Going
on the sick list
Deputy
Commissioner John Benson will be Acting Commissioner next week and
then again in September for possibly an extended period. A couple of
sporting injuries I have accumulated over the years mean that I have
to have some minor surgery next week, followed by shoulder
reconstruction surgery on September 7. I will be returning to duty as
soon as I possibly can, however the rehabilitation following shoulder
surgery will apparently be extensive. And no, I cant claim workers’
comp!
Commendations
presented at recruit graduation
Yesterday
I was joined by the Premier, Nathan Rees and the Minister for
Emergency Services, Steve Whan for the graduation of recruit class
2/2009. The 20 newest members of the NSWFB will take up positions
across Sydney over the next week and I wish them long, safe and
rewarding careers. During the ceremony a number of awards were
presented. National Medals were presented to Capt Grant Foster and
DCapt Ross Beckley from Wyong and DCapt Peter Egan from Lithgow, while
SF Martin Carroll and SO Andrew Walker were presented with
Commissioner’s Commendations for Meritorious Service, in recognition
of their actions at a truck accident and fire on the F3 Freeway in
March 2007 and the Randwick Shopping Village fire in April 2008. Mr
Andrew Bertoncelj, Mr Peter Robinson and Mr Phil Clark (Ambulance
Service of NSW) were presented with Commissioner’s Commendation
Awards for their roles at these incidents. My congratulations to all
of the worthy recipients.
Remote
Access Staff Information Card
The
NSWFB has recently updated its Business Continuity Plans across the
organisation to ensure that we continue to have the capability to
operate in the event of a major disruption to operations. To
ensure that staff have access to important updates and information
during periods when work locations or processes are impacted, the
Corporate Risk Unit has developed a remote access staff information
card which is to be distributed to all staff. The
card will provide staff with useful contact numbers, including the new
staff emergency number, which aims to provide them with easy access to
updates when the internet is not accessible.
242
Bundanoon becomes Community First Responder
Earlier
this month, eleven firefighters from 242 Bundanoon became accredited
by the Ambulance Service of NSW as Community First Responders. The new
arrangements have been formalised in a Memorandum of Understanding
between the NSWFB and the Ambulance Service. Bundanoon firefighters
now provide an initial response to serious medical emergencies pending
arrival of the closest ambulance. Firefighters completed five days of
training by ASNSW Clinical Educators. The training included basic
patient assessment and limited administration of basic pain relief
medications, as well as additional oxygen resuscitation and
defibrillation training. We now have Brigades operating as CFR units
at Alstoneville, Branxton, Bundeena, Bundanoon, and Uralla. There are
other locations in NSW where there are NSWFB fire stations but no
ambulance station, and it is possible that the ANSW may request other
stations to join this worthwhile life-saving program. The SES and RFS
have a number of CFR units in remote locations, and there are a number
of fully volunteer CFR units that are not affiliated with another
emergency service.
Inverell Captain recognised for 45 years of service
Capt
Ken Winkworth AFSM from Inverell Fire Station was recently presented
with his 3rd Clasp to the National Medal by Deputy
Commissioner John Benson and Assistant Commissioner Jim Hamilton, in
recognition of 45 years of dedicated service to the NSWFB. I
congratulate “Winky” on this fantastic achievement.
4th
Alarm factory fire in Silverwater
At 0852 hours on Sunday 2 August firefighters
from 19 Silverwater, 65 Rydalmere, 31 Lidcombe, 27 Parramatta and 16
Concord responded to numerous Triple Zero calls to a factory alight in
Fariola Rd, Silverwater. Before arrival firefighters saw large amounts
of smoke rising into the air and soon after arrival requested a 4th
Alarm assignment. High fuel loads in the 120 metre x 130 metre
wholesale warehouse saw the fire spread quickly throughout the
building. Upon my arrival I was amazed at the remarkable job initially
arriving crews had done to cut off spread by the very intense fire to
neighbouring properties. People were evacuated from homes in a
neighbouring street as a precaution due to the smoke plume. Over the
next 31 hours firefighters from 59 Eastwood, 42 Ryde, 55 Guildford, 97 Huntingwood,
13 Alexandria, 18 Glebe, 47 Revesby, 45 Miranda, 40 Willoughby, 43
Seven Hills, 14 Ashfield, 1 City of Sydney, 23 Gladesville, 64
Lakemba, 73 Fairfield, 7 Horningsea Park, 86 Penrith, 9 Hazmat,
92 St Andrews, Strike Teams from the Central Coast, Blue Mountains and
Illawarra were all called in to assist. A stop message was sent by
Zone Commander Inner West at 1624 hours on Monday 3 August.
Petrol
tanker accident near Parkes
At 0059 hours on Friday 7 August firefighters
from 417 Parkes and 259 Condobolin responded to an accident involving
a B-Double tanker and a van. The accident occurred 18km east of Parkes
on the Orange Rd. On arrival firefighters found the B‑Double and
van well alight, fuelled by the 48 000 litre mixed load of diesel and
petrol contained in the tanker. Duty Commander Western Slopes
responded from Dubbo with the foam trailer to supplement the foam
supplies, as NSWFB and RFS crews worked on this large fire. It was
some time before the fire could be brought under control. A subsequent
diesel spill into a private dam was rendered safe before being handed
over to the local council for clean up. The driver of the tanker had
managed to free himself from the wreckage prior to the explosion and
was treated for minor injuries. Tragically, the driver of the van did
not survive.
8th
Alarm caryard fire in Revesby
At 2115 hours on Saturday 8 August firefighters
from 47 Revesby responded to a call of smoke in the vicinity in Mavis
St, Revesby. Additional Triple Zero calls were received by Sydney
Comms and as a result 34 Riverwood was also responded. The initial
message from 47 Revesby en-route to the call reported a large column
of smoke visible from some distance away. Upon arrival a Red message
requested a 5th Alarm assignment. The fire quickly took
hold due to high fuel loads and there were a number of explosions due
to gas cylinders located throughout the yard. Due to rapid fire spread
the incident was quickly upgraded to an 8th Alarm with
additional aerial appliances. Water relays were required as the fire
spread to 2 adjoining factories. I
was on scene to witness the excellent work by all crews which
prevented a number of other exposures becoming involved, and
containment of the fire by 0030 hours. Again, I was very proud of the
hard work and professionalism of Firefighters that minimised fire
spread and damage under very difficult conditions.
Kyogle and
Brunswick Heads Fire Station Upgrades
On 12 August Deputy Commissioner Benson,
Assistant Commissioner Hamilton and I accompanied the Minister for
Emergency Services Steve Whan on a visit to Kyogle and Brunswick Heads
fire stations to officially recognise the completion of over $610,000
worth of upgrades. At Brunswick Heads the Minister and I also had the
opportunity to present NSWFB Long Service and Good Conduct medal to
DCapt Nathan East for 12 years service, RetF Stan Petroff for 12 years
service, Engine Keeper Peter McNulty for 10 years service and Acting
Engine Keeper Ron Witsel for 10 years service.
At Kyogle we presented certificates of appreciation to four
employers of retained firefighters at Kyogle Fire Station for their
years of continued support of the local brigade and NSWFB.
RUMOUR
Rumour: Is
it true that a number of our processes such as payroll queries, ESCAT
and NEIMS forms generate multiple paper copies? Would a
GroupWise-generated question sheet and response and the ability to
input to forms/documents electronically be better for the NSWFB and
environment?
Response:
The NSWFB is committed to protection of the environment and removing
paper wherever possible. For example we have removed paper based
timesheets for firefighters. The new HR computer system has modules
that can replace paper forms and the new electronic Records system has
the ability to remove the need for paper files. Payroll queries and
ESCAT do not generate multiple paper copies. In the near future we
will be implementing more electronic systems to remove current paper
based practices such as credit card reconciliation and NIIENM's forms.
We also hope that we will soon be able to stop mailing paper payslips
to people who would prefer to utilise ESS, subject to consultation
with the FBEU and PSA.
Rumour:
Is it true that while turning out to an emergency call on NSWFB
appliances, we are advised not to wear our helmets due to possible
neck injuries, and that we should don our helmets only after we arrive
at the incidents?
Response:
Under normal circumstances,
helmets should not be worn inside appliances while responding to
emergency calls. Helmets must be donned immediately upon arrival at an
incident. Importantly, all personnel
must wear correctly-fitted seat belts while responding to calls
– this is a mandatory requirement with no exceptions for any reason
whatsoever. Refer to the uniform recommended
practice for further information.
Rumour: Is
it true that the cold climate clothing approved in In Order 1997/12 is
no longer being issued? If so, can members purchase alpine clothing
themselves and use the purchase as a tax deduction? Were the
new winter jackets assessed for their suitability in colder
conditions?
Response:
In Order 1997/12 has been replaced by 2008/12. All the
items listed in the In Order are still on issue except those replaced
by the new winter jacket which are the Spicer and Castro Jackets.
The new jacket is based on a model developed by the Equipment
Development Unit (EDU) for Cold Climate wear and provides
a greater level of protection and thermal capacity than the
other jackets that it replaced. Firefighters are not to purchase
any PPE items themselves unless approved on medical grounds by Health
& Safety.
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