COMMISSIONER’S BUSINESS
NSWFB helping prevent loss of homes in bushfires
Today I had the pleasure of handing over a CFU at Winchester Avenue,
Lindfield, on Sydney’s north shore. This CFU has important personal
significance to me as it is the street where I rescued a resident
when I was the Inspector in charge of operations at the Lane Cove
Valley fire in 1994.
Seventeen houses were lost in the area on 8 January 1994 and while
it’s accepted that many bushfires are inevitable, it’s
encouraging to know that our CFU initiative may prevent other losses
in the area in the future.
2004 Recruitment Campaign
Yesterday Minister Tony Kelly and I launched this year’s recruitment
campaign at City of Sydney Fire Station. Advertisements for the campaign,
which runs from Saturday 20 November until Friday 3 December, will
appear in tomorrow’s newspapers. Information regarding the application
and selection process can be accessed via our website: www.fire.nsw.gov.au
Over the next few weeks, it is highly likely that stations will be
contacted by people wanting to find out more about our organisation
and the role of firefighters. I would appreciate your support in assisting
and encouraging all these potential applicants, as we continue to
strive to build a highly-skilled and diverse workforce.
Going back to basics
Last weekend I visited Captains from Region West as they attended
a skills maintenance weekend at the Wellington Training Centre. Captains
from Zones West 3 and West 4 attended the weekend. The training reinforced
the importance of their crews completing Compartment Fire Behaviour
Training (CFBT).
The Captains were also given refresher training in basic skills such
as hose handling, branch techniques, ICS and size-up. This will enable
them to better deliver ‘back to basics’ training at their
stations. It’s great to see this initiative being adopted so
enthusiastically across the organisation.
I spoke to several of the Captains after they completed CFBT and
they were very positive in their feedback. Well done to SIC West 4,
Station Officer Tony Lenthall and the rest of the team at the Wellington
Training Centre for organising such a successful weekend.
OPERATIONAL UPDATE
Smoke alarms and escape plans – the message is getting across
A family of 10 were saved from tragedy on Wednesday night thanks to
their smoke alarm and quick action to implement their home escape
plan.
Firefighters were called to the house fire in Seven Hills just before
7.30pm. They found the house totally involved with fire, and large
volumes of smoke issuing.
After their smoke alarm was activated, the two parents and their
eight children implemented their home escape plan and evacuated the
building before crews arrived. The fire was contained by crews from
43 Seven Hills, 57 Wentworthville and 63 Blacktown.
The successful evacuation of the family is in part due to the efforts
of local stations and Community Risk Management in promoting home
fire safety in the area.
As reported in Commish’s Corner 322, with over 15,000 CARS
activities already in the database, it’s proof that you are
playing a substantial role in preventing tragedies in your areas.
However I would implore you all not to get complacent but continue
to push fire safety messages to your communities. The next activity
you undertake might save a life.
Exercise Explorer DVD/VHS Rollout
The Exercise Explorer DVD/video is on its way to stations. Created
and produced by the Public Affairs and Communications Strategy Unit
(PACSU) in consultation with the Counter Terrorism and Aviation section,
the final product is a result of suggestions from the SOPP.
The video presents a case study of the Exercise Explorer counter-terrorism
exercise conducted in July this year. The video captures and highlights
the complexity of a multi-agency emergency response to a building
collapse involving fatalities, deeply entrapped casualties and the
‘walking wounded’.
Before viewing the video, read the background information provided,
view it as a group, and discuss and analyse it at the conclusion.
Suggested points for discussion are included with the materials.
I also ask that individuals complete their USAR CAT 1 CD and submit
assignments to Rescue for certification. If you are already certified,
use the CAT 1 CD for revision.
A special email account for questions or suggestions has been set
up at explorer.nswfb@fire.nsw.gov.au and will be answered by the Manager,
Counter Terrorism and Aviation.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Gunnedah bravery awards
Last Friday night Assistant Commissioner, Murray Kear presented two
unit commendations to fire officers from Gunnedah Fire Station for
their courageous actions at two incidents in Gunnedah.
Firefighters were commended for an incident on 2 August, 2001 when
a house in Bloomfield Street, Gunnedah caught alight and they entered
the house and rescued a trapped child.
The second incident occurred on 25 January, 2003 when there were
several massive explosions in a factory on Borthistle Road, Gunnedah.
Firefighters entered the burning and damaged factory and carried out
numerous searches for possible victims. Firefighters also worked throughout
the night to contain the blaze and saved numerous surrounding properties.
National Medals were also presented at the event attended by local
politicians, emergency services, families and friends and a great
night was had by all.
Skin Cancer Action Week
With summer just around the corner, the Cancer Council is holding
Skin Cancer Action Week to remind us to ‘Slip, Slop, Slap, Wrap’.
While we might think that our firefighting uniforms protect us from
the sun, we should all still be applying sunscreen to any exposed
skin. All appliances should also have sunscreen and each firefighter
should have their own cap and broad-brimmed hat. You can even order
a pair of eye-catching NSWFB sunglasses if you like (see Standing
Orders 2003).
The Cancer Council gives several sun protection measures at www.cancer.org.au
If you would like more information about skin or cancer in general,
call the cancer helpline on 13 11 20 or contact NSWFB Health Services
on 9265 2800 or 1800 425 282.
Ladder 49 film
Some of you may have already heard about the film ‘Ladder 49’,
which opens in cinemas around Australia on 6 January 2005.
The film follows the life of a young recruit firefighter as he joins
a fire station in Baltimore, Maryland and becomes part of the crew.
The movie gives a fairly realistic picture of the life of an American
firefighter, which we will be able to relate to.
See www.ladder49.com and http://www.firehouse.com/ladder49 for more
information.
The film features big names such as John Travolta and Joaquin Phoenix.
It will obviously be very popular among Australian firefighters as
it reflects many aspects of firefighting culture and ethos (‘a
bond forged by fire is never broken’). However, it should also
have good appeal in the community at large. And fortunately for us,
911 (the American emergency number) does not feature anywhere in the
film.
After discussions with the film’s distributors, Buena Vista,
we have been advised that there will no Australian premiere and therefore
we will not be involved in the promotion of the film locally.
If your station is approached by your local cinema to promote the
film, consider using it as an opportunity to promote home fire safety
and our service. For ideas on how to capitalise on any publicity opportunities,
contact your regional Public Affairs Officer.
UPCOMING EVENTS
RTA Cycle Sydney 2004
The 2004 RTA Cycle Sydney will be held on Sunday 28 November. The
event is a community cycling event organised by Bicycle NSW.
The cycle is from North Sydney to Parramatta over a 50km route or
from Brays Bay to Parramatta over a shorter 20km route.
If your crew is interested in taking part, please contact Rebecca
Mason at the RTA on 9218 3572 or Rebecca_Mason@rta.nsw.gov.au for
a Team Challenge Kit.
Last 000 for the Year
The final 000 party for this year, the 000 Christmas party, will be
held on Friday 3 December at the Glasshouse, UTS Broadway. Peachy
will be providing the tunes and it all gets underway at 8pm.
Relief & Welfare Fund 2004 annual general meeting
The annual general meeting of the NSWFB Relief & Welfare Fund
Inc will be held on Thursday 9 December at the Recruit Firefighters
Mess Room, State Training College, Alexandria at 6.30pm.
All members are entitled to nominate for vacant committee positions.
This year there are seven vacancies. All nominations must be forwarded
to the secretary no later than close of business Thursday 2 December.
Elected members serve for a two-year period.
All members are invited to attend. Light refreshments will be served
at the conclusion of business. To assist with catering, please advise
the secretary if you are planning on attending in writing to PO Box
A830, Sydney South NSW 1235.