Moving towards a national ICS
The NSWFB has been in the forefront of efforts to establish
a single national command and control system for all types of emergencies
and disasters. Australian fire, national parks and forestry services
have used the Australia Interservice Incident Management System (AIIMS)
since it was developed in 1984. This form of ICS is a derivative of
the National Incident Management System (NIMS) developed in the United
States.
As a result of urging from the NSWFB, fire authorities have been
working with other agencies including the SES, Police and Ambulance,
to adopt a common approach to incident management. In November, Minister
for Emergency Services, Tony Kelly and I secured an agreement from
Emergency Services Ministers from all States and Territories to work
toward a single national system. Yesterday, as the National Fire Services
representative, I attended a high level meeting in Canberra with representatives
of the National Counter Terrorism Committee and National Emergency
Management Committee to map out a way forward.
We should be very proud of the role the NSWFB has played and will
continue to play in this area, which will result in better-managed
emergencies, and safer communities.
Workplace dignity and respect
On Wednesday I attended the launch of the Workplace Dignity
and Respect Policy, presented by the Hon. John Della Bosca MLC, Minister
for Industrial Relations and Mark Lennon from Unions NSW. The aim
of the policy is to prevent bullying in the workplace, which is something
I am personally committed to and something that we all must take very
seriously. Bullying can be insidious and difficult to recognise, but
its effects are devastating. We must work together to stamp it out
and prevent it.
Corrimal Fire Station
A mixture of senior NSWFB personnel, Federal and local politicians
plus the local community witnessed the unveiling of $250,000 worth
of improvements to Corrimal Fire Station on Friday 16 February. Corrimal
Fire Station accommodates 13 retained firefighters and one pumper,
providing protection to the local community and backing up other brigades
throughout the Illawarra. See the story and photos from the opening
on the intranet.
Harden Fire Station
On Saturday I will be in Harden to open the extensions and
renovations to Harden Fire Station. During the same ceremony, I will
handover a new Isuzu Class 2 pumper to the crew. The fire station
accommodates 12 firefighters and provides protection to Harden as
well as supporting Boorowa, Cootamundra and Young fire stations at
emergency calls in adjoining areas.
CFU handover
Assistant Commissioner Murray Kear represented me at the
handover of a new CFU in Royal Oaks Drive, Alfords Point. This new
CFU is part of the NSWFB’s ongoing commitment to regional communities
and is the latest in a network of 320 CFUs across the state. There
are now 11 CFUs in Alfords Point, which has a history of major bushfires
and property loss. The CFU volunteers have been trained by firefighters
from 90 Menai.
Firefighter Championships
The 2007 NSW Firefighter Championships circuit will commence
on 3-4 March with the first round of competition to be hosted by the
Muswellbrook Fire Brigade. Twenty teams from across NSW will be competing.
I look forward to catching up with firefighters at Muswellbrook, and
wish all the competitors the best of luck.
Dorrigo, Balgownie and Finley Fire Brigades will be hosting Championships
later in the year.
NSWFB firefighter nominated for NSW Woman of the Year
I would like to congratulate Michelle Hatton (Deputy Captain,
378 Mittagong) on her nomination for NSW Woman of the Year. 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.
Michelle has been invited to attend the Premier’s reception
for International Women’s Day on 8 March 2007 where the nine
finalists and the winner will be announced.
Clean Up Australia Day – Sunday 4 March 2007
I encourage firefighters and support staff to get involved
in their local Clean Up Australia Day activities on Sunday 4 March.
This is a good opportunity to take part in your local community and
improve the environment. If you are still wondering how to become
involved, visit www.cleanup.org.au to find out about activities in
your area. If there is a site you would like to register for a clean
up, contact Environmental Risk Advisor Shannon Heathcote at Shannon.heathcote@fire.nsw.gov.au.
Read the story on the intranet.
Bandaged Bear Day
The Children’s Hospital Westmead is holding its annual
fundraiser, Bandaged Bear Day, on Friday 30 March. All money raised
will go toward replacing specialist medical equipment and funding
research into the causes and cures of childhood diseases. The NSWFB
has a long association with the hospital’s Burns Unit with staff
personally donating more than $750,000 and raising a further $500,000
since 1986. Anyone interested in supporting the hospital’s Bandaged
Bear Day can purchase merchandise during March from a variety of outlets.
For more information go to www.bandagedbearday.com.au or call 9845
1900.
Zoo passes
Taronga and Western Plains Zoos have provided the NSWFB with
14 gold passes. The collection points are: Mosman Fire Station (Station
Commander -two passes); Crows Nest Fire Station (Station Commander
- two passes); City of Sydney Fire Station (Relay Office); Newcastle
Zone Office (Bev Creagh); Wollongong Zone Office (Tracy Fontana);
Dubbo Zone Office (Karen Burrow); Wyong Zone Office (Elisa Walsh);
Maitland Zone Office (Deborah Gorman/Felicity Harnden); Corporate
Head Office (Receptionist Level 10 and Maria James); State Training
College (Julie O'Grady); and Logistic Support (May Levy).
Mardi Gras
The 2007 Mardi Gras will take place on Saturday 3 March.
The NSWFB will be entering for its second year and it will be a much
larger contingent than the previous year with the 000 and smoke alarm
messages being the key themes of the night.
RUMOURS
Rumour: Is it true that many successful SOPP and IPP
pre-entry candidates scored below the 65th percentile and some as
low as the 50th percentile? If so, how will this affect station training
and the passage of information to crews?
Response: The process for selection onto an
SOPP or IPP is merit based selection with program numbers determined
through work force planning. The reference to percentiles, therefore,
has no relevance to the selection process. It should also be remembered
that the process described for selecting participants is only used
to gain entry to a program. Once on a program, participants undergo
a process of ongoing development and rigorous assessments to ensure
they can fulfil their new roles.
INCIDENTS
411 Oberon successfully contains silo fire
Ship fire in engine compartment of the Baltimar Boreas
Broken Hill fire station flooded
Fire Safety duo’s instant response to tunnel accident
EVENTS
Multi Agency Training Day at Glenrock State Recreation Area in Newcastle
XPT training invaluable for 412 Orange crew
Eden Crew primed for response to Waterways HAZMAT Incidents
Working with the SES
Taking fire safety messages to the community
NSWFB urging Sydney councils to help with hydrant program
Swim for your life!
Run for the Kids – Melbourne on 1 April 2007
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