Commissioner’s Corner

GENERAL

‘Hydrant Hero’ awareness campaign is getting results

Our ‘Hydrant Hero’ campaign is now halfway through and has been extremely well received. So far, the campaign’s social media reach through Facebook alone is 139,296 people, and the video has been viewed 7,673 times. Firefighters all over NSW have promoted ‘Hydrant Hero’ messages in their local media, and the coverage achieved in TV news, print and online is testimony to FRNSW’s great ability to connect. Fire station Facebook pages and noticeboards are also actively promoting hydrant awareness, and firefighters are sending in new ideas of what else we can do.

Since the campaign launched, local councils and CFUs have become involved and staff from Sydney Water have offered support. We have also received interest from fire services as far afield as Spain and Kenya , which may result in this approach of engaging the general public in hydrant care going international.

The two things I am most proud of are that firstly, this was a ‘grassroots’ idea – from around retained and permanent mess room tables, not from senior management, and secondly, that the safety message is being backed up by action, not just from firefighters – and I thank you on that score – but also from the public going out and taking care of hydrants. As the competition photos flood in, we can see that people are not just hearing about hydrants, but they are also taking action to find their hydrants and to clear them. We have two more weeks to prompt members of our local communities to take ownership of hydrant care. A round-up of campaign activity so far can be accessed on the intranet.

Improving our understanding of foam and the environment

On Monday this week we organised a seminar on the environmental aspects of firefighting foams for our senior officers and management. John Gorrie, Senior Environmental Officer with the Tasmanian EPA, who has heavily researched this issue, presented on the environmental benefits, risks and mitigation measures associated with using class A foams, with particular focus on compressed air foam systems (CAFS). Dr Val Spikmans from the University of Western Sydney also spoke on foam’s capacity to blanket the release of volatile organic compounds. With the growing use of CAFS within FRNSW, this was timely advice about foam from an environmental perspective.

Fire station centenaries and openings

We have had a busy round of events with a number of fire station openings and centenaries around the State late last year and early this year. Both are important – the centenaries provide a welcome opportunity to celebrate FRNSW’s long history of dedicated service to local communities, while the openings reflect major ongoing investment by the NSW Government to ensure that we continue to be a modern leading-edge emergency service well positioned to meet the challenges of the future.

On Saturday 6 February I headed up to the New England area where I joined Member for the Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall, firefighters and members of the community to celebrate Glen Innes Fire Station’s centenary (see the intranet story for more details). Firefighters have been protecting Glen Innes and surrounding communities since a volunteer brigade was formed in 1888 under Captain John Sully. The Board of Fire Commissioners took control of the brigade in 1910 and built the current station in Bourke St which the brigade moved into in 1916. The Glen Innes centenary follows recent centenaries at Singleton, South Grafton and Willoughby fire stations. While in the area I was able to visit the Armidale training site and speak to a class of new retained firefighters and their instructors. One of the ‘new recruits’ was A/Assistant Commissioner Graeme Finney who as Director of Education and Training decided he wanted a first-hand view of Phase 1 and 2 training.

Last Saturday Shayne Mallard MLC and Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore joined me for the official unveiling of the newly renovated Pyrmont fire station. A special street celebration was held to mark the station’s unveiling after 18 months and $2.7 million in renovations. The ageing facilities at the fire station, listed on the City of Sydney Local Heritage Register , were inadequate for a modern firefighting service and needed a major upgrade to meet standards and to conserve the heritage fabric of the building. The upgrade includes a renovated double engine bay and new mess, accommodation, ablutions, gym and storage facilities. The renovation brings Pyrmont Fire Station, which was built in 1906, up to modern standards as well as providing two upper floors of office space, which had been disused and closed off for decades. The integration of old and new elements is remarkable, and even “Harry the ghost’, alleged long-term resident of 38 station, is apparently happy.

I am also looking forward to the Windsor fire station opening and centenary of service which we are holding on 22 February.

Captain Chris Kane named Muswellbrook Citizen of the Year

392 Muswellbrook Captain Chris Kane was named Muswellbrook Shire 2016 Citizen of the Year at an Australia Day ceremony in Denman. Since joining the NSWFB in 1976, Captain Kane has responded to more than 4,600 calls, all while working full-time and raising a family. He has held his current position as Captain at Muswellbrook for the past 22 years. In addition, he has participated in numerous hours of community fire safety education, represented Muswellbrook at the State Firefighting Championships, won gold on the international stage when participating in the World Firefighter Games, and been a constant inspiration for younger firefighters coming up through the ranks. I congratulate Chris on his well-deserved award.

Primary schoolchildren learn about bushfire safety

On Thursday last week I attended the launch of a book on bushfire safety written, illustrated and produced by Year 3 students from Turramurra North Public School . It was very gratifying to see the work that the schoolchildren had done in researching bushfire safety, and then creating the book to inform other children and their parents. After the 2013 Winmalee fires, the children were concerned about the impact of bushfire on the community, so they met up with Blue Mountains residents, and the idea for the book flowed from that encounter. I spoke to a special school assembly of parents, teachers and students, as well as a media contingent about my own first experience of a major bushfire when I was in Year 3 at Terrey Hills Public School in 1968, and then my first experience actually fighting a fire at the age of 12 in 1971 when a fire broke out just down the road from the Turramurra North school, and roared into the back of Duffys Forest and Terrey Hills on the back of a westerly gale. I then fast-forwarded to 1994 when I was the Duty Commander in charge of the fires in the Lane Cove National Park . My thanks to the crews from 37 Gordon and the CAFS Tanker from 61 Lane Cove who attended and spoke to the children. FRNSW funding will enable copies of the book to be placed in every primary school library in NSW.

Thank you for helping in Tasmania

In last Commissioner’s Corner I reported on our .recent interstate bushfire deployments to Victoria , Western Australia and Tasmania (see the intranet story for more details). As follow-up to that, I wanted to share with you a typical thankyou that we received from a family in Sandy Bay, Tasmania. The family wrote: “Although we do not live in the affected bushfire region of our beautiful State, we wish to say thank you for sending firefighting personnel to assist ours combat the out-of-control fires in our State. Please if you can, pass on our sincere thanks to all these heroes, they have, and still are doing, an amazing job. Sometimes the public forget to say Thank you.”

Celebrating International Women’s Day

8 March 2016 is International Women’s Day, a global event which celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. We are continuing to work hard to achieve a more diverse workforce which includes a small but growing number of female firefighters.

Recent media coverage of diversity efforts by Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade reported on allegations that there may be a “drop in entry standards.” This week I organised a national teleconference of urban fire service chiefs, and can confirm that no Australian fire services, including ours, have or will reduce recruitment standards to accommodate women. This is because we don’t need to. As I have stated previously, such “cheap shots” are not only untrue, they are deeply offensive to the hundreds of women who have chosen the calling to be a firefighter and earned their place in the various fire services.

I cannot fathom why a very small minority of men appear to feel threatened by campaigns to increase the diversity of fire service workforces. To any who still feel like this, my advice is “get over it”, and please try to join the rest of us in the 21st century! The facts are that reams of research have proven that more diverse workforces lead to better working environments, more innovation and better decisions. We will be redoubling our efforts to increase the number of applicants from diverse backgrounds, not only in terms of gender.

To mark International Women’s Day and recognise the vital contribution of women to our organisation, FRNSW will be hosting an event close to this date. Details are still being finalised but we will advise staff as soon as these are locked in.

‘Big wheels’ on show at the Penrith Working Truck Show – are you going?

On 20 March our heritage partner, the Museum of Fire , is hosting its premier annual event, the Penrith Working Truck Show, which is now in its 29th year. I encourage everyone to attend this very popular event which offers a huge day of non-stop entertainment, rides and exhibits, and is a great day for all the family. The event is strongly supported by the Australia transport industry and features hundreds of vehicles on display, including the Museum’s showcase of historic fire appliances. For ticket prices and more information, go to: http://pwts.com.au.

An opportunity for young people to collaborate and identify professional development opportunities

As you might be aware, FRNSW is part of the broader Justice Cluster. In 2011 the cluster set up a Young Professionals Network (YPN) as a professional and social networking forum for employees 34 years or under. This YPN experienced a resurgence last year and over 150 young people from across the cluster have now become members. I am pleased to hear so many young public sector employees are meeting together to promote collaboration and identify professional development opportunities, and I encourage FRNSW employees (permanent and retained firefighters and also trade and admin staff) in this age bracket to also join this network.

The YPN will hold quarterly events throughout 2016, with the next event being held on 18 March at Department of Justice, Parramatta to discuss how to improve engagement with young employees who live in rural and remote areas. If you are 34 years or under and are interested in this event or want to find out more about the YPN and future events, please contact our FRNSW YPN representative Georgia Dawson on (02) 9265 2639 or at Georgia.Dawson@fire.nsw.gov.au

Keeping your heart healthy

In last Commissioner’s Corner I reminded all staff of the importance of looking after their heart, particularly during February which is Heart Research Month or REDFEB. On Monday this week, I was interviewed, along with the cardiologist who performed emergency surgery on me in 2012, in a segment on heart health awareness on Channel 9’s Today Extra Show. I shared my own experience and encouraged viewers to take steps to reduce their own risk of heart attack. In my case I had no serious “risk factors” and was fit and healthy, yet I suffered a near fatal heart attack whilst working out at a gym. Quite a number of people around my age have spoken to me since, and at least two of them subsequently discovered that they were a “heart attack waiting to happen” and needed surgery to clear blocked arteries. As I said in the interview – nobody is bullet-proof: please see your GP and organise some checks ASAP. For more information, see cardiovascular health on the Intranet.

INCIDENTS

Chemical fire and major hazmat operation in Tamworth

Tamworth firefighters had a busy morning on Sunday 7 February when fire broke out just before 0630 hours in a farming and agricultural chemical factory on Hargrave Street , Taminda, which is an industrial area west of Tamworth . Multiple 000 calls reporting fire and large explosions were received and 452 Tamworth crew reported a large plume of smoke as they proceeded towards the fireground.

The incident involved a medium-sized factory with a large working fire at the rear of the premises involving pallets of plastic containers. By the time crews arrived, the fire had penetrated into the factory which contained large quantities of fertilisers and other agricultural products. An offensive attack was initiated and a search and rescue operation determined that the building was unoccupied. Crews from 508 West Tamworth and the RFS were called in to assist with firefighting operations which continued for about an hour to rapidly bring the fire under control.

Once the fire was extinguished, the situation quickly changed to an extensive hazmat operation with crews required to wear fully encapsulated suits to deal with a range of unknown chemicals. Fire damage made access to the chemical storage areas very difficult and the operation proceeded throughout the day. As evening approached, it was decided to postpone further clean-up operations until the following morning.

A HART team with additional testing equipment was dispatched from Sydney early the following morning and a lengthy and delicate clean-up operation took place throughout Monday with the all-clear given around 1530 hours on Monday afternoon. Inspector Rod Chetwynd explained to the media that although many of the chemical contents were safe on their own, a major risk was created by numerous chemicals mixing together in a heated environment and then being contaminated with water.

Once made safe, the site was eventually handed over to the owners, the Environment Protection Authority and the local Council. Fortunately no-one was injured during the lengthy operation and Police are investigating the cause of the fire which they believe may be of a suspicious nature. Congratulations to all crews involved for rapidly containing the fire and continuing to work in difficult circumstances to render the site safe.

Waterfront building collapse at Pelican, Lake Macquarie

On Monday 8 February at 0952 hours Newcastle ComCen took a 000 call from a woman stating that she could feel that “her building was moving”. After making the call the elderly woman, who was a resident in a second floor unit, quickly and safely left the building as the front section collapsed into Lake Macquarie .

222 Belmont was first on scene at the Pelican Marina on Soldiers Road at Pelican, Lake Macquarie and reported that the entire front section of a two-storey marina building was collapsing into the lake. It appeared that the front piers had been undermined causing at least 50% of the large structure, including the well-known Milanos On The Lake Restaurant, to collapse into the waterway.

The first priority was occupant safety and crews quickly determined that the only two occupants in the building at the time of the collapse had escaped safely without injury. The next priority was to ensure that all power and gas supplies to the structure were isolated. Attention then turned to the presence of underground fuel storage tanks and hazmat crews swung into action to place booms around the waterfront to contain any contaminants. A structural collapse zone was established around the entire perimeter including the waterways. Water Police and RMS boats were kept busy keeping numerous sightseeing craft away from the site as there were concerns that the wake from passing boats was causing further instability.

Crews from 447 Swansea , 222 Belmont , 260 Newcastle and 377 Minmi attended the scene throughout the day as engineers made further assessments. The site was handed over to the owners and insurers just before 1500 hours. The entire structure and contents were severely damaged and full demolition of the remaining structure is now being considered. Thankfully this incident didn’t occur the day before when a group of around 100 patrons were inside the restaurant. Good work was done by all attending crews in quickly and safely securing the site.

ASK THE COMISSIONER

Q: I am a Captain that occasionally works at other stations. When I attend these stations am I still holding the rank of Captain? And furthermore am I in charge of the crew and therefore the Incident Commander at an Incident?

A: The rank of Captain is not confined to your own station. If you are a Captain at another station other than your base, then you should assume command if there are no permanent firefighters or the local Captain is not in attendance.

Q: I note that recently the 'Station Portal Phone Book' has changed to being the same as the Intranet Home page Phone Book. The 'Station Portal' is specifically focused at the operational (Fire Station) level of the brigade and has a great collective set of tools. Unfortunately the NEW Phone Book lacks a number of handy (for those at a station) search parameters. For example, firefighters looking for leave swaps can no longer search a leave group field. This is further hampered for firefighters as they have restricted access to SAM. Will the phone book be upgraded in the future to include all previous search parameters contained in the original Phone Book? 

A: Access to the old phone book is still provided through a link next to the “Phone Book Search” function on the Phone Book Intranet page.

CONTACT

Commissioner's email: Commissioner@fire.nsw.gov.au

Sandra Garcia, EA to Commissioner: 9265 2930

Ask the Commissioner: OfficeOfTheCommissioner@fire.nsw.gov.au

To contribute a story, please contact the Media and Communications Unit: 9265 2907.