Early start to bushfire season
The extreme conditions experienced on the weekend of 24/25 September and the Section 44 fires that resulted were a timely and unwelcome reminder of what we are likely to face during the bushfire season. I would ask all of you to take every opportunity to highlight to your community the measures they can take to help safeguard their lives and property this summer, and operationally, we need to be ready at all times.
The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a severe season. Media materials will be available on the intranet in the near future for you to use to raise bushfire awareness within your local media and the wider community. Please encourage your community to take some sensible bushfire precautions in the weeks ahead. A little work early in the season may save us all a lot of work later.
Smoke alarm deadline looming
There is less than four weeks until the end of the six-month grace period for property owners to install smoke alarms in homes and shared accommodation buildings. From 1 November it will be an offence not to have smoke alarms in all buildings where people sleep. This week I issued a media release throughout the state, reminding property owners of their responsibility. Advertisements will appear in major metropolitan, regional, suburban and ethnic newspapers in mid October, and a smoke alarm community service commercial will also appear on TV. I encourage all stations to use the template smoke alarm media release which will be appearing soon on the intranet to push the message locally in the lead up to 1 November.
National Police Remembrance Day
On Friday I joined the Governor of NSW, Professor Marie Bashir AC, Premier Morris Iemma, Police Commissioner Ken Moroney AO, APM, and hundreds of well-wishers at a service to commemorate those Police Officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. This annual event provides an opportunity for the NSWFB to show its support for our colleagues in the Police Force. Earlier this year, following the tragic loss of Station Officer Steve Richardson, the support provided by the NSW Police was remarkable. The bonds between the NSWFB, NSW Police and other emergency services have never been stronger.
Recruit graduation
I was privileged to attend the graduation of Class 5 / 2006 at the Training College at Alexandria on Thursday 28 September, at which I was once again struck by the high calibre of recruits who strive to join our service. In this class we were fortunate to have two retained firefighters, a contract firefighter, two military firefighters, three ambulance officers and a surf lifesaver among the 20 graduates, highlighting the esteem in which we are held in the emergency services community and the reputation we have as a preferred employer among the wider community.
I also had the great pleasure to present two Long Service and Good Conduct Medals to newly graduating firefighters Bernard McTiernan and Gareth Quin, both of whom have more than 10 years’ service as retained firefighters prior to joining the permanent ranks. In addition I was pleased to present Bernard with a Unit Commendation for a house fire he attended in December 2005. Their fathers, Captain Ray McTiernan from Delroy, and Captain Peter Quin AFSM (retired) from Unanderra, presented graduation certificates to their sons on my behalf.
Last retained firefighter at 69 station retires
On Tuesday I joined Station Officer Dave Casey and crew at 69 Station Dee Why to mark the last day of Retained Firefighter John Fryer. John is the last Retained Firefighter on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, and his retirement marks the end of an era. He joined the NSWFB in 1951 (before I was born) and has been a keen and dedicated firefighter throughout his 55 years of service. John followed his father into the NSWFB (a retained firefighter from 1939 to 1974), and John’s son Greg is a permanent firefighter, continuing the family tradition of community service.
Congratulations John on an exemplary record of which you should be very proud.
Exercise Blue Luminary
As part of the National Counter Terrorism Committee exercise agenda, the NSWFB recently completed participation in Exercise Blue Luminary, which extended over a three-week period. The exercise consisted of a series of components designed to test interagency capability and interoperability for counter terrorism response. Lessons learned will continue to be fed into our standard operational procedures to ensure that the NSWFB continues to operate effectively at such incidents and training exercises. Thank you to all of those who participated, particularly during the overnight scenarios.
Finley Fire Station opening and station visits
On 26 and 27 September I travelled to the state’s south-west to open Finley Fire Station and present awards and medals to firefighters at numerous stations across the Riverina and Western Plains. I would like to congratulate the recipients of the awards: your dedication to the NSWFB is what makes us such a successful and admired organisation. It was a great opportunity to catch up with crews in the south-west and I thank them for their ideas, views and suggestions. These trips give me an opportunity to hear what is working and what is not working. My next regional trip will be in November to the far north west of the state.
Annual cheque presentation to The Burns Unit
I had the pleasure of visiting The Children’s Hospital at Westmead on Wednesday to present the head of The Burns Unit, Dr John Harvey, with a cheque for $65,000 - money generously donated by firefighters through the Payroll Contribution Scheme. The NSWFB has donated more than $1.3 million to the Burns Unit to assist with the care and support of patients. It is comforting to know that the funds we raise are used to purchase vital equipment and conduct training and research that help to reduce the pain young burns victims suffer. Dr Harvey presented me with a framed certificate acknowledging the ongoing support of the NSWFB over the years and spoke warmly of the deep ties that have developed between the hospital and the NSWFB.
I also celebrated the 11th anniversary of The Burns Unit being named and officially recorded as Number 2 Fire Station with the cutting of a cake decorated like a pumper. Too bad about the diet!
NSWFB Annual Ball
This year's NSWFB Annual Ball proved to be everything promised. It was huge - with great fun, good music, superb food and the best location in Sydney overlooking the best harbour in the world.
With 430 firefighters, partners and friends having the time of their lives, the Fire Brigade Ball just keeps getting bigger and better every year. Fast becoming the envy of every other organisation, it is now a firm part of the social calendar, and an annual tradition not to be missed. It was great to see old friends like retired ACT Fire Commissioner Ian “Large” Bennett, retired Assistant Commissioner Brett Hume and Glenda Hume, and Inspector John Stapleton from the NSW Police Counter Terrorism Command.
Well done again to the organising committee of Maria James, Julia Simonides, Cora Sarmiento and Peter Stathis, who are already planning next year’s ball on Friday 14 September at Le Montage, Leichhardt. Sadly, many firefighters missed out this year by leaving their booking too late, so mark the 2007 date in your diaries now!
RUMOUR MILL
Rumour: Is it true that Eastwood 59 Rescue is going to either Gosford, Parramatta or Dunheved?
Response: I will be making a decision soon. The suggestion is to transfer it to 304 Gosford as a secondary rescue unit, and to provide improved salvage and lighting capabilities for major incidents on the Central Coast. Discussions are taking place with council.
Rumour: Is it true that 31 Station Busby is going to become an accredited Rescue Unit?
Response: No it is not true. However, 31 station was recently upgraded with a power saw and a Rapid Intervention Kit for normal rescue and fire ground use.
INCIDENTS
Hazmat and fire at Wagga Wagga
NSW Fire Brigades get an early start on summer bush fires
Rowing shed up in flames
House fire in Broken Hill
EVENTS
National Walk to Work Day Friday 6 October - 1000 pedometers to count your steps
Journalists join Lismore firefighters for a day
Amid fire and explosions recruit class 5/2006 graduates
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 to the intranet, please contact Public Affairs Officers: (West) 9265 2613, (South) 9265 2802 or (North) 9265 2631