COMMISSIONER’S BUSINESS
Smoke alarm legislation passed
New legislation to make smoke alarms mandatory in NSW was passed in State Parliament on Thursday. From 1 May 2006, the Building Legislation Amendment (Smoke Alarms) Bill 2005 will make fire alarms – either battery operated or hard-wired – part of the conditions of the formal rental agreement for any rental property in NSW.
Other aspects of the new legislation include:
- That it will be a condition of property sale that smoke alarms be fitted;
- All existing homes, flats, boarding houses, motels, hotels, hostels and mobile homes must be fitted with either battery operated or hard-wired smoke alarms; and
- Landlords will be required to fit smoke alarms in all rental accommodation. (This is a tax deduction for investment property owners).
At present, nearly 73% of all households in NSW have a smoke alarm. With the combination of these new laws and community education the objective is to have 100% compliance. Thank you for your support for this legislation, and your hard work over recent weeks in raising the importance of winter fire safety in your communities.
Gosford awards
Four Central Coast residents were acknowledged at Gosford on Monday when I presented Commissioner's Commendations for their efforts in saving people from two separate fires.
Patricia Singleton, Eve Foster and Daniel Wall, all employees at the Henry Kendall Hostel, Wyoming, helped residents escape a serious fire in the hostel on 12 January 2004. David O'Brien, of Saratoga, rescued a girl from a house fire that tragically claimed the life of her mother in Saratoga on 21 November 2003.
You can read about their stories on the intranet.
Gosford Fire Station renovations
The refurbished 304 Gosford Fire Station was opened this week. On Monday, I attended the official opening conducted by the Minister for the Central Coast, Grant McBride, and also presented Long Service and Good Conduct medals to current and retired firefighters. A story and photos from the opening are on the intranet . While on the Central Coast I visited Kariong and Bateau Bay Fire Stations, and conducted numerous TV, radio and newspaper interviews.
OPERATIONAL UPDATE
FSE Replacement Program
FireCAD Support Group with Operational Communications will begin a Fire Station Equipment computer upgrade program in early July 2005. This project will upgrade hardware and software in all 176 fire stations in the gSa, Newcastle and Illawarra fire districts.
The hardware is used for alerting the fire station crew and is controlled by the computer aided dispatch system. The new software will provide the capability to make voice announcements of calls over fire station public address systems. This will alert crews to the type of incident they are responding to during turnout. Voice turnout was phased out in 1979, however, it can arguably reduce response times in concert with a response print-out.
Stations participating in the initial rollout are 1 COS, 3 The Rocks, 13 Alexandria, 15 Burwood, 26 Mascot and 42 Ryde. Once installed and tested in the pilot stations, the new equipment will be gradually rolled out to every fire station in the gSa, Newcastle and Illawarra fire districts.
Shell Unleaded fuel change
As of 1 June 2005 Shell Premium unleaded fuel will be called Shell Unleaded 95. Shell unleaded petrol with a 91 RON (Research Octane Number) remains as the standard fuel suitable for most petrol vehicles on NSW Government contract. Please continue to use Shell unleaded as opposed to Shell Unleaded 95 unless the vehicle operated is one of the few NSWFB vehicles which have fuel cards authorising the premium type fuel.
Continual need for community education
Just two weeks after a house fire claimed four young lives on the Central Coast, the crews from 505 Wyong and 228 Berkeley Vale who attended the tragic fire were called to another house fire at Chittaway Bay yesterday. This time there were hard-wired smoke alarms in the home, which were activated after the occupant left the house with food still cooking on the stove. Neighbours called Triple 0, and firefighters rescued a dog from the house. This highlights the need to be ever vigilant in our push to inform the community about fire prevention.
RUMOUR MILL
Rumour: Is it true the new fire station planned for Medowie will be known as a cluster station and it will be staffed by permanent firefighters on the 10/14 roster plus retained?
Response: There are no immediate plans to build a NSWFB fire station at Medowie. The NSWFB is continuously reviewing the location of fire districts and fire stations to meet the demands of the community. Currently the NSWFB is working with Port Stephens Council to relocate the present Raymond Terrace Fire Station. Land in the Grahamstown area, which is closer to Medowie, is being evaluated for its potential as a site for a fire station, which at this stage will remain a retained fire station.
Rumour: Is it correct that only firefighters attached to fire stations who work the special roster, actually work public holidays?
Response: This is partially correct. Firefighters on the special roster who are at SO+3 stations must report for duty on all public holidays that fall Monday to Friday. Fire station staffing is determined in accordance with the resource allocation model to ensure service delivery to the community. This matter has been subject to discussion between all parties involved with no practicable alternative found. Firefighters on the 10/14 roster also regularly work on public holidays.
NEWS IN BRIEF
NSWFB wins silver medal for annual report
The NSWFB has been awarded an Australasian Reporting Awards' Silver Medal for its 2003/04 Annual Report.
The annual report is a crucial part of the NSWFB's communication with its major stakeholders. It provides the opportunity to benchmark ourselves against other agencies, to demonstrate accountability, and to publicly report on achievements and progress against key performance measures.
Reports are judged on their effective communication and accountability. The judging panel assesses excellence in reporting in areas such as relevance, reliability, reporting against performance indicators and disclosure.
For many years the NSWFB's report has set high standards among public sector reports in NSW, demonstrating outstanding design, organisation and effective summary of complex information. Congratulations to Corporate Strategy and all who contributed.
Thinking of retiring soon?
During July 2005, the NSW Government will survey public sector staff to get an indication of how many are likely to retire in the near future. This information is needed to plan superannuation liabilities as well as to inform Government policy on the retention of older employees.
The Retirement Intentions Survey can be filled in either online or via a printed paper copy submitted in a reply-paid envelope. (Contact the Industrial Clerk on 9265 2903 for a copy).
Unions NSW has been consulted about the survey and has written to all affiliates encouraging their participation. The survey also has the support of the major superannuation funds, State Super and First State Super.
I would encourage all our employees over 45 to participate in the survey. Participation is voluntary, and all responses are anonymous.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Emergency Services Charity Shield
The NSWFB soccer club has been invited to play in the inaugural Emergency Services Charity Shield on Wednesday 13 July at The Crest, Bankstown. The event, which will be a fundraiser for the Children's Hospital at Westmead, will be a four service tournament between the NSWFB, NSW Ambulance Service, NSW Police and NSW Corrective Services.
The team will play a three games round robin with the top two teams playing off for the Charity Shield. The first game will kick off at 9.30am with the final finishing at 4.00pm. The soccer club hopes to enter a men's and women's team. Each player must make a $10 donation to play.
Bankstown City Council has agreed to provide financial support and insurance for the event. If you are like me and your playing days are well past you, the organisers are also looking for a couple of referees. If you would like to be part of this special event for the kids at Westmead, please email Steven Walker.
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