Commissioner’s Corner

GENERAL

Retirement of Deputy Commissioner Jim Smith AFSM

Last week Deputy Commissioner Smith advised that he will retire from FRNSW on 8 April this year. Like me, those of you fortunate enough to have known Jim will be saddened by his departure. After 36 years of outstanding service, Jim made what I know was a very difficult decision for him – to leave an organisation that he loves and to which he dedicated his working life.

Jim achieved a great deal during his career, and worked in many roles. These included many frontline operational roles in very busy stations, Zone and Area Commander positions, Fire Safety Inspector, Officer-in-Charge of specialised sections including Bushfire/Natural Hazards, and Assistant Commissioner/Director Community Safety. When Deputy Commissioner John Benson retired, Jim was the successful applicant from an outstanding field. He also acted as Commissioner of the NSWSES for more than a year, providing outstanding leadership during the organisation’s most challenging period in its history. He is highly respected both within and outside FRNSW.

Jim has been a source of wise counsel and support to me for many years. He will be greatly missed by all, and his departure will be a huge loss. However I am also pleased for Jim and his family that he will now enjoy a well-earned retirement, knowing the legacy he has left the emergency services, the people of NSW, and FRNSW, which is a better organisation thanks to his efforts. A retirement function is planned for later in the year and details will be circulated when available.

International Women’s Day – FRNSW’s Pledge for Parity

Last Friday, 11 March, FRNSW was privileged to have the company of NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn APM at City of Sydney Fire Station to celebrate International Women’s Day. I was delighted to see so many staff pack into the Sweatman Room to hear Deputy Commissioner Burn share some of her experiences, and her thoughts on this year’s International Women’s Day theme ‘Stepping Up for Gender Parity’.

Deputy Commissioner Burn, who has worked in a diverse range of roles at the NSW Police, spoke about starting out in the force in 1984, and often being the first woman in many areas. However she said that being a female often had a positive effect on workplaces and on the community she was serving. Regarding the ‘Pledge for Parity’, Deputy Commissioner Burn was firm in saying the community is way beyond talking about the ‘why’, but rather should be concentrating on the ‘how’.

Before introducing Ms Burn, I took the opportunity to reflect on the 31 years since the first women joined FRNSW and to outline our own ‘Pledge for Parity’. We have definitely come a long way in the past 31 years, but we still have a way to go to achieve gender parity. A quick calculation suggests that it will take 365 years to achieve gender parity if we sit back and don’t do anything about it. We proved last year that if we make a bit more of an effort, there are lots of women who may not have thought of firefighting as a career, but who will apply if it is brought to their attention as a career choice. Last year we had a 40% increase in the number of women who applied, after just a little bit more of an effort. And if the past 31 years have shown us anything, it’s that we certainly don’t need to drop standards to have women on the frontline.

The 2016 Permanent Recruitment campaign, which will open on 16 May, will deliver equal numbers of men and women to the recruit classes. For more information about our pledge and to watch Ms Burn’s presentation and my announcement, see the intranet story. What will this mean in real terms? A total of 10 more women, and 10 less men in recruit classes over the next 12 months. That is because we are currently tracking at around 60/40 in any case. So in reality the announcement is largely symbolic - it will mean we achieve parity in a generation instead of 365 years. The real impact is that hopefully the mere announcement will attract the attention of more women, and result in larger numbers of applicants.

I need to make mention of a very negative phenomenon. As an FBEU member and a former State Committee member, I am proud that the FBEU nailed its colours to the mast and, as it did in 1984, indicated strong support for the decision to do something positive about gender mix. The poison that has since emerged in some social media posts against the FBEU and some individual officials (who I know can stick up for themselves and probably won’t welcome “the boss” making comment), is quite simply atrocious. Thankfully the contemptuous comments are from a minority. If you have concerns, by all means raise them in a constructive manner and seek answers.

New technology puts FRNSW at the cutting edge of emergency management

On Monday 7 March, the Minister for Emergency Services David Elliott joined me at St Ives for a demonstration of FRNSW’s latest technology. Remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS, or drones as they are commonly known), mobile data terminals and mobile command centres were all on display. We are investing in the best technologies available to help make critical decisions easier and faster, putting us at the cutting edge of emergency management.

The two new drones are part of a multi-million-dollar technology rollout to FRNSW, which also includes two custom-built mobile command centres that replace the old ICVs, and the installation of more than 180 mobile data terminals in fire alliances across NSW. These vehicles and equipment are already proving vital in our operations and will ensure that we remain a world class fire, rescue and hazmat service. For more information, see the intranet story.

11 years at the Mardi Gras

On Saturday 5 March, FRNSW again took part in the 38th Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras parade. We were represented by around 80 firefighters, trades and admin staff and their friends and families, led by A/Deputy Commissioner Mark Whybro and A/Director Community Safety Chris Lewis. Unfortunately this year I was unable to join in, however I did see off our contingent from City of Sydney fire station. To me, discriminating against anyone for any reason including gender, background or sexual orientation is an alien concept – it is totally unacceptable and I applaud the respect and inclusiveness promoted by Mardi Gras. More than 170 floats took part in the 2016 parade with hundreds of thousands lining the streets. In the 11th year of our participation, FRNSW was in good company with the Ambulance Service of NSW, NSWSES, NSWRFS, NSW Police Force, the Australian Army and Navy all making a united stand for diversity in the emergency services and defence forces. For more information and photographs, see the intranet story.

It’s time to REALARM

1 May 2016 marks the 10th anniversary of the introduction of NSW legislation to ensure all residential buildings have at least one working smoke alarm per floor. As manufacturers advise replacing ionisation smoke alarms every 10 years, millions of smoke alarms across the State are now reaching their ‘best before date’. For this reason, rather than the annual ‘change your smoke alarm battery’ messaging, in 2016 we will educate the community about the 10-year life span of ionisation smoke alarms and ask them to replace their older smoke alarms with new photoelectric smoke alarms (the only type recommended by Australian fire services). 

A simple campaign concept of ‘REALARM your home against fire’ has been designed to encourage the community to act. The ‘REALARM’ Smoke Alarm Awareness campaign will commence at the beginning of April to replace the usual ‘change your clock, change your smoke alarm battery’ messaging at the end of daylight saving.

The campaign will be supported by a number of public relations events and activities including a media launch, a Mother’s Day public competition and engagement with industry bodies and multicultural community groups. For firefighters the key is to capitalise on the influence you have with your local community and lead by example. Have you REALARMED? Do you have photoelectric alarms in your house? Have you checked on your friends and family members? For information see the intranet story.

Review of Retained Firefighter training

The Education & Training Directorate, in conjunction with Operational Capability, Human Resources and Area Commands, is beginning a review of Retained Firefighter training. This important project, which is sponsored by the Acting Deputy Commissioner, will review the training requirements of Retained Recruit Firefighters, and investigate more flexible models of Retained Recruits and further training based on operational needs and best practice. This will of course form the basis of discussions with the FBEU.

An opportunity to participate in a survey will be given to a random sample of Retained Firefighters and their Supervisors to assist the working party in making recommendations. I encourage all firefighters who are contacted to participate in this important review. Education & Training, in conjunction with Commands, will also support facilitated focus groups. Review outcomes and recommendations will be provided to me and to the Executive Leadership Team for consideration.

Kelso finish top in Forbes

Over the weekend of 12/13 March, I went to Forbes where the local Brigade played host to the first Regional Firefighter Championships for 2016. Over the two days, 20 teams competed in often very hot conditions at Stephan Field. Despite some events having to be shuffled around or cancelled due to the weather, the teams gave it their all with Kelso, Kootingal RFS and Nowra sitting in the top three spots at the end of day 1. Following a well contested second day, the top places remained the same with Kelso crowned champions on 1,114 points, Kootingal RFS second on 917 and Nowra third with 750 points. Congratulations to all competitors and to the Forbes Brigade for putting on a thoroughly entertaining event.

Minister launches Rotary NSW Emergency Services Community Awards

For the second year, State-wide awards encompassing all six NSW Emergency Service Organisations were launched on Wednesday last week at Parliament House in Sydney by the Minister for Emergency Services, David Elliott. The Rotary NSW Emergency Services Community Awards, an initiative of the Rotary Clubs of NSW, seek to acknowledge emergency services personnel for community service above and beyond the call of normal duty. I had the pleasure of speaking on behalf of all the emergency services in thanking the Rotary Clubs of NSW Australia and encouraged all the emergency services to participate in this great initiative.

Emergency service personnel will be nominated by colleagues or members of the community with a panel of independent judges called on to assess nominees. Nominations close on 20 April with finalists from each service announced ahead of the Gala Awards Ceremony in July. For more information, visit www.RotaryESCawards.org.au.

Participation in Harmony Day activities

This year, Monday 21 March is Harmony Day and is a great opportunity to provide key fire safety information and advice to culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, service providers and key stakeholders across NSW. Harmony Day is a Federal Government initiative aimed at all CALD communities living and working cohesively across the nation.

FRNSW will be conducting two Harmony Day activities, one in Wollongong on March 17 and one in Newcastle on March 22. We will also be supporting the Harmony Day event in Parramatta on March 23 in partnership with the Community Migrant Resource Centre. If there is a Harmony Day event close to your station, I encourage all staff to make contact with the organisers and attend. If you wish to host an event, contact the CALD Coordinator on 9742 7179. Further information about organising an event can be found at: www.harmony.gov.au.

Supporting our retired firefighters

A new volunteer Retirees’ Peer Support Program has been established to support retired firefighters and their families suffering personal difficulties. These difficulties can be mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, PTSD, anger and family breakdown. Retiree Peer Supporters are not counsellors but will direct retired firefighters with difficulties to professional help such as GPs, counsellors, workplace psychologist, psychiatrists and other agencies. Individuals requiring support will be treated with respect and all conversations treated with the utmost confidentially.

For the program to be successful, a team of Retiree Peer Supporters is required to work alongside our existing Peer Support Team. Recruitment of this team is now underway with information available on the NSWFB Retirees Association website. Current firefighters can help by telling their retired colleagues about the program. For more information, call or email Graham Manners (0413 240 380, retiredpeersfrnsw@gmail.com); or FRNSW’s Wellbeing Co-ordinator (9265 3910, mark.dobson@fire.nsw.gov.au).

SABRE – what we do best when it comes to seniors fire safety

Each year FRNSW visits approximately 10,000 homes across NSW to install smoke alarms or replace their batteries. Seniors remain the community group most at risk of being injured or dying in a house fire. We need to ensure their smoke alarms are working and they have plans for a safe escape.

From 1–10 April, 300,000 seniors will attend various events as part of this year’s NSW Seniors Festival. The festival (previously known as Seniors Week) has evolved to become the largest event for seniors in the Southern Hemisphere. For stations, the festival provides a great opportunity to work with local councils and RSL Clubs to promote the SABRE program and engage seniors in fire safety. I encourage you to contact your local Council or RSL club to see how your station can get involved. There are many resources available to support your seniors community engagements. These include a toolkit for firefighters delivering fire safety talks to seniors groups (Toolkits > Operational > Community Safety > Seniors > Senior Ed), a toolkit for firefighters working with their local RSL Club (Toolkits > Operational > Community Safety > NSW RSL & Services Clubs Partnership), and the Seniors Festival website for information on events in your station area.

Churchill Fellowship applications closing soon

A Churchill Fellowship provides an overseas travelling allowance of up to $25,000 to fund suitable research projects. The application process, which is open to all sectors of the Australian community, is highly competitive and interested firefighters and administration staff requiring further information should go online at http://www.churchilltrust.com.au/application-process/how-to-apply. The application dates have changed since last year with applications opening last week and closing on Sunday 15 May 2016. The application process itself has also changed with the entire process now being done online.

Anyone interested is encouraged to contact Superintendent Ian Krimmer on 9265 2948 for advice on the application process. Please note that the research proposal should demonstrate a benefit to the broader Australian community, not only FRNSW. As a 1995 Churchill Fellow (which enabled me to research approaches to incident command, rescue, USAR and bushfire fighting in the UK, France, Spain, the USA and Canada) I am a strong supporter of the unique opportunities that a Fellowship can provide.

Permanent Firefighter recruitment issue investigated and corrected

In mid-February I advised all staff that some Permanent Firefighter applicants had been wrongly advised that they would be progressing to the next stage of the recruitment process. As soon as we became aware of what had happened, we immediately contacted all affected applicants personally to advise them of the situation. FRNSW have since investigated this issue together with the Public Service Commission; the cause was identified as a glitch in the JobsNSW TALEO system. TALEO has previously proved very reliable, nevertheless what happened is clearly unacceptable and deeply regrettable for all involved. A number of remedial actions have since been taken to ensure that the problem does not recur.

Five years since the Great East Japan Tsunami

Members of the USAR Task Force that responded to the Great East Japan Tsunami were invited by the Sydney Japanese Society to attend a special five year Commemoration Service at St Matthews Church at Manly on Friday 11 March. The service commenced at 1600hrs with a minute’s silence held at 1646hrs, the exact moment the 30-metre wave hit the east coast of Japan, killing over 18,000 people.

Superintendent Kim Reeson spoke on behalf of the FRNSW Task Force and during an emotional ceremony accepted a commemorative plaque from a university student who was in Minamisanriku and had miraculously survived the tsunami. Many other survivors of the tsunami were flown across from Japan by the Japanese Society to take part in the Commemorative Service and a weekend of other events.  The huge audience on Friday night were treated to a spectacular and at many times emotional presentation of dancing, singing, calligraphy, videos, speeches and a Japanese drum spectacular – all depicting the massive impact of this event on Japanese society.

Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who was Prime Minister at the time of the tsunami and approved the response of the FRNSW Task Force, could not attend but sent a recorded message paying tribute to all involved in the massive rescue efforts. The Japanese Consul General acknowledged and thanked the FRNSW team for their efforts under difficult and traumatic conditions. Assistant Commissioner Rob McNeil who was the Task Force leader is currently in Japan on a personal holiday attending other commemorative events.

INCIDENTS

Dramatic rescue from Lakemba unit fire

At 2130 on Thursday 10 March crews responded to reports of a unit fire in Wangee Road at Lakemba. Due to the number and nature of the calls a 2nd Alarm was immediately responded with reports that people were trying to jump from windows.

64 Lakemba and 52 Campsie crews arrived within seconds of each other and confirmed that a woman was trapped on a window sill and was being threatened by flames issuing from the window above her head. Firefighters called out to the woman to remain until they could rescue her. Firefighters applied a water spray above her head to protect her from the growing flames. An extension ladder was quickly deployed and the woman was safely rescued from the window ledge. Another crew entered the unit block and attempted an offensive attack through the front door of the burning unit.

Fire crews conducted further searches of the unit and determined that everyone had safely escaped. Approximately 80 occupants of other units were evacuated as a precaution and the fire was quickly brought under control within about 20 minutes. There was some fire spread to the unit above but this was quickly dealt with. Further investigations revealed that the fire appeared to have started in the kitchen area and was fuelled by several small aerosol style LPG cylinders in the kitchen area.

As more details emerged it became apparent that just prior to brigade arrival the woman had successfully dropped two children aged 2 years and 2 weeks from the kitchen window into the arms of neighbours and passersby below. Two people were transported to hospital with minor burns and cuts and a third person was treated on scene by paramedics.

The incident attracted enormous media attention both here in Australia and overseas with the story of the young children being thrown to safety from the window. Superintendent Adam Dewberry conducted many interviews praising the rapid response and actions of firefighters. I also wish to add my congratulations to all attending crews for a job well done. Crews attended from 64 Lakemba, 52 Campsie, 62 Bankstown, 47 Revesby, 15 Burwood, 21 Kogarah and 34 Riverwood.

Major Hazmat incident at Beresfield

A major Hazmat incident at a poultry processing factory at Beresfield kept crews busy on Monday 7 March. Ambulance Paramedics requested FRNSW assistance at the factory site in Hawthorne Street, Beresfield at around 0830hrs when a “chlorine type” leak was detected within the factory premises. When firefighters arrived it became apparent that several people were complaining of dizziness and nausea and as investigations continued, the size of the suspected leak became more obvious.

Crews from 377 Minmi, 454 Tarro, 260 Newcastle and 251 Cardiff were responded to the factory complex as it was determined that a cleaning agent used to sterilise equipment within the poultry processing area had leaked into the local factory environment. Factory workers had managed to isolate the leak but residue gas was affecting numerous workers in the area. Close to 1000 workers were evacuated from the factory complex as Hazmat crews established an exclusion zone and set up monitoring posts inside and around the large complex.

Local hospitals in the area were placed on alert as multiple Paramedic crews and ambulances were responded to the factory site to treat and transport over 40 workers affected by the fumes. At one stage a fire crew was also responded to the nearby Mater hospital to provide decontamination to several patients transported from the incident site.

Crews in SCBA and chemical spillage suits flushed water through sections of the factory pipe work to flush out residue chemicals. All runoff water had to be contained in detention tanks on site for safe disposal after the incident. The area was finally declared safe at around 1130hrs and workers allowed to return to the factory areas. Safework Australia and the Environmental Protection Authority are working with the factory owners to further investigate the cause of the incident.

ASK THE COMISSIONER

Q: We have heard that FRNSW is establishing a ‘Situation Room’ to replace the MICC. Will this be a virtual command for incidents and how will it be staffed?

A: Last year I asked the previous Director Operational Capability, AC Mark Brown (now Chief Officer in the ACT) to commence the establishment of a Strategic Operations Centre or ‘SOC’ at Alexandria. The concept of the room was to provide 24/7 situation assessment at a State, national and international level. The SOC will provide support to Incident Commanders in the field, but is not a virtual command. Initially Superintendent David Lewis set the groundwork for the room with Superintendent Warwick Kidd tasked to complete the project.

Although the room will be staffed by the RESCO and several of our ComCen people with a Superintendent as the manager, it will remain separate from FireCOM. The room will feature state-of-the-art IT tools to support our Commanders prior to their arrival at an incident. The SOC will also have an advisory role for our regional Commanders where travel time to incidents can see them isolated for long periods.

The SOC will be fully functional in the second quarter of the year and will result in a significant improvement in how we gather, analyse and disseminate information about incidents. Once the SOC is fully operational, we will provide more details in Commissioner’s Corner and an overview on the intranet.

Q: The announcement of 50/50 recruiting sounds alright on the surface, and if 120 people are recruited next year, there will be 60 men and 60 women in classes. How do you think the 61st man who misses out will feel, and what would you say to him? 

A: He would feel the same as the 61st woman – very disappointed; just like the 1,000th man and 1,000th woman. I would advise him to keep trying and not to give up, which is the advice I would give to everyone.

There is a broader issue here – many people in FRNSW feel that they have the right to be the arbiters of who gets in and who doesn’t, just like a club. Reality check: we are a Government agency owned and payed for by the community, and all we can realistically demand is that the person on the truck with us meets recruitment standards and has been properly trained. Fair enough, and I can give everyone that guarantee.

Unfortunately far more people apply to be firefighters than there are jobs available. This means that every year thousands of potentially excellent firefighters, both men and women, miss out. I genuinely feel for them. The majority of firefighters are men, and all of us have networks: sporting clubs, schools, associations. Other men in those networks see how much we enjoy our rewarding careers, and they want in. The same is not the case for women – they are a minority and therefore the networks don’t reach as far. “Word of mouth” marketing is not as effective, as firefighting is not seen as a “traditional” female role. For example, when I read to my grandson, the only books I can find about firefighters only feature men. Recruiting women is therefore far more difficult than attracting men – not because they don’t want to, but because most don’t even know that is an option.

Equity is about opening up the same opportunities to everyone, and all fire services in Australia are committing to doing so. We are the biggest, and I think the best, and therefore we need to show leadership. Chief Officer Mark Brown in the ACT blazed the 50/50 trail, and I applaud him for that. This decision will not be popular with everyone, and I also know that some women are quite concerned. Change can be challenging for some, and I understand why. However I am fully committed to making this change because I have seen during my 38 year career the positive changes women have brought to our culture. It is likely, like Police, that we will never have equal numbers of men and women. But less than 5% says that we haven’t even tried, and that the barriers (often invisible to men) will probably never come down. One day everyone will look back and ask what the fuss was about.

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.