COMMISH’S CORNER

Thursday 20 March 2008 Number 434. NSWFB
The Rumour Mill No (02) 9265 2627

CURRENT NATIONAL SECURITY ALERT LEVEL : MEDIUM

Penrith Rescue

As of yesterday, the NSWFB assumed Primary Rescue responsibility on a provisional basis at Penrith in Sydney 's west. The Penrith volunteer rescue squad, which has served the community diligently for 32 years, decided that it could no longer sustain operations due to a lack of volunteers. 86 Penrith is already registered as a Secondary rescue unit and at the request of the NSW Police, there was a seamless transfer of responsibilities. 63 Blacktown 's heavy rescue will temporarily relocate to 86 station to supplement the aerial pumper. The Western Sydney District Rescue Sub-Committee will shortly consider my recommendation that the NSWFB should formally assume Primary Rescue accreditation for Penrith, and the committee will then report to the State Rescue Board. On behalf of the NSWFB I wish to congratulate the Penrith VRA for more than three decades of dedicated service.

 

Longest-serving Captain retires

Last Sunday I attended the retirement function for Capt Col Maslin AFSM from 376 Merewether in Newcastle . Col is a 'legend' in Newcastle , having served with the NSWFB for more than 54 years. I recall when I was a relieving District Officer in Newcastle in 1993 that Col would always be at the station, the station and the appliance were always immaculate and his crew well trained and efficient. He maintained this level of commitment right up to the day of his retirement. Thanks from all of us Col.

 

Exchanges to Canada

On Tuesday, I met with SF Shane Austin from 24 Manly, who is about to commence a 12-month exchange program with Firefighter Ray Ballard from the District of North Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services in Canada . Whilst in Canada , Shane will be conducting research into the marine capabilities of his host brigade which will enable the NSWFB to compare and refine our own procedures. Shane will also present a plaque of appreciation to Fire Chief D. K. Trussler in recognition of the exchange. Firefighter Ballard will initially be stationed at 24 Manly. I trust that everyone will welcome him to the NSWFB ranks.

 

I recently also met with LF Kevin Smith who recently returned from 12 months in Canada . Kevin researched a number of firefighter safety issues and as a result I invited him to participate in our recent safety strategic planning workshop.

 

NSWFB stand at the 2008 Royal Easter Show

The 2008 Royal Easter Show opened today and with more than 900 000 visitors expected to attend the iconic event, this year's NSW Fire Brigades stand promises to be bigger and better than ever. Firefighters will be there to answer any questions people have on fire safety and fire prevention in the home. Show visitors will also have the opportunity to have a professional photograph taken with a firefighter. If you're planning to go to the show make sure you visit our stand, which is located in the Home Garden & Lifestyle Pavilion and runs from 11am - 5pm from 20 March to 2 April 2008 .

 

World Youth Day 2008

More than 280 NSWFB employees will protect participants in World Youth Day from 15-20 July, one of the most important events on the Catholic calendar. During a week of events, the NSWFB will support police security operations, provide fire cover and manage hazardous materials for a number of activities including youth festivals, pilgrimages and evening vigils. NSWFB employees will also provide assistance with motorcades to support police security operations as they did during the APEC summit. The NSWFB World Youth Day planning team continues to meet with stakeholders and organise rosters for employees that have been identified for activities. To find out more about World Youth Day 2008 visit www.wyd2008.org.

 

Reporting on dishwasher fires

The NSWFB proactively collects data and monitors trends in determining the causes of fires and has been working closely with the NSW Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to examine a recent spate of fires caused by dishwashers. A joint agency analysis led the OFT to announce another recall for a number of dishwasher models on Tuesday 18 March. This latest recall should serve as a timely reminder to all operational personnel of the value in correctly filling out AIRS and ensuring details such as appliance brand names and model numbers are always included.

 

Home fire safety warning for dishwashers

Yesterday I issued a reminder to the public about the importance of fire safety precautions in the home, after NSWFB data revealed that dishwashers were responsible for at least 102 fires in the past three years. Ten of these fires had occurred this year, with a fire involving a dishwasher as recently as last weekend, where a dishwasher caught alight in a Naremburn home and caused extensive damage to the kitchen. I encourage you to raise awareness in your local community about this issue.

 

Centenary of the Mortdale Fire Brigade

On Saturday I attended the centenary celebration of 48 Mortdale with the Local Member for Oatley, Kevin Greene, Mortdale firefighters and members of the community.  The event was an opportunity to thank all the firefighters past and present who have served the Mortdale community since the Brigade was formed in Mortdale in 1908. 

 

NSWFB family sporting achievements

LF Andrew Grimwood's daughter Jessica recently participated in the first round of the World Surfing Qualifying series on the Central Coast and finished 13th. She is currently ranked No. 21 in the world in women's surfing.

 

Supt Tom Milburn's Joel has been running since he was six years old and always dreamt of making the Olympics. He competed internationally with an injury and stil won the event. This year, he has performed exceptionally well, and was undefeated throughout the season. Joel recently learnt that he has been selected to compete in the 400m event as well as being a member of the 4 x 400m relay team at the Beijing Olympics later this year.

 

Well done Jess and Joel!

 

Sign fire lights up Sydney �s night sky

On Wednesday 12 March, the NSWFB received more than 130 Triple Zero (000) calls to a fire at a high-rise office building in Sussex Street , Sydney . Firefighters from 1 City of Sydney, 3 Rocks, 4 Darlinghurst and 38 Pyrmont arrived to discover a large neon sign alight, approximately 30 storeys above the ground. Roads around the building were quickly closed by NSW Police due to flaming debris which was falling from the building. A building engineer isolated the power, and the fire was extinguished quickly. Fortunately the fire was contained to the outside of the building and 26 people safely evacuated themselves from the building.

 

Firefighters extinguish fire in WW2 bunker in Dubbo

On Sunday 9 March, firefighters from 280 Dubbo and 284 Delroy responded to a fire in an underground radio bunker on the grounds of the former RAAF Barracks in Dubbo. Firefighters entered the bunker wearing breathing apparatus where they were confronted by extreme heat, zero visibility and a high fuel load of timber and cabling which was fully involved. Firefighters were concerned that squatters or children may have been in the bunker and immediately commenced an offensive attack - fortunately the bunker was unoccupied. Due to the extreme temperatures, which some of the firefighters described as the most intense they had ever experienced, firefighters were assessed by ambulance officers upon exiting the bunker.

 

High school fire in Taree

In the early hours of Sunday 9 March, firefighters from 453 Taree, 502 Wingham and the RFS responded to a fire at Chatham High School in Taree. The two storey building was one of 11 buildings on the school grounds and was later identified as the Home Science building. Two large LPG cylinders located at the front of the school were immediately turned off and firefighters commenced an offensive attack and worked to extinguish the fire which had spread to the top floor of the building. Firefighters were at the scene for more than four hours. A construction company for the Department of Education identified the presence of asbestos in the building so all firefighters took appropriate precautions throughout the operation. 453 Taree provided decontamination facilities for the NSW Police Force while officers carried out forensic investigations.

 

RUMOUR MILL

Rumour:   Is it true that firefighters at Nowra Fire Station still have no fire station?

Response:  As soon as concern were raised that contamination from an adjoining site may have also affected 405 Nowra, the crews and appliances were immediately relocated to the only readily available alternative - the RFS Centre. NSWFB Property Services has conducted an extensive search of Nowra to identify suitable relocation sites. To ensure the move from the RFS Centre occurs as soon as possible, it is proposed that two response points will be established: one in  South Nowra and one further north near the Nowra town centre.  These options were formally discussed with firefighters in Nowra on Tuesday evening and were well received. Plans are underway to try to secure properties as soon as possible. 

 

INCIDENTS

Blacktown storms response and recovery operation
World War 2 bunker alight in Dubbo

 

EVENTS

2008 Royal Easter Show
Change Your Clock, Change Your Smoke Alarm Battery campaign

Earth Hour - 8pm to 9pm, Saturday 29 March 2008

Long Service and Good Conduct medals presented at 494 Wentworth

Wings over Illawarra



COMMISH’S CORNER
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