CURRENT
NATIONAL SECURITY ALERT LEVEL: MEDIUM
Congratulations
– 100 years of the FBEU
On
Thursday 21 October, around 1000 serving and retired permanent and
retained firefighters marched from Town Hall to The Rocks together
with modern and vintage fire appliances, to mark the centenary of the
world's oldest fire service union, the NSW Fire Brigade Employees'
Union (FBEU). I was honoured to march with my firefighter colleagues
and to participate in the FBEU's 100th Annual General Meeting, and
greatly appreciate the invitation from the FBEU State Committee of
Management to take part.
While
the FBEU and Brigade management will inevitably disagree on some
matters and while there will inevitably be major and minor disputes in
the future, it is important that there be a fundamental basis of
personal respect in the relationship. I am pleased to say that I
believe this to be the case. To Union Secretary Jim Casey, President
Darin Sullivan, SCOM and all FBEU members and office holders past and
present, congratulations on a century of service to, and protection of
firefighters, and on the many achievements on behalf of firefighters
and the community during that time.
State
Championships
Another
resounding success, the 2010 State Firefighter Championships at Tweed
Heads last week was won by Kelso Brigade, who were runners-up in 2006
and 2008 - great to see the hard work and dedication pay off!
Congratulations also to Dorrigo and Kootingal RFS, who came in second
and third. The scores were tight, and all the performances were a
credit to the skills and sportsmanship of the competitors (except for
my ‘veteran’s’ team, some members of which – who of course
will remain nameless - need a lot more practice).
Thanks
to Banora Point crew and the Championships Committee who did a
terrific job organising and hosting the event. Firefighters and their
families from throughout NSW, interstate and
New Zealand
were able to enjoy the competition, learn from each other and rekindle
old friendships. Thanks also to the BA/Hazmat, Rescue Section, BUI
Section, IT, Health and Safety, and Community Safety crews for their
community engagement efforts. Around 1400 school children attended
over the course of the week, having fun cheering on the teams and
taking away important fire safety messages. Thanks also to QF Grant
Harper, who set up the Championships
website and worked hard all week to capture the event in video and
photographs.
Station
visits
While
at the State Championships I was able to take time out to visit and
speak to permanent and retained firefighters at 468 Tweed Heads, 347
Kingscliff, and 362 Lismore (which recently commenced on the 10/14
roster).
Goodbye
Rumour Mill – hello ‘Ask the Commissioner’
I
have listened carefully to the extensive feedback I received since my
decision to cease the Rumour
Mill (RM). The overwhelming majority who have
contacted me or spoken to me during station visits expressed the view
that RM played an important role in enabling questions to be asked and
answered that otherwise could not be. It was pointed out to me that
many saw RM as an important source of credible information and an
opportunity to ‘go to the top’ if local officers did not know the
answer to a particular question.
The
reason for abandoning RM was that it was increasingly being used (by a
minority) to deliver anonymous messages that were not really
‘rumours’, but instead derogatory, defamatory or vexatious
messages clearly intended to harm others. It was also being used to
bypass the chain of command with simple questions that local officers
could easily answer.
However,
given that the majority of messages were genuine, and the point has
now been made, a new section called ‘Ask
the Commissioner’ will be introduced to
replace the Rumour Mill. The ‘rules of engagement’ are as follows:
- emails
or voice messages to Ask
the Commissioner will be treated
confidentially, unless the sender asks or agrees to be identified
- messages
that are clearly untrue and where the sender is likely to be aware
of this, particularly messages that may cause harm or seem
intended to cause harm to others, will be referred to the
Workplace Standards Branch. Disciplinary action may result
- Only
emails from NSWFB email accounts will be accepted. Anonymous
messages or messages from non-NSWFB email accounts will be deleted
and will not be answered
- messages
that make accusations against individuals or organisations should
not be sent to Ask
the Commissioner, but instead should be
raised via the chain of command, sent to Workplace Standards, or
to Police or other relevant authorities.
Recruit
graduation 21 October 2010
It
was my pleasure to welcome 20 new firefighters to the NSWFB’s ranks
at the recruit graduation ceremony at the
State
Training
College
,
Alexandria
, on Thursday 21 October. Class 3/2010 graduates have come from a wide
range of former careers. There’s a baker, a train driver, teachers,
a police officer, a paramedic and a marine biologist. This class also
demonstrates how a career in firefighting can run in the blood. Our
newest firefighters include: Adam Reeson, the son of Inspector Kim
Reeson; Craig Rochford, the son of retired SO Brian Rochford (his
second son to join the Brigades); Cheyne Jobson, the grandson of
former Boggabri retained firefighter, the late Brian Johnson; and
Mathew Bird, the nephew of Senior Firefighter Brad Meyn. Welcome to
all.
Farewell
Kel
After
43 years and 5 months of service to the NSWFB, Station Officer Kelvin
Law, 94 Kellyville has decided to hang up his helmet for the last
time. Kel has been extremely active over the years with the Fire Ed
program for primary school students. He has also been a significant
leader in the community, with the hydrant and static water supply
programs. On a personal basis, I will never forget Kel’s amazing
dedication to duty during the 1994 bushfires when I was in charge of
the
Lane
Cove
National Park
fire. Kel had injured his feet but insisted on continuing on-duty, as
members of the oncoming Platoon were prevented from reporting for duty
due to the F3 Freeway being blocked by fire. Have a long, happy,
healthy retirement Kel.
McHappy
Day 2010 - Saturday 13 November
McHappy
Day has been a popular Australian event for the past 20 years, and
almost 800 restaurants and their communities will participate this
year. McHappy Day is one of the biggest charity fundraising campaigns
for families in Australia with funds raised going to support programs
including Ronald McDonald Houses, Family Rooms, Family Retreats, the
National Learning Program, Cord Blood Banks and Grants for Medical
Research.
McDonald's
is a major community partner of the NSWFB and readily supports many of
our fire safety initiatives. Many firefighters have supported McHappy
Day over the years and I encourage firefighters to consider
participating in their local McDonald's McHappy Day by registering
through the McHappy Day Hotline on 9555 1771 or email mchappyday@ppr.com.au.
Wearing of uniform is authorised for off-duty members who may wish to
volunteer to assist with McHappy Day.
Station
Officers’ Promotional Program 2011
The
Station Officers’ Entry Test for the 2011 Station Officers’
Promotional Program was conducted by the Professional Development Unit
on 23 September. Thirty-two candidates were successful in gaining
positions onto two programs to be held in 2011. These programs focus
on education and training in the areas of leadership, incident
management and people management at the frontline. Congratulations to
those who were successful. To those who were not, try not to be too
disheartened – put all of the hard work and study to good use and
start preparing for the next one.
New
arrangements for internal mail
As
part of the changes associated with the staffing of the Logistic
Support Vehicles, there are now new arrangements to reduce the amount
of paperwork that needs to be transported between fire stations, zone
offices and directorates. A notice has been sent to all stations
explaining how staff can more effectively use emails, Australia Post
and faxes to submit forms and reports. These changes will not only
result in more practical and efficient movement of internal mail, but
will also benefit the environment by reducing vehicle emissions.
Staff
encouraged to get behind Movember
According
to Movember
Australia
, men use health services 30-40% less than women do, thereby avoiding
the chance for prevention and early detection of common diseases. Movember
is the time when men around
Australia
sprout moustaches to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s
health, specifically prostate cancer and male depression. Many
firefighters have taken part in this important national health
initiative in the past, and I encourage participation and support,
where possible. For more information and to register, click
here; and view images
from previous years.
Intranet
articles
The
NSWFB intranet is a great resource for information sharing and
learning. Articles generally fit into categories of incident,
community or fire safety, corporate communications and general
announcements. I encourage all staff to actively participate in
information and knowledge sharing by preparing articles for posting on
the intranet site. Always remember to have your supervisor’s
approval before sending operational and incident articles to PACSU for
posting.
National
Recycling Week 8-14 November
We
are committed to the NSW Government’s waste reduction and recycled
purchasing policy, using green procurement practices in areas such as
energy-efficient products, emission-efficient and emission-reducing
vehicles, recyclable products and waste reduction.
Most
of us have a recycling bin at home that goes out onto the footpath
every fortnight. We separate some of our rubbish from the rest in
order to fill the bin – but what happens after it’s collected?
National Recycling Week is our opportunity to learn, educate others,
and change the habits of our immediate environment. At work, at home
and in the community, check out how you can take part through some
simple and easy actions for National
Recycling Week 8-14 November.
World
Lifesaving Championships,
Egypt
Superintendent
Gray Parkes of the
State
Training
College
, along with his son Mitchell from 34 Riverwood, recently competed in
the World Lifesaving Championships in
Egypt
. Mitchell was a member of the Open Australian National Team competing
in the International Team Competition achieving a first place and two
individual third placings. He also competed for his local club team,
Port Hacking Lifeguards, in the World Interclub competition to achieve
individual second, fourth and fifth placings. Gray competed in the
World Masters Lifesaving Championships for the Port Hacking Lifeguard
club as well, in the 50-55 year age group to achieve individual first,
second, two thirds and a fourth placing, breaking the age group world
record for three of those events in the process. Amazing!
Lawn
bowls state titles
The
NSWFB Social Lawn Bowls Club state titles were held between 5-8
October at Soldiers Point Bowling Club. The event was played in
perfect weather conditions and attended by over 40 bowlers, who came
from as far away as Tamworth, Armidale, Jindabyne,
Wollongong
,
Newcastle
,
Central
Coast
and
Sydney
.
The
singles champion was FF Cy Threlfall from 3 The Rocks; pairs went to
Cy Threlfall and Steve Bamford; triples were won by Steve Bamford,
Mark McGuire and John Blackman; and the fours were won by Bill Ahoy,
Mal Ahoy, Tom Barnett and Snowy Maythers. The next bowls tournament is
the Australasian Fire Services Bowls Carnival to be held at Echuca
from 26 March to 1 April 2011. Any firefighter who would like to
attend or join the Bowls Club, contact Steve
Bamford or Inspector Mark
McGuire.
Fire
safety module AMES
The
NSW Adult Migrant English Service, established in 1951, is part of the
NSW Department of Education and Training and has provided English
teaching services to more than 1.5 million people in the classroom, in
the workplace, online and via distance education. The NSWFB, in
partnership with
AMES
has developed a learning resource for people from CALD backgrounds
that will help enhance their resilience and capacity to prevent and
prepare for fire emergencies. A fire safety module that integrates
fire safety training into English language programs, has been
introduced into NSW TAFE. The activities in the resource are aligned
to learning outcomes in the Certificates
I, II, III and IV in Spoken and Written English
and it is used in conjunction with the NSWFB
Fire Safety and Prevention in the Home booklet.
This learning resource has come about through the efforts of David
Weir, Community Safety Advisor, Culturally Diverse Services. Well
done!
INCIDENTS
7th
Alarm factory fire at
Smithfield
On
Saturday 30 October, together with over 100 firefighters, I attended
one of
Sydney
’s largest fires for many months at
Britton Street
,
Smithfield
. The first of many Triple Zero (000) calls came in at 1819 hours.
Pumper 41
Smithfield
transmitted a Red Message en route advising that they could see large
volumes of smoke and a third pumper was immediately responded. Rescue
Pumper 57 sent a further Red while en route requesting a 4th Alarm
assignment. On arrival and after a fast size-up the response was
raised to 6th Alarm, then to a 7th as a second building containing
chemicals came under imminent threat.
The
initial building, measuring 100m by 150m, of tilt-slab construction,
was a hardware distribution complex containing heavy fire loading and
was totally involved. There was a major wall and roof collapse in the
early stages of the fire. Defensive strategies using several aerials,
ground monitors and 70mm lines finally bring the fire under control.
The fire highlighted the importance of installed fire systems. An
internal fire wall was responsible for preventing the fire spreading
to an adjoining chemical and flammable storage area that, if involved,
would have greatly hampered operations. It was pleasing to see the
installed hydrant systems and static supplies from adjoining premises
being used, avoiding the need for extensive water relays. Smoke plumes
were monitored during the operation and fortunately the factory was
located within an industrial area. At around 2200 hours the decision
was made to downsize crews and a fire duty remained on scene until
Monday. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.
6th
Alarm at Jamisontown
Last
night I attended a major fire at
Kangaroo
Tent
City
at Jamisontown (Penrith). Numerous Triple Zero (000) calls started to
come in at 1813 hours with the call upgraded to a 2nd Alarm while
stations were en route. 102 Regentville arrived on scene 6 minutes
later and sent a Red Message requesting a 4th Alarm. The SO reported
that the top floor of the 2-storey building was well alight and that
it was part of a U-shaped shopping complex 100m X 30m that included
several occupancies and 2 adjoining furniture retailers. Pumper 86
upgraded the fire to a 6th Alarm in order to establish a water relay.
Duty Commander West, Andrew Peake, reinforced the defensive attack
using additional hand lines and 27
Parramatta
’s Ladder Platform, concentrating on containment and stopping fire
spread to the adjoining exposures. Despite exploding 9kg LPG cylinders
and a very heavy fire load, this strategy proved successful and the
fire was controlled after about 1 hour. Former Supt Glenn Sheedy,
whose wife worked at the store, spoke to me at the scene. He saw the
first arriving crews and told me that their actions and strategy were
‘perfect’. They immediately concentrated resources on the 2
exposures, which had no fire separation except gyprock, and thereby
prevented the entire complex from being engulfed. Well done!
Shop
fire at Wentworth Falls
At
0118 hours on 2 November, Katoomba Comms dispatched 495 Wentworth
Falls Pumper and Tanker, and 361 Leura Pumper to a reported shop fire
on the
Great Western Highway
at
Wentworth
Falls
. Because numerous calls were being received, 343 Katoomba Alpha and
Bravo Pumpers were dispatched 5 minutes later. On arrival, Pumper 495
reported that a 2-level pizza shop was well alight, and Duty Commander
Blue Mountains responded. The SO from 343 subsequently reported that a
2-level shop 5m X 10m was well alight with flames venting via the
roof, and that flames were spreading via a common roof void to 2
adjoining shops. Ladder Platform 27 was dispatched at this stage. An
offensive attack was attempted, however crews had to withdraw and
adopt a defensive strategy due to partial roof collapse. Additional
appliances from 359 Lawson, 301 Glenbrook and 226 Blackheath were
dispatched to assist. After 2 hours the fire was contained to the shop
of origin and the roof voids above the adjoining bakery and real
estate agency.
Four
residential fires, two building fires and 650 students evacuated
Tuesday
26 October was a busy day across NSW. A house was destroyed by fire at
Tahmoor; the front room of a house was destroyed by fire at Broken
Hill; a bathroom of a house at St Clair was damaged by a fire which
started in a bathroom heater light; and a house at Hebersham suffered
minor fire damage at the rear.
Several shops in
Cessnock
Plaza
, including a Woolworths store were evacuated due to a switchboard
fire in a plant room which was quickly extinguished by firefighters
from 254 Cessnock, 344 Kearsley and 220 Bellbird.
A
2nd Alarm response was required when a fire started in the flue of a
restaurant on the ground floor of a multi-level building in
Oxford Street
, Darlinghurst. The building was evacuated and
Oxford Street
closed to all traffic as crews from City of
Sydney
, 4 Darlinghurst, 10 Redfern and 3 The Rocks extinguished the fire.
More
than 650 students and staff at St Josephs Private Girls High School at
East Gosford
were evacuated as a precaution due to a gas leak in a science block.
Firefighters from 509
Wyoming
and Hazmat 228 Berkeley Vale quickly isolated the gas and ventilated
several buildings. Students and staff were safely returned to
classrooms without injury.
COMMISH’S
CORNER
- Commissioner’s
email: Commissioner@fire.nsw.gov.au
- Sandra
Garcia, EA to Commissioner: 9265 2930
- Ask
the Commissioner: 9265 2627
- To
contribute a story to the intranet, please contact the Public
Affairs and Communications Strategy Unit: 9265 2907