New
Premier
Congratulations to
our Minister, Nathan Rees, on the announcement today that he has
become the Premier of NSW.
Major
changes to rescue responsibilities
Yesterday
marked a significant milestone in NSWFB history with the announcement
that the NSWFB would take over primary rescue roles at
Bankstown
, Wentworthville, Rosemeadow, Sutherland,
Engadine
, Gordon, Gosford,
Wollongong
and
Newcastle
. This
decision followed the announcement on Tuesday night by the NSW
Minister for Health that a consolidation of rescue services would
deliver a boost to frontline services and free up paramedics to
focus on pre-hospital patient care. The Ambulance Service of NSW has
and will continue to play a vital role in rescue responses throughout
the state. I’d like to take this opportunity pay tribute to
the dedication of Ambulance Rescue Officers many of whom who have
obviously been upset about this decision. I have been following the
media closely and have been interviewed on radio several times this
week in support of our highly skilled and trained Rescue crews and
firefighters.
Annual
AFAC Conference
This week, the annual
Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC)
conference was held in
Adelaide
. In addition to the AFAC conference, the Bushfire Cooperative
Research Centre (CRC) held it’s first International Bushfire
Research Conference, which marked
the conclusion of the first five years of the CRC’s operations and
highlighted the advances made and international alliances formed in
that time. It also provided an opportunity for representatives
from the various fire and land management agencies to discuss issues
of national and international significance and to engage directly with
the many researchers and academics from across
Australia
and
New Zealand
who are now taking a strong interest in our industry. Supt Chris Lewis
from FIRU provided a presentation on Modern
house fires are changing – what does this mean for fire services
while Insp Mick Gibson, also from FIRU presented on The
Doonside Fire Awareness Project – an exercise in engagement. CSupt
Steve Pearce conducted a thematic session on Human-Induced
Arson in conjunction with the Arson Institute of Criminology, the
Country Fire Authority of Victoria and the Fire and Emergency Service
Authority of Western Australia which examined arson-related profiling
and treatment options. All of these presentations outlined just some
of the excellent work the NSWFB has been doing in the area of fire
investigation and research.
2008
Laurie Lavelle Achiever of the Year Award
– CSupt Jim Smith
Congratulations
to CSupt Jim Smith who received the
prestigious 2008 Laurie Lavelle Achiever
of the Year Award at the
AFAC conference. The Award recognises significant contributions to the
knowledge, skills and operations of fire and emergency services in
Australia
and improving fire safety standards. CSupt
Smith has championed the introduction of reduced fire risk cigarettes
as an effective fire prevention and safety measure that will save
lives and property. I congratulate him on receiving this Award and
thank him for his contribution to community safety and fire
prevention.
ICAC
inquiry – update
The Independent
Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) Public
Inquiry has now been completed. The next
step is for the ICAC to provide a confidential draft report to
the legal representatives of all parties for comment in late
September. All parties will be required to submit responses to the
report sometime in October. It is therefore likely that it will
be some weeks before the ICAC issues its final report. Until
the matter is finalised, the NSWFB is not able to make any public
comments. I know this ICAC Inquiry and the delay
until the matter is finalised are stressful for everyone involved.
So that this stressful
situation is not prolonged, I will take action on any recommendations
relating to the NSWFB as soon as possible once the final ICAC report
is released.
National
Walk to Work Day
Friday 3 October is
National Walk to Work Day. Everyone is encouraged to leave their cars
at home on that day and walk all or part of the way to work. This
year’s event – Better Health – Cleaner Air – aims to encourage
people to build walking into their day and walk to work every day,
benefiting health and the environment. All NSW Government Employees
are encouraged to participate in the day. More information is
available at the Pedestrian Council of Australia’s website www.walk.com.au
Fatal
house fire in Nelson Bay
At
0136 hours on Wednesday 27 August firefighters from 402 Nelson Bay
responded to a house fire in
Austral St
,
Nelson
Bay
. The rescue pumper and
pumper arrived within minutes to find a two‑level house of
weatherboard and iron construction approximately 10m x 10m well
alight. Four children had managed to escape the fire along with their
grandmother and her partner. However, one child was unaccounted for as
firefighters mounted an offensive fire attack and search and rescue
operation. Despite the efforts of the grandmother and firefighters, a
two‑year‑old toddler did not survive the fire. 402 Nelson
Bay was later assisted by 382 Morpeth, 260
Newcastle
, 373 East Maitland, Duty
Commander Maitland and the NSWFB Chaplain. The cause and the origin of
the fire are being investigated by FIRU and NSW Police.
Unit fire in
Narrabeen
At
1803 hours on Sunday
31 August 68
Narrabeen and 69 Dee Why
responded to a building fire in
Endeavour Drive
, Narrabeen. Firefighters
arrived within eight minutes to find a unit in the RSL retirement
village alight. Firefighters mounted an offensive attack and commenced
search and rescue. The fire was contained within sixteen minutes and
an elderly man was rescued from the unit suffering severe burns to 90
percent of his body. Firefighters performed CPR and first aid until
ambulance officers arrived. He
was transported to
Royal
North
Shore
Hospital
where, tragically, he died
from his injuries. FIRU are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Accident stops
traffic on the
Sydney
Harbour
Bridge
At
0559 hours on Monday 1 September the pumper and rescue from 36 Crows
Nest responded to a motor vehicle accident on the
Sydney
Harbour
Bridge
, which blocked all
southbound lanes. Firefighters arrived within seven minutes to find a
head-on collision between two cars. A man was trapped in one of the
cars and a garbage truck was also involved in the accident.
Firefighters and NSW Police Rescue officers extricated the person who
was transported to hospital with severe injuries by helicopter. This
accident caused considerable delays to peak hour traffic and generated
a lot of media interest.
Crane topples onto
house in Miranda
At
1106 hours on
Monday 1 September 45
Miranda responded to a crane
that had toppled over in
Matson Crescent
, Miranda. Firefighters
arrived at the scene within six minutes find a crane that had been
placing a spa in a house under construction tipped over onto the
construction site. NSW Ambulance Rescue and NSW Police were also in
attendance. Firefighters assisted Ambulance Rescue to stabilise the
crane and parts of the building site that had become structurally
compromised. There were no injuries and SO Clayton Able from Rescue
commented on how well all services worked together throughout the
incident. QF Paul Sharratt from Rescue and
the SEV from 21 Kogarah also attended the incident.
RUMOUR
MILL
Rumour: Is it
true that the NSWFB’s administration section gave up nothing on
renegotiation of its award to receive a 4% pay rise?
Response:
No. The Administrative Award has yet to be determined. The Public
Service Association (PSA), which is the
Union
that covers NSWFB administrative staff, currently has an Award
application before the NSW Industrial Relations Commission. The PSA's
case is due to commence on
4 September 2008
. The NSW government wages policy applies equally to NSWFB
administrative staff and firefighters. In short everybody is bound by
the same rules.
Rumour:
Is it true that you no longer need a boat licence to operate
the NSWFB boat?
Response: No. Marine 1
firefighters must acquire a Restricted Coxswain Certificate.
INCIDENTS
Metro
West and Lessons Learned Centre staff take
to the skies
Coolah
house fire
Drills
provide firefighters with real-life scenarios
LPG
or not LPG: that is the question
Bitumen
kettle fire in Narrandera
City
of Sydney Skywalk inspection
EVENTS
20
new firefighters join the ranks
Station
Inventory Management System (SIMS)
238
Broken Hill turns on a fun day for kids living with cancer
NSWFB
firefighters compete in Queensland Firefighter State Championship
Community
Safety Division plan launched
NSW
Fire Brigades assist in the Tamworth Young Drivers Expo
NSWFB
Army Reservists deliver training to New Zealand Defence Force
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