COMMISH’S CORNER

Friday 14 October, 2005 Number 369 NSWFB The Rumour Mill No (02) 9265 2627
CURRENT NATIONAL SECURITY ALERT LEVEL : MEDIUM

COMMISSIONER’S BUSINESS
Reduced fire risk cigarettes

On Saturday I will brief the Federal Attorney General and Emergency Services Minsters from every state and territory on the NSWFB initiative to make reduced fire risk (RFR) cigarettes mandatory in Australia. The Brisbane meeting of Ministers follows one earlier this year in Canberra where there was unanimous support for the NSWFB initiative. RFR cigarettes are designed to self extinguish when dropped, and early data from New York State in the USA after one year shows a dramatic reduction in fire deaths. In recent weeks, California and Vermont have follows the lead of New York and Canada to mandate RFR cigarettes. Many thanks to the Risk Management and Corporate Strategy divisions for their work on this project, particularly Chief Superintendent Jim Smith and Nick Nicolopoulos, Manager Strategic Information Services.

Retained firefighters’ function
On Wednesday I had the pleasure of attending the annual luncheon of the NSWFB Retired Members and Partners Association. Dozens of old friends were there including 100 year old retired Station Officer Fred Oriell, looking as sprightly as ever.

Recruit graduation
Yesterday I attended the graduation of recruit classes 4A and 4B 2005. The 38 men and women will start at fire stations across Sydney shortly. Congratulations to all of you for meeting the challenges of the past four months, and all the best in your careers with the NSWFB.

At the ceremony I also presented National Medals and Clasps and the Long Service and Good Conduct medal to 10 officers and firefighters, including retired Inspector Keith Blades AFSM.

Safer Communities Awards
On Wednesday I attended Emergency Management Australia’s 2005 Safer Communities Awards at Parliament House. On behalf of the NSWFB I accepted three Highly Commended Certificates from the Minister for our Community Fire Unit (CFU), Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) and Cessnock Firesafe Arson Prevention (CAPP) programs. These programs were developed by SO Terry Munsey, Bushfire/Natural Hazards Section (CFU program), David Weir, Risk Management Division (CALD program) and Retired Inspector Ray Manser (CAPP program). The awards will be presented to the developers of the programs at local events. Well done to all involved. For more details see the story on the intranet.

OPERATIONAL UPDATE
Second alarm response BEFORE the fire

The NSWFB installed and tested more than 140 smoke alarms for seniors during a four-day blitz in the St George and Sutherland Shire from Monday to Thursday this week. Over 20 firefighters and four appliances were committed to the taskforce. A joint initiative with the FBEU, the taskforce was coordinated by SO Greg Price and supported by Community Risk Management. The taskforce forms part of the NSWFB’s ongoing SABRE program which supports seniors to live independently and safely by providing assistance with smoke alarms.

If you’re interested in conducting a similar exercise in your area, contact your CRMO.

Rescue Champions
Our Rescue team has triumphed in the Australasian Championships held in New Zealand from 9-11 October. Placed first from a field of 22 teams, the Burwood crew comprising Clayton Allison, Wayne Rush, Brett Johnson, Mark Bradford, Dean Broadwood and Paul Hughes has won both the ‘unlimited’ and ‘rapid’ vehicle extrication events and placed third in the ‘limited’ vehicle extrication event. Best Team Leader was awarded to Clayton Allison and Dean Broadwood picked up the prize for Best Technician. Congratulations to everyone involved. The team has now moved on to the World Championships and are competing strongly at present. I’ll report on the results next week. This is further evidence that we are one of the best fire and rescue services in the world, and most certainly in Australia.

RUMOUR MILL
Rumour:
Is it true that some station social clubs and demo teams raise money by running raffles using the NSWFB name and badge? Is this legal? Is it true that some of these accounts have many thousands of dollars in them? Who is in charge of these funds, what are they spent on and does the NSWFB audit them?
Response: The NSWFB logo is registered under the Trademarks Act 1995 to the Crown in right of the State of NSW and the old NSWFB logos are protected under the Copyright Act 1968. Authority has to be sought for any use of the NSWFB logo which may be granted with conditions and can be withdrawn at any time without notice. The NSWFB have on occasion prosecuted other parties for the use of the NSWFB logo.

Permission has not been sought, nor has it been granted, for use by any social club in the circumstances stated. Social clubs are independent of the NSWFB therefore the NSWFB has no control over the collection nor the use or application of any moneys or the legal right to audit.

NEWS IN BRIEF
Tsunami DVD

The NSWFB has created a DVD profiling our global disaster assistance capability in action. The DVD offers personal accounts from the four NSWFB firefighters who provided logistical support to the Australian medical assistance teams to disaster areas in SE Asia. In their own words SO Bruce Cameron and SF Greg Watson (Banda Aceh Story), SO Chris Sykes (The Maldives Story) and SO Tim Fox (Sri Lanka Story) describe the creative use of basic firefighting skills and equipment under extreme conditions.

The DVD will be sent to all NSWFB fire stations, zone, region and directorate offices and is also being offered to other emergency services and agencies in Australia and internationally.

Ellie’s been blessed
Our arson detection dog Ellie took part in a special ceremony to mark World Animal Day last week. Accompanied by her handler SO Phil Etienne, she joined police dogs and horses and other animals and pets at a ‘Blessing of the Animals’ service at St Mark’s Catholic Church at Drummoyne on 4 October 2005.

Bookworms for a good cause
Firefighters who attended the Hannan’s Road school fire at Riverwood in September rallied to collect donated books for the school library which was gutted by the fire. Over 600 new and used books have been donated to local fire stations at Mortdale, Riverwood and Lakemba for students. Today the books were presented to Hannans Road students and teachers by NSWFB Inspector Kevin Cooper.

UPCOMING EVENTS
MS Sydney to the ‘Gong Bike Ride

The 2005 MS Sydney to the ‘Gong Bike Ride is on again on Sunday 6 November, 2005. Around 6000 cyclists will ride to raise money for research into Multiple Sclerosis and support for those with MS. Once again there will be a NSWFB team riding. Cyclists can choose one of three courses: an 88km ride starting at Sydney Park, St. Peters between 0615 - 0800 hours; a 54 km ride also starting at Sydney Park, St. Peters between 0730 - 0800 hours; or a 52 km ride starting at Heathcote High School between 0800 - 0900 hours. For more details on the courses and the event see the website www.gongride.org.au

There is an entry fee of $50-$55 up to the day of event. When you register, don’t forget to register as part of the NSW Fire Brigades team. FF Matt Ruse is the NSWFB Sports Association coordinator for this event. Contact him by sending an email to the Sports Association Secretary (sports@fire.nsw.gov.au)


COMMISH'S CORNER
Commissioner's e-mail: Commissioner@fire.nsw.gov.au
Cora Sarmiento, Commish's PA:
9265 2930
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