COMMISSIONER’S BUSINESS
AFSM and Public Service Medal investiture
Last Wednesday I attended Government House to see our Governor,
Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC, present Chief Superintendent
Jim Hamilton and Inspector Ross Brogan with Australian Fire Service
Medals. Chief Superintendent Hamilton received his medal in recognition
of his achievements in the area of counter terrorism. Inspector Brogan
received his AFSM in recognition of his work in the area of fire investigation.
Both officers are recognised nationally and internationally as experts
in their respective fields. At the same ceremony, NSWFB Information
Coordinator, Anne Pickles, received the Public Service Medal for her
outstanding support and contribution to the NSWFB, particularly in
the area of occupational health and safety. Congratulations to all
for their well deserved recognition.
Long Service and Good Conduct Medals
This morning I also had the pleasure of presenting Long Service and
Good Conduct Medals to 65 firefighters, administrative and technical
staff at a special ceremony at Greenacre. It was nice to see the pride
on the faces of recipients’ families as they received their
awards. I hope to attend as many as possible of these events which
recognise the dedication of all NSWFB staff.
Region North Management Conference
The Region North Management Conference was held in the Hunter Valley
this week. On Thursday morning I spoke on some of the NSWFB’s
achievements over the past year and future directions for the next
12 months. At the conference I caught up with Chief Superintendent
Bob Lewthwaite AFSM (N3) who I am sad to say has announced his impending
retirement. I also had the opportunity to award Long Service and Good
Conduct Medals to senior officers from North Region, including Superintendent
Brian Johnson (3 clasps – 43 years service).
OPERATIONAL UPDATE
Fire officers to attend specialist CBR training in Canada
Inspector Michael Brown, Deputy Manager Hazmat and Hazmat Station
Commander, Station Officer Greg Reid, will fly to Canada on Wednesday
1 June to join representatives from other fire and rescue services
at a special CBR training program. The training program will give
participants an in-depth knowledge of CBR techniques through a variety
of theoretical and practical scenarios. The knowledge Inspector Brown
and SO Reid gain will be used to further develop the NSWFB’s
Hazmat and CBR response capabilities.
Operational water use
The Operational Water Use Policy has been published on the Intranet.
The policy outlines the characteristics, risks and limitations of
various water sources in both firefighting and training situations.
The policy also briefly outlines how to conserve water and minimise
environmental impacts. Station Commanders should bring this information
to the attention of staff under their command. It is suggested that
this topic be covered in the Station Training Program and recorded
in firefighters’ Training Logbooks.
RUMOUR MILL
Rumour: Is it true that the Commissioner’s
initiative of rank restructure is still to be implemented at some
time in the future? Such as, Senior Firefighter will be the minimum
rank to attain and there will be Senior Station Officers to act up
to Inspector.
Response: The Union, not the NSWFB, proposed a restructure
as part of a previous Award discussion. The restructure proposal was
withdrawn by the Union following voting at Union meetings. The NSWFB
has no plans to revisit the matter. I have however written to the
Union seeking views and a meeting to discuss the structure of the
Corporate Executive Group, and Regionalisation.
NEWS IN BRIEF
NSWFB puts on a show for international visitors
Australia has become a member of the Consequence Management Group
(CMG) which includes Canada, the USA and the UK. CMG addresses issues
in relation to chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) attacks.
This week Emergency Management Australia hosted a group of CMG delegates
at the State Training College. As part of their visit, they witnessed
a demonstration of emergency service and defence force Hazmat and
CBR response capabilities. The demonstration and static display was
well received by delegates.
CFU training days
On Sunday a training day will be held at St Ives for CFU volunteers
from Sydney’s north. Around 500 volunteers will attend the four-hour
training session to develop their skills, learn how to assist the
NSWFB to protect their homes from bushfires and be trained in first
aid. A highlight of the day will be a water-bombing demonstration
by FireAir 1. The NSWFB is coordinating the training, but there will
also be presentations from the RFS, St John Ambulance and National
Parks and Wildlife Service.
Last weekend a successful CFU training day was also held in the Blue
Mountains. Around 350 volunteers attended including 70 volunteers
from 10 newly commissioned units. At one point organisers were concerned
volunteers in the McLeod tool demonstration area might learn another
use for the tool when a local brown snake made its presence known.
(For non-operational readers, a McLeod tool is a heavy rake-like device
used for extinguishing bushfires.) Thankfully, the snake slithered
away unscathed.
Thanks and congratulations to all involved in both events, and for
helping to ensure our CFU volunteers are well prepared for next bushfire
season.
Swiss Ball training
On Thursday May 19, firefighters in Albury participated in two Swiss
Ball seminars conducted by Region South Health and Fitness Coordinator,
Marissa Lackmann. 37 firefighters, more than half of all firefighters
in Albury, attended the seminars and received advice on how to prevent
back injuries and improve their core strength. The program is being
rolled out across NSW and I have received excellent feedback from
firefighters and support staff who have participated in the program.
Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea
Over the last week morning teas have been held to raise funds for
cancer research as part of Australia's Biggest Morning Tea. This event
has traditionally been very well-supported by the NSWFB. A wonderful
spread was put on here in Head Office, as well as Dee Why and Crows
Nest Fire Stations. I am sure there were many other events in fire
stations across the state. If you have any photos and a story about
an event your station was involved in, contact the public affairs
officer for your region.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Inferno on the World Around Us
This Saturday, May 28 at 6.30pm Channel 7 will screen an episode of
the documentary series Australia's Deadliest Destinations featuring
a number of major fires, including Ash Wednesday, the Canberra bushfires
and the more recent bushfires on the Eyre Peninsula. The episode will
include footage of NSWFB firefighters and excerpts from the Inferno
documentary recorded last year which features 59 Eastwood SO Mark
Mackay and the crew from 63 Blacktown. The Commish’s black helmet
may even manage a cameo appearance.
Red Shield Appeal
Once again the NSWFB is raising money for the Salvation Army’s
2005 Red Shield Appeal. Many of you will have seen Superintendent
Keith King’s email about the appeal, and I would like to add
my support. The NSWFB and the Salvos have a long and distinguished
history and many of us are indebted to the assistance and support
of our Chaplains. I encourage everyone who can, to give to the appeal.
I have followed Keith’s lead and donated $50. If you would like
to make a donation, the Credit Union account details are: Account
Name: Red Shield Appeal; Account No: 106796; Account Type: S1; BSB
No: 802 825.
Bluey Day 2005
Last year the NSWFB raised over $60,000 for kids with cancer and other
life threatening childhood illnesses, and we’re hoping to do
even better this year. Bluey Day 2005 will be held on Saturday 13
August, and staff can register at http://www.blueyday.net. Bluey Day
participants must raise at least $1,000 before they qualify to have
their head shaved. So get your family, friends and co-workers supporting
you and start raising funds for vital research. If you have any questions
regarding Bluey Day 2005, email Chief Superintendent Jim Smith.
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:
Stephen Norris (West) 9265 2613, John Suter Linton (South) 9265 2802
or Natalie Laharnar (North) 9265 2631
Cut off for submissions is 12:00pm Thursday