Acting Commissioner
I will be on leave for the next week, and Deputy Commissioner
Ken Thompson will act as Commissioner while I am away.
Station visit
On Tuesday I visited 27 Parramatta and spoke to officers
and firefighters from 27, 55 Guildford, 57 Wentworthville, and Operational
Training. The purpose was to disseminate information, but also to
ensure that staff can tell me what they think, share ideas, and advise
me on where they believe I should be taking the NSWFB.
SO Trevor Neal AFSM
A very special person quietly retired last week. SO Trevor
Neal from the Operations Research Unit has played a major role in
the modernisation and growth of the NSWFB over many years, providing
guidance and support to former Managers of the Unit including Deputy
Commissioner Ken Thompson, Superintendent John Neely, Chief Superintendent
Greg Buckley and I. Trevor developed the Fire Service Resource Allocation
Model which assisted us in 1996 to secure funds for 12 new fire stations.
I wish him all the best in his retirement.
Recruit Graduation
On Thursday 19 July, I had the honour of welcoming 20 new
recruits to the ranks of the NSW Fire Brigades. I congratulate them
all on their achievement and wish them all the best for long, safe
and successful careers with the NSWFB. For further information on
the graduation ceremony, please see the intranet story.
Inspector Promotion
Congratulations to Steve Moran who was promoted to the rank
of Inspector as of this morning. I wish him well in his new position.
For further information see the intranet story.
Halogen Down lights
Recently the Melbourne Fire Brigade (MFB) identified halogen down
lights as a contributing factor to a number of home fires. A review
of NSWFB data found a similar issue in NSW with 75 fires over the
past five years linked to halogen down lights. Homeowners, and particularly
renovators, need to be reminded that halogen down lights must be correctly
installed and maintained. I encourage all stations to read the intranet
story and use the media release template to get this important fire
safety message out to their local community.
Bourke Fire Station
On Wednesday I attended the official opening of the extensions
and renovations to 233 Bourke. The station has more than doubled in
size and includes a new training room and amenities. I also had the
pleasure of presenting awards to Captain Cec Robinson and Retained
Firefighter Neil Driscoll. Cec has been with the NSWFB for 36 years
and 2007 marks his 19th as Captain. Cec received the second clasp
to the National Medal which recognises his long service and dedication
to protecting life and property. Neil received the first clasp to
the NSWFB Long Service and Good Conduct Medal which recognises his
21 years of service to the NSWFB. Congratulations to both Cec and
Neil. For further information about the opening and awards, see the
intranet story.
New Area Commander for Metro East
I am very happy to announce the appointment of Chief Superintendent
Jim Hamilton as the Area Commander for Metropolitan East following
the retirement of Chief Superintendent Roger Bucholtz last week. Chief
Superintendent Hamilton, formerly Assistant Director Specialised Operations,
has extensive operational and management experience within the NSWFB
and has represented Australia in various counter terrorism forums.
August Fire Safety Campaign ? Kitchen Fire Safety
During 2006/07, the NSWFB attended 4,335 home fires and of
these, 2,437 began in the kitchen. This is a slight increase from
last year, representing 56% of all residential fires, so it is timely
that the August community safety topic is Kitchen Fire Safety. Recent
research into fire injuries in NSW has also found that seniors are
the most likely group to be injured in home fires, reconfirming them
as one of the most ?at risk? groups for fires. Ensuring households,
particularly the elderly, know what steps to take when a kitchen fire
breaks out can make all the difference to minimising property damage
and injury to the residents. Please take the time to read the intranet
story and use the media release template to inform the public of this
important fire safety issue.
Community Risk Profiles now on Fire Station desktops
To help Station Officers and firefighters determine the best
and most effective way to engage with their local community, Community
Risk Profiles (CRP) for each Local Government Area (LGA) have now
been placed on station computers. The community profiles are easily
accessible and available in PDF format. The profiles can be used as
a tool to help station?s decide which preventative and education programs
are the most suitable to meet the needs of the area. For further information
on CRP, please see the intranet story or contact the Community Safety
Division for assistance.
First Community Fire Unit (CFU) for Wyong
On Tuesday the Minister for Emergency Services, Nathan Rees,
announced the first Community Fire Unit (CFU) in Wyong and officially
handed over the keys to CFU team leader Chris Peterson. The CFU in
Brittania Avenue Watanobbi has eight volunteers who are now fully
trained and equipped to assist firefighters in the protection of property
and assets during the bushfire season. This takes the number of CFUs
in New South Wales to 350 and the total number of volunteers to 6,400.
For further information see the intranet story.
Swansea Class 2 Pumper
On Wednesday Swansea Fire Station received a new Class 2
pumper replacing their existing appliance which will now be used for
training purposes. Representing the Minister for Emergency Services
was Local Member, Robert Coombs who handed over the keys to Captain
John Gay. For further information see the intranet story.
Championships in Balgownie
The next round of the NSWFB Firefighter Championships will
be held this weekend in Balgownie. Sixteen teams will take part in
the weekend of competition, including the NSWFB Pirates - a team made
up of Inspectors and led by their fearless leader Insp Jay Bland.
I look forward to seeing how they perform against our retained firefighters.
Good luck to everyone competing, and I look forward to seeing you
on the weekend.
RUMOUR MILL
Rumour: Is it true that fire
stations in regional areas with permanent firefighters attached are
going to have aerial appliances installed?
Response: The NSWFB has commenced planning for the
placement of aerial pumpers in a number of regional centres, many
of which have a growing number of large, single storey commercial
and industrial premises, which during effective firefighting often
requires an aerial capability to project water from above. For this
reason, the NSWFB's future fleet program will provide for aerial pumpers
to replace Class 3 pumpers at some major regional centres. Further
advice will be provided when funding is available, priorities and
placements have been determined, and time frames for delivery and
installation are known.
Rumour: Is it true that ICAC is looking
very seriously into our Property division?
Response: Concerns were raised by the Property division
about the tendering process for several construction contracts. Independent
auditors have compiled a report on the matter and this has been forwarded
to ICAC for their review and advice. The contractors involved are
no longer with the NSWFB.
Rumour: Is it true that 405 Nowra will
be changing to the 10/14 roster in 2008? Is it true that 237 Coffs
Harbour is opening 10/14 in 2007?
Response: The answer is no ? funding. The purpose
of the Rumour Mill is not to disseminate information that is freely
available by simply contacting the responsible manager. Zone Commanders
are able to provide information about any changes that will occur
to staffing arrangements or the establishment of new fire stations
within their areas during 2007/08. Zone and Duty Commanders also keep
their firefighters informed regarding these developments during routine
station visits and forums. In future, all enquiries regarding matters
such as new stations and staffing enhancements should be directed
in the first instance to the relevant Zone office.
INCIDENTS
Street turns to rapids when a 1200mm water main bursts
MVA on Parramatta Road at the M4 on-ramp
House fire in Phoebe Street Islington
EVENTS
412 Orange participate in multi-agency training exercise
Confined spaces training day
New engine fitout for Hagglund All Terrain Vehicle put to the test
at 426 Perisher Valley
NSW Fire Brigades APEC Intranet site launched
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