COMMISH’S CORNER

Friday 16 July 2010.   Number 493          The Rumour Mill No (02) 9265 2627
CURRENT NATIONAL SECURITY ALERT LEVEL : MEDIUM

CURRENT NATIONAL SECURITY ALERT LEVEL: MEDIUM

Public access to NSWFB information

The Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009 (GIPA Act) replaced the Freedom of Information Act (1989) on 1 July 2010. The GIPA Act recognises the public’s right to government information in NSW and will make accessing government information easier and more open. The new legislation gives members of the public an enforceable right to government information unless there is an overriding public interest against disclosure. For more information, view the website, and keep a look out for future updates on our intranet.

Recent intranet developments

You are probably already aware of some of the recent intranet developments, and here are two to take a look at:

Building a Better Brigade - new site with important messages, guidance and resources, as we work towards improving our workplace and processes. The Building a Better Brigades booklet is also available here, along with the new corporate values poster and pocket calendar. You can provide feedback by email consultation.nswfb@fire.nsw.gov.au

New search engine - this is a great improvement on what we had previously and allows for a much easier search function of the many policies, procedures, articles and other documents available through our intranet. Comments can be sent to the Webmaster by email webmaster@fire.nsw.gov.au

Manager’s meeting

Yesterday, together with Deputy Commissioners Benson and Milkins, I addressed 75 Superintendents and non-uniformed Managers at the State Library about challenges currently facing the NSWFB, the KPMG review and our response to it, and the current reform and restructure programs that will ensure that together we will build a better Brigade. As an organisation we have been largely insulated from the scale of change that has impacted most other government agencies over the last 20 years. We have adopted an incremental ‘evolution not revolution’ approach which until now has been quite successful. Because of this, rapid change can be very unsettling to individuals, particularly where job roles are changing, where there is uncertainty about job tenure, and where there is a lack of information. Together with the Deputy and Assistant Commissioners and Directors I will be visiting as many workplaces as possible in coming weeks and months to explain the many positive changes that are happening or planned, and to seek feedback and ideas about our future direction.

Women and Firefighting Conference Australasia

The NSWFB and Victorian Country Fire Authority are co-hosting the 3rd Australasian Women and Firefighting Conference from 22 to 24 July. The venue in the Yarra Valley, Victoria, is near an area that was severely impacted by the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires. It was specifically chosen to support the economic recovery of the local community. The theme ‘Resurgence - Becoming Stronger’, will focus on exploring the challenges and opportunities for women in the fire industry and learning to harness skills, knowledge and support networks to build personal and professional strength and recover from setbacks.

I will be attending the conference, and will introduce a keynote speaker, Christine Nixon APM, former Chief Commissioner of the Victorian Police, former Assistant Commissioner of NSW Police, and Chair of the Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority. The other keynote speaker is the inspirational Janine Shepherd AM, who fought to walk again after breaking her neck and back in a cycling accident, then gained her pilot’s licence and became the first female director of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Deputy Captain Agnes Castaigns from 349 Kurri Kurri is presenting a paper focussed on the theme ‘building strength from difference’, and Ret FF Marina Findeis from 77 St Marys will make a presentation on behalf of the FBEU. The NSWFB and FBEU are jointly funding about 20 delegates to attend this conference, as both the Brigade and Union see workforce diversity as a key issue for fire services.

Bushfire Risk in a Changing World

Earlier this year, Professor Ross Bradstock, a leading Australian fire scientist from the Centre for Environmental Risk Management of Bushfires, at the University of Wollongong , delivered a fascinating lecture on climate change and the local and global nature of fire. By permission of Professor Bradstock, this presentation is now available on FireTube to help firefighters gain an insight into what factors and research drive the prevailing strategies, the global perspective when looking forward and what the future holds for fire services and the community.

The presentation is in four parts, approximately 15 minutes each, and covers: bushfire risk and how we measure it, risks to people and environment, risk mitigation, global change consequences of a warming climate, increased CO2 and other factors.

Home Fire Safety Audit

In partnership with GIO, we are helping to ensure that NSW residents are well equipped when it comes to reducing the risk of fires and protecting their homes. Next week we will be launching our joint online Home Fire Safety Audit tool which takes users through a virtual residential home to get a better understanding of key fire risks. Based on the user’s interactive responses, the Home Fire Safety Audit then provides a personalised action plan that they can use to significantly reduce the fire risks in their own home.

The audit tool will also give the NSWFB important insights into the community’s behaviour and fire awareness which will allow us to measure changes in fire-related behaviours over time. Keep an eye on the intranet for more information and the launch date and consider doing the online audit of your own home. Following the official launch you can let your local community know about this great interactive resource.

Firefighter Championships

The seventh round of the 2009/10 NSWFB Firefighter Championship series will be held at Port Macquarie on the weekend of 24-25 July. Twenty NSWFB teams, as well as 1 from Queensland and two from the RFS will pit their wits, skill and strength against each other as they battle it out for the number one spot. Unfortunately I will not be able to attend the Championships, however I wish all teams the best of luck.

Triple Zero postage

Australia Post has just launched a series of Triple Zero (000) themed stamps aimed at raising awareness of how and when to call emergency services. There are four stamps in the series – one each for the police, fire, ambulance and Australia ’s Emergency Call Service. The stamps are designed to remind the community of how to correctly use the number, and when calling Triple Zero to stay focused, stay relevant, and stay on the line. A range of products is available through Australia Post including self-adhesive booklets and rolls of stamps, along with a first day cover.

The new stamps were proposed to Australia Post by the Triple Zero Awareness Work Group following the inspiration of Deputy Captain Jenni Mowbray of 220 Bellbird. Well done everyone, for bringing such an important message into the community’s everyday focus.

NSWFB and Board of Fire Commissioners Annual Reports archive

The NSWFB Library now houses digitised Annual Reports of the NSW Fire Brigades and Board of Fire Commissioners dating back to 1904 (missing 1905 only). The searchable archive provides access to digital copies, and gives quite an insight into just how advanced our service has become since the Metropolitan Fire Brigade was formed in 1884, and the NSW Fire Brigades was formed in 1910.

Australian Red Cross Blood Service calls for donations

The winter blood drive for the Australian Red Cross Blood Service is running until 27 August. The blood drive appeals to healthy donors to help with the seasonal demands for blood and blood products as many people become unable to donate due to winter colds and illness. See the intranet article for more information.

INCIDENTS

The need for first aid training in the community

Last Saturday 10 July, my wife (a Registered Nurse) and I were driving to Armidale when we came across a serious MVA in a remote location on the Bucketts Way near Stratford . We administered oxygen and rendered first aid to the vehicle’s trapped occupant until the arrival of Ambulance Paramedics. 282 Dungog’s Rescue Pumper also responded and the crew were most impressive in the professional manner in which they operated, releasing the driver quickly so that he could be airlifted. Once again, while watching the Dungog crew, I was reminded of how proud I am to be the leader of a fire and rescue service that daily demonstrates its professionalism and commitment to serving the community. A disturbing aspect however was that a number of motorists were standing around when we arrived, and none had a first aid kit or first aid training. Luckily, a local farmer and school teacher were trying to assist as best they could. Recently, I assisted St John Ambulance with an awareness campaign aimed at encouraging members of the community to do a first aid course. This incident highlighted to me just how essential this message is. http://www.stjohnfirstaid.com.au On a lighter note, Chief Supt Steve Pearce and I are vying for the title of ‘top disaster magnet’. Both he and I have come across literally dozens of fires, accidents and other emergencies over the years where we have had to render first aid or assist in other ways.

6th Alarm factory fire at Smithfield

At 1814 hours on Saturday 3 July, firefighters from 41 Smithfield , 73 Fairfield and 72 Merrylands were dispatched to numerous 000 calls to a factory alight at Smithfield . When crews arrived, they found a 30 x 50m single level factory well alight, with an exposure in Sector D, and requested a 3rd Alarm. A defensive firefighting strategy was implemented and the response quickly escalated to a 6th Alarm as a thorough size-up was completed. I responded, together with the Incident Management Team, and watched with admiration as firefighters successfully prevented the spread of the fire to the neighbouring chemical factory. This was particularly noteworthy as the fire had already involved stacks of 200 litre drums and a large LPG tank that were stored in the rear yard, resulting in several explosions and the LPG tank venting and catching alight. Crews remained on scene all night and the stop was sent at 0804 hours the next day.

Wingham Hotel fire

At 0117 hours on Monday 5 July, firefighters from 502 Wingham and 453 Taree responded to a fire at the Wingham Hotel, Wingham. On arrival, the crew found that the historic hotel was already totally involved in fire and beyond saving. Capt Dave O’Donnell established that the occupants had all self-evacuated and established defensive firefighting operations, ensuring the fire did not spread to a rear shed or a neighbouring service station. Crews from 303 Gloucester , 295 Foster, 358 Laurieton, 424 Port Macquarie, the local RFS, and the ladder platform from 260 Newcastle all attended, making a total of 55 firefighters in attendance. It required 3 ground monitors, 2 lines of 70mm hose and the ladder platform to extinguish the fire. The stop was sent by DC North Coast Tony Lenthal at 0905 hours.

Bus fire on the Gore Hill Freeway

At 1824 hours on Tuesday 6 July, firefighters from 36 Crows Nest responded to an incident on the Gore Hill Freeway. When the 36 rescue pumper arrived, SO Jim Ballantyne sent messages advising that there was a bus well alight, and a 2nd Alarm was required for water supply. Sydney Comms then responded 61 Lane Cove, 53 Neutral Bay and 40 Willoughby who had to be escorted by Police to reach the scene due to traffic gridlock. The incident attracted a lot of media attention due to it occurring on a major road during the peak period. The NSWFB, Police, Ambulance and RTA worked together closely as NSWFB crews quickly extinguished the fire enabling two southbound and all northbound lanes to be opened by 1926 hours. The 32 passengers on the tourist bus had been safely evacuated by the driver and two off-duty police officers. They were transported from the scene with an unexpected story to add to their tales of what they saw and did when they visited Australia .


COMMISH’S CORNER

  • Commissioner’s email: Commissioner@fire.nsw.gov.au
  • Kerri Raymond, A/Commissioner’s PA: 9265 2930
  • To contribute a story to the intranet, please contact the Public Affairs and Communications Strategy Unit: 9265 2907