COMMISH’S CORNER

Wednesday 16 March 2011. Number 509     The Rumour Mill No (02) 9265 2627
CURRENT NATIONAL SECURITY ALERT LEVEL : MEDIUM

CURRENT NATIONAL SECURITY ALERT LEVEL: MEDIUM

USAR deployment to Japan

Following the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan last Friday afternoon that caused massive destruction and thousands of deaths, FRNSW’s Heavy USAR Task Force was immediately placed on standby at the request of the Australian Government.  At the same time, we still had 15 members deployed as part of the multi-State and Territory USAR Task Force, led by FRNSW, in New Zealand , as well as 10 personnel on an international USAR exercise in Indonesia (which had been organised by our Japanese USAR colleagues).

Our 76 person USAR Task Force (TF1) left Richmond RAAF Base in a huge C17 transport aircraft on Sunday, picked up 2 search dog teams at Amberley RAAF Base near Brisbane , then went directly to Yokota US Air Force Base near Tokyo on Monday morning. TF1 travelled in 5 buses, 2 trucks and 2 cars to the devastated area of Minamisanriku, to work in conjunction with the Kyoto Fire Department. This is the area where 10,000 people are reported as missing, and is the closest point on the coast to the epicentre of Friday’s earthquake.

A Base of Operations has been established in an area safe from tsunami threat, and the Task Force is working very hard together with Swiss and NZ Task Forces, and Japanese firefighters. They are 139 km from the Fukushima nuclear plants, well outside the 30km hazard zone. An emergency evacuation plan is in place if needed, and Hazmat Technicians are constantly monitoring the area, while individuals all have personal dosimeters. We are in 6 hourly contact with experts from the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Science Agency (ARPANSA) and Australian Nuclear Science Technology Organisation (ANSTO), who in turn are in constant contact with their Japanese counterparts.

USAR deployment to New Zealand

New Zealand ’s national state of emergency has been extended to 21 March.  Our members of the second USAR Task Force returned this morning, tired, but proud that they were able to help our ANZAC colleagues in their time of need. The second deployment focused less on rescue tasks and more on community support and carrying out damage and risk assessments. This included smoke alarm installation, shoring of garden walls, repairs to homes, removal of furniture, assisting the elderly and general community welfare.  To date, the Task Force has completed 215 tasks allocated by USAR Command, 74 tasks allocated by NZ Police, and targeted 11 suburbs in the community recovery and engagement project.  For more information, see the intranet articles. Article Mar 03, 2011. Article Mar 16, 2011.

On Monday and Tuesday, together with Queensland Fire & Rescue Service Commissioner Lee Johnson, NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Dave Owens and Police Assistant Commissioner Alan Clarke, I visited the Task Force and was shown the damaged areas. I met with the National Commander of the NZ Fire Service, Mike Hall, and he thanked Lee and I for the assistance provided by our Australian Task Forces. The community has constantly expressed their thanks to our USAR personnel and it was very moving to be stopped in the street by locals who wanted to thank their Aussie helpers. 

In commemoration of the efforts of the Australian firefighters and emergency services personnel who assisted in the earthquake response, Australian USAR Taskforce 3 members obtained permission from the Anglican Dean of Christchurch , the Very Reverend Peter Beck, to use materials from the Cathedral to make a gift for the people of Christchurch .  The Cathedral has significant iconic value to Christchurch and sits in the middle of the CBD.  During their down time, Task Force members constructed a park bench and a cross using consecrated timbers from the Cathedral.  Along with the Task Force, members of the NZFS, Commissioner Johnson, Deputy Commissioner Owens, the Mayor of Christchurch, the Very Reverend Dean Beck, and representatives of the Australian High Commission I attended a presentation ceremony yesterday in Latimer Square , the area that has been home to the international USAR Task Forces since the earthquake.  Chief Superintendent John Denny, the Australian Task Force Leader, spoke eloquently about the ANZAC tradition and bonds between all firefighters worldwide.

Culture and values online staff questionnaire

Over the past year you have often heard me refer to the need to build an even better organisational culture. With this goal in mind, there have been a number of workshops across the service to seek input from all levels of staff in developing a shared understanding of the future direction of our organisation, describing the culture that will move us in this direction, and identifying the specific behaviours that all management and staff must demonstrate to build this culture. 

To maximise the opportunity for input from as many staff as possible, there will be an online questionnaire available from Tuesday 22 to Monday 28 March inclusive. All staff will be able to access this questionnaire via the intranet, and your feedback and comments are encouraged.  Please watch for further messages regarding this questionnaire and I urge you to make sure you don’t miss out on the opportunity to have your say. 

Earth Hour - Fire and Rescue NSW helping to deliver a sustainable future

I encourage everybody to take part in this year’s Earth Hour on Saturday 26 March from 8.30- 9.30pm, by turning off any non-essential electrical equipment (of course, please ensure that any equipment and lighting for emergency response and safety remains on), such as computers, monitors, photocopiers, TVs and all non-essential lighting in stations and offices as well as taking part in Earth Hour at home.  

The Earth Hour concept, originally conceived in Sydney and launched in December 2006, has now gained global attention. This year, millions of people in many of the world's major capital cities will unite and switch off for Earth Hour.  The idea is to create awareness that electricity consumption is the largest contributor to our global emissions and that small actions by every individual can make a big difference. 

While energy efficiency is something that is encouraged year round, Earth Hour is   important to raise awareness of energy efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions and the importance of taking action on climate change. More information is available at www.earthhour.org.au

Need to change a shift?

A new site for finding someone who is happy to swap an occasional shift has been set up on our intranet.  If you need to change shifts, you can advertise on the forum, before submitting a shift change form through your Commander.

Metropolitan North 1 Firefighter Championships - Morisset

The first round of the 2010-2011 FRNSW Firefighter Championship series will be held at Morisset on the weekend of 19-20 March. Teams from 22 brigades, as well as one from the RFS will pit their wits, skill and strength against each other as they battle it out for the number one spot. I look forward to seeing the competitors and their supporters at Morisset and wish all teams the very best of luck.

Tour of Duty – 9/11 remembered

When in the US this week, Prime Minister Julia Gillard addressed the US Congress. Included in her speech, as an example of the strong bonds between Australia and the US , and to mark the 60th anniversary of the ANZUS Security Treaty, was mention of the Tour of Duty story that unfolded recently.

QFRS Tour of Duty member Rob Frey was given a Fire Department New York helmet by an Australian soldier on his return to Australia following the original April 2010 trip to the US . It turns out that the helmet was signed by FDNY Lt Kevin Dowdell, 911 victim and father of Tour of Duty runner James Dowdell. The helmet was returned to the Dowdell family at an Australian Government function at LA Consul General Chris DeCure's home prior to the Run start and attracted a great deal of media.

Rob Frey met up with James Dowdell and Prime Minister Gillard in Washington to recall the story behind the helmet, and the journey of friendship and support behind its return to the Dowdell family. This was recounted to the US Congress and evoked an emotional response from many.

Waste the Waist 2 - a success!

Congratulations to everyone who participated in the second roll-out of the Waste the Waist program. Over 250 employees lost a total of more than 463 kilograms and 482 centimetres from their waist circumference.  That’s an average initial body weight loss of 1.9%, and a 1.85cm decrease in waist circumference. It is fantastic to see so many people improving their health by performing regular physical activity and choosing healthy food options.

Following the success of the program, we’ve opened up the Waste the Waist website so that staff can access it and make use of the helpful features, including a kilojoule calculator to keep track of the energy you are eating and using. For more information, visit the WebPages.

Mardi Gras

The Sydney 2011 Mardi Gras is an event that attracts numerous visitors from across the globe, with around 10,000 colourful participants.  As I mentioned in the last Commish’s Corner, on Saturday 5 March FRNSW staff showed their support for diversity and tolerance in the workforce and community by participating in the annual Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.  Together with Deputy Commissioner Rosemary Milkins, Assistant Commissioner Mark Whybro, permanent and retained firefighters, administration and support staff and CFU volunteers, I joined in the celebration of diversity and showed my support for those of our staff who are members of the gay and lesbian community.

INCIDENTS

9th Alarm factory fire at Warwick Farm

At the end of another busy week numerous Triple Zero (000) calls started to flood in to Sydney Comms at 1525 hours on Friday 4 March reporting a building alight at Warwick Farm. Crews from 49 Cabramatta and 8 Liverpool were quickly on the scene and discovered a fire in a large stack of pallets which was spreading into a neighbouring factory. Station Officer Cheryl Steer immediately sent a Red Message requesting a 3rd Alarm, and set up defensive positions that proved to be crucial in preventing a huge loss.

Crews were faced with a factory of tilt slab construction 100m x 40m containing 14 units. The blaze quickly spread through a common roof void, involving many of the units with crews working desperately to prevent further spread. Of the 14 factory units in the complex, 6 were totally destroyed by fire and 1 suffered minor damage. Three semi-trailers were also totally destroyed by fire. Crews did a fantastic job in saving the remaining units with the initial strategies employed by 49 and 8 stations resulting in the neighbouring Visy Board factory being saved.

After several wall and roof collapses and an exclusion zone in Sector B, the fire was finally brought under control 3 hours later by a ground, aerial and monitor attack with the fire duty ceasing at 0800 hours the next day. Crews attending were 49 Cabramatta, 8 Liverpool, 31 Busby, 7 Horningsea Park, 73 Fairfield, 85 Chester Hill, 62 Bankstown, 30 Lidcombe, 47 Revesby, 21 Kogarah, 27 Parramatta, 55 Guildford, 9 Hazmat, 41 Smithfield, 55 Guildford, 101 Bonnyrigg Heights, 13 Hazmat, 87 Rosemeadow, 64 Lakemba, 67 Northmead, 17 Drummoyne, 26 Mascot, 18 Glebe and ICV Alpha.

5th Alarm car wrecking yard fire Greenacre

At 1306 hours on Tuesday 8 March, Sydney Comms received the first of many Triple Zero (000) calls to a car wrecking yard alight at Greenacre. Due to the number of calls, the Comms Supervisor upgraded the response to a 2nd Alarm while stations were still en route. 85 Chester Hill was first on scene together with 30 Lidcombe and confirmed that a car wrecking yard was well alight. Crews were confronted with exploding gas cylinders and large volumes of thick black smoke due to burning tyres and fuel. Fortunately everyone was accounted for with Police evacuating over 100 employees from surrounding businesses.

The SO from 62 Bankstown transmitted a Red Message for a 3rd Alarm, and due to the intensity of the fire and strong winds it quickly spread into an adjoining vehicle repair shop with neighbouring businesses in Sector C and D also under threat. The Duty Commander increased the response to a 5th Alarm.

The wrecking yard and car repair shop were totally destroyed by fire but due to the tremendous efforts of firefighters, all other surrounding businesses were protected. Crews attending were 85 Chester Hill, 62 Bankstown, 30 Lidcombe, 47 Revesby, 34 Riverwood, 21 Kogarah, 64 Lakemba, 52 Campsie, 48 Mortdale, 20 Hurstville, 15 Burwood, 27 Parramatta, 19 Silverwater, 16 Concord, 55 Guildford, 9 Hazmat and ICV Alpha.

ASK THE COMMISSIONER

Q. What public holidays do Special Roster stations get and where is this written?

A. In short, public holidays are normal work days for special roster stations.

The first part of this answer lies in Clause 6 ‘Rates of Pay and Allowances’ of the firefighter’s award. The ‘rate of pay’ for a firefighter is a composite rate which incorporates ‘loading’ as an amount which is compensation for working on weekends and public holidays, among other components.

The second part of this answer applies to special roster stations with a crew of SO and 3 where the Commissioner has discretion to grant a special concession on Christmas Day, New Years Day and Good Friday only when they fall on weekdays.  This concession has the following summarised provisions:

  • Station must have minimum crewing of 4 available
  • If 4 not available then concession not available
  • During the day, you can be required to attend to ensure crew of 4

The above concession is reviewed by the Commissioner each year for approval and is then circulated to Zone Management teams that have stations to which the concession applies. The concession in no way implies that permanent firefighters are not fairly compensated for working on public holidays. Also, the concession is not extended to other public holidays and does not apply to additional gazetted public holidays.

Q. We are being asked to use our new name of Fire and Rescue NSW in the community so we can make it well known. I have noticed that whenever we are in the media, both from a reporter’s view and from the appropriate members of FRNSW, we are being referred to as NSW Fire and Rescue or NSW Rescue and Fire, never Fire and Rescue NSW.  Why is this?

A. Firstly, because you can’t possibly watch every channel or read every newspaper report – it is actually not the case in the majority of reports, as we monitor this closely. The name change has been clearly identified to all major and local media agencies by way of media releases earlier this year. It can be hard to change entrenched patterns, and it will take time for everyone to get used to the new name. The Public Affairs and Communication Strategy Unit continually reminds media outlets of the correct title on each occasion they make contact. All of our media releases and media alert documents are clearly labelled with our new title.

Firefighters can also help in either of two ways. If you notice media using an incorrect title, please advise PACSU staff so that we can rectify the matter.  Or secondly, if your local media use incorrect titles, take the time to contact them, invite them around for tea or coffee to informally meet your staff and use the opportunity to explain our various roles in the community and the reasons for the name change. A good resource to help in educating the media can be found at: http://home:81/intranet1/commish/Vision_Document.pdf

COMMISH’S CORNER