New York -deaths in the line of duty
I was saddened last week to hear of the deaths of two members of
the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) in a 7th Alarm high-rise fire.
Firefighters Robert Beddia and Joseph Graffagnino apparently ran out
of air and could not escape. Bobby Beddia visited Sydney in 2002 as
part of an FDNY contingent holidaying as guests of NSW after 9/11.
He attended the World Police and Fire Games in Adelaide recently,
staying with members of the NSWFB. I have written a letter of condolence
to FDNY Commissioner Nick Scopetta, and Superintendent Tom Cooper
and SO Gordon Willson sent a wreath to the Engine 5/Ladder 24 Firehouse
on behalf of the NSWFB. QF Nicole Henness will visit the Firehouse
next week on a private visit to New York and will pass on my personal
sympathy and that of the NSWFB to Captain Mike Thomas, another friend
of the NSWFB.
APEC arrives
The final countdown to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
forum is underway and within days official dignitaries from 21 countries,
some 4000 delegates and 1000 media representatives will arrive in
Sydney. The NSWFB's planning has been extensive and thorough under
the steady hand of Superintendent John Bedford and his team. I appreciate
that many have put weeks and months of work into the preparations
and inter-agency training exercises, and I know that many of our firefighters
and staff will be working additional hours and taking on special responsibilities.
Thank you in anticipation of what may well be a busy fortnight ahead.
National Triple Zero (000) awareness campaign
On Monday 20 August representatives from the NSWFB, Police Force
and Ambulance Service attended the launch of a national Triple Zero
(000) awareness campaign at the Sydney Opera House. The campaign,
funded by the Australian Government and emergency service organisations
across Australia, aims to build awareness of the Triple Zero (000)
number and educate the community about when to use it. This is an
important campaign given that some people are still unaware that 000
is Australia?s emergency number. In 2006/07, 60 per cent of calls
received by the Telstra Emergency Call Service nationally were non-genuine
calls. I encourage all firefighters to familiarise themselves with
the 000 campaign and help promote this vital message in their local
community. For further information about the 000 awareness campaign
see the intranet story.
State Rescue Board news
I attended the State Rescue Board (SRB) meeting this week. The Board
approved Primary Rescue accreditation for Denman Brigade, and confirmed
preliminary Primary Accreditation for Moama Brigade. New risk assessment
and planning standards for response times were adopted which will
enable Local and District Rescue Committees and the SRB to determine
the optimum location for rescue units. This resulted from work conducted
by Assistant Commissioner Mark Crosweller from the RFS while he was
on a six-month secondment with us. The SRB formally thanked AC Crosweller
for his excellent work.
Marine 1
Last week I attended the media launch of Marine 1, at a spectacular
training demonstration off Moores Wharf at Millers Point. Our new
fast-attack firefighting vessel was put through its paces and responded
to a simulated boat fire on Sydney Harbour. The vessel received its
'baptism of fire' three weeks ago when it responded to a bushfire
at Dobroyd Point on the harbour. For further information see the intranet
story.
Winter fire dangers
Two NSW men died in separate house fires last week. These latest
tragic deaths bring the number of people killed in fires in NSW to
eight this winter, with three of the deaths being traced to heaters.
Winter may be nearly over but we still need to warn the community
about the fire dangers that cold weather brings. A template media
release has been prepared and is available on the intranet.
Bravery award
On Monday it was announced that SO Carlos Henry from 19 Silverwater
will receive the Australian Bravery Medal for saving three-year-old
Tyler Jameson from a townhouse blaze in Kingswood in July last year.
Carlos was on annual leave when he rescued Tyler. I have already had
the pleasure of presenting Carlos with the NSW Fire Brigades Medal
for Conspicuous Bravery and it is fitting to see that his bravery
has now been recognised by this national award. Well done Carlos!
SIX Viewer launch
Today I attended a presentation on a major new IT project we are
undertaking with the Department of Lands which will provide a great
help to firefighters in responding and dealing with emergency incidents.
Over the next few months the Spatial Information eXchange (SIX) viewer
will be rolled out for use across the NSWFB. This viewer can bring
up aerial photography of any part of NSW and has been especially adapted
for use by the NSWFB. Amongst the information that can be accessed
is the location of hydrants, critical infrastructure details, AIRS
data about previous incidents and live weather data. The NSWFB is
the first agency to work with Lands to develop its own channels of
information and the SIX viewer puts the NSWFB at the forefront in
the development of this kind of technology.
Community safety message for September ? spring clean to
prevent fires
Spring is just around the corner and now is the time to encourage
local residents to prepare for the warmer weather by reducing fire
hazards around the home as part of annual spring cleaning. Residents
need to be reminded to clear away the clutter, check power sources
and lock away chemicals. A template media release has been prepared
and will be posted on the intranet next week.
Outdoor gas heaters
A recent fire at a hotel in Sydney's north west highlighted the potential
risks that portable outdoor heaters pose. An outdoor heater caused
a fire which spread to the roof space of the hotel about 6pm and required
more than 300 patrons to be evacuated. NSWFB and RFS crews were quickly
on the scene and extinguished the blaze, which caused damage to the
roof of the building. Radiant heat from a portable outdoor heater
positioned too close to combustible building materials was the cause.
Another potential risk that has been identified is the storage of
LPG heaters indoors after closing time which creates the threat of
a gas leak in a confined area. A Fact Sheet has been developed by
Community Safety to help you raise awareness among businesses in your
area and can be downloaded from the internet. A template media release
has also been prepared and can be downloaded from the intranet.
New Class 2 pumpers for Lambton and Berry fire stations
On Saturday 18 August the Member for Newcastle, Jodi McKay MP, officially
handed over the keys to a new Class 2 pumper to Captain Barry Griffin
of Lambton Fire Station. For further information see the intranet
story. On Monday 13 August the Minister for Housing and Tourism, and
Member for Kiama, Matt Brown MP, officially handed over the keys to
Berry?s new Class 2 to Captain Jim Abbott.
Thermal imaging cameras
Last financial year, 46 fire stations across NSW received new $16,500
thermal imaging cameras. The rollout will continue this financial
year as part of our ongoing strategic plan to upgrade and provide
new equipment and technology to fire stations across the state. I
encourage stations that have received the cameras to promote the new
capability to the local community using the template media release
available on the intranet. For further information about the rollout
see the intranet story.
RUMOUR MILL
Rumour: Is it true that the Brigade
is looking at sending personnel in regional areas who are on long
term sick leave to the BMO to be supered out in order to reduce the
overtime bill?
Response: No. The objective of the NSWFB via the
Health and Safety Branch is to rehabilitate all personnel who are
sick or injured. All efforts are directed at assisting them to have
a speedy recovery, allowing them to take their place back in the work
force.
Rumour: Is it true that both Gosford and Newcastle
Brigades will be following the same arrangements as Wollongong for
rescue and will be carrying out rescue from 1800 to 0800 hrs to provide
the best possible coverage to those communities?
Response: There are no plans at this stage for this
to occur. Local and District Rescue Committees are responsible for
reviewing existing rescue arrangements within their areas of responsibility.
Amendments to response protocols, as a consequence of such reviews,
are implemented if endorsed by the State Rescue Board, as happened
in Wollongong.
INCIDENTS
Water Street Auburn house fire
378 Mittagong responds to suspected Hazmat incident
Dunlop Way Minto
Fire at local truck manufacturer draws on resources from 472 Turvey
Park and 480 Wagga Wagga
Where?s the chimney?
EVENTS
Bluey Day Launch
2007 NSW Variety Bash ? the final days
George Gregan Foundation Fundraising Dinner
North Sydney Bears and Crows Nest Fire Station centenary event
NSWFB takes out the John Host Memorial Shield at City 2 Surf 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