Commissioner

Our new senior executive

Under the Government Sector Employment Act, all NSW Government agencies have been required to implement new senior executive arrangements that incorporate flatter structures and standards for spans of control.

Earlier this year the Public Service Commissioner and Secretary of the Justice Cluster approved a draft structure that I developed which met the new criteria. Under the new structure, certain senior positions now fall into one of three “Bands”. As agency head, I am in Band 3, my direct reports are in Band 2, and current Assistant Director positions (non-uniformed - Chief Superintendents are exempt) and Assistant Commissioners fall into Band 1.

Appointments to new Band 2 positions are now complete. The following senior executives will assist me in taking FRNSW forward into its next exciting chapter.

• Deputy Commissioner Field Operations: Jim Hamilton AFSM

• Deputy Commissioner Strategic Capability: Graeme Finney OAM

• Executive Director Finance: Adam Summons

• Executive Director Logistics Support: Emmanuel Varipatis

• Executive Director People and Culture: Malcolm Connellan AFSM

• Executive Director Information Technology: Robert Hilditch

These appointments will nominally commence this Friday 8 July, and Malcolm Connellan has also assumed the operational rank of Assistant Commissioner as a consequence of his appointment to an executive position.

The former Director Human Resources, Darren Husdell, finished with us yesterday in order to take up a new appointment with another agency. I wish him well and thank him for his contribution over the last five years, particularly in the industrial relations area.

Although the Deputy Chief Executive position isn’t continuing, I have asked Rosemary Milkins PSM to remain in place in the short term to assist with our transition to the new structure. Rosemary’s contribution to FRNSW in the areas of corporate services and reform has been immense, and she has been the driving force behind securing funding and approvals for our new Head Office at Greenacre, our recently announced State Training Academy at Erskine Park , and many other landmark achievements.

The process for filling Band 1 positions will commence immediately and affected personnel will shortly receive letters explaining the process. The first round of recruitment offers will only go to incumbents and a small number of “affected officers” whose positions no longer exist but who have skillsets that may match another position. Any vacancies following that process will then be advertised more widely. We are aiming to have all positions filled and new structures fully in place by the end of September this year. Budgets and organisational reporting lines have already been aligned with the new structure and will transition over coming weeks. Executive Directors will conduct cascade briefings to explain the changes, which we will aim to minimise as much as possible. For most of you, it should be “business as usual”.

I look forward to working closely with the new senior executive team to continue our journey to be the best, and to provide caring, competent, values-based leadership to enable people on the frontline to thrive.

New FRNSW Training Academy announced

I was excited to announce on 27 June that a new world-class state-of-the-art Training Academy will be established at Erskine Park in Sydney ’s west. The facility is anticipated to be largely complete by the end of 2017 with staff moving there in early 2018.

The new Academy will provide new and existing firefighters with one of the best emergency services training facilities in Australia , as well as a centre for leadership and management training for all uniformed and non-uniformed staff. It will be scoped to enable other emergency services to also utilise the facilities for joint training, exercises or their own educational activities.

The campus will feature learning spaces, offices, hard-stand areas, tower, driver training road network, and a range of purpose-built training props to simulate fire, rescue, hazardous materials and other emergency situations. It will also allow training activities not possible at Alexandria , including live burns with smoke scrubbing technology to protect the environment. Eventually the USAR training props from Ingleburn will also be relocated to the new Academy.

The Academy will replace our existing training college at Alexandria , which is now more than 40 years old and is only one-third the size of the new site. Unfortunately the changing nature of Alexandria from semi-industrial to built-up residential and commercial has increasingly restricted what training we can conduct there. It would be prohibitively expensive to redevelop.

Staff currently working at our Alexandria Training College will be given the option of relocating to Erskine Park once the Academy is operational, while most Capability Directorate staff will move next year to the new Head Office at Greenacre. We will consult closely with staff over the coming months to ensure these relocations run as smoothly as possible. Our Alexandria site itself will be gradually sold off to help fund the new training props at Erskine Park . An alternative site for a new Communication Centre has yet to be determined.

For more information, then the intranet toolkit (Toolkits > Organisation Wide > Asset Management and Property > Academy). Any questions, please email academy@fire.nsw.gov.au. For more information, see the intranet story.

2016/17 budget announced

The NSW State budget has allocated $693.2 million in recurrent funding and $47 million in capital funding to FRNSW.

The capital allocation includes $7.9 million for new fire stations and upgrade of existing fire stations across NSW. Along with projects already underway at Abermain, Gulgong, Henty, Maryland, Mount Druitt, Murrurundi, Nyngan and Wollongong, the capital budget provides for four new fire stations at Batlow, Eden, Parkes and South West Rocks, as well as fit-out of the new Alexandria fire station that will be built for us by RailCorp on the current carpark and driver training site next to 13 station. A further $2.5 million was allocated for development of training props for our new Training Academy . In addition, $14.8 million has been allocated for fire appliance fleet replacement, including new prototype Class 3 rescue pumpers.

FRNSW participation in NAIDOC Week activities 3-10 July

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life. I encourage all FRNSW staff to participate in NAIDOC Week activities in their local areas to support Indigenous communities and colleagues.

Our Diversity Unit has arranged several events this week at the City of Sydney Fire Station to celebrate NAIDOC Week. On Tuesday I spoke at our NAIDOC Week launch which featured the “In Living Memory Exhibition” which State Records made available to FRNSW. Yesterday Aboriginal artist Jasmine Sarin conducted an interactive cultural painting workshop for staff, and today is a dance performance by the Nura Gunyu (Swan Country) performers.

Fire victim Linda Buchan encourages NSW residents to ReAlarm

Eighteen years ago, a house fire forever changed Linda Buchan’s life. A blanket kicked off in the middle of the night came to rest on a fan-forced heater sparking a blaze that claimed the life of Linda’s sister and caused horrific injuries to Linda which she continues to manage today. The fire occurred before smoke alarm legislation so Linda and her sister received no warning. Watch Linda’s story as she encourages NSW residents to ReAlarm their homes with a working photoelectric smoke alarm this winter. Linda has shown great courage in recent years volunteering to help us to push our vital fire safety messages. She is a remarkable person and I am indebted to her.

View the 2016 Emergency Management Conference presentations

Feedback from our 2015 ‘Have your say’ survey indicated that leadership attributes which build trust and engagement include an understanding of frontline issues, humility and a willingness to listen. We acted on this feedback: for the first time, this year’s Emergency Management Conference included Station Officers, Captains, Firefighters and admin staff presenting on issues relevant to them at their local/station level. Off-shift firefighters also attended the two-day Conference to provide further input and insights.

These changes were important because we need your help to develop the strategic direction. In addition, we recorded the main Conference presentations on video to give all FRNSW staff the opportunity to hear these. Please visit the intranet (Toolkits > About You > All Staff > EM Conference) to view all the videos from the 2016 EM Conference, and provide your feedback, insights and opinions to EMConference@fire.nsw.gov.au.

Enhancing leadership capability for strategically managing emergency incidents

On Thursday 23 June I presented at the 2016 AFAC Strategic Command Program at the Australian Institute of Police Management, Manly. The Command Program is designed to enhance the capabilities of senior leaders responsible for strategically commanding and managing critical emergency incidents, and leading large, complex organisations. It is attended by senior emergency management personnel from fire and emergency services as well as senior police officers, ASIO and Border Force. In my presentation, I focussed on how to develop personal resilience and successfully deal with organisational crises, as well as the importance of people-focussed, values-based leadership at all levels. I also touched on the vital role that workforce diversity plays in enhancing ideas and decision-making, and improving workplaces.

Kitchen fire simulator recommended practice revised

The kitchen fire simulator (KFS) has been successfully used in many demonstrations by trained FRNSW operators to demonstrate the dangers of kitchen oil/fat fires to the public, and particularly to warn against using water to extinguish these fires.

The recommended practice for the kitchen fire simulator has been revised to improve and update the safety measures when using this equipment and guide operators in its safe operation. The safety distance for members of the public has been increased and the oil/water mix ratio changed as well as introducing the mini KFS. Anyone using this equipment should review the revised recommended practice (Toolkits > Operational > Equipment > Recommended practices > Miscellaneous > Kitchen Fire Simulator – Portable).

New lifesaving ‘CRASH Card’ motorcycle safety initiative launched

A new motorcycle safety initiative was recently launched by Hornsby Shire Council, supported by FRNSW, the NSW Police Force and the Ambulance Service of NSW. The initiative provides emergency information ‘crash cards’ for motorcyclists to slip inside their helmet and a small red warning sticker to place on the exterior to identify its presence and warn untrained people not to remove the helmet. You may notice the stickers when assessing casualties or assisting with triage, so it’s a good idea to brush up on how the system works. For full details, see the intranet story. If you would like one for your personal use, they can be ordered through the Council’s website. If I can find the time to jump on my poor old Harley again, I will certainly be participating in the program.

100 FRNSW blood donations and counting

We’re now one month into the 2016 Emergency Services Blood Challenge and FRNSW has been doing an exceptional job with more than 100 donations received (putting us in third place on the leader board behind NSW Police and NSW RFS). If you haven’t donated blood yet, I encourage you to do so to help raise stocks during the busy winter period.

In the Blue Mountains, 301 Glenbrook took the blood drive one step further by organising a community fun day on Saturday 18 June in support of local resident NSW Police Senior Constable Luke Warburton who was shot while on duty earlier this year. More than 600 people attended and 59 members of the public donated blood via the Red Cross Mobile Blood Bank. Donations from that day alone will directly benefit 177 people. Congratulations to everyone involved in the Glenbrook event and to all those of you who have already rolled up their sleeve. For more information about the challenge and the requirements for giving blood as operational firefighters, see the intranet story.

7th Alarm Greenacre factory fire

Just before 0300 hours on Friday 24 June, numerous 000 calls were received to a building fire in Rosedale Ave Greenacre. Due to the description of the fire from a passer-by, an increased response was initiated and responding crews were updated via MDT. A short time later 62 Bankstown arrived and requested a 3rd Alarm reporting a medium-size factory unit fully involved in fire. Crews from 30 Lidcombe, 19 Silverwater, 85 Chester Hill, 64 Lakemba, 15 Burwood, 47 Revesby, 13 Alexandria , 52 Campsie, 20 Hurstville, 34 Riverwood, 27 Parramatta and the Duty Commanders Inner West and Parramatta were responded.

The IC immediately got crews to work with 70mm hose lines in a defensive attack. A full 360 size-up was not able to be completed due to the factory’s location in a long row of factory units. A pumper was tasked to the rear street to provide a CAN report from the Charlie Sector. Identifying that a large volume of water was going to be needed, the IC requested that a relay be set up from Brunker Rd. FireComs responded two CAFS appliances (CP31 and CT93) to increase capability on the fireground. AP47 was set up in Alpha Sector as an elevated water tower.

DC Inner West arrived, and after a handover, took on the Incident Commander role. The response was increased to a 5th Alarm, and it was confirmed that the fire also involved the adjoining factory at the rear. DC Parramatta was appointed Charlie Sector Commander and identified the risk of wall collapse and fire extension to neighbouring factories. An exclusion zone was established and this wall of the factory later collapsed. A carefully calculated offensive attack in both Bravo and Delta exposures was able to stop further fire extension and establish a cut-off. At the rear, Bravo exposure crews removed gas cylinders that were being exposed to heat and pulled ceilings to knock down fire which was taking hold in the ceiling space.

A staging area on Brunker Rd was established and additional resources responded for a relay, taking it to a 7th Alarm. LP21 arrived and replaced AP47 in Alpha Sector, allowing a greater reach and providing better fire attack through to the rear of the factories. On arrival, LP27 was positioned in Charlie Sector. CAFS Tanker 93 supplied LP27 with a low percentage foam and this provided effective fire suppression. Additional foam stores were required, which Fleet supplied.

The energy company experienced difficulty confirming isolation of the high voltage power lines in the Charlie Sector. Hazmat crews monitored the water and foam run-off. Just after 0500 hours, IMT was put in place and took Command. The fire was contained by 0630 hours and relays were reduced. This in turn reduced road closures, which assisted Police with traffic management.

A fire duty was set up at 0800 hours and remained on the scene into Saturday. Heavy plant machinery was required to make unstable parts of the buildings safe and assist with overhaul.

The Regional Emergency Management Officer and State Engineer attended to assist with the recovery. FIRU assisted Police with investigating the incident and found that an explosion in the initial stages had damaged the factory’s rear wall which contributed to the fire’s rapid extension into the Charlie exposure.

Goulburn building fire

At 2031 hours on Monday 27 June, a 000 call alerted emergency services to a building fire in Cartwright Place , Goulburn. Police arrived a few minutes later and confirmed that the top level of the Centrelink building was alight. 305 Goulburn was responded and given the update information via their MDT.

When 305 arrived, they confirmed a working fire in a two-storey building and requested attendance of four additional pumpers and their Duty Commander. As the crews got to work, Police reported another fire up the street in an old abandoned school building. A responding appliance was reassigned to this fire and the overall response upgraded to a 3rd Alarm. As well as surrounding stations, this included the response of LP92 St Andrews, CT93 Narellan, as well as a LP and Pumper from ACT Fire & Rescue. Other appliances were moved up to backfill stations to maintain coverage.

The second fire was quickly extinguished and all efforts focused on the two-level working fire which was expanding. When the Duty Commander arrived, he received a handover and took on the Incident Commander role. Due to the nature of the fire and the limited resources in attendance, a defensive attack was adopted as the fire was spreading from the upper level through the timber floor to involve the lower level. The upper level was above the rear quarter of the building only, and at this stage the fire only involved that end of the building. Due to all the initial fire activity at this end, it was named Alpha. The intensity of the fire, type of building construction and high fire load on the lower level was a concern for the IC. This lower level was divided in half, occupied by a St Vincent De Paul charity shop and a Centrelink office.

Crews initially could only operate in the Alpha and Charlie Sectors with lines of 70mm hose to attack the fire and protect the exposures. An exclusion zone was established in the Alpha Sector due to signs of wall collapse. When additional resources arrived, the IC moved to an offensive attack in the Charlie Sector of the main fire occupancy, and in both the Bravo and Delta exposures on this side. This was successful in stopping the fire spreading further towards the Charlie end of the lower level and prevented any fire extension into the exposures.

When the LPs arrived, they were set up in both the Charlie and Alpha Sectors. The LP in Charlie had better access and was used to good effect. The fire was contained at about 0130 hours and resources were downsized. IMT support was sent from Sydney and took over Incident Command. Crews remained on scene through the next day to complete extinguishment and overhaul.

Q: Recently a number of firefighters with various injuries or medical conditions have either been medically retired or had their case referred to the BMO or IRC only to be advised they are no longer to be operational firefighters any more.

For those who are not medically retired such as those who then go on to perform operational support roles or are Senior Officers that may take part as a member of an IMT, or otherwise respond to incidents for example a Logistic Support vehicle drivers or even the Commissioner for that matter, then classed as operational or are they not allowed to go on or perform tasks at or on the fireground at all. It all seems very confusing, how is it decided?

A: FRNSW’s Occupational Physicians are on occasion requested to assess fitness for roles for firefighters who have been permanently restricted from frontline operational firefighting duties (e.g. active fire suppression, wearing SCBA, rapid intervention, search and rescue etc).

Using a risk assessment and risk management approach, advice is provided on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the specific demands of the task or position and details of the individual’s medical circumstances. Decisions include assessment of the likelihood of sudden incapacity or impairment, and the resultant risk to the safety of the individual or others. After suffering a heart attack in 2012, despite maintaining high levels of fitness and having no major damage to my heart, I would have been medically retired if I was a firefighter as it would have been deemed too risky for me to remain as a frontline firefighter. However I am still able to respond in my role as a senior officer on an IMT, and my “day job” is office-based. Not all roles are the same and the Occupational Physicians do their best to accommodate physical and medical restrictions. Unfortunately this is not always possible.

Q: Do you have any information about when there will be a chainsaw operators course? I understand that it has been several years since a course has been offered, especially for primary rescue stations in the GSA. This qualification will be very useful for the upcoming storm season.

A: Chainsaw qualifications are identified by Operational Command training needs analyses. Once the training requirement is identified and considered, a validated instructor is committed to meeting the need when available. This training resource may be from either the Regional or Metropolitan Operations, or Education & Training and come under the guidance of Technical Rescue Training. In FY 2015/16, 363 firefighters were trained and awarded the chainsaw qualification.