COMMISH’S CORNER

Friday 28 October, 2005 Number 371 NSWFB The Rumour Mill No (02) 9265 2627
CURRENT NATIONAL SECURITY ALERT LEVEL : MEDIUM

COMMISSIONER’S BUSINESS
Media coverage of court matter

You may have seen some media coverage this week of an unfair dismissal case in the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC). Portrayal by the media of the NSWFB in relation to this matter has at times been unfavourable. I would normally stand up for the professionalism of the NSWFB, officers and firefighters in the media, but am unable to do so while the matter is still being considered by the IRC.

Helping the Burns Unit continue its good work
On Wednesday I had the pleasure of presenting a cheque for $65,000, the result of firefighter payroll deductions and fundraising, to Dr John Harvey from the Burns Unit at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead. This is a tremendous result. In fact, did you know that the NSWFB has donated more than $750,000 to Number 2 Station since 1986? Thank you to all the staff, firefighters and recruits who have donated money and given their time for a range of activities to raise money for such a worthwhile cause. However, we can easily do even more. Most employees contribute $1 per fortnight from their pay to this worthy cause that makes such a huge difference to children with horrific burns, such as little Sophie Delezio who I spoke to on Wednesday. Why don’t we all increase this to just $2 per fortnight? Please contact the Pay office ASAP, and we can aim for a donation of $130,000 next year.

Medal presentations
On Wednesday night I visited Bateau Bay Fire Station on the Central Coast and after presenting 17 Long Service and Good Conduct Medals, spoke to more than 30 members from Central Coast stations about current issues.

On Saturday night I will present medals to long serving members from Tamworth and West Tamworth stations, and members of the zone management team.

Governor’s reception
On Monday night I attended Government House together with 15 other NSWFB representatives and their partners, as well as members of the other emergency services and armed forces. Our Governor, Prof. Marie Bashir AC, and her husband Sir Nicholas Shehadie AC OBE hold the NSWFB and other services in high esteem, and hold an annual “thank you” reception.

Compressed air foam system
Last Thursday the ACT Fire Brigade and our Bushfire/Natural Hazards Section organised a very impressive display of 9000 litre and 2000 litre bushfire tankers fitted with compressed air foam systems (CAFS). CAFS conserves water supplies and enables firefighters to create fire breaks by laying a blanket of Class A foam, or to coat structures threatened by bushfire. The foam is discharged by fixed monitors, or through 38mm delivery hose. Delivery of foam through a Ladder/Platform onto fuel storage tanks was also demonstrated. Logistics Support and Bushfire/Natural Hazards are further researching the concept. My thanks to ACT Chief Fire Officer David Prince, and Supt Gerry Byrne for making the demonstration possible.


OPERATIONAL UPDATE
Safety Bulletin 2005/6

Safety Bulletin 2005/6, entitled Equipment Recall: Operating Rods for Modiewark Electrical Potential Indicator, has been published and can be accessed from the State Operations page on the intranet. Commanders must ensure that the information contained in this bulletin is brought to the attention of all staff under their command and the directions are implemented and monitored.

RUMOUR MILL
Rumour:
Congratulations to Burwood on their success in the Rescue Championships, but are any of the techniques picked up over at the competition going to be spread to other rescue stations within the NSWFB?
Response: Over the years the NSWFB involvement in rescue competitions has resulted in the implementation of a number of new rescue systems and equipment designed to improve the safety of firefighters, emergency service workers and victims of road accidents. Some examples include Supplementary Restraint System management systems, patient protection systems, glass and sharps management systems, vehicle stabilisation techniques, and equipment (including the nationally known Holton Foot, named after Mick Holton, an ex-member of a champion Burwood team and current Senior Rescue Instructor attached to the Rescue Section). Additionally, a number of innovative road accident rescue techniques have also been adopted including two stage roof flap and removal, passive door removal, alternative roof flap methods, the use of battery powered reciprocating saws as well as various methods for improving space with vehicle side removal techniques.

The Championship-winning Burwood team and the Rescue Section are currently reviewing new techniques and equipment displayed at the recent Australasian and World Road Accident Rescue Challenges, with a view to determining their applicability for NSWFB rescue operations.

NEWS IN BRIEF
Ambulances located in No. 1 station

The NSWFB is assisting the NSW Ambulance Service by hosting two appliances and four crew at 1 City of Sydney. This arrangement will continue for the next six to eight months while the Paddington Ambulance station is being fully refurbished. Welcome to City of Sydney, and thank you to the officers and firefighters at CoS for making our Ambulance colleagues so welcome.

Online transfer log
A new system of logging and managing transfer requests in Sydney will go live next Monday, 31 October. The new Transfer Log was developed by OIS and Operational Personnel. To access the Transfer Log go to the Electronic Self Service (ESS) area via the intranet or station portal. The Transfer Log is accessed via the link in the left hand side of the ESS. For more information see the story on the intranet.

NSWFB attends launch of Face the Facts publication
Today A/Assistant Commissioner Paul Rugg represented me at the launch of the Face the Facts publication, which provides information about refugees and asylum seekers, migration and multiculturalism and Indigenous people. Through the Cultural and Linguistic Diversity (CALD) program, the NSWFB has been helping to distribute the publication, produced by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, to firefighters and participants in CALD community information sessions.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Central Coast toy collection

Central Coast firefighters are working with the Salvation Army next month to collect toys and gifts for underprivileged children for Christmas. Station Officer Wayne Ansell and his crew at 304 Gosford proposed the idea after Wayne was involved in a similar collection some years ago when he was stationed at 59 Eastwood. Members of the public can donate a toy or a gift by wrapping it, labelling it as a gift for a boy or a girl, and suggesting the age group it would suit. NSWFB fire stations on the Central Coast will act as collection points and the toys and gifts collected throughout November will be transported to the Salvation Army by a convoy of fire engines. For more information contact Inspector Ron Sinclair or the on-duty Inspector N7 on 4389 3702 or 0417 549 546.

Blue Mountains CFU Training Day
150 volunteers from 21 CFUs from across the Blue Mountains will gather at Sun Valley at Springwood on Sunday for a special training session to prepare them for the bushfire season. The event will run from 10am to 2pm at the Sun Valley Pony Club.


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:
(West) 9265 2613, (South) 9265 2802 or (North) 9265 2631
Cut off for submissions is 10:00am Thursday