NSWFB assistance in the aftermath of the storms
Managing a crisis is what we do best, and the assistance provided
by NSWFB crews in the aftermath of the severe storms and floods on
the Central Coast, in the Hunter region and in Sydney was outstanding.
This has been a mammoth operation. In the first four days alone, the
NSWFB answered almost 3,000 calls for assistance and provided dozens
of strike teams in the affected areas. Strike teams were brought together
from throughout the greater Sydney area, Blue Mountains, New England
and the mid north coast, and were sent to Toronto, Newcastle CBD,
Umina, Charmhaven, northern beaches, Maitland, and Raymond Terrace.
I was in Newcastle on Tuesday and was impressed by the standard of
the NSWFB efforts. Congratulations to everyone involved.
Remembering SO Stephen Richardson
On Thursday I was honoured to officially unveil a plaque and garden
in memory of SO Stephen Richardson at 84 Macquarie Fields. It is one
year since Richo was tragically taken from us in an accident whilst
responding to an emergency call. His family, friends and colleagues
have responded to this unspeakable loss by creating the memorial garden
? a fitting tribute to a great firefighter. I would like to place
on record my thanks and appreciation for the efforts of all firefighters
at 84 Macquarie Fields. We will never forget Richo ? as a friend,
a father, a husband, a colleague and a great mate.
Queen?s Birthday Honours
Five NSWFB officers have been awarded the AFSM in the Queen?s Birthday
Honours List announced on Monday, while our Senior Industrial Officer
has received the Public Service Medal (PSM). I would like to extend
my congratulations to Supt Gary Meers, Supt Keith King, SO Alan (Sam)
Walker, SO Bill Clifford and Captain Vince Oliver on receiving the
AFSM, and Stuart Henderson on receiving the PSM. They are all well-deserving
of their awards, having displayed extraordinary commitment to the
community and the NSWFB. Read the story on the intranet.
Vale Fred Davies QFSM - retired Chief Officer
I was saddened to learn of the passing on the weekend of retired Chief
Officer Fred Davies. He was 88. Fred served as Deputy Chief Officer
from 1972 to 1975 and was appointed Chief Officer on 15 August 1975
until his retirement on 17 October 1980. As Chief Officer, he oversaw
big reforms in the areas of fire safety and training and development,
and established the Alexandria Training College. Unfortunately, ill
health in recent years prevented him from attending NSWFB functions,
but he still kept tabs on what was going on in the NSWFB through the
NSWFB Retired Members Association. Fred was Chief Officer when I joined
the NSWFB and I still recall his inspiring address to our class. Earlier
this year, knowing that he was suffering from ill health, I visited
he and his wife Betty, also a long-time NSWFB employee. Whilst physically
Fred was failing, his mind was as sharp as ever and he amazed me with
his concern about, and research into, road tunnel fire safety. My
condolences to Betty and the rest of Fred?s family.
Escape Day 2007 ? Saturday 16 June
I?d like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that tomorrow
is Escape Day 2007. Most people are getting the message about the
need for smoke alarms, but a recent study indicates that around 70
per cent of families do not have an escape plan, so it is vital that
all NSW residents realise the importance of developing and rehearsing
an escape plan with their families. I hope that all firefighters participating
in Escape Day 2007 activities take the opportunity to engage with
their local communities and promote this vital fire safety message.
NSWFB Wins Silver for its Annual Report
The NSWFB has been awarded a silver Australasian Reporting Award for
our 2005/06 Annual Report. These Awards benchmark annual reports and
are entered by hundreds of private, public and non-profit organisations
against criteria based on world?s best practice. Criteria include
overall excellence in reporting, communication of organisational performance,
and meeting of regulatory requirements. The NSWFB sets high standards
in communicating its role to the community and stakeholders, and our
Annual Report is an important vehicle for this communication and reflects
the successes of our workforce during the year. A big thank you to
everyone within the NSWFB involved in producing and coordinating input
to our Annual Report, and in organising its production.
Changes to application for military leave
The NSWFB is proud to support personnel who are committed to serving
with the nation?s defence forces. To better facilitate the management
of NSWFB/ADFR personnel who are required to attend military obligations,
the processes used by personnel applying for military leave have been
changed. A general instruction will be published on the intranet prior
to 1 July. I ask all personnel with defence force commitments to familiarise
themselves with the new processes before submitting an application
for military leave.
Best of Brass
On the long weekend, the NSWFB Band and Precision Marching Team were
special guests at "The Best of Brass", an annual event which
brings the top brass and concert bands from all over Queensland. This
year the event was held in Maryborough, Queensland, and our band and
marching team received accolades from the host. It is no wonder they
have been invited back every year since 1994. Congratulations!
A Platoon Reunion
A reunion for all A Platoon members, past and present, is being organised
for Sunday 1 July at the Edinburgh Castle Hotel on the corner of Pitt
and Bathurst streets starting at 6pm. For further information see
the intranet story or contact Wes Smith on 0413 992 110 or Wesley.smith@fire.nsw.gov.au
2007 City to Surf
The ultimate Sydney fun run, the City to Surf, will be held this year
on Sunday 12 August. Register as part of the NSWFB team under the
Uniformed Services section so we can give the Armed Forces team, which
won last year, a run for their money. As in previous years, our team
will compete against the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Melbourne, for
the John Host Memorial Shield. NSWFB participants can take advantage
of the tender which will travel from the Training College to No.1
City of Sydney on the morning of the race, and then to Bondi (with
the bags) to set up the barbecue and refreshments. It will return
to City of Sydney and the College at the end of the day. For more
information contact ron.sinclair@fire.nsw.gov.au
RUMOUR MILL
Rumour: Is it true that the zone restructure
has cost the NSWFB up to $4.5m due to office upgrades and equipment
and that as a result of this, stations like 30 can't get an air-conditioner?
Response: No. The restructure has not cost anywhere
near $4.5 million. Major renovations and extensions have been programmed
for Lidcombe fire station and any air-conditioning problems will be
part of this work.
Rumour: Is it true that the HAZMAT unit at Berkeley
Vale fire station will not transport air cylinders to stations that
need them and that this has instead been done by couriers making delays
inevitable? On April 11 the HAZMAT unit from Berkeley Vale transported
bedding gear for firefighters doing overtime at a retained station.
The HAZMAT van picked up mattresses from Doyalson and transported
them to the retained station in question. They won't supply air cylinders
but will transport mattresses and blankets for firefighters on overtime.
Response: Delivering BA cylinders is not part of
the agreed role of the Hazmat Support Vehicle. Cylinders are transported
by courier and we have worked closely with the courier company in
order to keep delays to a minimum. The Hazmat Support Vehicle should
not and will not be used for transporting items other than those related
to its role as a Hazmat response unit. In the long term, funding is
being sought to staff a Logistics Support truck for the Central Coast.
Rumour: Is it true that the Gosford Rural Fire
Service will allow Metro North 2 to utilise their logistics vehicle
for daily running within the MN2?
Response: No.
INCIDENTS
NSWFB crews kept busy during storms and floods
NSW SEVERE WEATHER WARNING
B-Double careers down embankment
452 Tamworth responds to large hayshed fire, but uses no water
EVENTS
Winter fire safety message delivered in Nowra
NSWFB and Energy Australia joint exercise
RFS-NSWFB TV advertisement
Cheque Presentation to The Burns Unit at Westmead Children?s Hospital
NSWFB gets Escape Day 2007 message out to kids
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