COMMISH’S CORNER

Friday 10 August 2007 Number 419. NSWFB
The Rumour Mill No (02) 9265 2627

CURRENT NATIONAL SECURITY ALERT LEVEL : MEDIUM

Redfern riot awards

Last Thursday I had the privilege of being presented with a Certificate of Appreciation by Police Commissioner Ken Moroney in recognition of NSWFB efforts in support of NSW Police at the Redfern riots. A large number of Police officers were recognised at the ceremony, held at Sydney Town Hall. On the night of the civil disturbance, Police came under sustained attack and suffered numerous injuries. Firefighters dealing with several fires in buildings and cars rescued a number of fallen Police officers. Deputy Commissioner Benson and I attended on the night to support staff, and were very proud of the way in which firefighters discharged their duties in a professional and neutral manner. The Brigades' Honours and Awards Committee will soon consider reports concerning actions of firefighters at the incident.

Winter bushfires

A 'normal' fire pattern, albeit about a month early, appears to be emerging. We have seen fires in the north-east corner and north of the state reflecting a drying pattern that in a normal year would progressively migrate south. It will be interesting to see whether we experience 'August westerlies', which will have the effect of drying things out for an early bushfire season. The season's first Section 44 was declared this week at Richmond Valley/Lismore/Kyogle. Let's cross our fingers for more rain!

Premier's Public Sector Awards

We have nominated two programs that we know are achieving positive results for consideration for the Premier's Public Sector Awards. The Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Program, which aims to reduce both the frequency and severity of fires within CALD communities was submitted for consideration, as was the I-Zone project, which aims to enhance risk mitigation for the urban bushland interface, enhance operational capability and improve community education.

Newcastle Firefighters' Ball

On Saturday 4 August I attended the Newcastle Firefighters' Ball which was held at the West Leagues Club in New Lambton. It was a great night with over $16,000 raised for the John Hunter Children's Hospital, Kidsafe Hunter and K.I.D.S. Burns Survivor Foundation. Congratulations to all of the firefighters from the Hunter for their ongoing support of these worthy causes, and in particular the organising committee comprising Bev Creagh, SF Mark Price, SO Stuart Bear, Insp Steve Hirst and CSupt Jim Smith.

Roll out of Class 2 pumpers

The 219th Class 2 appliance was commissioned at Swansea in July. The Class 2 program commenced in 1999 and at this time all designated Class 2 Stations have received their appliance. In addition to commissioned Class 2 appliances in stations there are five units which have been assigned as training pumpers plus five SEVS. There are 14 Class 2s to be ordered in 2007/08 which will allow cascading of older Class 2 appliances as SEVs. The new Class 3 Scania appliances are getting closer with the first prototype from SEM Fire and Rescue due to commence operations at Bankstown Station in September 2007. It is envisaged that the production Class 3 Scania appliances will be available in early 2008, which will enable progressive retirement of all International pumpers in 2008.

Launch of the National Emergency Management Strategy for Remote Indigenous Communities

Terry Hill, the NSWFB Aboriginal Services Officer, recently attended the launch of the National Emergency Management Strategy for Remote Indigenous Communities held in Broome, WA. The strategy, developed by the Remote Indigenous Communities Advisory Committee, addresses recommendations made in the Council of Australian Governments' directed review Natural Disasters in Australia: Reforming mitigation, relief and recovery arrangements (2002) and aims to improve the disaster resilience of remote Indigenous communities. The NSW Office of Emergency Services, in conjunction with Terry, is developing a program to address service delivery gaps and to meet the needs of Discrete Aboriginal Communities in NSW. For further information see the intranet story.

Opening of new RW2 Zone Office

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of attending the official opening of the new RW2 Zone Office in Bathurst. The Minister for Emergency Services, Nathan Rees, officially opened the office which was established following the restructure. The new zone means that the zone management team are more strategically located in terms of their proximity to firefighters and fire stations in the zone and are better aligned with local government areas and local police commands.

At the ceremony I had the pleasure of presenting Deputy Captain Graham Spurway (105 Kelso) with the Commissioner's Commendation for Meritorious Service. In 2004 Graham, while off duty, saw smoke coming from a building, stopped, and was able to wake three adults and two children, direct them to a window, and assist them from the house. Graham was also presented with the 2nd Clasp to the National Medal. Graham has served with the NSWFB for 42 years and has been DCapt at Kelso Fire Station since it opened in 1999. Congratulations Graham.

Four Class 2 pumpers in the Blue Mountains

On Monday, the Local Member for the Blue Mountains, Phil Koperberg, and the Local Member for Penrith, Karyn Paluzzano, officially handed over the keys to four new pumpers. The keys were accepted by Captain Keith Ferguson from 445 Springwood, Captain Ted Ranse from 343 Katoomba, Captain David Thompson from 386 Mount Victoria and Captain Bruce Annabel from 301 Glenbrook. See the intranet story.

Menai Fire Station

On Wednesday, I attended the official opening of the extensions and renovations to 90 Menai. The station is now twice as big, with improved amenities and facilities for firefighters. Renovations to 90 Menai include a second storey addition, a recreation room, training area, new mess room and change room. For more information see the intranet story.

Variety Bash update

On Sunday 5 August, NSWFB and RFS firefighters participating in the 2007 NSW Variety Bash left Base (Garden Island) and set off on a 5000km trip across the outback. Now six days into the event, the teams have been busy with both their official duties and delivering fire safety messages to children in remote and isolated towns in regional NSW. So far, the teams have held fire safety demonstrations at schools in Buninyong, Brewarrina and Thargomindah, which have been attended by over 450 children. Team leader of Excalibur, RetF Trevor Lang, raised another $6000 for Variety on Tuesday night by shaving his head at the local pub. For a more detailed update on the Bash see the intranet story.

RUMOUR MILL

Rumour: Is it true that the NSWFB is investigating a First Response medical capacity to assist the Ambulance Service?

Response: The NSWFB already operates a number of "community first responder units" on behalf of the Ambulance Service in rural NSW, and sometimes receives calls to assist the Ambulance Service when resources are tied up in metro areas. There are no current plans to extend such arrangements other than to a number of towns that do not have Ambulance stations, and in these cases, as occurs at Branxton, Uralla, Perisher Valley and Alstonville, the units would only assume a limited role under the control and direction of the Ambulance Service. This is yet another way in which firefighters' training, equipment and ability to rapidly respond to emergencies can assist the community, but again, only when asked by the Ambulance Service.

Rumour: Is it true that although the NSWFB and the RFS will remain individual agencies that some administrative functions, such as purchasing, pays and other HR roles will be carried out by the one group of combined staff?

Response: There are no plans for combined administration, HR, purchasing or pay sections shared by the agencies.

Rumour: Is it true that applicants for the next Perisher Valley ballot will have to be Primary Rescue operators AND attached to a primary rescue station? This will discriminate against primary operators attached to a secondary station like City of Sydney who are currently stand by as a primary station on a regular basis.

Response: The requirement is that applicants have to be Primary Rescue operators and have current qualifications.

Rumour: Is it true that Turvey Park Fire Station is to have one to two permanent firefighters staff the Hazmat unit as it is extremely busy and retained staff aren't always there to staff it?

Response: No this is not true.

INCIDENTS
453 Taree responds to building fire

EVENTS
NSWFB heads north for firefighter championships
426 Perisher Valley help out kids from Camp Quality
343 Katoomba attends Snow Day at Scenic World
Hazmat exercise with NSW Police Bomb Squad


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