COMMISH’S CORNER

Friday 9 March 2007 Number 408 NSWFB The Rumour Mill No (02) 9265 2627
CURRENT NATIONAL SECURITY ALERT LEVEL : MEDIUM

.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