COMMISH’S CORNER

Friday 25 July 2008 Number 443 
The Rumour Mill No (02) 9265 2627

CURRENT NATIONAL SECURITY ALERT LEVEL : MEDIUM

Passing of Bill Beare

It is with great sadness that I report the passing of Mr Bill Beare, former Secretary of the Board of Fire Commissioners. Bill started work as a junior clerk in 1940 with the former Board, and worked his way to the top administrative position of the Brigade, being appointed as Board Secretary in 1974. Bill held this position until his retirement in July 1982. After his retirement Bill maintained a keen interest in the Brigade and attended many Zone and State Firefighter Championships up until last year when his health started to fail. Plans were being made to transport Bill to the State Championships later this year, and his death has come as a terrible shock to his many friends.

Bill was a true member of the NSWFB family. His place of birth was the quarters above the (now closed) Annandale Fire Station, and his home address given when he joined the Brigade in 1940 was 213 Castlereagh Street - Fire Brigade Headquarters. His father, William Beare, was NSWFB Chief Officer from 1944 to 1947. His grandfather John Beare was a member of the Board of the forerunner of the NSWFB, the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, from 1890 to 1900. Rest in peace Bill, your huge contribution and friendship will long be remembered.

Marine firefighting - correction

It was recently reported in CC that the crew on Marine 1 responded to help extinguish a 2nd Alarm fire on a barge at Balmain. The crew at 3 The Rocks 'B' Platoon e-mailed me pointing out that not only did they arrive on the firefighting tug Ted Noffs 16 minutes prior to Marine 1 and get to work with the main monitor, but a few shifts earlier had also responded on a fire tug to a 2nd Alarm boat fire at The Spit near Manly. Well done No. 3 and my apologies!

 

World Youth Day 2008

From 13-21 July, Sydney played host to World Youth Day 2008 (WYD08) � a gathering of young Catholics which attracted more than 500 000 visitors to the city including 120 000 international visitors. It also marked Pope Benedict XVI�s first visit to Australia . The NSWFB Special Events Planning and Coordination Team under Supt John Bedford worked closely with the NSW Police WYD Security Command, WYD Coordination Authority and other State and Commonwealth agencies for 18 months prior to the event and arranged fire safety inspections at 750 schools which were to accommodate WYD08 pilgrims. More than 460 personnel were directly involved at sites during the week-long event, and eight stations operated out of 1 City of Sydney . Earlier this week, I received a letter from NSW Premier Morris Iemma thanking the NSWFB for its contribution to the success of WYD08. I would like to congratulate all NSWFB personnel involved in the event � your professionalism and hard work contributed to making this major event incident-free. Incidentally, firefighters at 71 Castle Hill advised me when I visited their station that one of their most important duties was to rescue �Bella� the cat from the top of a wall.  Bella kept His Holiness company while he was at Kenthurst.

 

Reduced fire risk cigarettes

I am pleased to announce that the Federal Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs, Chris Bowen, has agreed to introduce a mandatory product safety standard, under the Trade Practices Act, for reduced fire risk cigarettes � a move that will save hundreds of lives each year. The NSWFB has been the driving force behind the push for the introduction of reduced fire risk cigarettes in Australia and I congratulate everyone who has worked so hard on this issue particularly CSupt Jim Smith, DCom Ken Thompson, ACom Murray Kear, Nick Nicolopolous, and the former Director of Strategy and Planning, Carmel Donnelly. It is expected that the new mandatory standard will be introduced in the second half of 2008 with an 18 month lead time for tobacco companies, and it will be supported by a product safety awareness campaign.

 

Farewell to NSWFB's first accelerant detection dog

The NSWFB�s first accelerant detection dog, Kova, recently passed away. Kova started his career with the NSWFB in 1996, retiring in 2000 to spend his retirement in the care of Insp Bob Alexander and his wife Rene. Kova was an exceptional dog and helped to establish the accelerant detection dogs as a vital part of the NSWFB�s fire investigation resources.

 

5th Alarm shopping centre fire in Wentworthville

At 1647 hours on Monday 21 July, 57 Wentworthville and 72 Merrylands responded to numerous 000 calls and an AFA to a fire in the Wentworthville Shopping Complex in Dunmore St , Wentworthville. On arrival at 1650 hours SO Andrew Barrett from 57 Wentworthville discovered a very intense fire in the loading dock area and in a discount shop. With the assistance of the crew from 72 Merrylands they mounted an aggressive internal fire attack and SO Barrett immediately requested a 2nd Alarm. Crews were faced with a very intense and hot fire fuelled by large amounts of stock which was hindering efforts to contain the fire. At 1716 hours Insp Murray West, Duty Commander MW2, requested a 4th Alarm, with the fire eventually upgraded to a 5th Alarm. Eventually crews from 14 stations were called upon to assist during firefighting operations and at the fire duty. By 2047 the fire was under control. FIRU and NSW Police are still investigating the cause of the fire.

 

2nd Alarm House fire at Lapston

At 1029 hours on Wednesday 9 July, 301 Glenbrook was responded to a reported house alight in Hume Rd, Lapstone, followed by 102 Regentville at 1031 hours. After sending a message at 1034 reporting large volumes of smoke visible en-route, 102 Regentville arrived at 1040 hours to find a two level house, brick and tile about 10m x 15m well alight, with flames through the roof. SO Harold Nasko and his crew quickly mounted an aggressive offensive attack. Crews from 301 Glenbrook, 98 Cranebrook, 86 Penrith, and 445 Springwood all responded and helped prevent the fire from spreading to adjoining exposed homes. No-one was injured and residents from neighbouring houses were safely evacuated. The crews had the fire under control by 1100 hours with 85 per cent of the structure damaged. Insp Garry Tye, Duty Commander MW3, attended the incident along with staff from FIRU, and acknowledged the excellent job performed by all the crews.

 

2nd Alarm house fire at Bowral

At 2106 hours on Wednesday 23 July, crews from 234 Bowral and 385 Mittagong responded to a reported house fire at Harley St , Bowral. Upon arrival, Capt John Arnott and his crew were confronted with a fierce fire in a 50m x 20m two-storey brick and iron house. Firefighters were hampered by poor water supply and together with a 2nd Alarm, called for a bulk water carrier from the RFS to assist them. Additional crews from 234 and 385 responded, as well as RFS units and 378 Mittagong. Insp Graham Jarrett, Acting Duty Commander RS2, attended along with SO Kieran Britt from 234 Bowral. By 2214 hours crews had the fire under control using 10 lines of 38mm hose, however more than 90 per cent of the house had been destroyed. Thankfully, no-one was inside the house at the time of the fire. This incident highlights the excellent working relationship we have with our colleagues in the RFS.

 

RUMOUR MILL

Rumour: Is it true that the wet hose basket on the new Scania Type 3 pumpers is less than half the size of the tray on the old Firepac/Varley/Scania pumpers? If true, how is hose in excess of the single length that will fit in the smaller tray be transported back to the station?

Response: The wet hose basket is actually bigger in capacity on the new Class 3. The basket does not extend across the rear of the whole truck but is wider and deeper. The wet hose basket is designed to carry eight lengths of 70mm rolled hose. The hose must be rolled as is stated in the vehicles� recommended practice. Hose that doesn't fit in the basket can be stowed back in the pockets where it is normally kept.

Rumour: Is it true the NSWFB has begun purchasing the imported Toyota Kluger SUV rather than the equivalent Australian-made Ford territory SUV? If true, isn't this a breach of the Aust/NZ Government Procurement Agreement and the NSW Government Procurement Policy's "Buy Australian" requirements considering the vehicles are almost identical in price and specification?

Response: As with other NSW Government departments, the NSWFB is required to purchase those vehicles that are listed under Government Contract. To be on the Government Contract, the vehicles must qualify by way of meeting certain requirements such as expected whole-of-life costs, emissions, demand for the category and vehicle models already available within the particular segment. The Contract is managed by the NSW Department of Commerce. The NSWFB decision to choose the Kluger over the Ford Territory is based on emission output and whole-of-life costs. 

Rumour: Is it true that City of Sydney Fire Station is getting heavy rescue?

Response: The City of Sydney appliance is stowed with a full heavy rescue inventory and is accredited by the State Rescue Board as a Secondary Rescue Unit. There are no known plans for any changes in accreditation by the Board affecting City of Sydney .

 

Rumour: Is it true that all major district stations are losing their district truck, and they will be operated from Greenacre at some stage?

 

Response: The Metropolitan Area Commanders recently submitted a paper reviewing the role, location and crewing of the Logistic Trucks and the submission is still being considered. No recommendations have been made to me and the Union will need to be fully consulted if any changes are proposed.

 

Rumour: Is it true that the Commissioner is investigating the possibility of Ambulance Rescue operators joining the NSWFB as a solution to the recommendation handed down by a Parliamentary Committee?

 

Response: One of the recommendations of the Review into the performance of the Ambulance Service of NSW was that ASNSW should withdraw from direct provision of rescue services and pass these responsibilities to the NSWFB. The NSW Minister for Health has indicated that consultation will take place with stakeholders as soon as possible in relation to this recommendation. The NSWFB has yet to be approached on the matter, and has therefore neither been asked nor have we formally suggested a possible transfer. However if the Government decides to act on the recommendation, all options will be considered.

 

INCIDENTS

TRUenergy Power Station, Yallah

Eight tonnes of lime was hot and getting hotter at Bluescope Steel

 

 

EVENTS

NSWFB attends Careers Expo in Broken Hill

Firefighter�s daughter helps Doonside

NSWFB donates hoses for Taronga�s elephant playtime

Broken Hill Stations feature highly in NAIDOC week celebrations         


COMMISH’S CORNER
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