COMMISH’S CORNER

.Friday 27 July 2007 Number 418. NSWFB The Rumour Mill No (02) 9265 2627
CURRENT NATIONAL SECURITY ALERT LEVEL : MEDIUM

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