Commissioner

Launching the new Leadership Framework Toolkit

Leadership starts with YOU – regardless of rank or role. All of us in FRNSW can be leaders, whether or not we hold a formal leadership position. We each can lead in our teams, in our communities, and when we solve problems and help FRNSW to prepare for the future. Click here for videos explaining the new Leadership Framework and what it means for you.

With the new Leadership Framework Toolkit on the intranet (Toolkits > Organisation Wide > Leadership), everyone will now have easier access to resources that will help start them on their leadership development journey. There is a wealth of videos, resources, online courses and articles that will help you to communicate better, motivate and influence your team, be more proactive and effective AND get more balance in your life.

This is a “living” toolkit and will be updated regularly as people share links, ideas and resources. Most of the resources are external, and we have tried to select the best and most relevant to FRNSW. Resources currently include:

· overview of the new Leadership Framework

· links to TED Talks and other interesting resources

· links to great free (or inexpensive) external online courses

· ideas to improve effectiveness and productivity

· videos from FRNSW

· a forum to share ideas and resources.

To explore FRNSW’s Leadership Development programs, see the information online (Intranet > Training > Organisation Wide > Leadership > Leadership-Management). For more information or to request leadership training for your team, please email leadership.framework@fire.nsw.gov.au.

If you want to be a better leader, use the toolkit and start learning now!

EM Conference ‘must-watch’ videos – FRNSW achievements and challenges

Our Emergency Management Conference in May featured a series of outstanding presentations which are now available on the intranet for all staff to view. Over the coming months we will highlight particular presentations from the conference and how they relate to the theme of ‘navigating uncertainty to be operationally excellent’. This issue of Commissioner’s Corner will focus on the conference purpose, with future issues covering the five pillars of diversity and inclusion, leadership, governance, IT and innovation.

In his talk, Director Metropolitan Operations AC Rob McNeil reviewed the impressive list of FRNSW achievements over the last 12 months as we continued to strive for operational excellence. Operational excellence is not a destination but an ongoing journey – and one which is a vital contributor to the performance and growth of FRNSW. AC McNeil was followed by Director Regional Operations AC Gerry Byrne who identified the various challenges and uncertainties that a service like FRNSW faces; and how we can effectively navigate our way through them. Another video I highly recommend is a TED Talk on what makes a great leader by international leadership expert Roselinde Torres. I urge you to allocate some time to watch these videos, either as a team or individually. Click here to view the videos on the intranet (Toolkits > About You > All Staff > EM Conference > Purpose, achievements & feedback).

Interested in contributing ideas and innovation?

In 2014 I formed the Commissioner’s Participative Council (CPC) to give opportunities for employees who don’t occupy senior positions to contribute to FRNSW’s future direction. Since then CPC members have worked together to identify internal roadblocks and ensure that good ideas reach people who can take action. This has resulted in a range of innovations and changes that have already brought about significant improvements within FRNSW (for more information, visit the CPC intranet site at Toolkits > About You > Committees and Networks > Commissioner's Participative Council). It has also served to identify some frustrations and roadblocks in the way we do things, and these are also subject of review and ongoing improvement.

There are now eight positions available on the CPC. Firefighters from the ranks of Inspector and Captain down, and administrative, technical and trades staff from Grade 9/10 Clerks (or equivalent) and down, are eligible. If you would like to join, please email a one page expression of interest outlining your reasons and what you would bring to the role including your skills, backgrounds and interest in innovation to officeofthecommissioner@fire.nsw.gov.au. Applications close at 1700 hours this Friday 22 July, so hurry and apply now if you are interested. See my 27 June email to all staff for more information about what the role requires.

Complete ePIPs to ensure current data on your MDT

Following a recent ADASHI MDT data update, more than 2,500 electronic incident plans (ePIPs) were found to be incomplete or awaiting approval. As only completed ePIPs will be updated on MDTs it is important to ensure you finalise them. Updates will not take place during the current MDT rollout phase, however once it is completed (by September) regular data updates will resume. With this phase resulting in at least one MDT in every fire station across the State, everyone will have real time access to ePIPs to help make decisions at incidents. It is therefore even more important that your ePIPs contain useful, easy to follow information and are completed ready for the next data update. For more information about ePIPs and MDT data updates, see the intranet story.

Showcasing our diversity efforts nationally

On Wednesday 13 July, I delivered a presentation on our Indigenous Fire & Rescue Employment Strategy (IFARES) at the 2016 Emergency Management Conference in Melbourne. Through IFARES, FRNSW provides support and guidance to Indigenous people who are completing Certificate IV in Fitness at South Western Sydney Institute TAFE. The Cert IV is part of a pre-employment course to prepare them to apply to become permanent firefighters. Since the program commenced, 21 people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent have successfully applied to become permanent firefighters.

On Thursday 14 July, the 2016 IFARES program was launched at Campbelltown TAFE. As I was in Melbourne, AC Rob McNeil attended on my behalf to welcome the 24 2016 IFARES candidates. At the event SO Bill Spek, who came up with the IFARES initiative along with SF Dean Dobson and Superintendent Phil Lindsay, said he was proud to be part of it and was delighted that it was now in its third year. SO Spek also read a quote from Deputy Chief Executive Rosemary Milkins who said for too long we have allowed a barrier to prevent Indigenous people from joining FRNSW, but that this program breaks down those barriers making it truly fair.

On Saturday I presented in Launceston at the Tasmania Fire and Emergency Services Conference on the importance of diversity. The audience comprised nearly 400 people, mostly Tasmanian Fire Service and SES volunteer brigade/unit members and senior staff from both organisations. Not surprisingly, a lot of the conference program focused heavily on lessons learned from the recent devastating bushfire and flood seasons in Tasmania.

In my talk, I spoke about how a diverse and inclusive workforce is absolutely critical and brings many benefits to emergency service agencies. I also discussed what is good practice in building a diverse and capable workforce within our sector. I highlighted existing initiatives by fire services around Australia to increase diversity, including FRNSW’s own experience; and the many barriers and challenges we continue to face in striving to achieve greater diversity. I outlined how urban fire services are one of the last industries in the world to be seen to take diversity seriously, and predicted that if we do not work hard to embrace the benefits, change will be imposed on us externally. I was very pleased to advise that in NSW we have had a “meeting of minds” with the FBEU on this issue and are moving ahead, albeit slowly.

Emergency services leaders collaborate at AFAC events

Last week, I attended the 2016 AFAC Executive Forum in Melbourne together with Deputy Commissioners Jim Hamilton and Graeme Finney. This year’s forum focused on two key areas: reviewing last summer’s major incidents and assessing effectiveness of response to these, and improving our understanding of how the emergency services sector can use its political acumen to support and influence government.

Rosemary Milkins also spoke at the conference, delivering a very well received and thought-provoking presentation on ‘Lessons from the Politics’. Her address provided a range of insights arising from her many years of leadership and reform experience working in senior roles within the NSW public sector.

As this issue of CC goes to press I will be in Wellington, New Zealand chairing a meeting of the AFAC Board and meeting with senior New Zealand fire service and government officials.

Fatal MVA caused by strong winds at Cataract

On Wednesday 13 July, 503 Wollongong and 210 Balgownie were called to a tragic MVA on the M1 Princes Motorway at Cataract. A severe weather warning, advising of strong winds, was current across the southern regions of NSW on that day.

At around 0920 hours a large gum tree on the elevated eastern roadside snapped off near its base as winds gusting up to 90km/h impacted across the region. The tree fell directly onto a southbound utility vehicle, crushing the cabin and trapping the male driver of the vehicle.

A truck driver following behind described how the driver of the ute had no warning whatsoever as the tree crashed onto the roof of his vehicle causing him to swerve and collide with the concrete barrier divider. Fortunately there were no other passengers in the vehicle.

503 Wollongong pumper and heavy rescue were quickly on scene and immediately set about securing and stabilising the accident site. Another pumper was requested for fire protection and RFS crews were also responded to provide back up. Firefighters immediately commenced clearing tree debris and performed a rapid roof removal to access and then remove the seriously injured driver, all within 20 minutes of arrival.

Paramedics worked for over an hour in an attempt to revive the 28 year old driver, however all efforts were sadly unsuccessful. Southbound lanes of the busy motorway were closed for several hours as clean up and investigations continued throughout the morning. Congratulations and thanks to the Wollongong and Balgownie crews for the speed and professionalism with which they dealt with this tragic incident.

Q: I find it difficult and somewhat frustrating to locate items in ESCAT. Is there any way to make searching for items in ESCAT quicker and easier?

A: The procurement helpdesk team is working on a number of improvements to make the task of searching for items in ESCAT easier. A guide which provides some simple tips to make searching on ESCAT more effective has been produced. The guide can be found on the intranet in the Procurement Toolkit or buy clicking this link - Do’s and Don’ts of searching.

In addition to the search tips, the ESCAT helpdesk team are upgrading all the photographs in ESCAT to make them larger and clearer.

Advice on ESCAT and general procurement matters can be obtained by contacting the help desk team on ext. 7444 or by emailing Procurementhelpdesk@fire.nsw.gov.au for a detailed response.

Further information on procurement policy and procedure can also be found in the Procurement Toolkit (Toolkits > Organisation Wide > Procurement).

Q: Why are some quieter stations getting an MDT instead of Bravo appliances in busier stations? Wouldn’t it make more sense to put them into the busiest appliances?

A: ADASHI First Responder mobile data terminals (MDTs) will be rolled out to a further 188 appliances statewide between July and September 2016. This will take the total number of appliances with MDTs to 370.

Primary response appliances in every station are being prioritised, so that after this rollout, every station in NSW will have at least one appliance with an MDT and access to all the information it provides. This will be achieved by September 2016. Later rollouts will then ensure that every appliance has an MDT.