International Firefighters? Day
Today is International Firefighters? Day, a time to recognise and
honour the work of firefighters past and present. This is an important
day for us as it celebrates our profession and gives the community
an opportunity to acknowledge the work we undertake every day. The
Minister for Emergency Services, Nathan Rees, today thanked all NSW
firefighters for their contribution to the community both in responding
to emergencies as well as in fire awareness education. Mr Rees said
the dedication of firefighters provided NSW with a level of protection
that was unequalled in the world.
Successful 2007 Open Day
Congratulations to everyone who took part in Open Day 2007. I visited
a number of stations, including No. 1 station with Minister Rees,
and was extremely impressed by the effort firefighters put into staging
interesting demonstrations and the way they engaged with their Open
Day visitors. The reports that I?ve had about other events have been
very positive too. It seems even wet weather couldn?t keep the crowds
away. There was a wide range of activities, including demonstrations
of car rescues, abseiling, aerial appliances, firefighting, and hazmat
operations, as well as an array of displays of equipment and fire
safety information. The attendance figures are still being tallied
but it is clear that come rain, hail or shine the NSWFB Open Day is
a hit with families and a significant event on the community calendar.
Read more about individual station events on the intranet.
Mullins (Senior) 50 years of service
On Wednesday night the acting RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers asked me
to present my father, Jack Mullins, a 50 year Long Service Award for
service at an RFS Awards Ceremony at Warringah Council Chambers. Dad
joined the Terrey Hills Brigade in 1956 and held the position of Deputy
Captain for many years; he is still an active member today at 82,
serving in the Logistics Unit. It was a very proud moment for us both,
and I greatly appreciate the RFS gesture in asking me to participate.
Bravery award presentation
On Monday 30 April, I presented Principal Chris Johnson with the
Commissioner?s Commendation at Athelstane Public School in Arncliffe.
The award was in recognition of her courageous action earlier this
year when she risked her own life to enter a burning house and rescue
an elderly woman. Along with Minister Rees, I paid tribute to her
bravery during a special assembly at the school. I was particularly
impressed by Miss Johnson?s own address to her students. In it she
urged them to show bravery and courage in their everyday lives, whether
it be in response to racism or bullying, or in the pursuit of their
studies. These students are very fortunate to have such an inspirational
principal, and she is a most deserving recipient of the Commissioner?s
Commendation. Read the intranet story.
Change of shift in the Solomons
On Wednesday, Superintendent Tom Milburn returned home from the Royal
Solomon Islands where he held the role of Fire Chief for two years.
Inspector Graham Webb, who has been in the Solomons since 18 April,
takes over from Supt Milburn on a two-year secondment. A lot of changes
have occurred in the NSWFB since Supt Milburn has been away, and when
he returns from a well-earned break in two weeks he will be working
in corporate head office. Welcome back Tom and good luck Graham.
Kogarah Centenary
On Saturday 12 May, I will be attending the centenary celebrations
of 21 Kogarah. The ceremony will be held at the station, which is
on Gray Street, and proceedings will begin at 10.30am. I look forward
to attending the celebrations with many serving and retired members
of the NSWFB.
Dorrigo Championships
The second round of the 2007 NSWFB Firefighter Championships will
by held on 5-6 May, hosted by Dorrigo Fire Brigade. The field includes
13 NSWFB teams, one team from the RFS and three teams from the Queensland
Fire and Rescue Service. I wish all the competitors the best of luck,
but unfortunately am unable to attend as I will be at an emergency
services camping ?get-together? at Barrington Tops organised by 344
Kearsley FF Wayne Woodward.
May fire safety campaign
May 1st was the first anniversary of the smoke alarm laws. Figures
from the NSW Population Heath Survey show that in 2006, 87 per cent
of homes in NSW had smoke alarms ? up from 77 per cent in 2005. The
figure for last year includes four months before the legislation came
into effect, so we are expecting even higher smoke alarm penetration
in 2007. With most homes now fitted with smoke alarms, the next step
is to ensure that smoke alarms are maintained ? the topic of the May
safety campaign. To help spread the word access the template media
release and fact sheet from the intranet.
Fire News Survey
I am sometimes asked by our retired firefighters if we are planning
to bring back Fire News, our quarterly magazine. The magazine has
been on hold recently and we are now conducting a survey to decide
the best way forward, but it will be re-introduced. You can provide
your feedback and thoughts on the survey on the intranet.
EVENTS
NSWFB attends Triple J?s One Night Stand
92 years of history comes to an end in Hay
NEST vs ADF 2007
NSWFB firefighter off to World Pistol Shooting Championship in Germany
Dangerous goods site inspection
NSWFB protects Easter show
Australian Water Summit
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