NSWFB
assisting SES with flood and storm work on North Coast
Five
NSWFB strike teams have been deployed to the Clarence/Nambucca region
of the North Coast to assist local crews and the SES with flood and
storm recovery work. Our strike team commitment to the mid and far
north coast is currently 21 fire appliances and more than 80
firefighting personnel. These resources are in addition to local
recourses of 32 appliances and 128 firefighters. Strike Team Alpha,
under the command of SO Wayne Staples consists of four appliances and
16 firefighters from 424 Port Macquarie, 345 Kempsey, 371 Macksville
and 257 Coffs Harbour. Strike
Team Bravo, led by Inspector Mark Cavanough consists of four
appliances and 16 firefighters from 254 Cessnock, 374 Maitland, 454
Tarro and 500 Tingira Heights. Strike Team Charlie, led by Inspector
Al Johnston consists of five appliances and 20 firefighters from 399
Narrabri, 205 Armidale, 457 Tenterfield, 452 Tamworth and 314
Gunnedah. Strike Team Delta led by Inspector Glenn Launt, consists of
four appliances and 16 firefighters from 514 Tweed River, 211 Ballina,
240 Brunswick Heads, and 253 Casino and left this morning to assist
operations in Grafton. Strike Team Echo, led by SO Brett Symons,
consists of four appliances and 16 firefighters from 505 Wyong, 245
Budgewoi, 222 Belmont and 251 Cardiff has been deployed to assist SES
operations in Coffs Harbour. Four rescue instructors and two swift
water rescue specialists have also been deployed. To ensure an
effective coordination between the SES and NSWFB, Supt Chris Shapter,
Inspector Garry Hills, Inspector Drew Wilson and Captain Josh Rushton
are in position at SES Headquarters Wollongong; and Local SES Controls
at Coffs Harbour, Lismore and Mullumbimby. Since 1600 hours Thursday
21 May to 800 hours Friday 22 May 2009 the NSWFB Newcastle
Communications Centre which services the mid and far north coast has
received and actioned 65 calls for assistance to incidents ranging
from persons trapped in cars, petrol tanker overturned, MVAs, numerous
wire down or arching and trees
down. Crews have also assisted in Lismore evacuations. A/Supt Chris
Fabri, CSupt Rob Lindsay and Assistant Commissioner Jim Hamilton are
monitoring the situation as it continues to develop.
Decommissioning
of petrol-powered International pumpers
As
you are aware, the petrol-powered International fleet was withdrawn
from service earlier this year, pending testing of exhaust emissions
for Carbon Monoxide. Independent
test results are now available and although the testing has shown
the vehicles can be used, the rate of delivery of our new Class 3 and
2 appliances will provide sufficient resources for our Service
Exchange Vehicle fleet. I have therefore directed that the
petrol-powered Internationals be decommissioned. The petrol-powered
Internationals were already scheduled to be removed from service in
2009 and their withdrawal will not affect day-to-day response
capacity. Internationals were introduced in the early 1980s and
provided excellent service, however it is time for them to become a
part of our history.
H1N1 Influenza A (Human
swine flu) –
current status
We
are continuing to monitor the spread of the H1N1 Influenza A virus and are well progressed
with our preparedness and plans. The first case of H1N1 in NSW was
confirmed earlier this week, and further Australian cases have been
confirmed. Staff are encouraged to check the pandemic
intranet site for further updates and information and in
particular the Flu
pandemic infection control procedures and the Infection
Control Manual.
Premier
visits Seven Hills Fire Station
On Monday 11 May, NSW Premier Nathan Rees and
local MP welcomed FF Jason Rickwood, the newest firefighter to join 43
Seven Hills after his graduation from the College
on Thursday 23 April. During his visit,
Premier Rees congratulated FF Rickwood and enjoyed an informal morning
tea with Supt Alex Scott, Duty Commander David Taylor and the crew at
43.
Perth
to Sydney ride
Congratulations
to Gary Power, Neil Guy and Tony Camilleri, who should finish their
epic 4000km bicycle adventure from Perth to Wollongong tomorrow, all
in the name of a most worthy kid’s charity, Camp Quality. Their
target was to raise $10 000 through their incredible effort, but last
time I looked the total was less than $4 000. I’m sure that we can
help – please tell all your families and friends about the
“Nullabor Nutters” and go to www.everydayhero.com.au/3firefighters
to make a donation. Every little bit helps.
Minister
visits Katoomba Communications Centre and Head Office
Minister
for Emergency Services Steve Whan inspected Katoomba Comms Centre on
Friday 15 May and visited staff in Head Office on Tuesday 19 May.
During his visits he talked to staff about their roles within the
NSWFB and upcoming initiatives. Minister
Whan has a deep interest in the NSWFB and in staff and I expect that
he is likely to “pop in” to stations unannounced if in the area. I
know that you will make him welcome.
New pumper
for 257 Coffs Harbour
The
assistance provided by Coffs Harbour firefighters during the recent
Mid-North Coast floods was recognised by the Minister for Emergency
Services, Steve Whan, at the official handover of a new $550,000 Class
3 pumper at the station on Saturday 9 May.
Regional North Area Commander, CSupt Rob Lindsay, and Acting
Zone Commander Regional North 1, A/Supt Phil Treacy also attended the
handover of the new pumper, which went into service on Tuesday 24
March and was used in the floods of 31 March and 1 April.
Four new
Inspectors
Former
Station Officers Mark McGuire, Graeme Moore, Kernin Lambert and Dirk
Spek recently completed the IPP and have been promoted
to the rank of Inspector. Graeme, Kernin, Dirk and Mark are all
very experienced officers and the training they have received will
enable them to lead their colleagues and protect the community in any
emergency situation.
Courage
recognised
On Wednesday 20 May, I was joined by Member for
Bankstown Tony Stewart at a ceremony at 85 Chester Hill, where 12
firefighters were presented with the NSW Fire Brigades’ (NSWFB) Unit
Commendation for Meritorious Service. I
would like commend the crews from 85 Chester Hill, 64 Lakemba and 62
Bankstown for their efforts in rescuing a family of four. During
the ceremony, Supt
Christopher Jurgeit and Supt Darryl Dunbar were honoured with Police
Overseas Service Medals for their service in the Solomon Islands. A
mother and daughter from western Sydney were also recognised for their
efforts in rescuing their elderly neighbours, one of whom was
confined to a wheelchair, from an Auburn house fire in February 2007.
ACT Fire
Brigades thanks NSWFB for support
The ACT Fire Brigades’ Chief Officer Brian
Parry AFSM has thanked the NSWFB for operational support provided by
Regional South Officers CSupt Michael Ryan and Supt Wayne Roberts,
following the tragic death of Senior Firefighter David Balfour on the
fire front in Victoria. The support and assistance provided by the
NSWFB enabled ACT Fire Brigade members to attend the funeral service
of their colleague and mate on Tuesday 24 February 2009.
New CFU
policies
As part of our ongoing commitment to expand and
upgrade the Community Fire Unit (CFU) Program, a range of new policies
are being developed to provide CFU members with information on the
program and guidance on CFU membership and operations. The policies
will also assist our staff working with CFU members and undertaking
activities relating to the program. The first
round of policies have been finalised in addition to a new CFU
Membership Registration form. Additional CFU policies will be made
available on the intranet and via Commish’s
Corner in the future. If you have any feedback I encourage you to
forward your comments to cfu.nswfb@fire.nsw.gov.au
Firefighters
raise $14 165 on BrigadeKids Day
As part of BrigadeKids Day on Sunday 26 April,
firefighters across the state raised money for the NSW Severe Injury
Burns Service. This was an initiative proposed by firefighters, to add
value to large community engagement events like Fire Prevention Week
and Open Day. More than $14 000 was raised, with the money to be
shared by burns units at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead,
Concord Hospital and the Royal North Shore Hospital. $1 000 will also
be donated to the Central Coast Burns Equipment Fund, which go towards
buying specialist equipment to treat burns patients at Wyong and
Gosford Hospitals. Well done and thank you to all involved.
New
Community Fire Safety volunteers welcomed to the NSWFB
Ten new volunteers, representing the African,
Arabic, Burundian, Filipino, Spanish, Sudanese and Vietnamese-speaking
communities, officially joined the NSWFB’s Community Fire Safety
Volunteer program last week, getting a glimpse of life as a
firefighter at the training college in Alexandria. By engaging
volunteers from culturally and linguistically diverse groups and using
their language skills and cultural knowledge to communicate important
fire safety messages, all NSW residents will have greater access to
the NSWFB and its community safety programs, enhancing their ability
to prevent and prepare for emergencies.
Partnership
with Taronga Zoo
For
many years, the NSWFB has sponsored the otters at Sydney’s Taronga
Zoo. Unfortunately, this partnership had to be discontinued and the
zoo passes are no longer available to staff. The NSWFB continues to
support both the Taronga and Western Plains Zoo in other ways –
Community Fire Units are installed at both zoos and the NSWFB provides
operational and logistics support to the staff and, in some cases, the
animals at the zoos.
Oxford
street shop fire
On the evening of 10 May, firefighters from 4
Darlinghurst, 1 City of Sydney, 10 Redfern, 38 Pyrmont, 3 The Rocks,
18 Glebe along with Ladders from 4 Darlinghurst, hazmat from 13
Alexandria and the Duty Commander Metro East 1 responded to a fire in
a two-storey clothing store on Oxford Street, Darlinghurst. Crews were
on scene within four minutes and found a fire quickly spreading
through the second floor of the building. The building was severely
damaged in the blaze and took two hours to extinguish.
3rd
Alarm factory fire at Cabramatta
More than 40 firefighters responded to a major
fire in a clothing factory in Cabramatta at 0057 hours on 13 May. The
first crews were on scene within seven minutes and found large volumes
of smoke issuing from a single level factory that was well alight.
Firefighters battled intense flame and heat and a partial ceiling
collapse. Aerial
appliances were used to assist firefighters in containing the blaze.
Firefighting was very difficult due to the highly flammable contents
inside the factory. Crews brought the fire under control within two
hours and the cause is under investigation.
Electrical
sub station fire
On the morning of Friday 15 May, firefighters
from 27 Parramatta, 67 Northmead, 57 Wentworthville and
specialist hazmat responded to a large fire at an electrical
sub station in Parramatta. Crews were on scene within seven minutes
and on arrival found smoke and flames issuing from the 11 kilovolt
transformer sub-station. While awaiting the arrival of the energy
authority, crews protected neighbouring properties and businesses
under threat from fire with the use of handlines. Firefighters quickly
extinguished the blaze within 30 minutes, using the CO˛ tender.
Trench rescue at Maitland
At
1229 hours on Thursday 14 May, firefighters from 373 East Maitland,
374 Maitland, 260 Newcastle Rescue, 260 Newcastle USAR, Duty Commander
for Maitland, Zone Commander for Maitland, Area Commander for Metro
North and senior rescue instructors from Sydney responded to an
incident to free two workers trapped in a trench in a small horse
training facility. It was a long and protracted incident, with a high
level of cooperation among rescue operators from Police, Ambulance and
the NSWFB. The incident was completed by 2230 hours.
RUMOURS
Rumour:
Is it true that some of the current recruitment classes have been
cut also is it true due to the cost of running each new recruitment
program that the people that are left on the waiting list after this
campaign may carry through to the next campaign?
Response:
Two recruit classes have been cancelled this
year, due to the need to balance turnover rates with approved
firefighter numbers. At this stage, the number of firefighters leaving
/ retiring / over strength is lower than forecast when recruit classes
were planned last year. This is being constantly re-examined to ensure
we are fully staffed. There are currently no plans to ‘hold over’
potential recruits from the current campaign to the next.
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