COMMISSIONER’S BUSINESS
Media coverage of court matter
You may have seen some media coverage this week of an unfair dismissal
case in the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC). Portrayal by the
media of the NSWFB in relation to this matter has at times been unfavourable.
I would normally stand up for the professionalism of the NSWFB, officers
and firefighters in the media, but am unable to do so while the matter
is still being considered by the IRC.
Helping the Burns Unit continue its good work
On Wednesday I had the pleasure of presenting a cheque for $65,000,
the result of firefighter payroll deductions and fundraising, to Dr
John Harvey from the Burns Unit at The Children’s Hospital at
Westmead. This is a tremendous result. In fact, did you know that
the NSWFB has donated more than $750,000 to Number 2 Station since
1986? Thank you to all the staff, firefighters and recruits who have
donated money and given their time for a range of activities to raise
money for such a worthwhile cause. However, we can easily do even
more. Most employees contribute $1 per fortnight from their pay to
this worthy cause that makes such a huge difference to children with
horrific burns, such as little Sophie Delezio who I spoke to on Wednesday.
Why don’t we all increase this to just $2 per fortnight? Please
contact the Pay office ASAP, and we can aim for a donation of $130,000
next year.
Medal presentations
On Wednesday night I visited Bateau Bay Fire Station on the Central
Coast and after presenting 17 Long Service and Good Conduct Medals,
spoke to more than 30 members from Central Coast stations about current
issues.
On Saturday night I will present medals to long serving members from
Tamworth and West Tamworth stations, and members of the zone management
team.
Governor’s reception
On Monday night I attended Government House together with 15 other
NSWFB representatives and their partners, as well as members of the
other emergency services and armed forces. Our Governor, Prof. Marie
Bashir AC, and her husband Sir Nicholas Shehadie AC OBE hold the NSWFB
and other services in high esteem, and hold an annual “thank
you” reception.
Compressed air foam system
Last Thursday the ACT Fire Brigade and our Bushfire/Natural Hazards
Section organised a very impressive display of 9000 litre and 2000
litre bushfire tankers fitted with compressed air foam systems (CAFS).
CAFS conserves water supplies and enables firefighters to create fire
breaks by laying a blanket of Class A foam, or to coat structures
threatened by bushfire. The foam is discharged by fixed monitors,
or through 38mm delivery hose. Delivery of foam through a Ladder/Platform
onto fuel storage tanks was also demonstrated. Logistics Support and
Bushfire/Natural Hazards are further researching the concept. My thanks
to ACT Chief Fire Officer David Prince, and Supt Gerry Byrne for making
the demonstration possible.
OPERATIONAL UPDATE
Safety Bulletin 2005/6
Safety Bulletin 2005/6, entitled Equipment Recall: Operating Rods
for Modiewark Electrical Potential Indicator, has been published and
can be accessed from the State Operations page on the intranet. Commanders
must ensure that the information contained in this bulletin is brought
to the attention of all staff under their command and the directions
are implemented and monitored.
RUMOUR MILL
Rumour: Congratulations to Burwood on their success
in the Rescue Championships, but are any of the techniques picked
up over at the competition going to be spread to other rescue stations
within the NSWFB?
Response: Over the years the NSWFB involvement in
rescue competitions has resulted in the implementation of a number
of new rescue systems and equipment designed to improve the safety
of firefighters, emergency service workers and victims of road accidents.
Some examples include Supplementary Restraint System management systems,
patient protection systems, glass and sharps management systems, vehicle
stabilisation techniques, and equipment (including the nationally
known Holton Foot, named after Mick Holton, an ex-member of a champion
Burwood team and current Senior Rescue Instructor attached to the
Rescue Section). Additionally, a number of innovative road accident
rescue techniques have also been adopted including two stage roof
flap and removal, passive door removal, alternative roof flap methods,
the use of battery powered reciprocating saws as well as various methods
for improving space with vehicle side removal techniques.
The Championship-winning Burwood team and the Rescue Section are
currently reviewing new techniques and equipment displayed at the
recent Australasian and World Road Accident Rescue Challenges, with
a view to determining their applicability for NSWFB rescue operations.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Ambulances located in No. 1 station
The NSWFB is assisting the NSW Ambulance Service by hosting two appliances
and four crew at 1 City of Sydney. This arrangement will continue
for the next six to eight months while the Paddington Ambulance station
is being fully refurbished. Welcome to City of Sydney, and thank you
to the officers and firefighters at CoS for making our Ambulance colleagues
so welcome.
Online transfer log
A new system of logging and managing transfer requests in Sydney will
go live next Monday, 31 October. The new Transfer Log was developed
by OIS and Operational Personnel. To access the Transfer Log go to
the Electronic Self Service (ESS) area via the intranet or station
portal. The Transfer Log is accessed via the link in the left hand
side of the ESS. For more information see the story on the intranet.
NSWFB attends launch of Face the Facts publication
Today A/Assistant Commissioner Paul Rugg represented me at the launch
of the Face the Facts publication, which provides information about
refugees and asylum seekers, migration and multiculturalism and Indigenous
people. Through the Cultural and Linguistic Diversity (CALD) program,
the NSWFB has been helping to distribute the publication, produced
by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, to firefighters
and participants in CALD community information sessions.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Central Coast toy collection
Central Coast firefighters are working with the Salvation Army next
month to collect toys and gifts for underprivileged children for Christmas.
Station Officer Wayne Ansell and his crew at 304 Gosford proposed
the idea after Wayne was involved in a similar collection some years
ago when he was stationed at 59 Eastwood. Members of the public can
donate a toy or a gift by wrapping it, labelling it as a gift for
a boy or a girl, and suggesting the age group it would suit. NSWFB
fire stations on the Central Coast will act as collection points and
the toys and gifts collected throughout November will be transported
to the Salvation Army by a convoy of fire engines. For more information
contact Inspector Ron Sinclair or the on-duty Inspector N7 on 4389
3702 or 0417 549 546.
Blue Mountains CFU Training Day
150 volunteers from 21 CFUs from across the Blue Mountains will gather
at Sun Valley at Springwood on Sunday for a special training session
to prepare them for the bushfire season. The event will run from 10am
to 2pm at the Sun Valley Pony Club.
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