COMMISH’S CORNER

Friday 3 June, 2005 Number 350 NSWFB The Rumour Mill No (02) 9265 2627
CURRENT NATIONAL SECURITY ALERT LEVEL : MEDIUM

COMMISSIONER’S BUSINESS
Winter Fire Safety Campaign
I launched the NSWFB’s Winter Fire Safety Campaign at the home of Station Officer Lance Haigh in Sydney’s inner west on Wednesday. Recent fire deaths have reinforced the need for the NSWFB to spread winter fire safety messages throughout the community. The campaign materials are on the intranet and I encourage firefighters to use them to increase awareness of the particular hazards at this time of the year and help people protect themselves and their families. Thanks to SO Haigh, his wife Chris, and FF Christian Haigh for their hospitality and allowing the media into their home.

Recognition of NSWFB expertise
Last week the Minister for Emergency Services, Tony Kelly MLC, displayed his and the government’s confidence in the NSWFB’s capabilities and expertise in emergency and disaster management when he formally appointed me as Deputy Chairperson of the State Emergency Management Committee. My first duty was to chair a meeting of the SEMC on Thursday.

Country station visits
Next Wednesday I will head out to Condobolin for the Region West Management Team Conference. I will visit Blayney, Canowindra, Cowra, Grenfell, West Wyalong and Condobolin fire stations on Wednesday and Thursday, and look forward to meeting the dedicated retained firefighters at those stations.

OPERATIONAL UPDATE
Tragic weekend

Last weekend firefighters from South and West Regions had to deal with two tragic fires. On Saturday night, crews from 386 Mount Victoria, 226 Blackheath and 343 Katoomba attended a house fire where a 13 year-old-girl lost her life. Early on Sunday morning, 305 Goulburn and 234 Bowral were called to a caravan fire. Sadly, an elderly man had perished in that fire also. These incidents, and another tragic fire at Warren in the far west, underline the importance of our winter fire safety campaign.

Leeton school and pub fires
Last weekend the crew from 360 Leeton had two major fires on the same day. At 0345 hrs on Sunday 29 May the crew responded to a fire at Leeton High School. On arrival, crews were confronted with a timber and iron building containing three science labs heavily involved in fire. An aggressive internal attack by the Leeton crew led by Captain Graham Parks, contain the fire to one laboratory. School principal Peter Edwards praised the Leeton crew and noted the outstanding job they did in minimising the impact of the fire on adjoining science labs.

Within hours of the school fire, the Leeton crew were again called out to a fire at the Wade Hotel in the main street of Leeton. When they arrived they found a fire in the rear of the hotel which was quickly spreading to the first floor. Once again the crew swung into action, quickly evacuating the building and extinguishing the fire.

On a lighter note, Inspector Dave Felton noted one young crew member was overheard stating to a new recruit, “We won’t ever lose a pub in Leeton while I’m around!”

Well done to all involved.

New water restrictions and fire hose reels
On 1 June Level 3 water restrictions came into effect in Sydney. Information on how the Level 3 water restrictions impact firefighting operations can be found on the Sydney Water website. Fire hose reels may not be used for domestic cleaning purposes under the tighter restrictions, although ordinarily, they can be.

Rescue guide for cars fitted with airbags
The emergency rescuers’ guide to cars fitted with Airbag Supplemental Restraint Systems (Airbag SRS) is now available on the State Operations page on the Intranet.

This booklet provides information on how to respond to rescues involving vehicles equipped with airbags and/or pyrotechnic seatbelt pretensioners as supplemental restraint systems, whether they do or do not deploy.

Station Commanders should bring this information to the attention of staff under their command. It is suggested that this topic be covered in the Station Training Program and recorded in firefighters’ Training Logbooks.

RUMOUR MILL
Rumour:
Is it true that due to increasing fuel prices travelling allowances are being increased accordingly?
Response: There is no intention to increase travel allowances across the Public Service due to volatile fuel prices.

Rumour: A recent safety bulletin refers to Natural Hazard Stations. When will these Stations come on-line, how will these stations be different to existing stations and what does this plan involve?
Response: It was planned to commence training Natural Hazard Stations in March. 15 stations had been selected for initial training; nine in the gSa, two in S3, two in W3 and two in N7. The Union has banned this initiative, and talks have been scheduled surrounding “productivity” issues.

All firefighters have an ability to work on roofs using the cordage pack on their appliance and basic cordage training to secure themselves using a static arrest system. The Natural Hazard Stations were to be trained to a higher level on a mobile arrest system which would have given them the capability to move around on roofs with safety.

Staff at Natural Hazards Stations would undertake two days training in safe working on roofs and one day on the repair of roofs. If the Natural Hazards Station was not already trained in chainsaws this would require an additional two days training. At the end of training the stations were to be issued with the necessary equipment to respond in support of other stations. It is hoped that discussions with the Union regarding productivity initiatives will resolve this issue.

NEWS IN BRIEF
Region North CFU Training Day

More than 620 people turned out for the Region North CFU training day at St Ives Showground last Sunday. As well as receiving training in the use of portable pumps and hoses, CFU volunteers heard presentations from the NSWFB, National Parks and Wildlife Service, RFS and St John Ambulance. A planned water-bombing demonstration by FireAir1 had to be called off when the chopper was called to assist Police with an emergency involving a vessel in distress at Barrenjoey Point, but volunteers did get the chance to inspect the helicopter before and after the incident. Future Region North CFU training days are planned for 17 July and 11 September.

Biggest Morning Tea
Last week’s Biggest Morning Tea was well-supported by the NSWFB. In recognition of our ongoing support, the CEO of the Cancer Council, Dr Andrew Penman, attended the Head Office morning tea to give a short talk and thank the NSWFB. Well done to Barbara Mathews who organised the Head Office event for the seventh time, raising $460. At other events, 36 Crows Nest raised $1800 and 69 Dee Why almost $900. Thank you to all involved.

Red Shield Reminder
The Credit Union account accepting donations for the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal will be closed on Monday 6 June so it can then be included in the Salvation Army's calculation of this year's total. The Salvos offer a tremendous amount of support to members of the NSWFB and their families, and I encourage you to support the appeal and help the Salvos continue their important work both with the NSWFB and within the community. If you haven’t yet donated, please dig deep and let’s try to break our previous record. Account details are: Account Name: Red Shield Appeal; Account No: 106796; Account Type: S1; BSB No: 802 825.

UPCOMING EVENTS
N5 Zone Conference

Station Officers and Captains from Zone North 5 will take part in a zone conference this weekend. None of our work is done in isolation, and it is important for station commanders to get together and discuss issues as well as talk to representatives from other areas within the NSWFB about the services they offer. All the best for a productive conference!

2005 World Police Futsal Tournament
In November this year the 11th World Police Futsal Tournament will be held in Belgium. The tournament is open to security and emergency services personnel from around the world. Futsal is a five-a-side indoor soccer game. The tournament will run for five days and the entry and accommodation package costs 130 euros (about $210). For more information contact SO Glenn Lockhart.

Softball competition
A new slow-pitch softball competition is being proposed for October/November. It will be a mixed competition with five male and five female competitors per team. The competition will cost $65 per person and will be held at the Rooty Hill Olympic softball venue. If you are interested, please contact the Sports email (sports@fire.nsw.gov.au). The team requires a manager, so please advise if you are interested in the position.

COMMISH’S CORNER
Commissioner’s e-mail:
Commissioner@fire.nsw.gov.au
Cora Sarmiento, Commish’s PA: 9265 2930
PACSU: fax 9265 2882
Commish’s Corner Rumour Mill: 9265 2627
To contribute a story, please contact Public Affairs Officers: Stephen Norris (West) 9265 2613, John Suter Linton (South) 9265 2802 or Natalie Laharnar (North) 9265 2631
Cut off for submissions is 12:00pm Thursday