COMMISH’S CORNER

Friday 15 April, 2005 Number 343 NSWFB The Rumour Mill No (02) 9265 2627
CURRENT NATIONAL SECURITY ALERT LEVEL : MEDIUM

COMMISSIONER’S BUSINESS
CFU legislation announcement

This morning at Inglebar Close, Bangor, I joined the Premier Bob Carr as he announced proposed new legislation which will specifically mention CFUs in the Fire Brigades Act. The Bill, to be introduced into Parliament, will give statutory recognition to the role and functions of CFUs, the program developed largely by S/O Terry Munsey AFSM following the 1994 bushfires, and the power of the NSWFB to establish, maintain and expand the program throughout the state. The Premier spoke glowingly of the CFU initiative and praised the commitment of these volunteers and the firefighters who train and support them.

National USAR course
Last night I addressed participants of the first national Category 2 USAR Course in Brisbane. Participants from South Australia, ACT, Tasmania, Northern Territory and Queensland are being trained by a team of Queensland and NSW instructors, including S/O Tony Waller and S/F Mick Holton. This is the first stage of a national USAR capability plan that the NSWFB has played a crucial role in.

Junee Championships
This weekend I will be in Junee for the Zone Championships. I am looking forward to a high standard of competition, as usual. The Championships are a great opportunity for firefighters to hone their skills and teamwork as well as catch up with friends and colleagues from other areas of the state.

Ron Jarrett celebrates 51 years of service
Congratulations to RETF Ron Jarrett who today marks 51 years with the NSWFB. Ron joined 374 Maitland on April 15 1954 and was appointed Captain in 1965. He then transferred to 455 Telarah in 1975. Ron was awarded the NSWFB Long Service Medal in 1969, the Queen’s Good Conduct and Long Service Medal in 1975, and the National Medal in 1990. He was appointed as Telarah’s Engine Keeper in 1980, and continues to be an integral part of the Telarah team. It is said that he is so diligent in polishing the appliance that it has needed several resprays. Ron is one of the longest serving retained firefighters in the NSWFB and is well-respected throughout Zone North 4. His continued service and level of fitness are a credit to him. Congratulations, Ron.

OPERATIONAL UPDATE
RTAS update

The Retained Firefighter Telephone Alerting System (RTAS) is currently rolling out across all NSWFB fire stations. All retained crews have completed training and the roll-out is expected to be complete by 18 April 2005. Some issues have been discovered during the roll-out which will be addressed to improve operations, such as unique dial-tones. Work is also under way to improve the Employee Self-Service (ESS) environment. Fire stations will be notified when upgraded systems are available and in service. For further details and user tips, please see the story on the intranet. If you have any feedback please fax your comments to the FireCAD Helpdesk on (02) 9318 4382 or phone the Helpdesk on (02) 9318 4888.

Incidents on the intranet
If you haven’t had the chance to catch up on the details of the Lewisham and Arncliffe factory fires or the Toronto shopping complex fire which occurred this week, visit the intranet.

RUMOUR MILL
Rumour:
Is it true that firefighters and officers returning from an overseas family holiday can get the truckie to deliver them back to their station or place of residence?
Response: No, that is not correct. NSWFB resources can not be used for private use. However, the Commissioner may give approval for NSWFB transport to be arranged if there are unusual circumstances.

Rumour: Is it true that a Qualified Firefighter was acted up in place of two Senior Firefighters at one station on Christmas Day? I thought there was something in place that said that a firefighter could only be acted up one rank above the rank he or she holds at that time. Please clarify.
Response: Regrettably, a mistake was made and yes, this is true. Historically Christmas Day is always a challenge in maintaining required staffing levels and Christmas Day 2004 was no exception. Past practices have been that in circumstances where there is a Station Officer shortage, we place a Leading Firefighter as the officer in charge. Failing that, and in extreme situations, we cascade to Senior Firefighters, allowing us to maintain response coverage to the community. Some Operational Commanders were confronted with severe staff shortages on Christmas day. The avenues exhausted included:
a) obtaining a Relieving Officer from another zone
b) recalling a Station Officer from within the zone
c) recalling a Station Officer from gSa
d) acting up a Leading Firefighter
e) recalling a Leading Firefighter

After exhausting these avenues, the only recourse was acting up. At one station, the firefighter who the Inspector acted up was a Qualified Firefighter. The other two firefighters on shift were Senior Firefighters and should have been the ones to act up. However, in this case, an honest mistake was made and those firefighters involved received an apology at the time. Measures are in place to ensure that this does not happen again.

Rumour: A rumour has been circulating around stations that NSWFB employees who live outside the gSa are being employed only because some regional country areas have higher unemployment rates than Sydney? Is this true? Is the NSWFB under pressure from the NSW government to do this? Some people are calling it a conspiracy.
Response: It is not true. Permanent firefighter positions are offered to those applicants who win a position on merit, regardless of their residential location. It is improper to discriminate against people on the basis of where they do or do not live.

NEWS IN BRIEF
CALD coordinator position filled

David Weir has been appointed permanently as the new Cultural and Linguistic Diverse (CALD) Coordinator. This was formerly a temporary administrative position for 12 months, based in Community Risk Management at Greenacre. Many of you may already know David from the two years he spent in the role on secondment from the Metropolitan Fire Brigade in Melbourne. David had held a similar role with the MFB for four years where he held the rank of Leading Firefighter. David, who has now left the MFB, can provide advice and assistance on cultural issues relating to the community and any functions relating to cultural activities by calling him on 0408 228 740.

Bravery award
On Thursday 7 April, Captain Alan Playford of 404 New Lambton was invested with the Commendation for Brave Conduct and the Group Bravery Citation (as an Ambulance SCAT Paramedic) for the rescue of people from the suburbs of Duffy and Chapman during the 2003 Canberra bushfires. Victorian Governor John Landy presented the awards to Captain Playford at Government House in Canberra, on behalf of Governor General Michael Jeffrey. Captain Playford, who was awarded the Star of Courage in 1996, is the first person to be awarded three times under the Australian Honours system. Congratulations, Alan.

Community events for the NSWFB web site
In recent months, we've been making sure that our external web site has more of a community focus. I would like to invite you to provide information for the site on local events your station is involved in. When an event is coming up, email a short description, the date, location and a contact phone number to NSWFB Web Content Coordinator Fiona Hardy. To get an idea of format and the amount of detail that should be provided see the Intranet. Please send us the information at least one week before your event, so we can promote it to the community.

Firefighter’s “big break”
FF Justin “Jug” Allport of 42 Ryde was nominated for the Billabong XXL Big Wave Award after catching a monster wave in excess of 50 feet high at Ghost Trees, an off-shore break near Pebble Beach Golf Course in California, USA. Unfortunately, Justin did not make the list of finalists, but his achievement is even more extraordinary given that he broke his leg after riding the wave and managed his own rescue!

Justin caught his leg in his toe strap after wiping out and broke his leg in four places. His jet ski partner managed to get him closer to shore and was about to ride up onto the beach when Justin stopped him. As well as being a firefighter, Justin is a life guard, and knew that this would cause further pain and possibly exacerbate the injury. Still in the water, Justin instructed his partner on how to make a splint from a life jacket. An onlooker provided a spinal board as a stretcher for Justin, who then directed them onto the beach.

I know our firefighters are calm under pressure, but Justin’s efforts while in extreme pain are nothing short of remarkable!

UPCOMING EVENTS
Bowling day for Lauren Green Trust

A benefit day involving NSWFB, NSW Police and the Ambulance Service is being held at Maroubra Bowling Club on Friday 29 April. The event will raise funds for the Lauren Green Trust. Lauren is the four year old daughter of one of our NSWFB officers and was born with ‘global development disability’, which means she has not developed mentally or physically relative to her age. Lauren has endured major oesophagus and stomach surgery, cleft palate repair and has a feeding tube in her stomach. She also requires hearing aids and splints on both legs. If you’d like to attend or make a donation please contact Inspector Kel McNamara, on 9567 3371 or 0413 942 453, or Maroubra Bowling Club on 9349 1066.

Corrections to last week’s CC
The phone number listed for tickets to the Emergency Services v Australian Defence Force AFL match last week was incorrect. The correct number to call is 132 849. Mention the ‘AFL Services’ offer and secure the special price of $34 for two tickets. The date of the NSWFB Ball is Friday 23 September 2005.

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