Commissioner

Open Day delights thousands

Thousands of people flocked to fire stations across NSW last Saturday for our annual Open Day. Families came along to meet their local firefighters and learn more about fire prevention, including how to ReAlarm their home against fire with photo-electric smoke alarms. Crews got into the spirit by setting up smoke alarm displays, cutting up cars, demonstrating kitchen fat fires and even building their own LEGO City fire station (well done Tamworth!). Hundreds of kilos of sausages were consumed and LEGO City supported FRNSW by providing a limited number of LEGO City minifigures and limited edition Brigade Kids activity books. I visited the State Training College at Alexandria where FRNSW staff again went to great lengths to put on an impressive show for the many hundreds of people who visit each year.

Unfortunately a number of fire stations in Sydney were closed due to the 4th Alarm factory fire at Banksmeadow. For stations that missed all or most of Open Day, I encourage you to open the engine bay doors on another day – or take part in a local community event. Families who were disappointed on Saturday may also take the opportunity to pop in and say hello sometime; please make them welcome, talk to parents about the ReAlarm campaign, and give out any LEGO kits or colouring books you have left over. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making Open Day such a great success.

Firefighters join Forces for burns units

For nine days between 9 May and 17 May, 100 permanent and retained firefighters from FRNSW and Queensland Fire & Emergency Services (QFES) cycled more than 1,000 km from Sydney to Brisbane to raise money for the burns units at their respective children’s hospitals. Leaving from Berowra, their journey took them through the Central Coast, Hunter Valley, New England, and south-eastern Queensland via the Great Dividing Range and the Richmond Ranges before arriving at Brisbane’s Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital. The epic journey included distances of up to more than 140km per day with riders encountering heavy rain, strong headwinds, temperature extremes and climbs exceeding 1,400 metres in some locations. Despite this, all riders agreed their discomfort was insignificant compared to the ordeals faced by children who suffer serious burns and require the long-term support of the burns units at children’s hospitals.

I am humbled by the effort and commitment shown by the riders, the support team and everyone involved in this event and I congratulate them all on their achievement. The NSW team has so far raised more than $90,000 for the Burns Unit at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. If you would like to help them reach their target of $100,000 donations can still be made at www.400in4.org. For more details and images from the 2016 ride, see the intranet story.

Help shape FRNSW’s Code of Ethics and Conduct – staff feedback invited

Since our current Code of Conduct was released in July 2009, various changes have occurred internally and across the sector, including publication of the Public Service Commission’s Code of Ethics and Conduct for NSW Sector Employees. Government agencies are required to implement this Code by either adopting it or incorporating it into their own Codes of Conduct.

We have comprehensively reviewed our current Code of Conduct and transformed into a contemporary Code of Ethics and Conduct with 10 principles to which everyone in FRNSW – all employees, contractors and volunteers – must adhere.

The Code of Ethics and Conduct is one of our most important documents. It defines the minimum standards of behaviour we expect of each other, and that others can expect of us. It satisfies the requirements of the Behaving Ethically framework and is closely aligned with both FRNSW and NSW government sector values. It also reflects the desired standards and culture of FRNSW, and of the wider Justice Cluster.

I have sent the draft Code to the FBEU and the Public Service Association for consultation and feedback. I also encourage you to review the draft and discuss it with your colleagues. Please note that the draft’s current format and presentation are not its final appearance – once content is finalised, the document will be professionally reproduced – so comment should be on content only. Please email your feedback to workplacestandards@fire.nsw.gov.au by Friday 3 June with the subject line Feedback: Code of Conduct. For any specific queries, email Elise Ayre, Workplace Standards on Elise.Ayre@fire.nsw.gov.au.

Public Comment and Social Media Policy approved

FRNSW’s Public Comment and Social Media Policy has now been finalised and published on the intranet. Our operations and activities attract significant attention in the media and the wider community. With multiple social media accounts and many followers, we are building meaningful and responsive relationships with our own employees, our communities and other stakeholders.

Making public comment online is increasingly common for FRNSW employees in official, professional, and private capacities. FRNSW recognises the opportunities and benefits for employees to embrace these communication channels and seeks to provide employees with clear guidelines on appropriate use.

This policy establishes the professional behaviours, standards and ethics expected of all employees in regard to public comment, including use of social media. It supports employees in using social media positively for themselves, and when making official comment, in a way that enhances the reputation of FRNSW. Employees are encouraged to positively participate online, while meeting their responsibilities and obligations under the FRNSW Code of Ethics and Conduct and our values.

Audible navigation and message indicator added to MDTs

In the last issue of Commissioner’s Corner, I told you about an automatic update for ADASHI mobile data terminals (MDTs) and Lite devices. The data release included the latest Standard Operating Guidelines (SOGs) and Pre-Incident Plans (PIPs). As part of Operational Capability and IT's continued technology program, ADASHI devices will soon be automatically updated with new features and functions, as requested by you. This update includes audible navigation, an ESCAD message indicator, enhanced weather information and CFU status.

If you have feedback or comments on your MDT, contact the project team via the ADASHI Yammer group or the IT Service Desk. MDT user guides and factsheets are also available in the intranet toolkit (Toolkits > Operational > Operational Communications > Adashi First Responder). MDTs are currently installed in almost 200 appliances (including 14 SEVs) with plans to roll out more devices across Metro and Regional Operations in the 2016/17 financial year. For more information about the software update, see the intranet story.

2016 Emergency Management Conference a great success

As I mentioned in last Commissioner’s Corner, we held our Emergency Management Conference on 11 and 12 May. This was a critically important event that set key directions for the coming year, celebrated the achievements of our organisation and staff, and enabled all sections of the organisation to collaborate and work together to learn and plan for the future. The conference was attended by a wide range of staff from different areas and directorates with the various ranks also represented, ensuring a valuable cross-section of opinions and experiences and also strong cross-pollination of ideas.

I want to thank all of you who contributed in some way, whether large or small, to make the Conference such a success. This included those involved in the months of planning to ensure everything ran smoothly, those who spoke and gave presentations during the conference to share their knowledge and experience, and all of you who participated or provided feedback and input. Information from the conference will shortly be available online.

Permanent Firefighter recruitment campaign closes 30 May

The 2016 Permanent Firefighter recruitment campaign opened Monday last week with more than 1,500 applications received on the first day alone. The campaign is running for two weeks, closing Monday 30 May.

The recruitment campaign always attracts a lot of interest in and candidates are encouraged to visit fire stations or talk to firefighters about the role. It is therefore important to familiarise yourself with the recruitment process by visiting the recruitment pages on our website or via the intranet toolkit (Toolkits > About You > Permanent Firefighters > Permanent Firefighter Recruitment Campaign). The information includes candidate guides, a process flow chart and FAQs. If you have any questions about the campaign or the recruitment process, please email recruitment@fire.nsw.gov.au. For more information, see the intranet story.

Last chance to do the 'People Matter' Employee Survey

This week is your last chance to participate in the NSW Government ‘People Matter’ Employee Survey. The survey enables you to give your opinion about how well public sector values and principles are being applied in FRNSW, and to say what you think about your job satisfaction, wellbeing at work and commitment to customer service. So far there has been a disappointing response with FRNSW lagging way behind response rates from other agencies, maybe people are ‘surveyed out’, are happy with the way things are, or perhaps jaded and cynical about whether there will be any purpose to it. Whatever the reason, please put aside a few minutes and give it a go.

The survey closes on Tuesday 31 May so please get involved and encourage your colleagues to participate as well. Be assured your responses are completely confidential and anonymous, and no individual responses will be identified. To access the survey, go to https://www.NSWEmployeeSurvey.com/?VID=NPSCF977.

FRNSW participates in Philippines USAR capacity assessment

Recently one of our USAR Team Leaders, Chief Superintendent Paul McGuiggan, travelled to the Philippines to represent Australia as part of a United Nations International Search and Rescue Advisory Group USAR Capacity Assessment Mission. This request was made by the Philippines government to support its disaster risk reduction efforts. The Philippines is an archipelago of 7,100 islands with a population of just over 100 million people, and is susceptible to various types of natural hazards due to its geographical location and physical environment. It is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area characterised by a belt of active volcanoes and earthquakes. The long coastline is also vulnerable to the risk of tsunami as well as typhoons.

Chief Supt McGuiggan was part of a multinational UN-led team which included representatives from China, Singapore and Japan. The team evaluated the existing Philippines capacity to respond to and mitigate the impacts of major incidents and national disasters, at both the environmental and operational levels. The team presented their findings to the Philippines government including recommendations to increase the capacity and capability of existing emergency services such as the police, fire and ambulance services, and military.

Supporting National Reconciliation Week

Tomorrow (26 May) is National Sorry Day, a day on which Australians express regret for the historical mistreatment of Aboriginal people. Following National Sorry Day, National Reconciliation Week will be celebrated between 27 May and 3 June. The dates commemorate two significant milestones – the anniversaries of the successful 1967 referendum and the landmark High Court Mabo decision in 1992. In the 1967 referendum, Australians voted in favour of changes to the Australian Constitution which recognised and gave voting rights to Indigenous Australians. The Mabo decision legally recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a special relationship with the land, which paved the way for land rights and Native Title.

Reconciliation is about building better relationships between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for the benefit of all Australians. It provides an opportunity for all of us to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements. I encourage staff to participate in reconciliation activities and events where possible as part of our commitment to Indigenous communities and the FRNSW Reconciliation Action Plan 2011–2016.

Saving lives is in our blood

Yesterday Chief Superintendent Mal Connellan represented FRNSW at the launch of the Australian Red Cross Blood Service’s annual Emergency Services Blood Challenge at Sydney Olympic Park along with the crew from Lidcome Fire Station. At the launch was blood recipient and NSW Police Dog Squad member Luke Warburton whose blood was replaced twice after he was shot on duty at an incident outside Nepean Hospital earlier this year. Luke’s story highlights the importance of blood donation and I’m pleased to see that his local fire station, 301 Glenbrook, has been strongly behind the community blood drive.

The challenge, which runs from 1 June to 31 August, pits emergency services against each other in an effort to raise stocks of blood during the busy winter period. Last year more than 5,000 lives were saved as a result of the challenge. If you are eligible to give blood, I strongly urge you to roll up your sleeve during the Blood Challenge (however please remember you must not give blood while on operational duty). For more information about firefighting and blood donations, please see the blood donation page on the Health and Medical Toolkit (Toolkits > Organisation-wide > Health, Fitness and Wellbeing > Health & Medical > Blood Donation).

Support the Salvos' Red Shield Appeal

In times of crisis, the Salvation Army is always there ready to help and all of us know of the incredible care and commitment of our Senior Chaplains, Major Lyndsay and Dawn Smith, and our network of Associate Chaplains. But it relies on the community’s generosity to keep its extensive network of social and community services running. The Salvos help people and communities to recover from major disasters such as bushfire and flood, and this supports and complements our role as an emergency service. In 2014/15, the Salvos provided assistance following nearly 300 emergency incidents in NSW, Queensland and ACT, including the Hunter Valley and Central Coast (April 2015 storms) and the Blue Mountains (long-term bushfire recovery).

You can support the vital work of the Salvation Army by giving to their Red Shield Appeal (to donate, go to: salvos.org.au/donate). Also consider whether you can volunteer for a couple of hours on the weekend of 28-29 May, doorknocking around your local community (sign up at: salvos.org.au/doorknock). You and your crew or work colleagues might also like to hold a morning tea and raise money that way. For more information, visit the website (https://salvos.org.au/).

4th Alarm fire at Banksmeadow burns for days

At 0831 hours on Saturday 21 May the first of many fire stations had their annual fire station Open Day plans disrupted when reports came through that a large meat processing factory in Green Street, Banksmeadow was on fire.

35 Botany and 56 Matraville were first on scene and reported that large volumes of black smoke were issuing from the medium-sized two-level factory complex.

Fire had taken hold of insulated sandwich panelling in the large cool room storage area as about 50 staff evacuated safely without injury. A 4th Alarm was responded to provide sufficient crews to enable regular changeover and rehabilitation as it quickly became obvious that this was going to be a protracted incident.

Three 70 mm lines together with numerous 38mm handlines and three aerials were deployed in an attempt to contain the fire spread. An offensive attack was initially deployed with the intent of pulling apart internal wall panelling to enable extinguishment. Unfortunately the fire had already taken hold of substantial sections of insulated sandwich panelling and efforts to contain the fire proved fruitless.

As the fire developed, heat began to impact the metal roof trussing and all internal crews had to be withdrawn as the entire roof area began to buckle and threaten collapse. The tilt slab walls in Sectors C and D also began to show signs of imminent collapse and a defensive strategy was adopted to ensure that firefighters were safe, and there was no fire spread to adjoining properties which had only several metres of separation. The decision was made to establish collapse zones and allow the fire to continue burning in the hope that increased fire activity would speed up building collapse enabling hose streams to penetrate.

Unfortunately Saturday had been extensively advertised as our annual fire station Open Day and many of the crews attending this fire had planned a large range of activities and events at their fire stations. The fire attracted a large media contingent and the Media Officer asked the media to assist FRNSW by passing on messages through radio and television advising the community that several of the surrounding fire stations that were due to participate in Open Day activities were unfortunately deployed to the major fire. The Media Team also tweeted closure information throughout the day advising the community to ring their local fire station before making the decision to visit, and Superintendents and Inspectors drove around to stations to advise disappointed visitors.

A two-level office building adjoining the packaging factory was successfully defended by firefighters and on Saturday afternoon a “human chain” of about 40 firefighters was deployed in an attempt to remove as much undamaged product as possible from an unaffected part of the building to several waiting trucks.

Hazmat crews kept a close watch on water runoff and testing was conducted at a number of locations around the fireground including the drainage feeds into Botany Bay to ensure that contamination was kept at a minimum. Air sampling was also conducted around the site, however fortunately its location within an industrial area meant that there was little smoke impact on residents in surrounding areas.

A fire duty was maintained overnight, and on Sunday it was determined that heavy demolition equipment would be brought in to commence a controlled demolition of the structure. This procedure was commenced on Sunday afternoon and continued on Monday morning. Once the threat of collapse was removed, crews were eventually able to access the burning panels and extinguish the blaze. The premises were handed over to the owners at Monday lunchtime.

It’s believed the fire may have started in an air conditioner compressor, however investigations are still ongoing. Congratulations to the several hundred firefighters who attended this incident over the three days. Despite the destruction of the meat processing plant, the adjoining office areas and also surrounding buildings situated in very close proximity escaped any major damage.

5th Alarm factory fire at Auburn

Just before 1400 hours on Wednesday 18 May, the first of several 000 calls were received reporting an explosion and fire in a plastic recycling factory on Highgate Street at Auburn.

19 Silverwater was on scene within six minutes and reported that a large developing fire was located under a building awning threatening several exposures. A 2nd Alarm response was requested. It was apparent that at least two workers had sustained burns and paramedics were called to assist.

Due to the highly flammable contents of the building, including recycled plastics, foam, cardboard and timber, the fire quickly took hold of the 50 x 50 metre structure and the response was increased to a 5th Alarm. As the fire developed, there were concerns that the roofing structure had become unstable and crews were immediately withdrawn and a defensive strategy implemented. The wall in Sector D also threatened to collapse and crews concentrated their efforts on successfully defending further factory complexes in B and C Sectors.

I attended the fire and was impressed with how quickly crews contained the situation. Two aerials, a ground monitor and numerous handlines quickly brought the fire under control, and although 80% of the large complex was destroyed, surrounding properties escaped any major damage.

Around 200 people were evacuated from the factory and surrounding buildings during the fire. It wasn’t until the next day that engineers assessed that the building was safe for investigators to enter. At this stage there are no suspicious circumstances and the fire cause is believed to be accidental. The fire duty was released the following evening. Well done to 19 Silverwater, 27 Parramatta, 55 Guildford, 57 Wentworthville, 72 Merrylands, 85 Chester Hill, 66 Rhodes, 62 Bankstown, 30 Lidcombe, 59 Eastwood, 97 Huntingwood, 47 Revesby, 13 Alexandria, 16 Concord and 96 Schofields.

Q: I understand the build at Greenacre is coming on well and Head Office staff will be moving out there early next year. That’s all well and good, but I’ve heard you can’t get there on public transport. Is that true? If I have to drive, where can I park?

A: Exceptional progress has been made on our new head office, 1 Amarina, at Greenacre and we expect most staff will move to the new building in February 2017. The 1 Amarina toolkit has recently been updated with detailed FAQs, transport options and parking information. Contrary to rumour, frequent bus services are available from Strathfield train station to the new office. These bus services also directly connect Bankstown, Liverpool, Burwood and Hurstville with Greenacre. If you are driving, a number of parking spaces will be available on site with Bunnings Warehouse happy to provide overflow parking next door. To view all the information available, visit the 1 Amarina toolkit (Toolkits > Organisation Wide > Asset Management & Property > 1 Amarina). Please forward on any questions or feedback to 1amarina@fire.nsw.gov.au.

Q: Is it true that all of the questions for the next scheduled LF exam have been taken from the old NSWFB "white reader" which has not been updated since it was first published in May (volume 1) and December (volume 2) 1996 and contains numerous outdated and superseded SOGs?

A: The good old rumour mill is wrong again. The question bank for the Leading Firefighter knowledge test has been sourced from a wide range of FRNSW resources and reflects a contemporary level of knowledge that would be expected from a Senior Firefighter. Great care has been taken to ensure that all questions reflect current FRNSW SOGs, policies and procedures, and while the White Reader is being used as a reference for some of the questions, outdated learning material within the White Reader has been discarded. To access a list of the reference material that you need to study, click on: http://intranet/toolkit/about-you/firefighters/rank-progression/progression-from-sf-to-lf-application2