Easter Greetings
Commish’s Corner is being published today ahead of the long
weekend. I would like to wish all staff a happy and safe Easter.
New Minister
This week I met with the new Minister for Emergency Services, Nathan
Rees, who replaces Tony Kelly as our minister. Minister Rees is busy
setting electoral and ministerial offices, recruiting staff, and learning
about his portfolios. He is keen to start visiting fire stations and
NSWFB premises to meet staff, and I know that he will be made most
welcome.
Awards for courage
At the recruit graduation ceremony, I presented two awards for courageous
actions. Firefighter Justin Taylor, of 20 Hurstville, received a Commendation
for Courageous Action for saving the lives of family members when
a ski boat exploded and caught fire on Lake Conjola on 1 January 2005.
A member of the public, Brendan Bernard, received the Commissioner’s
Commendation for helping to rescue a woman from a burning townhouse
in Eastbourne Road, Homebush on 12 April 2004. Read more in the story
on the recruit graduation.
Open Day 28 April 2007
There are just over three weeks until Open Day 2007. A ‘how
to’ guide for staging your event and template media release
have been posted to the intranet as well as information on obtaining
your free gas bottle from Swap’n’Go. Fire crews considering
hosting a RescuED demonstration as part of Open Day can order a car
through new sponsor Sims Metal. Read more on the intranet.
NSWFB at the Royal Easter Show
Due to the overwhelming success and popularity of the NSWFB Community
Safety stand at the Royal Easter Show last year, we are again at the
Show this year. From today firefighters will promote fire safety messages,
such as home escape plans and Triple Zero (000) awareness, in the
Home and Lifestyle Pavilion, next to the CWA catering outlet. Our
display will feature Be Safe, Not Sorry campaign materials, and firefighters
will be on hand to provide fire safety advice. The NSWFB involvement
is sponsored by Swap’n’Go.
‘400 in 4’
My congratulations to everyone involved in last week’s ‘400
in 4’ charity bike ride, which successfully raised more than
$20,000 for the Burns Unit at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.
FF Scott Hanley from 20 Hurstville, supported by Aaron Campbell from
472 Turvey Park, deserves a special mention for organising the ride.
Andrew Giardini, also from Hurstville, FF Nicole Sutton from 42 Ryde
and RFF Olaf Ruhen from 29 Arncliffe made up the rest of the team.
Starting in Campbelltown on 27 March and finishing in Wagga Wagga
on 30 March, they covered an impressive 440 km. All of the team demonstrated
the finest firefighter characteristics, superb physical fitness and
a strong commitment to community causes. Read more on the intranet.
Water Summit
Deputy Commissioner Ken Thompson, Chief Supt. Greg Buckley, Chief
Supt. Steve Pearce and Acting Manager Corporate Risk Management Shannon
Heathcote attended the Australian Water Summit this week. The two-day
conference was attended by Water Authority and Water Catchment authority
CEOs and senior executives; engineers; academics; politicians from
both major parties; environmentalists; local government representatives
and consumers. The conference acknowledged there is a very real long-term
water crisis in Australia and in many ways the solutions being considered
are uncharted territory. Bushfires were highlighted as one of six
key risks to the Murray-Darling (and other catchment) inflows over
the medium (five-year term, due to forest regeneration demands on
rainfall. We should be mindful that there will be increased expectations
from our own staff and other key stakeholders that we manage water
responsibly within our own infrastructure and operationally and there
will be greater public scrutiny of water use and increased accountability
to government. For copies of the presentations and more information,
please contact Shannon Heathcote at Shannon.Heathcote@fire.nsw.gov.au.
3M AFFF Firefighting Foam
As you are no doubt aware, there has been much discussion over the
past two weeks regarding the use of fire fighting foam. Detailed information
is available on the intranet to ensure you are fully informed of the
facts of the matter. As I have previously stated, the safety of firefighters
and all other NSWFB employees remains our highest priority and a structured
and managed approach to the replacement of foam is being implemented.
COMINGS AND GOINGS
New appointments
I am pleased to announce some new senior appointments. Rick Griffiths
has been promoted to Chief Superintendent, and is the new Assistant
Director Learning and Development. Greg Buckley has also been promoted
to Chief Superintendent and takes over the role of Assistant Director
Built Environment and Research from Chief Superintendent Ken Bryant.
Graduations
In the past fortnight we have welcomed 19 new firefighters who graduated
from the Training College on Thursday 29 March and 23 new station
officers, who graduated from the SOPP today. It always makes me proud
to attend graduations, and recognise the hard work and achievements
of those graduating as well as the pride on the faces of family and
friends. Congratulations to all the new firefighters and SOs, and
all the very best in your careers.
Chief Supt Ken Bryant AFSM
After 41 years of service, Chief Supt. Ken Bryant hung up his helmet
this morning at the Community Safety Division. Ken has made an outstanding
contribution to the NSWFB and in particular to incorporating fire
safety into building design in NSW and Australia. His presence will
be sorely missed, and together with Deputy Commissioner Ken Thompson
and Assistant Commissioner Murray Kear, I wished Ken all the best
at a well attended farewell this morning.
Fleet Officer Andre Ozoux
Senior Fleet Officer Andre Ozoux also finished his service with the
NSWFB today after a 30 year career. Andre is well known throughout
NSW, having been the driver for Board President Bill Weston, Deputy
President Kristine Klugman, Director General Peter Rath AM, Acting
Commissioner Stan Hearne AFSM, Commissioner Ian MacDougall AC, AFSM,
and me. Andre’s smiling face will be missed greatly, and I wish
him and Ida my personal thanks, and a long and happy retirement.
EVENTS
Pyrmont Centenary celebrations
Sims Metal to sponsor vehicles for RescuED
Industrial Relations Commission recommendations
Ingleburn firefighters support the local community
Promotions on the double
Bunnings customers are no bunnies!
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 to the intranet, please contact Public
Affairs Officers: (West) 9265 2613, (South) 9265 2802 or
(North) 9265 2631