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