CURRENT
NATIONAL SECURITY ALERT LEVEL: MEDIUM
Building a Better Brigade
As you would all know, in 2009 I commissioned an independent review of NSWFB workplace conduct and culture, following allegations of serious misconduct and bullying in the workplace in the 1970s and 80s. The external reviewer, KPMG, has now provided us with their report, which I made available in full to all staff on our intranet site and to the public on our internet site.
While KPMG found no evidence that serious assaults such as those alleged to have occurred years ago still take place, some current behaviours came to light that nevertheless have no place in our organisation. There are also a range of issues surrounding management styles, communication, selection processes, influence of external organisations, and diversity. Every single one of us must be committed to working together to make any necessary changes to ensure that we have a safe, healthy and fair workplace for all employees, and to ensure that any form of discrimination, bullying, harassment or inappropriate workplace conduct will never be tolerated at any level. I want to acknowledge and congratulate the leadership of the Fire Brigade Employees’ Union who agreed to send a strong message by publicly supporting the Review recommendations and signing a joint statement. The Public Service Association has also indicated its support. We therefore have a firm basis for positive change and must use this to build a better Brigade for the future.
A range of actions are well advanced, and include: establishment of a new Workplace Standards Branch; clearer policies and procedures; strategies to promote and support diversity in our workforce; Respectful Workplace training being rolled out statewide (with a focus on “straight talk”, and dealing with minor issues immediately, and face to face); and establishment of a new complaints hotline which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. NSWFB employees who have a serious workplace concern or issue can report matters confidentially using the hotline. Hotline staff are trained to provide you with confidential advice about the most appropriate person or branch, including the new Workplace Standards Branch, to help with a particular issue or concern, or they can pass information on your behalf to the Workplace Standards Branch in strict confidence. Where necessary they can also provide you with contacts for appropriate outside agencies. The 24 Hour Complaints Hotline number is 1300 78 78 51.
Budget boost for the NSWFB
The NSW State Budget was delivered last week and included significant increases for the NSWFB in its 2010/11 budget of $637 million. These include replacement of turnout coats and overpants over the next 2-3 years to comply with a new Australian Standard for structural firefighting PPE; funding for a new relocated fire station at Cabramatta; $18 million for 35 new fire appliances and specialised vehicles; $10.3 million for information technology upgrades; and $6.4 million for an upgrade to the SAP Human Resources system to meet the needs of the NSWFB, RFS and SES.
Even so, the NSWFB faces significant budgetary pressures, with a large budget deficit this year, and another expected in the next financial year. I will be providing more information to staff over coming months about the reasons why this is happening, and more importantly, what we must do to address it.
Departure of Mark Kelly and Kathryn Heiler
I regret to advise that both Mark Kelly, Director Human Resources, and Kathryn Heiler, Assistant Director Health and Safety, have each decided to leave the NSWFB in coming weeks to pursue other opportunities.
Mark Kelly came to the NSWFB after a distinguished career in the private sector to take up the position of Director Human Resources in April 2008. He has played a key leadership role in the Human Resources Directorate over the past 2 years as well as dealing with a huge workload over the last year in planning and implementing changes associated with workplace conduct issues. Mark has decided to leave the NSWFB to pursue opportunities in the private sector. He and his professionalism will be greatly missed – my thanks to Mark for his hard work and dedication during a most challenging period.
Kathryn Heiler commenced work with the NSWFB in January 2006 as an Occupational Health and Safety Coordinator. In June 2006 she was appointed to the newly created role of Assistant Director Health and Safety. In that role Kathryn has been instrumental in lifting the profile of all aspects of health and safety throughout the NSWFB. Kathryn leaves a legacy that includes a safer work environment for all firefighters and other NSWFB staff, better systems, processes and a comprehensive safety plan. In coming weeks Kathryn will take up the position of Director Health and Safety, with the Department of Human Services; Ageing, Disability and Home Care. My thanks to Kathryn for the manner in which she transformed safety and how it is understood and viewed in the NSWFB, and for her dedication and professionalism.
Both Mark and Kathryn will be sorely missed and I wish them all the best in their future endeavours.
CEOs sleepout
Thank you to the many people who sponsored me to participate in the St Vinnies’ CEO’s Sleepout. Last night, together with 179 other CEOs, I found a spot for my piece of cardboard at Luna Park and crawled into my sleeping bag after having dinner at a St Vinnies soup kitchen. Around Australia the event raised about $2.5 million, which will be used by St Vinnies to provide crisis accommodation and other services to the homeless. There are more than 100,000 homeless people in Australia, due to job loss, domestic violence, illness and addictions. They are some of the most vulnerable and needy people in our community and I was pleased to be able to do something practical, admittedly small, to assist them.
NSWFB wins silver
The NSWFB has again been awarded Silver in the Australasian Reporting Awards for its 2008/09 Annual Report. The Australasian Reporting Awards benchmark annual reports entered by hundreds of private, public and not-for-profit organisations against criteria based on best practice. Criteria include overall excellence in reporting, full disclosure of key aspects of core business, and meeting regulatory requirements. Well done to the team for bringing home the silver, yet again.
NSWFB firefighters recognised in Queen’s Birthday Honours
NSWFB members have again been recognised in the Queens Birthday Honours list, with five officers awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM). We should all be very proud of the recognition these staff have received for their ongoing hard work and dedication.
Chief Superintendent Rob McNeil was recognised for his important work in Hazmat and emergency planning. Superintendent Chris Jurgeit was recognised for his role in structural fire safety and operations; Station Officer John McNamara was recognised for his work in the Bushfire Section; Tenterfield Captain James Flynn was recognised for his lifelong commitment to educating the local community about fire prevention; and Yass Captain Allan Carey was recognised for his 46-year commitment to the NSWFB and community.
My congratulations to all on their well-deserved awards.
Legislative changes to public information access
From 1 July, the Freedom of Information Act (1989) is being replaced by the Government Information (Public Access) Act (2009). This legislative change will provide consistent and more open access to information where the public requires it. Over the coming weeks, we will be making information about this available on the intranet, and staff involved in handling public access to information will receive training.
Payslips on the Employee Self Service portal
The Pay Office has now received more than 1,700 requests from staff to stop sending paper pay slips each fortnight. These staff have indicated a preference for viewing or printing payslips on-demand at their convenience via the Employee Self Service portal. This on-line service is accessible via the Intranet at work or at home via Fireplace, and provides access to current and past payslips. NSWFB staff in future will receive payslips online only, unless they ask to continue receiving paper payslips by using the opt-in option in the Employee Self Service portal or by calling the Pay Office. For more information, the Pay Office can be contacted at PayOffice.NSWFB@fire.nsw.gov.au
Special roster planned
Following negotiations with the FBEU it has been agreed that SO & 3 on the Special Roster (day work Monday to Friday) will be implemented at Ballina, Batemans Bay, Cessnock, Nelson Bay and Maitland fire stations, with retained and permanent firefighters working together to provide enhanced fire and emergency protection to their local communities.
Permanent firefighter positions will be filled from NSWFB transfer register/lists, as per the NSW Firefighting Staff Award (permanent). In the case of Batemans Bay, a new transfer list will be established and discussions are currently underway to determine the best options in relation to the Metro North 3 list. Station Officers will be appointed through existing or newly-formed Regional Transfer Lists; however in the case of Batemans Bay a merit selection process applies as it is a Country Transfer Area. The NSWFB has been in discussion with the FBEU to redeploy firefighters following the permanent closure of Waratah Fire Station in December 2009 and the relocation of positions from Logistic Support Vehicles, which will when possible will now provide 10/14 positions for those on rehabilitation and return to work plans. Planning is now underway to make the necessary upgrades to the stations mentioned above. As these arrangements progress there will be further consultation with firefighters, union representatives and local communities.
Managing skill hire personnel
Managers are reminded of their responsibilities and processes when engaging skill hire personnel, as contained in the NSWFB Skill Hire Policy and associated documentation. Managers must be mindful of the costs associated with engaging skill hire personnel and consider all of the available options. Directors must ensure that they have complied with all recruitment freeze requirements and they have obtained my approval before commencing engagement of skill hire personnel.
The NSWFB must maintain auditable records of all skill hire engagements. Managers must work closely with their directorate Human Resources Manager to ensure that all aspects of the engagement process, including appropriate induction procedures, are documented and retained on their directorate’s Skill Hire File. Please contact your directorate Human Resources Manager for assistance.
INCIDENTS
Light aircraft crash at Canley Vale
On Tuesday 15th June at 0807 hours, Sydney Comms received reports that a light aircraft had crashed into houses in Canley Vale Rd. A 3rd Alarm response was immediately activated. First on scene was 49 Stn Cabramatta and they were confronted with a plane that had been destroyed on impact, and was well alight. As there were no properties on fire, they downgraded to a 2nd Alarm. Also in attendance was 73 stn Fairfield, 41 stn Smithfield, 8 stn Liverpool, 55 stn Guildford and 9 stn Hazmat. D/C Parramatta was the Incident Controller. Crews immediately deployed foam lines onto the fire. All care had to be taken as there were numerous live wires down and a running fuel fire had entered the drains and caused a car to catch alight 20m from the plane. Smoke was also appearing from a drain in the park 150m away. The car was extinguished, and the running fuel fire quickly extinguished by foam. Residents of surrounding houses and an adjoining school were evacuated by Police. Sadly, two people on board the plane were killed as a result of the incident. Crews remained on scene for many hours, offering protection to Police and ATSB investigators.
Katoomba building fire
At Katoomba on Thursday 17th June crews responded to a shop fire in Katoomba St. Just after 0900 crews from 343 forced their way into a pizza shop which was heavily smoke logged, and found the top floor of the restaurant well alight. High winds fanned the fire which was through the roof, forcing the evacuation of 40 people from 10 other shops which were in danger. The fire damaged both levels causing roof, internal stair and floor collapse. Other appliances attending were 226 Blackheath, 495 Wentworth Falls, 86 Penrith Aerial Pumper, 27 Parramatta Ladder Platform, 359 Lawson and 361 Leura. Officers on scene were D/C Blue Mountains and Z/C Blue Mountains. The fire was extinguished by 4 x 38mm hoses, with 2 exposures each protected by 38 mm lines. LP 27 was required for a number of hours to assist the SES, working in high winds, to secure tarps and roofing iron.
Breached gas main - threat of road collapse
On 9 June, 13 Alexandria Hazmat Pumper and Heavy Hazmat, 39 Randwick, 26 Mascot, 9 BA/Hazmat and the Duty Commander City were involved in a protracted incident at Todman Avenue Kensington. Initially responding to a burst water main, the incident was immediately escalated by 13 station when they found that a gas main had been breached and the road was starting to collapse. Gas readings were taken and residents in the surrounding area were asked to stay indoors. Excavation of the road was delayed by the discovery that high voltage (11kV) cabling ran under Todman Avenue and Balfour Road. Crews continued to take gas readings and disperse the vapours. The incident was handed over to Police, the gas company, Sydney Water, Energy Australia and the Council at 0130 hours. Todman Avenue remained blocked for some time.
Fire at the Bank Hotel, Newtown
On Friday 4 June, crews in the Eastern Suburbs and Inner West were kept busy when a huge storm hit Sydney in the afternoon. Stations had to deal with flooding, damaged buildings, wires down and other weather-related incidents such as roofs blown off houses. At the height of all this activity, Inner West crews had to deal with a fire at the Bank Hotel Newtown at 1500 hours. Firefighters from 18 Glebe, 13 Alexandria, 22 Leichhardt, 28 Marrickville along with the CO2 tender and the Duty Commander Inner West were called to a major electrical fire in the basement of the hotel. The Duty Commander Inner West was first on scene, and requested a 2nd Alarm. The fire was brought under control using all available CO2 extinguishers, along with the CO2 tender. Crews were on scene for 3 hours, and the fire was totally extinguished once EnergyAustralia arrived on scene to isolate power to the building. The building was evacuated and King Street closed during the incident.
RUMOUR MILL
Rumour: Is it true that at present you can't transfer to another State's fire brigade (eg Queensland Fire and Rescue Service), but that lateral transfers will be introduced in the near future allowing us to be able to do so?
Response: Despite it being the original intention when standardised firefighter training competencies were introduced many years ago, there is still no formal recognition between fire services of firefighting qualifications. Some services have Recognition of Prior Learning, but at present this is ad hoc. It is an issue that fire services and unions will need to grapple with and resolve.
Rumour: Is the rumour true that the Equipment Development Unit is initiating a rollout of new uniforms including a new type of overall similar to the police combat uniform which would offer more protection around the mid section, thus reducing the chance of injury if the shirt were to become untucked during operations?
Response: As reported earlier in CC, there is funding in the 2010/11 State budget for the replacement of structural firefighting PPE, and there may also be sufficient funds to replace and update duty wear items. Replacement of turnout coats and over trousers will occur over a two year period 2011-2012. Initial work by the EDU has commenced on the design of the above items; and as part of this process, a Working Group is being established with membership from Metropolitan and Regional Operations, Learning and Development and Health and Safety.
Rumour: Is it true that Station Officers at Primary rescue stations are finally going to be rescue trained? If so, when?
Response: Selection for training in Primary Rescue is not based on rank, but is based on operational need as determined by Area Commanders. I am aware of the frustration of some Station Officers at stations that were most recently upgraded to Primary, and the need for them to have the knowledge and skills to supervise their rescue operators. Training until now has been prioritised to supplying sufficient numbers of firefighter operators.
Rumour: Is it true that the money put aside for the renovations to Coffs Harbour fire station have been spent elsewhere? If not, when are the renovations likely to commence?
Response: No – funds are still available to undertake the renovations, however there have been some delays in allocating the tender to commence the works.
Rumour: Is it true that Nowra Fire Brigade will be upgraded to dual primary rescue in the near future?
Response: No, there is no substance to this rumour.