COMMISH’S CORNER

Friday 23 October 2009 Number 475
The Rumour Mill No (02) 9265 2627

CURRENT NATIONAL SECURITY ALERT LEVEL : MEDIUM

Death in the line of duty

The tragic death of Retained Firefighter Andrew Turnbull from 347 Kingscliff on Friday 16 October following a grass fire at Fingal Head on the North Coast is an unwelcome reminder of the serious side of what we do. Andrew collapsed shortly after the fire was extinguished and despite the efforts of his mates from 347 and Ambulance Paramedics, he could not be revived. Andrew was a well known and liked member of the NSWFB and the local community. I extend my deepest sympathy, personally and on behalf of the NSWFB, to Andrew’s family, friends and colleagues. Andrew’s funeral with full Brigade Honours will be held tomorrow in Kingscliff, and I will attend together with DC Benson, AC Hamilton, AC Smith and many other officers and firefighters.

Super agency update

In June the Premier announced that 160 agencies, including the NSWFB were being merged into 13 “super agencies”. The changes are aimed at gaining efficiencies and cost savings in corporate services, and are not to impact detrimentally on front line service delivery. The NSWFB remains a separate “Schedule 2” agency, but is now part of “Police and Emergency Services NSW” (PESN). I am a member of the Board of PESN, together with the Commissioner of Police (who is also filling the role of Director General PESN), Deputy Commissioner of Police, Commissioner RFS, Commissioner SES, Commissioner NSW Crime Commission, and Director General Emergency Management NSW.

Now that I have returned to duty I will be ensuring that all affected staff are regularly briefed on developments. I acknowledge that there has been little communication on what is happening – but this is because very little has been happening. As I advised staff at Greenacre yesterday, rumours of a wholesale takeover of the NSWFB, imminent relocations and staff losses are not true. There will be changes, but there are no firm plans as yet what these will be or when they will occur. The only changes that have been discussed by the Board at present are extending Police legal services to the other agencies, and looking at how NSWFB and Police Properties and Supply Services might be integrated to gain efficiencies. Where changes are proposed, staff will be involved in project teams to determine how best to gain efficiencies. This detailed work has not commenced.

The three requirements I have put forward to the Board are as follows:

  1. Staff are to be treated fairly and communicated with
  2. Any changes must result in the same, or better levels of service, and
  3. Any changes must cost the same, or less.

At the direction of the Board a Steering Committee, which includes the NSWFB, is developing a detailed communication strategy. This will also involve close consultation with the PSA and other affected unions. 

Back on deck

Thank you to the many people who sent their best wishes following my recent shoulder and abdominal surgery. It was necessary for me to be on sick leave for six weeks and DC John Benson ably acted in the position of Commissioner. I submitted myself to examination by the BMO to get clearance to return to duty, as I believe that it is important that there be no “special treatment” for anybody in the organisation.  Thankfully I was deemed fit for duty!

Car fire on Cahill Expressway

Many of you may have seen news reports that on my way to work on Tuesday, I came across a car alight on the Cahill Expressway. After extinguishing the fire with a dry powder extinguisher I sent a White message for a pumper to attend to ensure the fire was fully extinguished. Unfortunately, on the way to the incident a bus collided with the rear of the appliance. The bus driver and a number of passengers from the bus were injured, along with two firefighters from 53 Neutral Bay. The firefighters, bus driver and some of the passengers were transported to hospital for treatment. Thankfully both firefighters were released from hospital in the afternoon. The only good thing to emerge was that the car was saved, and the publicity following me being “spotted” by members of the public who rang radio stations, was that we were able to publicly encourage people to carry a first aid kit and fire extinguisher in their vehicles. The rumour that the BMO rang to remind me that I was on light duties is not true.

 

40kmh speed zones at emergencies

The NSWFB, on behalf of the State Emergency Management Committee and State Rescue Board, has been leading negotiations and discussions with the Roads and Traffic Authority on the introduction of a mandatory 40 kmh speed zone at emergency scenes. There were a range of complex regulatory, enforcement and training issues that needed to be solved; however, Chief Supt John Bedford and Supt Paul Bailey are in final discussions with RTA so that new arrangements can soon be introduced. Our Minister, Steve Whan, has publicly supported the measures following media interviews with the FBEU yesterday, and I am confident that an announcement will be imminent on how the new arrangements can be rapidly introduced.

 

Operational readiness exercises using FireAir 1

With the bushfire season now upon us, Area and Zone Commanders are reminded about the benefits of using the jointly-operated aircraft FireAir 1 to conduct aerial surveys of high risk bushland urban interface zones and for pre-incident planning at high hazard facilities and critical infrastructure. Officers can contact the Manager Counter Terrorism and Aviation or the on-shift Aviation Officer to discuss operational needs. Counter Terrorism and Aviation intranet site for further information.

 

Bushfire activity

The bushfire season is well underway with outbreaks at Middle Cove (Sydney), Blacksmiths ( Newcastle ), Brooms Head (north coast), and at many remote locations in the north of the state.  The Middle Cove bushfire also required the assistance of Marine 1 and NSW Police launches to deploy crews due to inaccessibility for fire appliances, as well as Fire Air 1 and an RFS helicopter. CFU teams activated and maintained watch on their homes.  The fire at Brooms Head was declared a Section 44 emergency and NSWFB assistance was provided to the RFS. The 6000 ha fire has recently been contained after operations lasting nearly a week. The Middle Cove fire in particular, which followed days of heavy rain, shows that just a couple of days of moderate temperatures and dry winds will quickly return bushland fuels to a highly flammable state. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index in many areas of the state is at levels normally not expected until later in the season. 

Minister shown the ropes at Safe Working on Roofs demonstration

On Tuesday 13 October, the Minister for Emergency Services Steve Whan visited the State Training College to view the new Safe Working on Roofs training program which is being rolled out across the state. Under instruction from SO Charles Begley and SO Mick Wasley, firefighters from 17 Drummoyne and 60 Avalon demonstrated  some elements of the new program including correct rigging of equipment, a safety check and executing a top belay. It is expected that training of permanent firefighters in the greater Sydney area will be completed by the end of November. It will then be rolled out to full-time and part-time firefighters in regional NSW and will be incorporated into the Recruit Training Program.

McHappy Day 2009 - Saturday 14 November

Many firefighters have supported McHappy Day over the years to help raise donations for Ronald McDonald House Charities.  McHappy Day has been a popular Australian event for the past 19 years, and this year almost 800 restaurants and their communities will participate. McHappy Day is one of the biggest charity fundraising campaigns for families in Australia with funds raised support programs including Ronald McDonald Houses, Family Rooms, Family Retreats, the National Learning Program, Cord Blood Banks and Grants for Medical Research.  McDonald's is now a Major Community Partner of the NSWFB and supports a number of fire safety initiatives. We encourage firefighters to participate in their local McDonald's McHappy Day by registering through the McHappy Day Hotline on 9555 1771.

Southern Cross Retained Firefighter research launched

Two Southern Cross University students have assisted NSWFB to learn more about how to best attract and retain Northern Rivers retained firefighters of the future. As part of a 16-week internship project, Bachelor of Business students Ashlea Priestley and Jessica Bryant investigated recruitment and retention of retained firefighters by surveying 70 retained firefighters and 236 community members in the Byron Shire and Richmond Valley Local Government Areas. The motivations to join NSWFB as retained firefighter were: community involvement (32%); saving and protecting lives (24%); team involvement (14%); followed closely by gaining knowledge, skills and training (13%) and family tradition (9%). Ashlea and Jessica delivered an excellent presentation to the Corporate Executive Group this week, and their high quality research will help us to design and target future recruitment activities.

Special thanks to all who participated in this project. Further results are available from Assistant Commissioner Jim Hamilton and Chief Superintendent Gary McKinnon.

Australasian Firefighter Championships

Congratulations to all the teams representing the NSWFB at the Australasian Firefighter Championships held in Rotorua , New Zealand , on the weekend of 17-18 October. Our teams all had podium finishes over the two days of the competition, with Nowra coming in at 2nd place, Dorrigo 11th, Glen Innes 14th, Kelso 16th and Coffs Harbour 20th at the conclusion of the 10 events. The final first three placings were - Carterton (NZ), Nowra and Melbourne.

New affiliation with Green Cross Australia

NSWFB has a new affiliation with Green Cross Australia to work towards promoting bushfire preparedness and the CFU Program to a youth market. Green Cross Australia (GSA) is the Australian branch of Green Cross International which is a not-for-profit organisation whose aim is to increase awareness about climate change and its effect on extreme weather conditions such as bushfire, floods and cyclones. One of their main priorities is to publish information about extreme weather and facilitate interaction between extreme weather youth volunteers and their peers through www.extremeweatherheroes.org.

Miller Technology High School fire

At 1905 hours on Thursday 15 October, firefighters from 31 Busby, 101 Bonnyrigg Heights , 7 Horningsea Park, 8 Liverpool, 49 Cabramatta and 92 St Andrews were responded to a school fire at Miller Technology High School , Cabramatta Ave , Miller.  This school had previously been identified as ‘at risk’ by the Community Safety Division and as a result the crew from 31 Busby (C Platoon) had conducted a PIP three weeks before the fire occurred.  As it turned out, it was this crew that was first on scene. Firefighters were confronted with a well‑developed fire on the upper level of a two‑storey building of brick and iron construction and dimensions 50m x 50m.  The block contained 12 classrooms plus teachers offices.  There was one classroom already totally involved in fire and the whole upper level was at risk of being destroyed as the fire was spreading through the false ceiling.  Due to the knowledge gained from the PIP, they were able to quickly locate and access the brigade booster system to enhance water supply.  The fire was extinguished before it could spread to other sections of the school.  This quick decisive action demonstrates the value of a PIP in the event of a fire.  The containment of the fire was a fantastic result and all crews deserve to be congratulated for their fire fighting and pre-incident planning efforts.

School Fire at South Grafton

At 0114 hours on Sunday 18 October, firefighters from 306 Grafton were responded to a rubbish fire at Gilwinga Public School .  Upon arrival, the crews discovered flames issuing from the rear of the auditorium building, which was of brick and tile construction and dimensions of 20m x 20m.  The firefighters forced entry into the building and located the fire in a sporting equipment storage room, located within the building.  They were able to contain the fire to the storage room and save the rest of the building.  Normally, 307 South Grafton would have attended this call and been the first arriving station.  However, they were involved with a Strike Team on standby at Yamba for the Brooms Head bushfire.

Child stuck on roof at Penrith

At 1619 hours on Friday 16 October, firefighters from 102 Regentville were responded to a medical access emergency at the Chifley Hotel, Mulgoa Rd , Jamisontown.  When they arrived, the crews discovered a three-year-old child had slid from a balcony onto a landing.  His father had then climbed down to his son to ensure he didn’t fall any further.  The crews gained access to the father and son with the portable ladder and called for assistance from the aerial pumper at 86 Penrith.  After putting a harness on the father and attaching the son to a firefighter by a sling, the crew successfully brought the pair to the ground.

Car upside down on roof at Parklea

At 0210 hours on Sunday 18 October, firefighters from 94 Kellyville, 63 Blacktown and 96 Schofields were responded to an MVA at Sunnyholt Rd , Parklea.  Upon arrival, the crews were astounded to see a car upside down on the roof of a house.  One of the car’s occupants was sitting on the roof and the driver was trapped in the vehicle.  This marked the start of quite an unusual rescue incident in which the house had to be shored up with Acro props from 63 Blacktown ’s Heavy Rescue before the crew could free the driver.  97 Huntingwood’s Aerial pumper was also called to assist.  The driver was successfully extricated and both driver and passenger were lowered to the ground using a ladder slide. There was considerable media coverage of the rescue that highlighted the competence and professionalism of the NSWFB.

Rumour:  Is there any truth to the rumour about a 37m Bronto being placed on the Central Coast ? 351 station was said to be the pick, however due to the angle of the driveway into the bays, it cannot fit. It is said that 292 station would be a better option due to the fact it is halfway between Hornsby and Newcastle brontos.   

Response:   A working group known as the Major Aerial Appliance Working Group is currently reviewing the role and future needs of the NSWFB's major aerial appliance fleet in the Greater Metropolitan Area (Sydney, Newcastle , Wollongong and the Central Coast ).

One of the Working Group's primary terms of reference is to make recommendations in respect to the make up of the major aerial fleet in terms of aerial ladder platforms (“Bronto”), turntable ladders or any other new developments in aerial technology which may be available. 

Although the Working Group is also conducting a preliminary survey on which existing Fire Station engine bays in the Greater Metropolitan Area could accommodate a major aerial appliance and a standard Class 3 pumper, the Working Group will not be making any decision on the exact locations of major aerial appliances. These decisions will be made following a more detailed analysis of the needs of particular Zones and will include amongst other considerations detailed surveys on the most suitable locations for major aerial appliances and the ability of a station to satisfy all of the aspects necessary to house a major aerial such as staffing amenities, garaging and area demographics. At present the Central Coast is well served by two Aerial Pumpers.


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