COMMISSIONER'S BUSINESS
Thanks to Assistant Commissioner John Benson for ably filling my shoes for the past week.
Handover of new Class 1 at Ballina
Today I visited Ballina Fire Station where I handed over a new class 1 appliance and met the local crew. I also visited Mullumbimby, Kingscliff, Tweed River and Tweed Heads fire stations. Tomorrow I'll be giving a presentation to the Zone N6 Conference where I'll also present the National Medal to Captain Graeme Wakely from Brunswick Heads Fire Station and around 20 Long Service and Good Conduct Medals to Station Officers, Captains, Deputy Captains and N6 Zone Administration Officer Sandra Chapman, who has been with the NSWFB for 25 years.
Escape Day 2005
Next Wednesday 31 August is Escape Day. This is a time when the NSWFB can highlight the importance of every home having an escape plan as well as working smoke alarms. The Escape Day template media release and an escape plan guide are available on the intranet. You may want to invite your local media down to the station on the day or during the week to talk about the principles of escaping a fire and even draw them an escape plan. In previous years, stations have involved local families in media stories to give the messages greater impact.
OPERATIONAL UPDATE
Annandale 5 th Alarm
On Thursday 25 August 16 stations responded to a fifth alarm factory fire in Annandale. The fire destroyed the factory, a neighbouring shopfront and residential caretakers premises. Crews successfully defended twelve shops and residential units fronting onto Paramatta Road with hydraulic platforms and numerous hand lines. The fire was contained within two hours. More than 30 people were evacuated however no injuries have been reported. For more information about the incident, go to the intranet .
Warialda fatal fire
Last Saturday 487 Warialda responded to a house fire in Hope Street, Warialda with reports of a person possibly trapped inside. Despite numerous attempts by the firefighters to conduct a search of the house, they were forced back by the intense heat and collapsing roof, and were unable to reach the person. His body was later discovered in the charred remains. Supt Steve Pearce tells me that the firefighters gave sterling service, staying most of the day to assist with the investigation. To read more about the incident, go to the intranet .
Kelso fire
Just before 8.30pm last Friday 19 August, 105 Kelso were returning to the station after extinguishing a grass fire and noticed a huge volume of black smoke billowing into the air. The nearby Kelso High School was ablaze. It took 17 stations working throughout the night to extinguish the fire. To read more about the incident, go to the intranet .
RUMOUR MILL
Rumour: Is it true that NSWFB rescue units are constantly being called late to rescues in their respective rescue areas? At times the call is received so late that often tow truck operators are in attendance prior to the NSWFB arrival, despite tow trucks having to drive under normal road conditions. Is it also true that NSWFB management has been instructed not to follow up complaints about such calls to prevent dissention and poor relations between services?
Response: To the best of my knowledge, NSWFB rescue units are not being constantly called late to rescues. Station Commanders should report any concerns they have with dispatch times to their Operational Commander/Country Inspector to raise with their ComCen. There is no truth in the allegation that NSWFB management does not follow up complaints about rescues. On a recent station visit, it became clear to me that sometimes there is a reluctance to put pen to paper at station level. Be aware that if management don't know about an incident they are unable to act on it. Neither will management act on anecdotal information or rumours. Where there are genuine instances of delayed response these should be reported in writing ASAP with facts and figures not conjecture. They will be acted upon promptly.
Rumour: Is it true that due to a number of recruits collapsing over the past few months, they are not allowed to heat the ship's hold at the training college above 50°C, whereas before they used to heat it up to 80°C?
Response: No, this is not true. The operating procedures of the ship's hold have not changed. Due to the ventilated nature of the ship's hold the temperature generally fluctuates between 50-70°C. There have been a couple of minor incidents, which is not uncommon when recruits face these conditions for the first time.
NEWS IN BRIEF
CFU training day
Last Sunday's Region South CFU training day at Engadine was a tremendous success. A record number of volunteers gathered to prepare for the upcoming bushfire season. Minister Tony Kelly was on hand to observe more than 1000 volunteers practise their skills. Also attending were Acting Commissioner John Benson, Acting Regional Commander South Paul Rugg and Manager Natural Hazards/Bushfire, Superintendent Gerry Byrne. There was considerable media coverage of the event, showcasing our CFU program and the volunteers who make it work. Thanks to all concerned, especially CFU Manager SO Terry Munsey and CFU Coordinator South SF Karl Duesing. For the full story and photos see the intranet .
New Hazmat Manager Superintendent Rob McNeil
With extensive experience in CBR planning and response, Superintendent Rob McNeil is now managing the Hazmat team based at Greenacre. Rob has spent over 22 years with the NSWFB and has worked on CBR planning for the Olympics, multi agency Hazmat initiatives and responded to numerous major incidents. Rob is keen to ensure the efficient implementation of the Hazmat Quality Management System.
New Bushfire/ Natural Hazards Superintendent Gerry Byrne
Ably leading the Bushfire and Natural Hazards team is Superintendent Gerry Byrne. Gerry has worked with NSWFB for 22 years most recently as Inspector in the Liverpool zone. At the top of the agenda for Gerry in his new role is the NSWFB's urban/bushland interface (I-Zone) firefighting capability and encouraging strong relationships with external agencies.
City to Surf
The 35th City to Surf was another great day for the 60,000 plus competitors. The NSWFB team was very strong this year with more than 30 runners and walkers. Our best three finishers were FF Michael Prince (13 Alexandria), SF Dave Baigent (21 Kogarah) and SO Wayne Gregory (Comms) whose combined times were good enough to defeat the MFB team and retain the John Host Memorial Shield.
Unfortunately, this year the Army was extremely competitive and regained the Uniformed Services title, which the NSWFB won last year. We came a gallant second. Well done to everyone involved.
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