COMMISSIONER’S BUSINESS
Fatal fires
I was awakened at 3am on Thursday morning at Cowra by a phone call
from Acting SOLO, Inspector Ross Brogan, advising me of the tragic
fire at Wyong. Previously, on Wednesday afternoon while visiting Canowindra
Fire Station, Katoomba Comms had advised me of a double fire fatality
at Burraga near Oberon. These tragic fires followed others at Coonamble
(two adults and a 4-year-old boy killed), Warren (3-year-old boy killed),
Mt Victoria (13-year-old girl killed), and Goulburn (elderly man killed).
Twelve fire deaths in a three week period, seven of them children,
is cause for enormous concern. I spent Thursday, between visits to
remote fire stations, being interviewed by numerous radio stations
and newspapers. This provided an opportunity to reinforce our winter
fire safety messages.
I will be meeting with Minister Kelly and RFS Commissioner Koperberg
on Tuesday to present recommendations for new measures to reinforce
our critical fire safety messages, and specifically, to increase smoke
alarm penetration.
My sincere thanks to everybody who has been pushing our fire safety
campaign – please keep up the good work. My thanks also to the
crews who have dealt so professionally with these tragic fires –
you make me very proud.
Region West managers’ conference and Country station
visits
On Wednesday morning I packed my bag and headed out west to visit
fire stations in the Central West on my way to the Region West managers’
conference at Condobolin. During the station visits I met firefighters
and presented Long Service and Good Conduct Medals and Clasps. I was
warmly greeted and there was also significant media interest in my
visits. I would like to thank firefighters and officers for all their
efforts during my visits.
At the conference I gave managers an overview of the strategic direction
of the NSWFB and my objectives for the next year. Thank you to Region
West staff and Captain Keith Willis of Condobolin Brigade for their
hospitality at the conference.
OPERATIONAL UPDATE
6th Alarm factory fire
After an hour of phone conversations in my motel room at Cowra in
the early hours of Thursday, my pager activated again after 4am advising
of a 6th Alarm factory fire at Wetherill Park. Assistant Commissioner
John Anderson and the Incident Controller, Chief Superintendent Mick
Ryan, later told me that crews did a remarkable job containing the
fiercely burning fire to one unit in a large factory complex.
White powder incidents in Canberra
While at 308 Grenfell around 11am yesterday, ACTFB Chief Officer David
Prince contacted me requesting urgent NSWFB assistance with numerous
white powder incidents. Pumpers and Hazmat appliances from Queanbeyan,
Goulburn and Sydney responded to provide fire cover at vacated ACT
fire stations, and dealt with a white powder incident at the Italian
embassy. This morning both Chief Officer Prince and Emergency Services
Bureau Commissioner Peter Dunn rang me to thank the NSWFB for the
professional and rapid assistance provided.
Use of digital photos
There has been some confusion recently about whether firefighters
can use digital cameras at incidents and whether digital photos are
admissible in court. I assure all fire stations that digital cameras
can be used at incidents. In Orders 2002/18 Photographs and videos
of dead or injured people prohibits firefighters from photographing
injured or deceased people. State Rescue Board policy also prohibits
firefighters from photographing rescues. Please continue to use your
digital camera at community safety events and send your photographs
through for publication in Fire News and on the intranet.
Exercise Lewisham
Last Saturday firefighters from 14 Ashfield, 22 Leichhardt, 28 Marrickville,
5 Newtown and 15 Burwood joined rail, Police and other emergency service
staff to participate in Exercise Lewisham.
Exercise Lewisham involved responding to a mock derailed train. The
exercise tested multi-agency response protocols, and will mean that
all agencies are better prepared to respond to accidents on the Sydney
rail network. The exercise was deemed a success, with inter-agency
relationships further enhanced.
RUMOUR MILL
Rumour: Is it true that the NSW Police
are getting accelerant detection dogs and the NSWFB will be phasing
out Ellie because the Police will have their own dogs?
Response: I am not aware of what the Police may be
planning for the future in this regard. At this stage there are no
Police accelerant detection dogs. At present, Ellie is happy and is
working well. There are no plans to phase out the use of the NSWFB’s
accelerant detection canine.
Rumour: Is it true that in Region South
several education trailers have been placed in storage under the guise
of “risk assessment” but only have peeling paint? Doesn’t
this decrease the ability of the NSWFB to carry out public education
in the community?
Response: All the trailers are now back on the road
in Region South Zones 3, 4, 5 and 7. Community Risk Management is
investigating ways to improve the resources available to Station Commanders
for CRM activities. The role of trailers will be part of this review.
NEWS IN BRIEF
Corporate wardrobe
In consultation with administrative staff, a voluntary NSWFB corporate
wardrobe has been designed. Staff who wear the corporate wardrobe
are entitled to claim the cost of purchase, alterations, repairs,
dry cleaning and laundry as tax deductions, and direct purchase arrangements
are available. The catalogue and purchasing details are available
on the intranet.
New resource for safety
Four new OH & S advisors have been recently appointed to provide
assistance and advice to Regions and Directorates on OH & S matters.
The OH & S advisors’ key objective is to provide managers,
safety representatives and employees with timely advice, support and
information to enhance their OH & S system and risk management
processes.
OH & S advisors will be meeting with their Regions and Directorates
over the coming months. Please make them welcome. For further information,
see the intranet.
NSWFB finalist in international video awards
SF Kernin Lambert has been listed as a finalist in the “Videofuego
Golden Firefighter” awards, an international competition for
videos related to fire or emergency. SF Lambert has three videos on
training and operations in the finals. The winners will be announced
in October. Good luck Kernin.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Coonamble fundraising
Following the tragic fire in Coonamble, the Mayor of Coonamble has
set up an account accepting donations for the children left orphaned.
RF Rae Morley has made an impassioned plea to staff to support the
appeal. If you can assist, the details are: Coonamble Mayor’s
Fire Appeal; BSB 062525; account 1006 7767.
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:
John Suter Linton (West) 9265 2612, Michelle Halloran (South)
9265 2802 or Natalie Laharnar (North) 9265 2631
Cut off for submissions is 10:00am Thursday