Visit to Northern Rivers
On Tuesday and Wednesday this week, together with Zone Commander
Gary McKinnon, I visited firefighters at Lismore, Coraki, Casino,
Kyogle, Alstonville, Bangalow and Goonellabah. My thanks to everybody
for the warm welcome I received and the excellent feedback and
suggestions. Hot topics included the amount of training provided to
retained firefighters, the structure of retained firefighter recruit
training, and the length of time the retained recruitment process can
take. I advised staff of the current review of training being
undertaken by ACom Graham Dewsnap following an independent report that
highlighted a number of key improvement initiatives. Whilst at 204
Alstonville, at the precise moment that we were discussing the type of
calls received by the Brigade and that there were now more medical
assistance calls than house fires, 204 was responded to a house fire.
As numerous calls were being received, the ZC and I also responded to
offer assistance. Ultimately firefighters from Ballina, Goonellabah
and Alstonville were in attendance, together with 3 RFS tankers and
crews (amongst whom was retired Station Officer Mick Howard formerly
of Armidale). It was a pleasure to see such a professional, well-run
multi agency operation, and this highlighted to me the contribution
that firefighters throughout NSW make to their communities on a daily
basis.
Launch of the 2008-2011 Corporate Plan
At the end of June and in early July, I will be launching our new
2008 - 2011 Corporate Plan. The plan outlines the way forward for the
NSWFB as we work to save life, property and the environment. The first
of four launch events will be held in Sydney and Wollongong on Tuesday
24 June with two further launch events will be held in Newcastle on
Friday 27 June and in Tamworth on Wednesday 2 July. Invitations to
these events will be distributed shortly. For those that can't attend
the launches there will be a series of briefings from directors and
senior officers and a range of materials will be distributed
throughout the organisation.
Fire 000 - Wednesday 7 May at 7.30 pm
I am very pleased to announce that our TV series Fire 000 will
premiere on Channel 9 next Wednesday 7 May at 7.30 pm. The series
consists of eight episodes which showcase the operational capabilities
and professionalism of the NSWFB. TV, print and radio publicity
promoting the TV series will start next week. I'd like to thank 15
Burwood C platoon, 27 Parramatta A platoon, 62 Bankstown D platoon, 88
Campbelltown A platoon, the Video Recording Supervisors SO Cheryl
Steer, SO Mick Costin, FF Adam Richards and QF Melanie Rebane and the
other firefighters who have been involved over the last six months for
their professionalism in accommodating and working so closely with the
camera crews. I'd also like to thank Bronwyn Hilton who has project
managed the TV series, and the work of Supt Craig Brierley, Supt Ian
Krimmer, Debbie Sinclair and Kate Dennis in bringing this to fruition.
Nowra Fire Station
On Tuesday 29 April NSWFB Hazmat crews attended the closed Nowra
fire station following a small gas release when consultants drilled a
hole in a concrete slab. The drilling was part of ongoing independent
scientific testing commissioned by the NSWFB after firefighters were
moved to temporary premises in November following concerns about the
adjacent former gasworks site. I know the past few months have been
unsettling for the firefighters from 405 Nowra and I thank each of
them personally for their patience. Property Services have been
working hard to identify a suitable site for the firefighters, and we
are in the final stages of securing a lease for a suitable site in
Norfolk Avenue. Some minor renovations will be required to fit-out the
site, including installation of a teleprinter, motorised engine bay
doors and an external BA sink and these will be underway as quickly as
possible.
20 years of the Relief and Welfare Fund
Yesterday marked the 20th anniversary of the foundation of the
NSWFB's Relief and Welfare Fund. Twenty years ago, the founder of the
Fund, Retired Supt Bob Smith, recognised a need to establish a fund to
support firefighters and their families in times of hardship. Bob
formed a committee with DCom John Benson and Retired Insp Chris Stone,
and secured $5000 from the Board of Fire Commissioners to establish
the fund. The Fund now has a committee of 13 members, hundreds of
operational and non-operational staff contribute to the fund on a
weekly basis and many families have received assistance through the
fund including financial assistance or assistance in purchasing
medical equipment. In addition, emergency accommodation is available
to families who need to travel to Sydney for medical treatment and two
appartments are available in Foster for those that need a holiday. I
encourage all staff to consider joining the Relief and Welfare Fund as
it is a great way to support each other. Well done Bob and thanks to
everybody who has worked hard to maintain the fund over the last two
decades.
54 years of service for Retained Firefighter Ron Jarrett
In March 2008, RetF Ron Jarrett from 455 Telarah clocked up 54
years of service with the NSWFB, a wonderful milestone. Ron has always
served in the local area, starting at 374 Maitland and later
transferring to 455 Telarah. Ron is still an active firefighter and
attends about 90 per cent of all of 455 Telarah's calls each year. He
is still the engine keeper and keeps the Isuzu Class 2 Pumper in
immaculate condition. Congratulations Ron!
New Director of Strategy and Planning
I am pleased to announce the appointment of the NSWFB's new
Director of Strategy and Planning, Dawn Easton. Dawn comes to us from
the Department of Environment and Climate Change and has a strong mix
of skills and experience across audit, risk management, performance
evaluation and review of agencies, strategy development, governance,
and planning. Dawn will commence with the NSWFB at the beginning of
June.
Braidwood research burn
The NSWFB's Fire Investigation and Research Unit (FIRU) and the NSW
Police Force Forensic Service Group and Arson Team have been in
Braidwood this week conducting a number of research experiments that
will help develop new techniques for investigating fire scenes and
fire-related crimes. The NSW Police Force has been testing
advancements in the location and recovery of DNA and fingerprints at
crime scenes while the NSWFB has been testing the effectiveness of
smoke alarms and domestic sprinklers. Our two new accelerant detection
dogs, Sheba and Winna, were part of a test of the efficiency of the
dogs under working conditions. We aim to conduct experiments like this
one on a regular basis to ensure that our fire investigators maintain
the high skill levels they are renowned for and that our fire
investigations techniques are cutting-edge. Thank you to all the NSWFB
personnel involved in this operation, particularly the staff from FIRU,
DCapt Steven Hockey who donated the house, the crew from 236 Braidwood
who provide fire protection and of course the community of Braidwood
which accommodated around 120 emergency services personnel throughout
the week.
Introducing FireFit
Today the Health & Safety branch officially launched FireFit, a
new section of the intranet which provides important heath and fitness
information for NSWFB employees. Maintaining a healthy heart and an
active lifestyle is vital given our line of work. It not only allows
us to perform our work safely and effectively, but more importantly it
ensures we have an active and long life outside of work and into
retirement. The NSWFB is committed to ensuring the ongoing health and
wellbeing of all its employees and this intranet site provides
everyone with an excellent educational and practical tool to stay
abreast of a wide range of health and fitness topics. I encourage all
staff to read through the information provided on the site and take
the opportunity of asking the Health & Fitness team if any
questions arise or if you would like more information on a particular
topic. To visit FireFit
click here.
Fire at Randwick Shopping Centre
On Wednesday 30 April, firefighters from 39 Randwick, 70 Maroubra,
11 Woollahra, 13 Alexandria and 56 Matraville responded to a 2nd Alarm
structure fire at the Randwick Shopping Centre on Belmore Road. The
fire started in the loading dock, with a series of small explosions
reported to crews when they arrived. Fortunately off-duty SO Sam
Walker was shopping in the centre at the time, requested an immediate
2nd Alarm, and started evacuating people. Firefighters quickly
contained and extinguished the fire with the help of the store's
sprinkler systems. A 13-year-old boy has been charged with causing
more than $1 million worth of damage to stock and $500 000 worth of
structural damage. NSW Police are continuing to investigate the
incident.
Accident on Sydney Harbour
In the early hours of Thursday 1 May, two boats were involved in a
fatal collision near Bradleys Head in Sydney Harbour, in which six
people were killed and several other passengers injured. Firefighters
from 25 Mosman responded to the scene to provide assistance to NSW
Police and other agencies and provide lighting at the scene.
INCIDENTS
EVENTS
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