Farewell Dobbo - Assistant
Commissioner Bob Dobson AFSM retires
Today, together with
senior officers, support staff and firefighters, I participated in a
guard of honour to farewell Assistant Commissioner Bob Dobson AFSM as
he ceased duty at City of Sydney Fire Station for the last time. Bob
was accompanied by his wife Shirley. Bob has been a dedicated
firefighter for almost 39 years following service with the Royal
Australian Navy. He was promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner
in 2003 before taking on the new role of Director Greater Metropolitan
Operations in 2006. Bob has been responsible for many improvements in
the NSWFB, including the writing of our Protocol Guide (which he has
just re-written and updated), taking a leadership role since the late
1970’s in efforts to increase the NSWFB role in rescue, updating and
improving our bushfire response, coordination, and hazard reduction
procedures, ensuring that the principles of natural justice were
enshrined in our disciplinary processes, and taking leadership of our
annual Anzac Day contingent and service (which has grown from 10
members in 1986, to more than 160 marchers last year). There were many
more improvements that Bob was intimately involved in.
Tomorrow, Bob will lead the NSWFB contingent for the last time
– his last official function as an Assistant Commissioner. He will
then take some well‑earned leave prior to his formal retirement
in early July. On behalf of the NSWFB, I thank Bob for his huge
contribution to the welfare of firefighters, to the protection of the
people of NSW, and for his personal friendship and support. I wish him
and Shirley all the best for the future, and a very happy 60th
birthday on Sunday.
NSWFB staff give generously to
Red Cross Victorian Bushfire Appeal
Earlier today I presented Mr Lewis Kaplan, Executive Director of the Red
Cross with a cheque for more than $64 000 which will be used to assist
victims of the Victorian bushfires. Thank you to everyone who donated
to the appeal – as always, firefighters and support staff “dug
deep” when others needed help.
2009 International Firefighting
Safety Conference
From 29 April to 5 May firefighters from around the world will come
together at the 2009 International Firefighting Safety Conference,
hosted by the Institution of Fire Engineers Australia. I will open the
conference in Sydney on Thursday, with Supt Paul Bailey and Insp John
McDonough joining fire safety experts from the London Fire Brigade,
Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, US fire services, Ottawa Fire
Service, the Spanish El Bombero and other Australian fire services as
speakers at the conference. Supt Bailey will present on firefighter
safety systems, while Insp McDonough will outline the compartment fire
behaviour techniques developed by the NSWFB. It’s an opportunity for
firefighters from around the world to come together and learn about
the latest developments in the areas of fire science, firefighting
tactics, firefighting safety, and fire and emergency education from
the experts and to bring this knowledge into the Brigade as we
continue to look for ways to improve what we do.
NSWFB Aboriginal Services
Strategy
In January 2008, the NSWFB and the FBEU signed a Statement of
Commitment to Reconciliation, highlighting our joint commitment to
helping to strengthen and support Aboriginal communities. An Aboriginal
Services Strategy and Aboriginal Services Action Plan have now
been developed to put this commitment into action. The Aboriginal
Services Plan will be integrated into the Annual Operating Plan
2009-10 to ensure that the key aims and objectives are implemented
across the organisation. The provision of service and support to
Aboriginal people and their communities is an integral part of our
core business – the strategy and the plan will ensure that we
continue to improve the way in which we engage with Aboriginal
communities.
2009 Fire Prevention Week kicks off with Brigade Kids Day
Fire Prevention Week
this year will focus on reminding people about the steps they can
take to minimise the risk of a fire in their home. All fire stations
are encouraged to use the template
media release to promote home fire safety tips in your local
media. Fire Prevention Week starts on Sunday 26 April with McDonald's
Fire Brigade Kids Day, when firefighters and appliances will be at
selected McDonald's restaurants across NSW so that families can learn
about fire prevention. The event will mark the launch of a
new Brigade Kids CD, which firefighters can hand out free to
families and children. On the same day, the Sun Herald, in partnership
with the NSWFB, will publish a special Fire Prevention Week newspaper
supplement which will also run in the Illawarra Mercury and
Newcastle Herald on Monday 27 April. Firefighters will host a range of
fire safety presentations with at-risk groups during Fire Prevention
Week, culminating in the Brigades’ Open Day. Thank you all in
advance for your efforts, and a particular thank you to the teams at
CEDU and PACSU.
Station visits
During my most recent
station visits I met with firefighters from 46 Sutherland, 45 Miranda,
54 Cronulla, 33 Engadine, 90 Menai, 34 Riverwood, 21 Kogarah, 20
Hurstville, 35 Botany, and 102 Regentville. I will be heading to Dubbo
for the Firefighter Championship on 1 and 2 May, and to the Illawarra
on 5 May.
Open Day 2009
Fire station doors
open to the public next Sunday 3 May 2009 as part of our annual Open
Day. This is a good opportunity to communicate fire safety advice to
the communities we serve, to inform residents about the diverse nature
of our work, and about the role of the Brigade in protecting live,
property and the environment. For more information on this year’s
Open Day click here
or contact the Community
Engagement and Development Unit on (02) 9742 7179.
Recruit graduation and award ceremony
On Thursday 23 April,
I was joined by Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Services, Phil
Koperberg (former RFS Commissioner), to present Class 01/2009 with
their graduating certificates. During the ceremony, Recruit Instructor
SF Mark Wilson and graduating firefighter Eric Miller received formal
recognition for their actions following the partial collapse of a
concrete pour on a Bundeena construction site last August. SF Wilson
and FF Miller are among 11 firefighters from 80 Station Bundeena to
receive a Unit Commendation for Meritorious Service for their actions
at the incident, in which workers were trapped and injured and the
home owner was killed. SF Wilson was conducting a training course for
firefighters at 80 Station when the crew was responded to the
emergency. FF Miller was a retained firefighter at Bundeena at the
time but now is a permanent firefighter following Thursday’s
ceremony. I would like to commend the 11 firefighters involved for
their contribution to the difficult and protracted rescue operation in
2008. The remaining firefighters will receive their commendation
certificates shortly.
Community Fire Units thriving on Central Coast
Thanks to the hard
work of firefighters from 340 Umina and the Bushland Urban Interface
team more than 100 people have joined the Community
Fire Unit (CFU) program on the Central Coast since November 2008.
CFUs are designed to equip people living on the bushland urban
interface with the knowledge and skills they need to prepare their
properties throughout the year in preparation for the bushfire season.
Umina was targeted for a CFU recruitment program, with other areas to
be rolled out in the near future. If your local station area has
significant bushfire risks and would benefit from the installation of
Community Fire Units call 1300 238 238 or contact your local Bushfire
Officer.
Hazmat incident closes Princes Highway for 12 hours
At 0515 hours on
Tuesday 14 April, firefighters from 224 Berry, 488 Shellharbour, 405
Nowra and 346 Kiama responded to a hazmat incident on the Princes
Highway, just north of Berry. A truck carrying 14 000 litres of
sulphuric acid had rolled, with around 200 litres escaping through the
top vent. Firefighters established a bunded area to prevent the acid
from spreading to a nearby creek, placing the spilt substance in
Hazmat bins. Eight people were evacuated from an adjoining property
and Integral Energy was on hand to shut off the power and drop
overhead electrical cables, to enable a crane to be brought in to
right the truck. The RTA diverted vehicles for 12 hours but held up
heavier vehicles for the duration of the incident. Firefighters spent
some time cleaning the road before it was re‑opened. Duty
Commander RS2 reported that all crews demonstrated a great deal of
skill and professionalism at this incident.
3rd Alarm car wrecking yard fire in Revesby
On
Monday 20 April at 1258 hours, a large smoke plume from a fire in a
car wrecking yard in Revesby prompted numerous Triple Zero (000)
calls. Firefighters from 47 Revesby, 62 Bankstown, 34 Riverwood,
85 Chester Hill, 8 Liverpool, 21 Kogarah, 64 Lakemba, 49 Cabramatta,
20 Hurstville, 46 Sutherland, 30 Lidcombe, and Hazmat from Greenacre
responded to the fire. Crews were on scene within six minutes and
found an area 20mx10m fully engulfed in flames with cars stacked up to
six metres high. Firefighters used an aerial appliance and numerous
hand lines to contain the fire, and thirty people were evacuated from
the surrounding area. Hazmat crews monitored both the smoke and water
run off from the fire. The
fire burned for several hours until an excavator was used to pull
apart the cars allowing final extinguishment
Fatal truck crash and complex rescue on F3
At 1147 hours on
Tuesday 21 April, a B-double truck crashed through roadside barriers
on the F3 Freeway at Wahroongah, plummeting 80 metres down a steep
embankment. The severely damaged cabin of the truck came to rest
underneath one of the trailers. NSWFB firefighters from 50 Hornsby
were on scene within nine minutes, and using the cordage pack, lowered
themselves down to assess the truck and to check on the driver and any
possible passengers. Because of the risk of the truck slipping further
down the slope, the recovery operation could not commence until two
heavy‑duty tow trucks arrived, which were used to stabilise the
truck. Through the day and into the night firefighters from 75
Berowra, 58 Beecroft, 59 Eastwood, 94 Kellyville, 53 Neutral Bay, 65
Rydalmere, 14 Ashfield, 67 Northmead and Hazmat specialists from
9 Greenacre also responded to the crash site. As a result of the
crash, the fuel tank of the truck had ruptured, spilling 500 litres of
diesel over the embankment. Hazmat crews ensured none of the diesel
entered nearby waterways. FireAir1 was on scene to lower rescue
equipment down to firefighters. Once the truck was stabilised, rescue
firefighters worked in wet and slippery conditions for more than two
hours to extricate the body of the driver. NSWFB resources were
downgraded when the Stop was sent at 2322 hours. Two crews remained on
scene for fire protection until 0414 hours when the recovery operation
was suspended, resuming the following evening. I would like to commend
all of the firefighters who responded to this difficult and protracted
incident. The conditions were extremely difficult, with crews working
on a steep slope, under lights and inside the badly crumpled prime
mover.
RUMOURS
Rumour: Is it true that an investigation by an Assistant
Commissioner has found 31 regional areas that are in need of aerial
appliances? If so, are they being purchased?
Response: No. As part of
our strategic planning we regularly examine stations, zones and areas
profiles to determine the best service delivery model. This
includes aerial appliances. The report you are referring to was compiled
by then Inspector Murray Kear in January 2000 which identified
potential locations based purely on statistical data as a starting
point. The report identified that there were 31 aerial appliances (as
per Jan 2000) in the existing fleet; looked at existing deployment
criteria; examined existing data relating to aerial appliances and
formulated a base methodology for future deployment of aerial
appliances. The purpose of this report was to provide a sound first
level determinant for consideration by management and in no way was to
be considered as undisputed evidence of where an aerial appliance was
required. A further review has recently commenced which is taking into
consideration the dynamic changes that have and continue to occur in
rural NSW since 2000 as a result of the effects including climate
change, rural difficulties etc. The results will help inform forward
planning for resources, and could see aerial pumpers placed at some
major country centres in future years.
Rumour: Is it true that FireAir1 has been offline since October last
year (including the whole bushfire season) and this is the cause of
unusually high turnover among aviation officers?
Response: It is true that
FireAir1 has been offline since November last year. This is due to
scheduled servicing and the fitting of several new pieces of equipment
including a new winch, wire strike kit and a moving map system.
Unexpected delays have occurred in sourcing parts from overseas. A
contingency plan has been in place during the downtime of FireAir 1 as
the NSWFB still has access to all other Police aviation assets and
the Aviation Officers have continued to fly during this period. NSWFB
also has access to aircraft contracted through the RFS State Air Desk.
The turnover of NSWFB Aviation
Officers is unrelated to FireAir 1 being offline. Two officers have
recently transferred back to firefighting operations after lengthy
periods of valuable service as Aviation Officers. Both of these
vacancies have been filled.
Rumour: Is it true that if Kincumber Fire Station is not built by
2010 the funding will be lost? Is it true the approved staffing could
be used to make back-to-back stations 10/14 on the Central Coast?
Response: No,
the funding is allocated for Kincumber and the funding for 10/14 staff
has been approved. The Department of Commerce is currently working on
finalising the environmental requirements before the project goes to
tender. The staff will be allocated when the construction is
completed. They will not be used at other stations.
Rumour: Is
it true that during staff shortages at FIRU they are using
unqualified, non-certified and untrained personnel to fill
investigators’ positions to cover the gaps?
Response: No. FIRU
only fill staffing shortages using personnel who have undertaken
specialist Fire Investigation training and have been trained in using
the FireTraC digital fire data system. Two new initiatives have
been introduced which might explain some new faces in the FIRU.
In the interest of greater understanding and skills transfer across
function areas of the Community Safety Division, FIRU has recently had
Community Safety Division personnel, previously trained in Fire
Investigation, riding along with Duty Investigators to observe and
assist with fire investigations. In
addition, Operational Commanders who have been trained in Fire
Investigation have a standing invitation to spend some time in FIRU to
both enhance existing skills and to be brought up to speed with new
techniques and methodologies. These initiatives have been
implemented as part of the requirements of the Community Safety
Division Plan 2008-11 to ensure better communication between
specialist investigators, building fire safety specialists, community
engagement specialists and frontline Operational Commanders.
Rumour: Is
it true that all tankers will be re-issued with cordage packs
(particularly swift water rope packs) after the north coast flooding
showed our capabilities were well regarded and that these packs could
be used in such situations?
Response: At the last Fleet
Implementation Group (FIG) meeting the possibility of Cordage Packs
being part of the inventory on Class 1 appliances was
discussed. The operational requirement is currently being assessed by
the Regional Area Commanders and the findings will be reported back to
FIG. A
swift water throw bag is part of the new cordage pack.
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