Reduced Fire Risk Cigarettes
For some time, the NSWFB has been actively campaigning for the introduction
of reduced fire risk cigarettes which self-extinguish rather than
keep burning. We are now one step closer to making this a reality
with the publication on 9 March of a new Australian Standard. The
NSWFB represented all Australian fire authorities on the committee
which developed the Standard. Legislation is still needed to make
reduced fire risk standards mandatory for all cigarettes manufactured
in, or imported to, Australia. NSW is leading the push for national
regulations to be introduced under the Commonwealth Trade Practices
Act. The new Australian Standard, if included in legislation, would
force cigarette companies to manufacture reduced fire risk cigarettes
and give the authorities the tool to measure whether claims by tobacco
companies that their cigarettes are reduced fire risk are true. A
NSW Fire Brigades video demonstrates the effectiveness of reduced
fire risk cigarettes. The normal cigarette caught fire in less than
18 minutes while the reduced fire cigarette self-extinguished within
eight minutes.
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Australia
2007TM
The NSWFB APEC Planning and Coordination Team has been established
to coordinate the NSWFB's involvement in APEC Australia 2007TM Leaders
- Week (30 August - 9 September).This will be NSWFB's largest security
operation since the 2000 Olympics and involves working with a variety
of Federal and State agencies. An In Order advertising for Station
Officers and Firefighters to be part of the APEC Australia 2007TM
Fire and Emergency Service Protection Crews will be published shortly.
In the coming months stations adjoining APEC venues will specific
training to assist with their operational readiness for this important
event. Further information about APEC Australia
2007TM can be found at www.apec2007.org
Sydney Harbour Bridge 75th birthday celebrations
NSW Premier Morris Iemma and Dr Col Gellatly, Director General of
the Premier?s Department, have thanked the NSW public sector for the
co-ordinated effort to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Sydney
Harbour Bridge. I would like to thank all NSWFB personnel involved
in this event, particularly Specialised Operations and firefighters
in Metro East.
New Inspectors appointed
Congratulations to Greg Windeatt and Paul Johnstone, both of whom
were promoted to the rank of Inspector this week. It is a great achievement
for them and great news for the NSWFB. I am pleased to see such talent
coming through the ranks, which is important for the future of the
organisation.
What is 'I-Zone'?
'I-Zone' is an abbreviation for urban-bushland interface, where bushfires
pose the greatest threat. In an exciting development, and drawing
on research conducted by Supt Gerry Byrne in studies for a Master?s
Degree, the NSWFB has secured funding under the National Disaster
Mitigation Program to develop the 'I-Zone Project'. Senior FF Darren
Vatcher, who has extensive bushfire credentials, has been appointed
to the Bushfire/Natural Hazards Section as I-Zone Officer. The project
will involve pre-incident planning for bushfires in conjunction with
local crews, mapping of risks, fire history, water sources, staging
and refuge areas, and locations for pre-deployment of resources. This
project will potentially revolutionise the way in which we fulfil
our vital property protection role at bushfires, and how we complement
RFS strategies and tactics. For more information contact the BFNH
section on 9742 7346.
Pyrmont Station Centenary
On Saturday 31 March, I will be attending the centenary celebrations
of 38 Pyrmont. The ceremony will be held at the station, which is
at the corner of Gipps and Pyrmont streets. A street parade will begin
at 10.30am, followed by the official proceedings and entertainment.
I look forward to attending the celebrations for this occasion which
many serving and retired members of the NSWFB will attend.
Survey of Retained Firefighters
A questionnaire developed by La Trobe University is being sent to
all retained firefighters from today. The questionnaire is part of
a research project to learn more about the impact that service with
the NSWFB has on the primary employment of retained firefighters.
Recruitment and retention of retained firefighters is becoming more
difficult due to demographic, environmental and economic changes,
and of course the drought. These are complex issues and the research
project, being undertaken as part of the Volunteerism Stream of the
Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), will be an important source
of information for the NSWFB. I encourage all retained firefighters
to complete the questionnaire.
Off-duty NSWFB firefighter helps save crash
victim
I would like to congratulate FF Martin Carroll from 50 Hornsby for
his efforts in helping to save the life of a truck crash victim. As
you may already know, Martin was driving home on the F3 freeway after
night shift when he saw a truck crash into a wall. Without a moment's
hesitation, he stopped to assist. With the help of another driver,
he fought off flames that were threatening the truck's cabin and fuel
tank while an off-duty ambulance driver, who was also driving by,
freed the driver. He and the other two men placed their own lives
on the line to save another, and this is worthy of recognition. I
am pleased to say Ambulance CEO Greg Rochford and I will nominate
Martin, the Ambulance officer and the other driver for appropriate
awards.
Change Your Clock, Change Your Smoke Alarm
Battery Campaign
Today I was on the Channel 9 Today Show and attended a media conference
to highlight the need for homes to have working smoke alarms and to
remind people to test smoke alarms and change the batteries when they
turn back the clock at the end of daylight saving. Firefighters who
have attended fires where a smoke alarm was present but not working
would agree that it is vitally important to improve awareness around
smoke alarms generally. Thank you to those crews who have taken part
in media stories around the Change Your Clock, Change Your Smoke Alarm
Battery campaign, which is again supported by Duracell this year.
Open Day - 28 April 2007
Open Day is now only weeks away. The success of your station's Open
Day will very much depend on how well you plan and promote it. To
assist stations, materials have been posted to the intranet, including
template invitation letters and a media diary note as well as the
tips for holding diverse activities and attracting more visitors.
Emergency Management Conference
The NSWFB was one of the key presenters at the International Emergency
Management Conference held in Adelaide from 13-16 March. FIRU Manager
Superintendent Chris Lewis presented a paper on the role of engagement
in building resilience to catastrophe. He outlined the need to engage
with communities, firefighters and Government to develop prevention
strategies to minimise the impact of catastrophes when they occur.
By working with a community before a catastrophe to reduce the likelihood
of adverse impacts, it is easier to work with that community afterwards
to minimise the consequences of a catastrophe. FIRU Operations Officer
Inspector Bob Alexander presented a paper on FireTraC, a digital data
collection system developed by the NSWFB. He explained how FireTraC
enables the NSWFB to look at trends and develop community safety messages.
Both papers were well received and the South Australian Metropolitan
Fire Service has expressed interest in FireTraC for their fire investigators.
Deputy Commissioner John Benson attended the conference and praised
Chris and Bob's presentations. Both papers are available on the intranet.
Senior Officer's Command and Control course
Inspector Paul McGuiggan, Duty Commander Metropolitan East 2, and
Inspector Steve McGuinness, Duty Commander Goulburn, were among the
19 participants of the Senior Officer's Command and Control Development
Program, which was run by the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service (QFRS)
in February 2007. The two-week course was aimed at developing senior
officers involved in emergency management and ensuring a consistent,
whole-of-government response to disasters and other large scale emergencies.
During an intensive program, Inspectors McGuiggan and McGuinness heard
presentations from an array of speakers, including the Director-General
Emergency Management Queensland, QFRS Commissioner, Country Fire Service
Chief Officer (South Australia), and Queensland Police Commissioner.
The presenters outlined the nature of command and control within their
own organisations, discussed a variety of case studies, such as Cyclone
Larry, Hurricane Katrina and the Canberra bushfires, and considered
the topic in relation to planning, prevention, response and recovery.
Inspectors McGuiggan and McGuinness have returned from the course
with three-month projects to undertake. I look forward to seeing the
results.
Earth Hour
A reminder that Earth Hour will be held on 31 March 2007. At 7.30pm
residents, businesses and organisations throughout Sydney will turn
off their lights for one hour as part of this important global warming
initiative. The NSWFB is committed to Earth Hour, a partnership between
WWF-Australia and Fairfax Media, and fire stations are encouraged
to turn off computer monitors and unessential lighting in the station
for 60 minutes from 7.30pm on 31 March. Read more on the intranet
and see my message on the Earth Hour web site.
Financial Services Diploma
At a recent Credit Union Institute conference in Brisbane, Fire Brigade
Employees' Credit Union Directors Chief Superintendent Doug Messenger
(Retired), Station Officer Joe Leone (Retired) and Station Officer
Andrew Walker (39B) were presented with a Diploma of Financial Services
after
completing a 12-month course. Congratulations.
RUMOURS
Rumour: Is it true that negotiations are currently
underway to make 373 East Maitland a rescue station?
Response: As part of the functions
of the District Rescue Committee, existing rescue arrangements are
periodically reviewed to ensure the most effective service is provided
to the community. A review of rescue services in this area is currently
being undertaken, however, at this stage there has been no formal
approach to the State Rescue Board to recommend any change to existing
rescue arrangements for the area.
INCIDENTS
Smoke alarm saves mother and two young girls
Off-duty firefighter helps save life of truck driver crash victim
EVENTS
Surf's up at Port Macquarie
Emergency exercise at Bathurst Aerodrome
NSWFB firefighters all set to cycle for charity
Cycling firefighters issue timely reminder: Change your clock change
your battery
Surfest 000 Challenge
New fire station for Bathurst officially opened
Return of the NSWFB swimming championships
Mass counter-terrorism exercise in Newcastle
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