Funeral of SF David Balfour, ACT Fire Brigade
On Tuesday 24 February together with several other NSWFB senior officers, Station Officers and Firefighters, I attended the funeral of Senior Firefighter Qualified David Balfour of the ACT Fire Brigade, who died in the line of duty during the Victorian Bushfires. Hundreds of people including almost the entire ACTFB attended to pay their respects. Our thoughts are with SFQ Balfour’s wife, children, family and his colleagues in the ACT. Like so many firefighters, SFQ Balfour went to Victoria to assist his colleagues in the CFA and the people of Victoria in their time of need. His dedication to his job and the safety of others will long be remembered by firefighters from all fire services. It is a difficult time for firefighters across the country, and their families, and it is a tragedy that we hope will not be repeated.
Ongoing commitment to Victorian bushfire emergency
The NSWFB is continuing its commitment to the Victorian bushfires, with two Strike Teams on firegrounds since Sunday 8 February. The seventh deployment headed to Victoria on Thursday, with each deployment made up of more than 60 permanent and retained firefighters and senior officers. Firefighters from both metropolitan and regional zones have been deployed, with all firefighters more than willing to assist our colleagues in the CFA. We have also provided liaison and logistics staff to the CFA Headquarters in Victoria, incident management team personnel, and a team of fire investigation and research experts and specialists from across the Brigade to join research teams established by the Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre. Further deployments are planned in the coming days, and with several fires still burning across the state and temperatures reaching the high 30s, it is clear that the threat is far from over. We will continue to provide assistance for as long as required and I thank everyone in the Brigade who has been to Victoria or offered to play their part.
NSWFB Bushfire Appeal account
The NSWFB Bushfire Appeal account continues to grow with more than $40 000 already raised, which is a fantastic effort. Many stations have been out in their communities collecting donations with at least two stations depositing more than $5 000 to the account. We will close the account on Friday 6 March, so there is still time to make a contribution if you wish to do so.
Victorian Bushfire fundraiser - Sunday 8 March
NSW Fire Brigades' staff and their families have been invited to a special Governor’s Open Day at Government House on Sunday 8 March, which is being held to raise funds for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal and to acknowledge the support the NSW emergency services have provided in Victoria. The Governor of NSW, Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, will host the event and there will be live entertainment and refreshments with the Governor and I planting a specially named ‘Firefighter’ rose bush to commemorate the commitment of firefighters at 1pm. There is a small charge for entry, with all money going to the Appeal. Off-duty firefighters may wear their summer dress uniform if they wish to attend.
Station visits
Recently I have visited stations including Corowa, Queanbeyan and Richmond to meet with staff. I will be commencing a regular station visit program next week so that I can meet with you and hear your ideas and concerns first hand.
Draft Safety Strategy for comment
An overriding goal of the NSW Fire Brigades’ Corporate Plan is to ‘ensure that safety is the guiding principal in everything we do’. To help us achieve this goal, a draft Safety Strategy 2009-2012 is available on the NSWFB Intranet for all staff and firefighters to review and provide any feedback or comments. Unions have also been invited to comment. Please direct your feedback to Fiona Bell (Manager OHS Education/Training) at fiona.bell@fire.nsw.gov.au by 31 March 2009.
Review of risk assessment procedures
The NSWFB is currently reviewing the procedures for risk assessment across the Brigade. NSWFB personnel often confront difficult, demanding and hazardous situations. Ensuring the safety and health of our people is paramount, and managing the risks involved in NSWFB operations is central to this. This review of the Risk Assessment procedures will be developed in full consultation with our workforce and unions, and every opportunity will be provided to have input. The first phase, commencing today, provides information on Risk Assessment to staff, and links to other websites. All staff are also encouraged to participate in a Survey on Risk Assessment, and provide feedback on the effectiveness of the current procedures. This phase will last two months, until April 2009.
Clean Up Australia Day - Sunday 1 March
Firefighters are reminded that it’s Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday and I encourage all fire stations to get involved in this worthwhile activity, of course with the over-riding responsibility to remain available for immediate response. Many stations have already made arrangements to take part on the day and you can use the media release template available on the intranet to promote your involvement with your local media. To register your involvement please contact Luke Pickering, Environmental Risk Advisor on 02 9265 2908 or luke.pickering@fire.nsw.gov.au
Seniors and Fire Safety
In March, the 2009 Seniors and Fire Safety campaign provides a timely opportunity for the NSWFB to target seniors who are an at-risk group which is most vulnerable to fire. Seniors are more likely to be injured or killed by residential house fires than any other group, and firefighters are encouraged to contact local media especially during Seniors Week (15-22 March) and to work with seniors and their carers to talk about ways to reduce fire risks in the home. A template media release is available or for more information contact SF Melanie Rebane, Community Engagement and Development Unit on (02) 9742 7404.
OHS Frequently Asked Questions
In response to a number of recent inquiries to the OHS team by firefighters and administration and trades personnel, a number of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) have been developed and are now available on the Health & Safety Branch intranet site. The FAQs provide relevant information on OHS topics, with the intention of adding more questions as they come into the Branch, or as relevant projects and issues emerge. Please contact the Health & Safety Branch on 9265 2800 for further information.
Flu Vaccination Program 2009
The NSWFB will again be implementing a voluntary Flu Vaccination Program for all staff in 2009. This is in line with our ongoing commitment to provide a healthy and safe workplace, and acknowledges that NSWFB personnel are at risk of contracting flu due to their extensive contact with the community, and with each other. All staff can attend clinics, which will be located throughout NSW, or their local GP. Further communication will be circulated by Zone Commands shortly.
First anniversary of the Lessons Learned Centre
This weekend marks the first anniversary of the Lessons Learned Centre which has received well over 150 contributions since it was established. LPG vehicles, hydrants, solar electricity, recycled water, ethanol fuel, cold stores, ATMs, hair products, reversing appliances, B Class foam and airbags reflect the diversity of topics contributed by firefighters to the LLC during the past year. These contributions have not only resulted in essential safety or operational bulletins but in a very practical sense, case studies have been developed to share the experiences that often initiate amendments to the policies, debriefing, training and the equipment we use. There has also been success in influencing other government agencies and industry to make changes which better support NSWFB prevention, preparedness, response or recovery responsibilities. The monthly LLC newsletter, 'Heads Up', summarises the lessons learned during the month and makes a valuable reference point to keep up to date with the latest operational information.
Relief and Welfare Fund holiday accommodation – Ballot 2009/2010
The Relief and Welfare Fund have two holiday units at Forster on the NSW north coast which can be let out by members of the fund. The units are fully-furnished three bedroom units that comfortably sleep six people and are available for letting. Members wishing to enter the ballot to stay at the unit must complete the form on the intranet. For more information please contact Tamryn Giles on (02) 9265 2632. Please note that applications close on the Friday 13 March 2009.
Hazmat emergency at Somersby
On Friday 20 February, more than 40 firefighters responded to a Hazmat emergency in Somersby. Firefighters from 341 Kariong, 509 Wyoming, 304 Gosford, 340 Umina, 245 Budgewoi, 450 Saratoga, 434 Hamlyn Terrace, 460 The Entrance, the Hazmat unit from 228 Berkley Vale, the NSWFB’s scientific advisor and Hazmat specialists from Greenacre, the Duty and Zone Commander, RFS crews, Police and Ambulance officers also responded to the incident. Firefighters were on scene in nine minutes to discover that a small fire in a chemical factory had triggered the building’s sprinkler system. The sprinklers contained the fire but water came in contact with 900 kilograms of a chlorine based chemical causing a reaction that gave off fumes. Firefighters ensured that all of the occupants of the factory had left the building and an exclusion zone was established with a total of 235 people evacuated from the factory and surrounding businesses. Two workers were taken to hospital suffering a mild reaction from the fumes. Firefighters identified the chemical and confirmed it was located in a hopper. Hazmat crews continually monitored the atmosphere and the runoff water – both returned negative readings for harmful substances. Firefighters remained on scene overnight and by next morning the chemical had dried out. The chemical was placed into Hazmat drums and the factory was decontaminated.
Matraville paper mill fire
On Wednesday 18 February, firefighters from 56 Matraville, 35 Botany, 70 Maroubra, 26 Mascot, 39 Randwick, 11 Woollahra, 29 Arncliffe, 21 Kogarah, 10 Redfern, 5 Newtown, the Hazmat unit from 13 Alexandria, two Duty Commanders and the Zone Commander MS2 responded to a fire in a paper recycling factory at Matraville. Firefighters were on scene within six minutes and found a large amount of waste paper, in an open area, well alight. The fire was in bales and piles of waste paper covering a large area and several metres high. Firefighters used on site bulldozers to separate and pull apart the paper to enable them to extinguish the fire. Firefighting water was retained at the site and Hazmat firefighters monitored the water run off and any smoke. Firefighters remained on scene until 0800 hours the following day to extinguish deep-seated pockets of fire in the paper stack.
4th Alarm factory fire in Fairy Meadow
On Tuesday 24 February, numerous Triple Zero calls were received to a fire in a two storey carpet warehouse on the Princes Highway, Fairy Meadow. Firefighters from 503 Wollongong arrived within six minutes and found a 2 storey building totally involved in fire. The Duty Commander MS1 was also on scene quickly and immediately escalated the incident to a 4th Alarm. Firefighters from 210 Balgownie, 269 Corrimal, 241 Bulli, 258 Coledale, 277 Dapto, 461 Thirroul, 422 Warrawong, and the Hazmat unit from 488 Shellharbour responded, and the heavy weight of attack ensured that the fire did not spread to adjoining exposures. Firefighters had to contend with a rear roof collapse which occurred shortly after arrival and perimeter walls that were in danger of collapse. Numerous lines of hose and an aerial appliance were used to contain the fire to the building of origin and protect nearby premises. Firefighters continually monitored the atmosphere and water run off and remained on scene overnight as the roof collapse and the danger of walls collapsing hampered crews reaching some areas of fire. The fire was extinguished the next day and investigations are continuing into the cause of the fire.
RUMOURS
Rumour: Is it true that objections have been raised in regards to the Brigades administration staff wearing any item of clothing with the NSWFB logo?
Response: Not that I'm aware of, but possibly. Our administration staff are valued members of the NSWFB and are proud to be a part of the organisation. In recent years a "corporate uniform" was approved, which is quite different to that worn by firefighters. Staff can voluntarily wear approved items of NSWFB-badged clothing whilst at work. The NSWFB is in the process of issuing new jackets to all firefighters and, for the first time, also to permanent administration and support staff. The jackets for these staff is different to that worn by firefighters - they do not include epaulettes, and they have an embroidered NSWFB logo on the front left side instead of badges on the shoulders.
Rumour: Is there any truth in the rumour that 78 Dunheved's water tanker is moving to 83 Riverstone?
Response: No.
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