COMMISSIONER’S BUSINESS
Anzac Day
It was an honour to be involved in the NSWFB Anzac Day service at
City of Sydney Fire Station on Monday. Chaplain Lindsay Smith officiated
at the moving early morning service, which included hymns, prayers
and my oration. HR Director Wendy Barrett and I laid wreaths and the
last post was played before Assistant Commissioner Bob Dobson recited
‘The Ode’. Retired Commissioner Ian Mac Dougall, retired
Director General Peter Rath and the former Chaplains Bob Garven and
Genness Garven also joined NSWFB staff and their families at the service.
Following the service the NSWFB contingent with around 140 participants,
led by AC Dobson and Mr Rath, paraded past a guard of honour. The
NSWFB Band led the contingent as it took its place in the march through
the city.
For more details of the event read A/Superintendent Gordon Boath’s
colourful account on the intranet. You can also view SFF Kernin Lambert’s
photos on the intranet photo gallery.
I’d like to thank everyone involved in making the day’s
proceedings a success.
St John Ambulance Emergency Service Awards
Last night I had the pleasure of attending the Annual General Meeting
of St John Ambulance Australia where three NSWFB staff accepted an
award. Captain Greg Blackwell, Deputy Captain Richard Bradley and
Retained Firefighter Peter Schmid of 378 Mittagong were honoured for
helping to save the life of a woman who had suffered a heart attack.
The woman was in a restaurant across the road from the fire station
where she collapsed. The firefighters ran across the road to administer
CPR and EAR until the Ambulance Service arrived, and then continued
to assist the ambulance officers. Well done.
Teralba Fire Station Opening
Today I joined the Member for Lake Macquarie, Jeff Hunter, at the
official opening of the new Teralba Fire Station. Regional Commander
North Assistant Commissioner Bob Dobson, Chief Superintendent Roger
Bucholtz and Chief Superintendent Bob Lewthwaite also attended the
opening of the new station in William Street, Teralba, together with
Acting Assistant Director Properties, Alan Meek. Many thanks to all
those involved in the station’s planning and construction.
Class 1/2005 Graduation
Congratulations to the 20 new recruit firefighters of Class 1/2005
who graduated on Wednesday 27 April. The graduation ceremony provided
me with an opportunity to formally thank the NSW Ambulance Service
for conducting “train the trainer” courses for 20 NSWFB
instructors who are now able to teach advanced first aid and public
access defibrillation courses to other firefighters. As a token of
our appreciation I presented an NSWFB plaque to Greg Rochford, CEO
of the NSW Ambulance Service, and Graham McCarthy, Manager of NSW
Ambulance Service Education Unit.
OPERATIONAL UPDATE
Chemical spill at Kurri Kurri High School
On Wednesday 27 April at approximately 11:30am a chemical spill was
reported at Kurri Kurri High School in the Hunter Valley region. Newcastle
Hazmat, 349 Kurri Kurri and 497 Weston responded. Police and ambulance
services also attended. Firefighters cleaned up a spill of calcium
carbide and the area was decontaminated and ventilated. The substance
was returned to the school for disposal. 160 students were evacuated
from the school as a precaution, but were allowed to return after
an hour. No injuries were reported, but two teachers were examined
by a doctor as a precaution.
RUMOUR MILL
Rumour: Is it true that the NSWFB is planning to
scrap the current bank of questions for the SOPP exam and are planning
to introduce 100 multiple choice questions?
Response: No. There are no plans to scrap the current
bank of 500 questions which are used as part of the pre-entry process
for the SOPP. The pre-entry tests for both the SOPP and IPP are constantly
reviewed, but at this stage no change is planned. Any change to the
current process requires a notification period of at least six months,
after consultation with the union.
Rumour: Is it true that a NSWFB appliance
had to be responded to 63 Blacktown to extinguish a fire caused by
firefighters leaving food on the stove when they attended a rescue?
Response: Unfortunately yes. 63 Blacktown had responded
to an MVA and it was remembered en route that the stove had been left
on. Comms was requested to send another appliance to 63 Station to
remove the now smoking food from the stove. This was completed with
no damage to the station. I take this opportunity to remind all NSWFB
staff that we must set an example when it comes to fire safety. I
well recall my own little mishap at 50 Station in 1979 when I left
toast in an old-style toaster. On return from the call we were confronted
with a smoke-logged mess room. As was the case at 63 Station, my SO
was not impressed with my cooking skills.
Rumour: Can you please explain why
when a SEV pumper is at a station which normally has a super pumper
it has to still be called a super pumper over the RT? Shouldn't it
revert immediately back to pumper only over the RT while the SEV is
at that station. ComCen Operators have said that the computer software
won't allow it to be changed? Why is this?
Response: There is an identified issue with FireCAD
that makes it difficult to manage specialist, dual-role appliances.
Dual-role appliances are vehicles like an Aerial Pumper or a Rescue
Pumper, and differentiating their roles is important for the pre-determined
resource levels in the Alarm Response Protocols. Operational Communications
and FireCAD Support are aware of the issue and are working with our
CAD vendor to improve the way the system manages these appliances.
As for what to call an appliance, SOG 2.4 Radio callsigns confirms
that the appliance discussed in the question is called a Pumper, unless
the SEV is a Super Pumper. ComCen Operators may have to use the original
callsign (in this case 'Super Pumper') to enter information in FireCAD
until the necessary changes are made in the system, but the radio
callsign should be Pumper.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Anzac Day in West 7
Anzac Day was commemorated by NSWFB crews in Griffith, Junee and Yenda.
At the Junee march, Retired Assistant Commissioner Noel Newson marched
with Superintendent Col Holmes and the Junee crew. Noel Newson also
laid a wreath on behalf of the NSWFB at the Junee Cenotaph. In Griffith,
Inspector Dave Felton and Acting Senior Instructor John Todd marched
with the Yenda and Griffith crews.
Anzac weekend AFL match
The National Emergency Services Team was narrowly beaten by the Australian
Defence Forces in a spirited and skilful match before the ANZAC weekend
fixture between the Sydney Swans vs Melbourne Demons match at the
SCG. Hosted and organised by the NSWFB AFL Club, the combined emergency
services side put in a valiant effort, with the final score 8-9-57
to 8-13-61 in favour of our Defence colleagues. Read more details
on the intranet.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Open Day 7 May
All stations should have received their Open Day kits by now. Check
your kit to ensure you have all the Open Day materials, and start
promoting the event using the templates in the kit and on the intranet.
If you have not received your kit, or have any questions, contact
your regional Public Affairs Officer or CRMO.
Heart Week 1 to 7 May 2005
Cardiovascular disease is still Australia’s number one killer,
accounting for 38% of all deaths in 2002. Approximately 50% of all
on-duty firefighter deaths in the USA (1997-2000); and tragically
three on-duty deaths in the NSWFB over the past five years have been
caused by heart attacks. Which is all the more reason why firefighters
should find out more about Heart Week 2005; aimed at increasing your
awareness of the risk of cardiovascular disease and what you can do
to improve your own heart health (see the heart foundation web site).
The best way to minimise your chance of developing cardiovascular
disease is by undertaking regular exercise, ensuring you have a nutritionally
sound diet, and having regular medical check ups.
For more information see the intranet story or contact Health Services
on 9265 2800 or 1800 425 282.
000 Party
The next 000 party is coming up on Friday 27 May. It is at the University
of Technology ‘Glasshouse’ Bar, on Broadway in Sydney.
Entertainment will be provided by the band “Tall Pop Syndrome”.
Doors open at 8:00pm and tickets are $15 each with all proceeds going
to charity.
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