US Bushfire deployments
The USA is experiencing a severe bushfire season, and assistance in the form of senior command personnel from Australia and New Zealand has been requested by US authorities. Inspector Glenn Launt is currently a Division Commander at the “Tripod Complex” fire in Montana, and this morning Station Officer John McNamara from the Bushfire Section left Australia for Boise, Idaho, where he will be briefed, equipped, then deployed to fires in the north western states. Up to 100 other Australians and New Zealanders from various fire services, forestry and national parks organisations have now been deployed to the USA.
Support for the new operational structure
A steering committee comprising Mary Grace Director Human Resources, David Bailey Director Finance, and John Benson, Deputy Commissioner Emergency Management has been established to determine support requirements of the restructure. A project team, comprising Project Manager: Karen Bode Human Resources Manager (North), and team members Kerry Wells RASCo, Supt Michael Guymer, and Paul McGee Finance Manager has also been established to work through the detail of how the new structure will work. Two other members will be appointed to the team in the next week. Work has commenced on the development of processes to fill new/changed positions, and these will need to be discussed with the Premier’s Department and PSA, then issued to staff. A communication strategy and timeline, which will outline the opportunity for staff input into the review and consultation on options proposed, will be available within the next two weeks.
Reintroduction of peak caps for firefighters
On becoming Commissioner in 2003 it quickly became clear during station visits that the vast majority of firefighters do not believe that the broad-brimmed hat looks professional as a part of our dress uniform, and there is a strong view that the peak cap should be reintroduced for all ranks. As was the case with white shirts for senior officers, I personally believe that rank-based differences in uniform can detract from the team spirit so vital in an emergency service such as ours. It was planned to reintroduce peak caps last year, however the funds allocated for this purpose were consumed by a blow-out in overtime costs. I am pleased to advise that following three consecutive months where overtime costs reduced slightly (we need to continue our efforts!), funds have been able to be allocated to a general issue of peak caps, and an order has been placed.
Chief Superintendent Hans Bootsma has advised me that issue of the peak caps should commence before Christmas, and Supply Services is working on a roll out schedule. On a date to be advised via In Orders in 2007, broad-brimmed hats will cease to be a part of the dress uniform, and they will no longer be issued. A new work hat that provides sun protection will also be issued to all staff. I hope that firefighters will show their pride in the professionalism of their occupation when the caps arrive by wearing uniform to and from work more than is the case at present. Many firefighters have told me that one of the reasons they do not wear uniform when travelling to and from work is because they “feel like dills” wearing the broad-brimmed hat. We are all rightfully proud to be members of the NSWFB, and should also be proud to demonstrate this by wearing our uniforms.
Update of Fire ED
All stations should now have received the revamped version of Fire ED Level 1. The content is largely the same, but there are new features such as:
Large colour fold-outs for use in classrooms
A3 colour poster for school notice boards
Clear satchels containing flash cards for use in classrooms
Teachers resource kit in printed form - also available o-nline at the new NSWFB Schools site www.fire.nsw.gov.au/schools
Kids’ kits with stickers, escape plans, paper bags, colour in sheets.
Congratulations to the staff at Community Risk Management on enhancing one of our most successful fire education programs. To learn more about the revised version of Fire ED, please see the intranet.
Triple 0 Cup
Today I attended the famous Triple 0 Cup, a touch football competition involving teams from the NSWFB, Police and Ambulance Service, at Woy Woy on the Central Coast. This year there were 24 teams taking part, helping to raise money for the Central Coast Burns Equipment Fund as well as Bluey Day. Congratulations to Senior Firefighter “Billy Mac”, who organises the event each year, and everyone else who assisted and who took part. The winner wasn’t known at the time of publication so stay tuned to the intranet for the results.
Unanderra Firefighter Championships
This weekend more than 20 teams of firefighters from around the state will travel to Unanderra to compete in the last Zone Championships before the grand finale of the State Championships in Port Macquarie this October. Good luck to all the teams competing this weekend.
CFU Training Day at Engadine
Deputy Commissioner John Benson has informed me that the training day at Engadine on Sunday 20 August was a great success, with more than 850 CFU members attending to sharpen their bushfire training and awareness. Thanks to our CFU volunteers for their dedication, to the firefighters who assisted with training, and congratulations to the Bushfire Section for arranging another successful training exercise. Read more about the CFU Training Day on the intranet.
Recruit graduation and award ceremony
Congratulations to the 19 recruits who received their graduation certificates from Acting Commissioner Benson in my absence last Thursday. Particular congratulations to former Retained Firefighters Justin Clark and Matthew Smith who were joined at the graduation by their fathers, 294 Forbes Captain Brian Clarke and 475 Uralla Captain Phil Smith, to celebrate their achievement.
During the ceremony, three firefighters who assisted during the 2005 tsunami relief effort were presented with the Humanitarian Overseas Service Medal by Acting Commissioner Benson. Station Officer Bruce Cameron and Leading Firefighter Greg Watson provided logistical support to medical and surgical teams in Banda Aceh. Station Officer Tim Fox provided support to teams in Sri Lanka, and Station Officer Chris Sykes provided support in The Maldives.
Improvements in the Central West
On Monday 14 August, Member for Bathurst Gerard Martin handed over the keys to two new pumpers at Portland and Wallerawang Fire Stations.
On Wednesday 16 August Minister Kelly turned the first sod at the site of the new Bathurst Fire Station. In total $2.4 million will be spent on firefighting infrastructure in the Central West over the next six months.
Electrical Hazards Working Group
At my request this group has produced an intranet site so all NSWFB staff can access the working group’s findings and provide feedback. Please take time to familiarise yourself with the efforts of the Electrical Hazards Risk Assessment working group.
Hair today gone tomorrow
Tomorrow is the official Bluey Day where NSWFB firefighters lose their hair for a good cause - to raise money for children with cancer. The NSWFB participation kicked off today with segments on the Sunrise show on Channel 7 and recruits holding a Bluey Day collection in Martin Place. Good luck to everybody taking part in head shaves over the next week. As usual, Chief Superintendent Jim Smith has been tireless in rallying people to the cause. Read more about the individual Bluey Day events on the intranet.
RUMOUR MILL
Rumour: Is it true that with the new funding, the renovations of 97 Huntingwood will continue?
Response: The western end of the building is being modified to accommodate the Area, Zone and Duty Commanders, with new offices also being constructed for the Manager Training and Workplace Assessors. The gym is being relocated to the ground floor together with the Conference Room. No other works have been approved or funded at this stage.
Rumour: Is it true that in the current recruitment campaign for prospective firefighters who are female or from non-English speaking background there will be different tests that they will need to complete in order to become successful applicants?
Response: No. All applicants in the 2006 Firefighter Recruitment Campaign sit the same tests.
Rumour: Is it true that there is a certain amount of numbers allocated for female recruit hopefuls in the 2006 recruitment campaign? Or is it true that the NSWFB is an EEO employer and the whole process is merit based?
Response: There is no allocated number of positions for female applicants in the 2006 Firefighter Recruitment Campaign. The NSWFB is an EEO employer with selection based solely on competitive merit principles. Every recruit who joins the NSWFB has met the same high standards.
INCIDENTS
Into the hot zone
Factory fire becomes hazmat incident
Wagga Wagga house fire
EVENTS
Bluey Day Foundation Trivia Night
Frontline Tourers ride to Kiama
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