.This edition of Commish’s Corner is presented by Acting Commissioner
Ken Thompson
Stop Press: As at the time of publication (4.30pm)
the NSWFB is on standby waiting for news about whether our assistance
is required on the north west coast of Western Australia which has
been affected by a serious cyclone. Cyclone George, with winds of
up to 275kph, has caused widespread damage in the town of Port Hedland
and to several mining camps where up to three people may have died
and many are injured.
The West Australian authorities are still assessing the situation
to gauge the full extent of the damage and to establish if interstate
assistance is required. NSWFB assistance has not yet been requested,
however, we are on standby. As is standard with these situations we
are inspecting USAR caches in readiness to deploy with a USAR taskforce
at short notice.
Bushfire conference
Last week, Commissioner Mullins and I attended a conference,
called Are Big Bushfires Inevitable? hosted by the Bushfire Cooperative
Research Centre at Parliament House, Canberra. Attended by international,
Australian and New Zealand fire and land management agency representatives
and Federal MPs, the conference explored the phenomenon of the increasing
number and severity of large area bushfires around the world, focussing
on preparation, community awareness and climate change, as well as
research and funding of bushfire management. Commissioner Mullins
participated in a lively panel discussion about the role of communities.
For more information visit www.abc.net.au/canberra/bigfire or the
Bushfire CRC web site www.bushfirecrc.com.
Indonesian aircraft crash
Following Wednesday's tragic air crash in Indonesia, I have
written to the Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty
and the Defence Force's Air Chief Marshall Angus Houston expressing
our condolences at the loss and injury of personnel. As members of
the emergency services, we are ever-mindful of the risks faced by
those that serve to protect the community, and I expressed our concern
for the affected personnel, their families and colleagues.
Sydney storms
Earlier this week, Sydney was battered by fierce thunderstorms
and strong winds, which caused fires, flooding, lighting strikes and
falling trees. Between 2200 hours on Sunday 4 March and 0100 hours
on Monday 5 March the NSWFB received 181 calls related to the storms.
Among the incidents attended by the NSWFB were a neon sign alight
at Campbelltown, electrical fires at Bondi, Leichhardt, Caringbah
and Schofields, flooding at Chatswood and trees alight at Campbelltown,
Cecil Hills and Kings Langley, a tree on a house at Gordon, a roof
fire at St Clair and wires arcing at Gymea, Granville and Baulkham
Hills. A NSWFB taskforce assisted the SES on more than 30 jobs relating
to storms in the Cherrybrook area with four pumps on Monday 5 March
and three pumps on Tuesday 6 March. I would like to acknowledge the
outstanding efforts of all the firefighters and officers involved.
Well done!
NSWFB firefighter finalist in NSW Woman of the Year
I would like to congratulate Deputy Captain Michelle Hatton
(378 Mittagong) on being named a finalist in the 2007 NSW Woman of
the Year award. Michelle was one of 10 finalists selected from nominations
made by NSW Government ministers and local members of parliament.
Michelle was nominated by the Minister for Emergency Services, Tony
Kelly, for her leadership role and her commitment to promoting fire
safety messages in the community. Michelle has also contributed to
raising the profile of women in the NSWFB, assisting with recruitment
of female retained firefighters for Bundanoon Fire Station. The award
ceremony, hosted by Premier Morris Iemma, was part of International
Women’s Day celebrations on Thursday 8 March. Michelle’s
nomination is a wonderful achievement and highlights the valuable
contribution that retained firefighters and women make to the NSWFB
and the community. Congratulations Michelle.
NSWFB West Regional Firefighters Championship
Congratulations to all 20 teams that took part in the NSWFB West Regional
Firefighters Championship at Muswellbrook on 3-4 March. It was a great
weekend of competition. Firefighters competing in the events demonstrated
outstanding skills and team work which makes me confident that the
people living in their communities are well protected against the
threat of fire and other emergencies. Congratulations to the team
from Kelso Fire Station, who were declared the West Regional Champions.
I would like to thank the NSW Firefighter Championships Association
for organising the event and look forward to the other regional Championships
taking place throughout the year.
Recruit graduation
On Thursday 1 March, Commissioner Mullins welcomed 21 new
firefighters to the ranks. I would like to echo the Commissioner’s
sentiments and wish our newest members all the very best of luck in
their careers. It is a remarkable profession with many opportunities
for development. See photos from the graduation on the intranet.
TV crews at MVAs
NSW Police are working with a new television series featuring the
work of the NSW Police Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit. The
show is based on the successful New Zealand program Serious Crash
Unit on Channel Seven. Filming will run from 6 March to July 2007.
Rescue crews and those crews providing firefighting support to motor
vehicle accidents could be featured in the background or on camera,
and we ask for your support and cooperation. A camera crew could be
present at any MVA you attend. Your professional conversations could
be recorded. If you are asked to provide comment, please ensure your
response is in line with the Media Policy, including refraining from
offering personal opinion. For more information contact Operational
Media Coordinator A/Superintendent Craig Brierley on 0417 293 852.
Find out more about the filming on the intranet.
RTAS - Retained Firefighter Telephone Alerting System
A number of retained firefighters have said they would like
to be able to distinguish between ordinary phone calls and turn-out
calls initiated by RTAS. I would encourage retained firefighters to
visit the NSWFB intranet, where details of how to do this are published
in the articles section.
Deniliquin training centre
This week I provided an update on the presence of asbestos
at the training centre at Deniliquin. Should you have questions about
the matters involved or wish to raise any concerns, you can contact
our information line on 1800 244 217 (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm). The
information line can also arrange for access to health professionals.
Clean Up Australia Day
I would like to thank everyone who took time out from their
busy schedules to make Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday 4 March such
a success. I attended a lunch with Ian Kiernan, Chairman of Clean
Up Australia, who thanked the NSWFB for our commitment to the day
and continued efforts. Crews from Foster FB were among many NSWFB
crews who took part in local events on the day. Read their story on
the intranet. Other stations involved included 53 Neutral Bay (Shellcove
Beach); 25 Mosman (Lawry Plunkett Reserve, Balmoral Beach); 50 Hornsby
(Hunt Reserve, Mt Colah); 12 Balmain (King George Park, Rozelle);
343 Katoomba (Echo Point Lookout and surrounding lookouts); 373 East
Maitland (Metford Oval and bushland); 344 Kearsley (Mulbring St, Kearsley);
432 Raymond Terrace (Ross Wallbridge Reserve); and 488 Shellharbour
(Shellharbour Foreshore).
Autumn Fire Safety Calendar launch
Yesterday, Minister Tony Kelly launched the 2007 NSWFB-AAMI Autumn
Fire Safety Calendar. With Seniors Week only days away (11 to 18 March),
the focus of the launch was seniors’ fire safety. The calendar,
which also features the Change Your Clock, Change Your Smoke Alarm
Battery campaign and Open Day, will be arriving at fire stations soon.
Please distribute the calendar in your local community and offer it
to members of the public who visit the station. A special thanks goes
to Wellington Captain Mark Moroney and his crew for hosting the official
launch, which was also attended by Area Commander Regional West Chief
Superintendent Neil Harris and Sponsorship Manager Jane Crosland and
a representative from AAMI. I encourage fire crews to become involved
in local Seniors Week activities and to issue the template media release
to the local media. Obtain the release and more information on the
importance of spreading the fire safety message among seniors on the
intranet.
Harmony Day - 21 March
Harmony Day celebrates Australia’s commitment to racial
respect and community harmony and coincides with the United Nations’
Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. The Harmony Day
initiative focuses on what unites Australians, emphasising common
values and respect. Events will be held throughout Australia on 21
March to celebrate and foster harmony within communities. I encourage
stations to take part in Harmony Day activities taking place in your
local area. If you are interested in participating, please contact
David Weir on 9742 7143 or david.weir@fire.nsw.gov.au for further
information. Information about Harmony Day and activities taking place
across NSW can be found at www.harmony.gov.au
2007 Change Your Clock, Change Your Smoke Alarm Battery campaign
This year daylight savings ends on Sunday 25 March. With
campaign partner Duracell, the NSWFB is urging householders to use
the opportunity to change smoke alarm batteries when they turn their
clocks back. Fire crews can assist by issuing the template media release
to local media in the next few weeks. Some fire stations may be contacted
directly by the media as a result of publicity for the campaign generated
by Duracell’s PR company. The release and campaign ‘how
to’ guide can be found on the intranet. For more information
on the campaign contact Sponsorship Manager Jane Crosland on 9742
7358 or Public Affairs Officer Natalie Laharnar on 9265 2802.
Join Sydney in turning off lights for Earth Hour
At 7.30pm on 31 March 2007, residents, businesses and organisations
throughout Sydney will turn off their lights for one hour as part
of an important global warming initiative called Earth Hour. As part
of the NSWFB’s increasing environmental initiatives, we are
taking part in Earth Hour, a partnership between WWF-Australia and
Fairfax Media. Firefighters are encouraged to turn off computer monitors
and unessential lighting in their station for the nominated 60 minutes.
Read more on the intranet.
Senior planner returns to Department of Planning
Shane Kempnich, who has been working under secondment with
the NSWFB for 16 months, has returned to the Department of Planning.
Shane has been working hard within the Operations Research Unit to
improve the NSWFB’s understanding of the State’s planning
laws and processes, provide the latest information to NSWFB on planned
urban development areas across the State, and champion amendments
to Planning Laws which assist the NSWFB to expedite the acquisition
of sites for new fire stations. Shane’s efforts have seen proposed
changes to planning instruments that now will allow fire stations
to be built in most of the land-use zones defined by local councils
once they are gazetted. I wish to congratulate Shane on his achievements
and express our collective thanks for his efforts.
RUMOURS
Rumour: Is it true that after the last recruitment
exam a class of only 20 will be recruited as firefighters because
the quota is full and that the remainder will have to re-sit the exam
in December?
Response: There is no truth to this rumour. The
recruitment campaign for financial year 2006/2007 is as per schedule.
INCIDENTS
Crews battle huge Wollongong oil slick
Two incidents keep Illawarra crews busy
Nine crews fight fast food fire
EVENTS
New Death and Disability Award
NSWFB on parade at Mardi Gras
Red Cross Calling
Fire and emergency protection boosted for Harden-Murrumburrah area
There’s gold in those hills...
NSWFB firefighters cycle for charity
NSWFB goes for gold in the pool
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