COMMISH’S CORNER

Friday 18 December 2009 Number 479         The Rumour Mill No (02) 9265 2627
CURRENT NATIONAL SECURITY ALERT LEVEL : MEDIUM

A safe and happy Christmas and 2010
It seems like just a few months ago that I was writing my Christmas message for 2008, and here we are at the end of 2009. It has been another eventful year for the NSWFB.

We started the year with a new Minister for Emergency Services, Steve Whan, who has taken a keen interest in the work of the NSWFB. I know that his strong support will continue in 2010.

Operationally, it has been another interesting year with firefighters continuing to demonstrate their professionalism and skills at a vast array of situations including the high rise explosion at the Bondi Junction Eastgate Shopping Centre in March, several flood events on the Mid North Coast and the deployment of a four-person NSWFB logistics team to Samoa following the earthquake and subsequent tsunami in September. The NSWFB also worked with NSW Health and other government agencies when the H1N1 (Swine Flu) 2009 influenza pandemic hit Australia . Fortunately the impact in NSW was minimal, but it was a useful exercise in planning for a situation which had the potential to impact heavily on us in terms of illness and maintaining operational capabilities.

During the year, new fire stations opened at Sawtell, Raymond Terrace and Castle Hill, while Cessnock, Matraville and Neutral Bay fire stations celebrated their centenaries. The roll out of new appliances continued with a total of around 12 Class 2 and Class 3 Pumpers and 3 heavy rescues being delivered to stations between October and December. The new Rescue and Disaster Education Centre at Ingleburn became operational in 2009 which will assist us in developing our rescue capabilities.

Organisationally, it has also been a significant year. In March, we launched our new sponsorship program, announcing McDonalds as our first Major Community Partner. In August, GIO joined us as our second Major Community Partner. The sponsors have provided valuable financial and in-kind support, which has enabled us to improve the development and delivery of community safety programs. We look forward to continuing to develop these relationships in 2010.

We’ve moved ahead in leaps and bounds on the I.T. front with the new SAP Human Resources Information System launched in March, providing all staff with easier to read time sheets available in both printed and electronic versions, and staff from the I.T. Systems Unit and Finance have worked with their counterparts from the SES to adapt the NSWFB's SAP Finance and Warehouse Management system for use by the SES.

The other significant development was the announcement by the NSW State Government of the new super agency to be known as Police and Emergency Services NSW which brings together the NSWFB,  Police, Rural Fire Service, State Emergency Service, Crime Commission and Emergency Management NSW (formerly Office for Emergency Services). Each of the agencies maintain their names,  identity, operational powers and roles and budgets.

The NSWFB has also faced a number of challenges, with all Australian fire services dealing with the aftermath of the devastating Black Saturday fires which hit Victoria in February and the subsequent Royal Commission. We also lost one of our own in October, with the tragic death of Retained Firefighter Andrew Turnbull from 347 Kingscliff. Our thoughts remain with Andrew’s family and colleagues, particularly during the festive season.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you for your hard work and dedication during 2009. I wish you and your families a safe and happy festive season and look forward to another exciting and no doubt challenging year in 2010. Finally, thank you for your support to me as your Commissioner – it is greatly appreciated and I am humbled by it.
 
 

Annual Report 2008/09
The Annual Report 2008/09 has recently been released, and is available in electronic format.  The report is available on both the intranet and internet sites, using the links below, CDs will also be available in the New Year.

Bushfire update 
Yesterday was a probably a taste of what we can expect in early 2010 if there is no significant rainfall. Homes were lost near Albury, where we deployed 2 Strike Teams, and more than 20 appliances were deployed to a fast-moving fire at Londonderry on Sydney ’s outskirts. The previous day a 10th Alarm bushfire broke out at Blighs Park as well as a number of 2nd, 3rd and 4th Alarms. Nearly 100 bushfires are currently burning across the state, and there are 9 Section 44 declarations in force. Weather forecasts are predicting minimal rainfall in western NSW and between 5mm to 100mm of rainfall in eastern parts of the state, peaking in north-eastern NSW in the lead up to Christmas. Temperatures are predicted to have up to a 60 per cent chance of exceeding maximum temperatures (27-35 degrees C) over summer, and drought indices are up to 75% above average for this time of year. Staff should ensure that they are familiar with the firefighter safety at bushfires bulletin which described “LACES” (Lookouts, Awareness, Communications, Escape Routes, Safety Zones) as a memory aid for safe operations at bushfires. For further information click here

Firefighters assist the Starlight Foundation in spreading Christmas cheer
This week firefighters from 12 fire stations from both the metropolitan and regional areas have taken part in the annual Starlight Children’s Foundation present run, delivering presents and toys to children in hospitals across the State. Thanks to all who participated for their support of this worthy cause, and to those that support similar charitable activities in their local areas.

SOPP graduation
Today I congratulated 22 Leading Firefighters who have now completed the Station Officers’ Promotional Program (SOPP).
Congratulations on this achievement.  

 Upgrades complete to Moama and Yamba and Neutral Bay centenary 
In the past two weeks, the extensive renovations to Moama and Yamba fire stations were officially opened by Deputy Commissioner John Benson. Yamba received
$298,800 worth of renovations and Moama’s extension cost $430,000, provising local firefighters with more modern, spacious fire stations from which to serve their local communities. On Saturday 19 December, I officiated at Neutral Bay Fire Station’s centenary and was joined by the Member for North Sydney Joe Hockey MP, Mayor of North Sydney Genia McCaffery, Acting Assistant Commissioner Terry Farley, Chief Superintendent Marcus Baker, Superintendent Michael Brown and Neutral Bay firefighters, both current and retired, who watched a parade of new and old fire appliances led by our band. 

 Roll out of new appliances continues
This week 56 Matraville took delivery of a new Class 3 pumper, and new heavy rescues were delivered to 63 Blacktown and 503 Wollongong . 15 Burwood and 3 The Rocks have also recently taken delivery of new Class 3 pumpers, with official handovers to take place in coming weeks.       

Celebration of Brigade Centenaries
The NSWFB is proud of its history, heritage and traditions and this year officially celebrated 125 years of service to the community.  Accordingly, it is appropriate to officially acknowledge and celebrate a brigade’s service to the community. 

It is the NSWFB’s practice to officially celebrate the centenary of a brigade’s formation, and/or the construction of the current station building. Recently, however, some brigades have requested the official celebration of other ‘milestones’.  One area of confusion has resulted from the institution of the Board of Fire Commissioners of NSW in 1910.  A brief historical overview might explain this confusion:

·        With the passing of the first Fire Brigades Act (1884), the Metropolitan Fire Brigade was formed under the control of the Fire Brigades Board.  This was essentially a Sydney-based fire brigade, and accordingly, the Fire Brigades Board generally had no jurisdiction outside of the Metropolitan Area.  Many country fire brigades existed, however, being formed either by the volunteer firemen, the local council, or a local fire brigade board.

·        In 1909, a new Fire Brigades Act was introduced which saw the Metropolitan Fire Brigade replaced by a statewide NSW Fire Brigades.  The old Board was dissolved and replaced with the Board of Fire Commissioners of NSW, on 1st January 1910.  This new board had statewide control. As a result of these changes, 99 previously established country fire brigades came under the control of the new board.  This is why the occurrence books, often still located at these stations, commence in early 1910.

Whilst this, in itself, is a milestone in NSWFB history, it would be impractical to officially celebrate so many instances of brigades coming under Board control.  While this does not preclude Brigades from organising local events in recognition of this anniversary, only the centenary of a brigade’s formation, and/or the erection of its ‘current’ building, will be officially celebrated.

Changes in AIRS – small fire and electrical fires
All firefighters were recently advised of some changes in AIRS reporting for small fire and electrical fires, with some codes retired and others reclassified. A recent review of AIRS reports found that small fires, electrical fires and fires involving electrical appliances were being recorded as “heat related events” (Type of Incident Coded as 430 – 439) rather than fires - this has resulted in under-reporting of fires, which impacts on the development of community safety programs and the quality of information provided to the Office of Fair Trading. Further information on the change is available on the intranet.

Fire safety campaigns – bush fires, camping and caravanning and festive
The template media releases for the bush fire season fire safety campaign and the festive fire safety campaign are now available on the intranet. With Christmas just a few days away and the likelihood of continuing high temperatures over the summer, now is a good time to promote key fire safety messages in your local communities.

Waste the Waist registration opening in January
Make a healthy start to 2010 and register for the Waste the Waist competition on the intranet next month. Complete the questionnaire and you’ll receive a start-up pack at home which includes great advice to help you achieve a healthier lifestyle. Enter individually or as part of a team and you could win some great prizes as well as making long term health gains. You can register from Friday 1 January, with the program set to commence on Monday 1 February. 

3rd Alarm factory fire on Central Coast
Central Coast firefighters were kept busy throughout the early hours of Wednesday 9 December. At about 2330 on Tuesday night crews were called to a building fire in Nells Rd West Gosford. Crews from 509 Wyoming were on scene within six minutes and immediately requested a 2nd Alarm to a building 40m by 20m that was fully involved in fire with surrounding exposures threatened. An aerial pumper was put to work and additional appliances assist with a relay. A 3rd Alarm was requested by the Duty Commander and under the command of Superintendent Keith King crews successfully defended the surrounding properties with the fire brought under control by 0200. However the incident continued until 1800hrs that night after several acetylene cylinders were located under parts of the collapsed structure. A 200 metre exclusion zone was maintained throughout the day while crews cooled the exposed cylinders. 

Rumour: Is it true that the Recruit Training Section doesn't have any allocated appliances, and when it is given appliances, they tend to be old and don't have enough resources to put on these appliances?  And is it true that Recruits have been known to do training drills in the yard, using trolleys to simulate appliances because of the lack of resources they have?

Response: Since the sudden withdrawal from service of Internationals, the Training College has worked with Fleet to source Service Exchange Vehicles as well as maintain the appliances permanently stationed at the College to ensure continued training.  This has not posed a problem and the recognition that the College requires its own dedicated fleet has resulted in the Fleet Management Unit adjusting the appliance cascade program to include training pumpers.  Inventories are constantly reviewed and updated to reflect current operational equipment and whilst the supply of new equipment is not always immediate it is timely and ensures training continues.  As for the use of trolleys to simulate appliances, no, that isn’t true.

Rumour: Is it true that the State Training College has been promised a number of operational appliances, but management has now reneged on this promise?

Response: No. See the above.


Rumour:
Is it true that since the abolition of 14.8 in the Award, Recruit Instructors are banned from going to Stations to spend time to maintain their skills?

Response: No, it is not banned.  Since the removal of clause 14.8 from the award there is no longer a requirement for staff in operational support positions to complete 2 months at a station to meet eligibility requirements for promotion.  This clause was not a requirement for staff to maintain their skills as only those personnel that had not met minimum service levels for their next promotion needed to undertake the 2 months return.  Development opportunities, including time at stations, are being made available to staff upon request, but naturally work load dictates the ability to do this.


Rumour:
Is it true with the new computer system that they're going to extend the period that it takes to shutdown after logging on if it's inactive for more than ten minutes, so that people at the Station can do other things and not have to come back and keep logging in to the computer? 

Response: The computer does not shut down but logs out the current user after 15 minutes of inactivity in order to protect privacy and some of the “unusual” e-mails sent from open accounts, or worse.  The necessity to comply with a NSW Government directive can be seen as an imposition, but it should also be seen as a form of protection.


Rumour:
Is it true that channel 9 is waiting for the NSWFB to give permission for series 2 of Fire 000, and if so what is the delay considering what a public relations boost series 1 was for us!

Response: There are no immediate plans for a second series.  However, as you note, the NSWFB did receive a very positive response to the first series of Fire 000.  We regularly receive approaches to participate in TV programs and films (although usually on a smaller scale) and where it is appropriate - based on operational and reputation impact (we do get asked to participate in some odd things!) - we pursue these opportunities through PACSU or ComSafe.


Rumour:
Is it true that fire stations are being told to attend station forums at the expense of community engagements such as 'fire education'? This practice seems to fly in the face of the latest NSWFB media releases, commish's corner and ironically part of the forum itself. The recent tragic death of a child in Sth West Sydney may have been avoided by such engagements rather than chatting internally about them.

Response: As part of ongoing education, the Community Safety Directorate (CSD) facilitates station forums every Friday morning at the Greenacre Complex, similar to those facilitated by each Area Command. Stations that attend these forums are selected from across the GSA to ensure there is no service delivery gap generated by two stations located close to each other attending at the same time.

Comms Centres always advise CSD if there is a risk to operational service delivery as a result of a particular station attending these forums, and if this is the case, an alternate station is notified to attend.

It is a correct observation that as a direct result of our firefighters effectively engaging their communities in relation to home fire safety, preparedness and prevention, that we in fact reduce the incidence of injuries and tragic fatalities as a result of fires. These CSD station forums are an opportunity for the attending stations to learn how to better engage their communities, and what resources and assistance can be provided from the units at CSD to enhance these engagements. Remember, it is always better to prevent these tragic incidents from occurring, rather than responding to them. Our prevention role is every bit, if not more, important than our response role. This having been said, we endeavour to ensure that one does not suffer due to the other.


Rumour:
Is it true that the electronic BART timesheets for retained firefighters was to have been upgraded earlier this year to include both retained attendances as well as a better auditing/sign off procedure? Also, is the current system frowned upon by auditors as there is no sign off by individuals for entries entered and approved on their behalf?

Response: It was intended to implement retained attendances functionality into BART earlier this year.  However, this was postponed due to other projects (such as SAP implementation).  Instead, work will commence on the attendance report early next year. There are no audit issues with the sign off of BART entries by individuals.  All Retained Firefighters have access to BART and so are able to view the hours, kilometres and travel time that have been entered and approved on their behalf.


COMMISH’S CORNER
Commissioner’s e-mail: Commissioner@fire.nsw.gov.au
Cora Sarmiento, Commish’s PA: 9265 2930
PACSU: fax 9265 2882
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