CURRENT
NATIONAL SECURITY ALERT LEVEL: MEDIUM
Recruitment
campaign for permanent firefighters
Our
latest permanent firefighter recruitment campaign commenced on Friday
1 October and aims to employ 40 recruit firefighters in early 2011. We
are trying to encourage applications from more women and people from
Indigenous and culturally diverse backgrounds than we have received in
the past. This campaign will be open for a period of up to two weeks,
but may close earlier if we receive a significant number of
applications. Applications are to be lodged online.
Because
firefighting is still regarded as a ‘non traditional occupation’
by many women, an information session for women on careers in
firefighting is being held this evening at the Wesley Conference
Centre in
Sydney
. This session will provide an opportunity to promote career
opportunities in the NSWFB. Current firefighters will share their
experiences with women who are interested in learning more about a
career in firefighting. Market research shows that the vast majority
of applicants in the past have been men, and that they usually have a
good knowledge of what is involved. This is often not the case with
women.
Launch
of NSWFB Women’s Employment and Development Action Plan
On
Wednesday 20 October, the NSWFB will launch its Women’s Employment
and Development Action Plan to highlight our strategy for improving
women’s recruitment, development and retention within our workforce.
Information about the Action Plan and the event launch will be made
available on our intranet. The plan is not just about women, but about
making NSWFB workplaces better for everybody, regardless of gender or
background.
Start
to the bushfire season
The
2010/11 bushfire season outlook anticipates a varied season, with high
fuel loads and temperatures, but also good rainfall. Bushfire danger
periods were brought forward to 1 September in 17 Local Government
Areas, with the rest of the State starting their bushfire danger
period on 1 October.
With
fuel loads heavy to extreme in grass and forested areas across the
State, and fuel reduction activities limited due to continual rainfall
and high moisture content, we are expecting a steady flow of localised
bushfires and an above-average season of grassfires, particularly in
the west of the State, after Christmas. Weather indicators show that
we are now in a ‘La
Nina’ event, bringing an increase in rain
(and therefore fuel loads) that may result in increased bushfire
activity late in the season. To prepare for the coming season, please
read more detail in the intranet article.
Two
old timers hang up their helmets
Sadly,
next week we say farewell to Superintendent Keith King AFSM, Zone
Commander MN2 who started with the NSWFB in December 1974. He worked
as a firefighter at stations in the Sydney CBD and northern suburbs,
and was promoted to Station Officer in 1987 serving in the GSA and
country NSW. Keith was appointed to Inspector in 1991 and
Superintendent in 1997. As Zone Commander for the
Central
Coast
area, Keith has been responsible for managing a fourfold increase in
permanent staff, the opening of four new fire stations and the
relocation of two others. Keith is also renowned for his fundraising
efforts and formation of the Central Coast Burns Equipment Fund.
We
say a sad farewell also to Station Officer John Gardner AFSM who
commenced with the NSWFB in January 1973, serving at City of
Sydney
, Crows Nest and Dee Why. John was promoted to Station Officer in 1985
and served across the State and in his current position of one of the
Station Officers at Port Macquarie. John is well respected for his
untiring efforts and outstanding results in community safety and fire
awareness initiatives. As well as the AFSM, John received a Unit
Commendation for Meritorious Service for efforts during the Thredbo
landslide in 1997.
Hazmat
restructure
The
GSA Hazmat restructure has progressed, with the CO2 Tender and
associated staff positions relocating from 9 Hazmat to 38 Pyrmont on
30 September. The next stage, aimed at spreading our Heavy Hazmat
resources across the GSA, will involve the relocation of heavy Hazmat
from 9 Station to 85
Chester
Hill, which will be completed following suitable building works. I am
aware that some staff have expressed concerns about certain aspects of
the changes, and these concerns have been taken seriously.
Captain
and Deputy Captain survey
We
will be developing and delivering a new Officer Leadership Program for
Captains and Deputy Captains. To help us do this better, Captains and
Deputy Captains have been asked to provide input into the content of
the program by participating in an online survey. The survey asks a
number of questions about the experiences and needs of Captains and
Deputy Captains. Its purpose is to help design a leadership training
program that will be relevant to the operational, educational and
leadership needs of Captains and Deputy Captains in a constantly
changing and challenging work environment.
The
confidential survey has been emailed to all current Captains and
Deputy Captains and closes on Friday 15 October 2010. Don't miss your
opportunity to have a say in the future educational direction of
Captains and Deputy Captains within the NSWFB. For more information,
contact A/Supt Rick Parkes A/Manager Professional Development Unit on
9318 4331 or rick.parkes@fire.nsw.gov.au
AIRS
codes
According
to SRS data, fires caused by cigarettes have been directly responsible
for 77 fire fatalities between July 2000 and June 2005. From late
September, new legislation provides that only reduced fire risk
cigarettes can be produced, imported and sold in
Australia
. The Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council has
asked all fire agencies to include AIRS data so that the effectiveness
of the reduced fire risk cigarette legislation can be measured. New
codes are included in AIRS and more information is available on the
intranet, on the AIRS website and in In
Orders.
Office
of the Commissioner
The
newly formed Office of the Commissioner provides executive support to
the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners. The Office is also
responsible for the coordination of notices for special events,
retirements and the nominations and awarding of medals and
commendations. It will distribute the illnesses, deaths and funeral
notices to staff. Please forward all relevant requests and
notifications to the Office of the Commissioner via email officeofthecommissioner@fire.nsw.gov.au
Critical
Incident Support survey
We’ve
had a response of over 800 serving and retired firefighters
participating in the Critical Incident Support survey already.
However, the number of regional and retained firefighters
participating has been low. To help us better understand the attitudes
of firefighters across the NSWFB, and ensure that the data collected
best represents all operational staff, we’re encouraging retained
and regional firefighters to participate in the study. The survey
closes on 31 October and is accessible through an external and
confidential website. A detailed overview of the survey is on the
intranet, with further information available through SF Mark Dobson,
Manager Critical Incident Support on 0448 295 725 or mark.dobson@fre.nsw.gov.au
INCIDENTS
Busy
day for residential fires
Saturday
25 September was a busy day across the state with a total of 9
residential premises being damaged by fire. Fires occurred at
Wetherill
Park
,
Parramatta
, Granville, Bondi, Mortdale, Glenwood,
South Hurstville
, Port Macquarie and Kelso. Five of these fires were attributed to
kitchen and cooking accidents. Three people were treated for smoke
inhalation and one person required transport to hospital as a result
of a serious kitchen fire.
2nd
Alarm at
Vaucluse
Boys
High School
Crews
responded to a disused school hall alight at 0200 hours on Sunday 26
September. The crew from 76 Bondi sent the first Red message calling
for a 2nd Alarm response when they observed fire through the roof of
an old 30m x 20m school hall. Due to the dangers of collapse, a
defensive strategy employing 4 x 70mm hoselines and an aerial
appliance successfully contained the fire within two hours. Crews from
76 Bondi, 11 Woollahra Pumper and Ladders, City of
Sydney Runner
and Rescue, 39
Randwick
, 3 The Rocks and 4 Darlinghurst Ladder Platform attended the
incident.
Quick
response and rescue at
Orange
unit fire
A
rapid response to a unit fire in
Orange
enabled firefighters in breathing apparatus to quickly rescue a person
trapped in his burning unit. On Tuesday 28 September, 412
Orange
crew were called at 1845 hours and arrived just five minutes later to
find smoke issuing from an apartment block. Crews in breathing
apparatus quickly located a man overcome by thick smoke in the bedroom
of his unit. He was carried to safety and then treated with oxygen
therapy by firefighters until the arrival of the ambulance crew who
transported him to hospital. The fire was quickly contained to the
bedroom area. Well done 412!
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