COMMISSIONER’S BUSINESS
Open Day 7 May
I wish all stations every success for Open Day tomorrow.
Use Open Day as an opportunity not only to meet your local community,
but to reinforce the importance of home escape plans and fire drills,
household chemical safety and the need to install and check smoke
alarms. Recent tragic events have emphasised the need for all families
to be prepared and fire-aware. Please complete and distribute the
media alert in your station kit tonight to remind local media to come
down to the station on Open Day. Please send any photos and stories
about your Open Day to your regional Public Affairs Officer next week.
International Firefighters Day Awards
On Wednesday, I attended a special awards ceremony at the State Training
College for International Firefighters Day, the day the world recognises
and honours the sacrifices of firefighters. It was an honour to present
individual and unit commendations to 28 firefighters. While the commendations
were for a variety of incidents and projects, they all represented
the NSWFB outstandingly. Congratulations to all recipients. This event
will become a regular feature of the NSWFB calendar. For a full list
of the commendations and recipients, please see the intranet.
National USAR capability project
Today I have been in Canberra as the senior user representative on
the board established to increase Australia’s USAR capability.
The Australian Government has pledged $15 million over four years,
to be matched by state and territory governments. The funding will
see enhanced national training and procedures for a coordinated national
capability, as well as the purchase of USAR equipment for capital
cities in each state and territory. NSW and Queensland will remain
as the two international response teams.
OPERATIONAL UPDATE
Hazard reduction burns
This week the NSWFB conducted or participated in nine hazard reduction
burns in and around Sydney and the Blue Mountains. Nine burns in one
week is quite an achievement and may be a NSWFB record. The Bushfire
Section has been planning these burns for many weeks and awaiting
optimal weather conditions. Quite often this can mean that stations
are given very little notice. My thanks to the Bushfire/Natural Hazard
Section and all the officers and firefighters involved for their commitment
to protecting the community and environment before the next bushfire
season.
Narrabri grain silo fire
Just before 1pm last Tuesday, 399 Narrabri responded to a reported
shed alight at a grain and produce processing plant in Narrabri. Upon
arrival Captain Brett Sills and the crew evacuated staff 800m from
the plant. The plant consisted of a shed and 36 silos. Because the
fire was in the vicinity of a grain silo and store of hazardous materials,
Hazmat 452 Tamworth was called to assist. Capt Sills worked with the
on-site plant engineer to determine the exact location of the fire,
which the crew from 399 Narrabri then extinguished. When Hazmat 452
arrived, the thermal imaging camera was used to ensure all hot spots
had been extinguished. Capt Sills praised the work of the crews, and
was impressed with the cooperation of the staff, Police, Ambulance
and RFS who responded.
CARS reporting
With Open Day tomorrow and the Prepare for Winter fire safety campaign
about to get underway, make sure you remember to complete a report
for each community safety activity you undertake.
RUMOUR MILL
Rumour: Is it true that the Commissioner
is considering re-introducing peak caps as an item of dress uniform
for all firefighters?
Response: Yes. I have had overwhelming feedback from
firefighters, particularly during ceremonial occasions such as Anzac
Day, that they believe the broad-brimmed hats detract from the professional
image of the NSWFB. Many other firefighters have told me that they
will not wear dress uniform to work because of the “ugly hats.”
It is intended to issue peak caps to all ranks over the next 12-18
months and this will be discussed with the union.
NEWS IN BRIEF
RTAS update #2
Following the introduction and commissioning of the new Retained Fire
Fighter Turn-out System (RTAS) a number of issues were identified
during implementation. The project team has advised me that thanks
to the feedback from users, changes to enhance the functionality of
the system are being made. For full details of the feedback and changes,
please see the intranet story.
NSWFB officer to restructure Solomon Islands Fire Service
Zone Commander for the Blue Mountains and Central West, Superintendent
Tom Milburn left Australia on Tuesday to take up the position of Acting
Chief Fire Officer and oversee the rebuilding of the Solomon Islands
Fire Service for the next two years. Superintendent Milburn will implement
reforms recommended by Inspector Chris Jurgeit, who spent three months
in the Solomon’s last year reviewing the fire service.
Superintendent Milburn will work as part of the RAMSI mission - an
Australian Federal Police-led project. Unlike Australia, the Solomon
Islands Fire Service is part of the Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIP),
and its firefighters are also sworn police officers.
The selection of a NSWFB officer to restructure the Solomon Islands
Fire Service is further evidence that the NSWFB is a world class fire
and rescue service and I congratulate Supt Milburn on his appointment
and wish him luck during what will be a challenging and rewarding
experience.
UPCOMING EVENTS
National Women in Firefighting Forum
Twenty NSWFB officers and firefighters will take part in the first
Australian national forum for female firefighters next week. The NSWFB
is a sponsor of the National Women in Firefighting Forum, which has
been organised by the Fire Services Research Program at the University
of Western Sydney’s Centre for Learning and Social Transformation,
and I will be giving an opening address.
The forum will consider issues faced by women in the fire services,
develop strategies and support networks, encourage greater participation
of women in all aspects of firefighting and fire management, and recognise
the contribution of women in firefighting.
The greater involvement of women as firefighters in the NSWFB is
an important issue for our organisation, which is why we have agreed
to sponsor the two-day forum being held at the Holiday Inn Sydney
Airport on Thursday 12 and Friday 13 May. This is a significant step
towards identifying better ways to attract more women to the service.
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