Station Visits
Over the past two days I have been visiting fire stations in Metropolitan
North. It was good to get out and about and talk to firefighters about
the issues they face. Yesterday I visited Newcastle Fire Station and
spoke to 260 Newcastle, 462 Mayfield West, 500 Tingira Heights, 252
Carrington, 376 Merewether and 454 Tarro. Today I went to East Maitland
and had discussions with 373 East Maitland, 374 Maitland, 382 Morpeth,
Captain Cameron Powerll (455 Telarah), Captain Greg Foster (344 Kearsley),
and zone office staff. I also visited Gosford Fire Station and spoke
to 304 Gosford, 340 Umina, 341 Kariong, 228 Berkeley Vale, 509 Wyoming,
459 Terrigal, and 450 Saratoga. Last night, Deputy Commissioner Ken
Thompson and I attended an RFS conference dinner in Newcastle.
Recruit graduation
I welcomed 18 new firefighters to the NSWFB at their graduation at
the Training College last Thursday. They come from diverse backgrounds,
including a tax officer, carpenter, police officer, beach inspector
and soldier. Among the class was former Retained Firefighter Sam Edwards,
of 379 Moama. See the photos from the graduation on the intranet.
AFSM investitures and bravery award
On Wednesday 9 May, I attended a ceremony at Government House where
the Governor of NSW, Professor Marie Bashir AC, presented the AFSM
to four NSWFB officers. Congratulations to Superintendent Michael
Guymer (ZC ME1), Captain Keith Ferguson (445 Springwood), Captain
Raymond McTiernan (284 Delroy), and retired Captain Des Fairfull (formerly
of 362 Lismore). The AFSM is a fitting tribute for your dedicated
service and contribution to the NSWFB and the community. In a separate
ceremony at Government House on Thursday 10 May, I also witnessed
Professor Bashir present the Australian Commendation for Brave Conduct
to FF Justin Taylor for actions at a boat fire on 1 January 2005.
Read the details of the awards on the intranet.
75th anniversary of the NSWFB Medal for Conspicuous Bravery
Seventy five years ago today eight firefighters put their lives on
the line to protect the Armidale business district from a fire in
a storeroom containing 9,000 detonators. The building exploded and
was threatening a nearby shed which contained a large quantity of
explosives. Sadly, two firefighters died in the explosion and despite
the danger of another explosion in the shed, the surviving members
of the Armidale Brigade attacked the fire by playing a water curtain
around the explosives magazine, preventing the destruction of the
town?s business centre. The incredible bravery exhibited by all the
firefighters resulted in the establishment of the NSWFB Medal for
Conspicuous Bravery. Though the medal was instituted in 1932, it was
first conferred in June 1933, and since then the medal has been awarded
26 times, the last recipient being SO Carlos Henry who rescued three-year-old
Tyler Jameson from his burning home in Kingswood on 26 July 2006.
Special In Orders have been published today to celebrate the anniversary.
Discrete Aboriginal Communities project
A pilot NSWFB project which identified fire safety issues in discrete
Aboriginal communities, that is communities which were formerly missions
or reserves in remote areas, is to be expanded into a whole-of-government
project by the State Emergency Management Committee and the Office
for Emergency Services (OES). Under the NSWFB pilot, a team consisting
of Aboriginal Services Officer Terry Hill, SO Terry Kirkpatrick and
SO John Barr conducted several fire safety audits in some of these
remote communities and found issues concerning water availability,
hydrants, smoke alarm penetration, building construction and access/egress.
When the pilot project was presented to a meeting of stakeholders,
including the RFS, Police, Water and Energy, Aboriginal Lands Council,
OES and Premiers Department on Friday 4 May, it was decided the expanded
project would require involvement from a range of government agencies
and needed to be coordinated at a State level. Congratulations to
everyone involved in the project on obtaining such high level support
for this important initiative.
Comms Centre opportunities
There are a number of vacancies available for Comms operators (firefighters)
and Response Coordinators (Inspectors) in Sydney, Wollongong and Katoomba.
Comms can be a good place to grow your skills and career. Many senior
officers have spent time in Comms Centres because it helps to provide
a good overview of NSWFB operations, and Comms Operators work hand
in hand in an emergency situation with the RFS, NSW Police, Ambulance,
SES and other emergency and support services. For more information
contact your local Comms Centre or Operational Communications on
9318 4351.
NSWFB Escape Day 2007
The June fire safety campaign is Escape Day, which will be officially
held on 16 June. Throughout the month of June, stations are encouraged
to promote the importance of escape plans (and other winter fire safety
messages) in their local community. Further information about the
escape plan fire safety campaign and Escape Day will be available
on the intranet shortly.
Is Hazmat your next career move?
Manager Hazmat Supt Rob McNeil is appealing for Qualified Firefighters
and above to apply for two positions as Hazmat Technicians at 9 Hazmat
? one each on C and D Platoons. If you are looking for exposure to
a diverse range of incidents, specialist training, including the initial
four-week Hazmat Technician?s course, helicopter training and the
BA Technician?s course, a focus on counter terrorism and high involvement
with Specialised Operations, you can apply for a transfer via the
Electronic Self Service on Station Portal or by calling Supt McNeil
on 9318 7322 or 0419 264 647.
NSWFB North Regional Firefighters Championship
Congratulations to all 15 teams that took part in the NSWFB North
Regional Firefighters Championship at Dorrigo on 5-6 May. In addition
to the NSWFB teams, one Rural Fire Service team and three teams from
the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service took part in the weekend of
competition. Congratulations to the host brigade, Dorrigo, which was
declared the North Regional Champions and will be representing the
NSWFB at the Queensland State Championships to be held in Cairns in
July. The next round of the NSW competition will be held in Balgownie
in July.
Kogarah centenary
On Saturday 12 May, I was privileged to attend the centenary celebrations
for 21 Kogarah. It is always a pleasure to be at these events and
pay tribute to the service, courage and commitment that my fellow
firefighters have demonstrated over 100 years. I was joined by the
local MP, Cherie Burton, the Mayor of Kogarah, Councillor Michael
Kitmiridis, and senior NSWFB staff. It was good to see so many firefighters
past and present 'and of course their families' at the celebrations.
Read the intranet story.
'New' ladders now old
We are continually placing new appliances in stations, keeping the
fleet as up to date as possible. The other side of that, of course,
is the decommissioning of older appliances. I note with some nostalgia
that No. 7 Ladders (FBY-807), one of three identical 37m lveco-Magirus
DL37 ladders, has found a new home at The Museum of Fire. I was among
the first batch of operators of this class of ladders, which were
'new' in 1984, transferred from Crows Nest to HQ specifically to train
on the new ladders because I was a qualified hydraulic platform and
ladder driver at 36. At that time, Nos. 5, 6 and 7 ladders were state
of the art, and I operated them at several large fires over the years.
Read the intranet story about No. 7 Ladders and other appliances now
housed at the Museum.
Best band
The NSW Fire Brigades Band took out the first place trophy in the
Service Section of the 2007 Sydney ANZAC march. The University of
NSW Army Reserve Band came second with the Corrective Services Band
in third place. Congratulations to the band for this well deserved
recognition. I heard many comments among the crowd on the day about
the high standard of the band and it was clear who the public thought
were the best. A special thank you to the band?s Drum Major, Peter
Ryan, who has spent many hours drilling the band in correct marching
technique since December.
Barrington Tops getaway
On the weekend of 5-6 May, my wife Erris and I, NSW Ambulance General
Manager Operations Mick Willis, and Superintendent Jenny Willis, as
well as a Police Officer, other Ambulance Officers and Hunter Valley
firefighters headed to the high country for an emergency services
get-together. Retained Firefighter Wayne Woodward from 344 Kearsley
organises an annual emergency services camping trip aimed at forging
closer bonds of friendship between the services. A great time was
had by all, and a number of tall tales were told around the campfire.
Well done and thank you Wayne.
Charity shield ''Return to Camperdown'
A charity touch football day is being held at Camperdown Oval on
Sunday 27 May. Last year, the organiser, FF Robbie Stephenson, held
a pilot day at Meadowbank, raising almost $5000 for The Children's
Hospital at Westmead. This year they're hoping to pass that figure.
For information about the event, contact FF Stephenson at 75 A on
9456 3536 or on mobile 0408 676 911.
Lost Tribe
Firefighter Tony Povey and his family are currently featuring in
a new TV show, 'The Lost Tribes'. I know Tony must have survived,
because he's back at work safe and sound. Sorry if I spoiled the ending!
RUMOUR MILL
Rumour: Is it true that, by not enforcing
the NSWFB regulation against smoking in uniform, the Commissioner
is happy to accept passive smoking claims against firefighters?
Response: Policy relating to smoking in uniform
can be found in Fire Brigades Regulations 2003, Part 3, Section 18
(1)(d) and the Non Smoking Policy (Standing Orders; In Orders 1990/10,
as amended by In Orders 1991/21). These policies should be followed
by all firefighters and there are no instructions to the contrary.
It is the duty of all employees to observe the requirements, and of
all officers to represent the Commissioner by rigidly enforcing them
so as to safeguard health and safety, and our professional image.
INCIDENTS
Serious MVA in Branxton
EVENTS
Kogarah centenary celebrations
Commissioner accepts plaque in recognition of efforts of the ?400
in 4? cyclists
Superintendent Tom Milburn completes Honiara assignment
Hazmat in vertical rescue exercise
Mock scenario on Parramatta River
Scenic World rescue drill
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