New Year message
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all NSWFB staff
a safe and very Happy New Year. I know that 2008 is going to be an
exciting year for the NSWFB. Since 2003, we have laid the groundwork
through various restructures, re-equipping programs, information technology
and process improvements to take a leap into the future. Over the
next few months I will be unveiling a range of new initiatives that
will keep us at the forefront of emergency service delivery in Australia
and beyond and cement our position as Australia's leading fire and
rescue service. None of this would be possible without your commitment
-thank you for your efforts.
New Assistant Commissioner -Learning and Development
A recent review of our learning and development function
recommended that it be taken out of the Human Resources Directorate
and be made a stand alone function. I am pleased to advise that our
Minister, Nathan Rees, supported the creation of an additional Assistant
Commissioner position to enable this to occur. Assistant Commissioner
Graham Dewsnap will shortly transfer into this crucial position, and
he brings strong leadership skills and knowledge which will help us
to drive an exciting agenda for improvement.
Lessons Learned Centre
As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, the
NSWFB is in the process of establishing a Lessons Learned Centre in
the Strategy and Planning Directorate - a first for an Australian
fire service. Superintendent Gary Meers is coordinating the establishment
of the Centre which will analyse and draw lessons from incidents and
experiences in NSW and around the world, and provide a central location
for staff to send their lessons learned information for wider distribution
and application across the organisation. A company which has assisted
the Australian and US military in developing their lessons learned
capabilities is helping us. Further information on the Lessons Learned
Centre will be available on the intranet shortly.
Update on Nowra Fire Station
In late November I advised that firefighters from Nowra had
been relocated from the fire station in Bridge Road as a precaution
to eliminate any possible health and safety concerns about contaminants
from the adjoining former gasworks site while it was being remediated.
We engaged an expert health and environment consultancy to fully
investigate the fire station site and conduct a full health risk assessment.
The preliminary report concluded that airborne contaminants at the
fire station are below Australian and international standards, however
more extensive soil testing is underway to provide more information.
In consultation with the FBEU, a voluntary health monitoring program
has been made available to Nowra firefighters.
I know the current situation is less than ideal and we are working
to try to improve conditions for Nowra firefighters as quickly and
practically as possible. Until assurances can be obtained that there
are no risks to the health of firefighters, the crew from Nowra will
not return to Nowra Fire Station, so we are actively exploring options
for suitable medium term accommodation.
RFS trials new camera surveillance system
Late last year Premier Morris Iemma announced a new high-tech
remote camera surveillance system called FireCam that is being trialed
by the RFS to detect smoke plumes and help fire investigators and
police catch arsonists. The cameras can detect a fire and immediately
alert the RFS. FireCam can detail the size, temperature and speed
of the fire before crews have even left the station. FireCam is currently
being trialled by the RFS, Hornsby Shire Council and Chubb at the
Berowra Fire Observation Tower for the 2007/08 fire season ? this
is a world first for bushfire spotting.
Home fire safety warning
The Christmas-New Year period is one of the most celebrated
times of the year however it can be one of the most dangerous with
an increase in fire risks which have the potential of causing serious
injuries to families, especially children. Since Christmas there have
been dozens of house fires across the state including eight major
blazes where homes have been severely damaged. These incidents highlight
the importance of fire safety around the home and the importance of
our work with the community, especially children in terms of fire
safety and prevention. I have conducted a large number of radio and
newspaper interviews on this subject to try to get the message across.
Cars put to test in bushfire conditions
Earlier this week, the Australian Fire Authorities Council
(AFAC) released results of tests carried out by the Bushfire Cooperative
Research Centre on what happens to a vehicle caught in the middle
of a bushfire. Clearly the message is that it is not safe to be in
a bushfire - either on foot or in a car - as toxic smoke products
inside a car during extreme fire conditions means survival is unlikely.
For more information on the research visit the Bushfire CRC website
Transporting an important message
Our fleet gained a new member late last year with the delivery
of a 49 seat bus which will provide a more effective and economical
way of transporting firefighters, recruits, staff and our band around
the state each year. The bus features eye catching community safety
messages and graphics, turning the bus into a 'mobile billboard' to
promote the important work we do in fire safety and prevention. See
intranet story.
January fire safety campaign -holiday safety
Many people across NSW are still on holidays this month,
so we're offering a timely reminder for everyone to think about fire
safety before they go and while they're away. The particular focus
of the NSWFB's community safety message this month is caravan and
camping safety, as well as making a habit of turning off non-essential
electrical appliances at the powerpoint, before going away. A template
media release and fact sheets are now available on the intranet.
Cheque presentation to the Burns Unit
Captain Ted Ranse from 343 Katoomba visited the Westmead
Children's Hospital on Thursday to present Dr Hugh Martin from the
Burns Unit with a cheque for $17 000. The money was raised by Blue
Mountains firefighters at the annual golf day held at the Wentworth
Falls Country Club and other fundraising activities held during 2007.
Over the past 24 years firefighters from the Blue Mountains have raised
$275 000 for the Burns Unit. It's great to see the NSWFB continuing
to contribute to this worthy cause. See the intranet story.
Head office gets into the Christmas spirit
There was a big turn out at the inaugural Corporate Head
Office Christmas Championships on 18 December. It was a great opportunity
for departments to show off talents that aren't necessarily highlighted
throughout the year. The level 10 boardroom was filled with Christmas
cheer and carolling, as sections were encouraged to enter the Christmas
Carol competition. Special thanks to Superintendent Ian Krimmer for
organising the inaugural competition and to everyone who participated.
Presentation to the Salvation Army
Thank you to everyone that so generously donated gifts and
food to the Salvation Army's Christmas Appeal. Before Christmas I
had the pleasure of presenting the gifts and food to Susan Reese the
Salvation Army's Assistant Territorial Social Programs Secretary.
Susan thanked the NSWFB for its tremendous support over the past 11
years and said the donation would be distributed to families in need
through the Oasis program which provides emergency support to young
families who are either homeless or in crisis. Julia Simonides also
made a cheque presentation on behalf of the members of the NSWFB Relief
and Welfare Fund. For more information see the intranet story.
New Class 3 Pumpers
Up to 60 new Class 3 urban pumpers will be delivered to metropolitan
and larger regional fire stations over the next five years. The first
Class 3 from SEM Fire & Rescue was handed over to 62 Bankstown
last month. The Varley Commander Type 5 high volume pumpers will be
replaced in the future with Class 3 urban pumpers. The call sign 'super
pumper' will not be used and we will revert back to the call sign
'pumper; or 'Rescue pumper' where appropriate, as the pump capacity
of the new Class 3?s effectively means that they can all be as high
volume pumpers. The changes to radio call-signs will be officially
implemented via In Orders.
South Australian Coronial Inquest
The South Australian Coronial Inquest into the deaths at
the 2005 Eyre Peninsula bushfires made several recommendations on
matters that are currently the focus of fire and land managers across
Australia. Important ongoing work is underway in the areas of fire
behaviour, 'prepare stay and defend' or 'leave early', community warnings,
protection of people in cars, decision making by fire managers and
aerial suppression. We are keeping a close eye on developments.
Incident Control System analysis
The Operational Training Section has started work on a training
needs analysis for our strategic level Incident Control System (ICS)
and incident management functions. The research will be used to provide
future direction for our ICS and incident management training needs.
As part of this project a short questionnaire will be distributed
to all Senior Officers by email to complete and submit electronically.
I encourage all senior officers to take a few minutes to fill out
and submit the questionnaire, as your experience will help us to improve
our training.
RUMOUR MILL
Rumour: Is there a plan to replace
the old Queanbeyan Volvo 1800 Rescue Pump with a new Rescue pump?
If so, when is this likely to happen?
Response: The matter of appliance allocations is
managed by zones in consultation with the Fleet Management Unit, and
the Zone Management Team can provide this information. The short answer
however is 'yes', there are plans for an upgrade with 428 soon to
receive a Scania appliance.
Rumour: A recent In Order stated that
the current practice of supervising firefighters for driving experience
in NSWFB appliances to obtain an HR or MR licence is to cease to ensure
officers are not placed in the position of providing supervision without
the appropriate qualification/certification. Does this also suggest
that station drills will soon be ceasing as not all station officers
and captains have the appropriate qualification/certification to conduct
station drills?
Response: The issue regarding RTA heavy vehicle
licensing involves NSW Government legislation under the Drivers Instructor's
Act 1992. It is in no way related to station commanders and captains
conducting station drills.
INCIDENTS
Oh what a feeling
MVA on Pacific Highway near Urunga
Acetylene cylinder incident at Toowoon Bay
EVENTS
FireEd really works
Santa Claus sighted in Albury
Inaugural Piston Cup
Rescue event
2007 NSW Variety Bash
Firefighters from 465 Trangie and 401 Narromine presented with awards
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