kept busy over the past week with a spate of incidents. In the early hours of last Saturday, a 2 nd Alarm fire destroyed a well known surf shop in the main street of Collaroy. Early on Sunday morning, a 2 nd Alarm fire destroyed a two storey house 300 metres from the previous fire. On Sunday night, Manly and Dee Why firefighters contained a potentially serious fire in a laundromat at Manly, and early the next morning, with crews from three other stations, they attended a 2 nd Alarm house fire at Beacon Hill. The next afternoon, rescue crews from Crows Nest assisted Mosman firefighters at a serious bus crash at The Spit that involved multiple casualties.
Operations Bulletin
Operations Bulletin 2005/06, NSWFB ‘Support for Police Special Operations', has been published and can be accessed from the State Operations page on the Intranet . Please make yourself aware of the procedures NSWFB personnel must follow when providing support to Police Special Operations.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Woollahra Centenary
Tomorrow I will attend 11 Station Woollahra's centenary celebrations, which start at 11am with a street parade followed by a formal ceremony and a day of activities, including a street fair. Come and join in and support Woollahra crews past and present in celebrating 100 years of serving the community.
Taking NSWFB USAR to the world
Inspector Warwick Kidd, Deputy Manager Rescue, will showcase the NSWFB's expertise in USAR training when he unveils the Category 2 Urban Search and Rescue information CD to representatives of 60 countries at the United Nations International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) Team Leaders conference being held in Estonia next week (23 to 25 November). Before attending the conference, Inspector Kidd will visit Germany (18 to 22 November) to talk to German response teams about their experiences at the Pakistan earthquake and general rescue operations. After the conference, he and Superintendent Glenn Sheedy will visit the London Fire Brigade (27 November to 1 December) to discuss the tactical response to the London bombings in July. They will bring back valuable learnings to the NSWFB.
UK firefighter here on Churchill Fellowship
Over the next two months a firefighter from the United Kingdom will be completing a Churchill Fellowship with the NSWFB on workplace learning. Station Commander, Flexi Duty (equivalent NSWFB rank, Inspector), Phillip Smith from Staffordshire Fire and Rescue in the United Kingdom is analysing and comparing recruitment and selection processes, as well as competency based training and development for firefighters.
Station Commander Smith will post a report on the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust website at the completion of his fellowship. Phillip wishes to thank the crew at 28 Marrickville for their generous hospitality since he arrived last Monday.
Skin Cancer Week 2005
This week (13-19 November) is National Skin Cancer Action Week which aims to raise awareness of skin cancer and sun protection issues at the start of the summer season.
While at work, your firefighting uniform will protect your body from the sun, but sunscreen should be applied to any exposed skin. All appliances should be equipped with a 1-litre bottle of SPF 30+ sunscreen. Each firefighter should have their own cap and akubra hat, and a pair of NSWFB sunglasses can be issued on request (Standing Orders, 2003).
Check your skin regularly for spots, moles and freckles and if you have any concerns, consult your doctor. For more information visit the Cancer Council's website at www.cancer.org.au or contact the Cancer Help Line on 13 11 20. Alternatively, you can contact NSWFB Health Services on 9265 2800 or 1800 425 282, for more information.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Annual Golf Day
The annual Tom Mood Memorial Ambrose Golf Day will be held this year on Friday 9 December. Registration starts at 9.10am and the first group tees off at 10am. It costs $50 to play so contact Ron Finlay, Dave Phillips or Joel Wever at 21 Kogarah B Platoon.
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