United Nations
Classification of our USAR Task Force
Planning continues for the
United Nations External Classification (IEC) exercise that will take
place in September this year. The exercise will commence in Sydney on
10 September under the watchful eye of UN Classifiers who will review
our USAR Task Force response procedures at Ingleburn. The IEC will
then continue from 11-14 September when we deploy a 72 person
multi-agency team -- including equipment and capability -- to work in
the field for ten days. The planning team is currently discussing a
proposal to fly a full deployment to Queensland using an Australian
Defence Force C17 aircraft. The IEC is being funded by the Australian
Government.
Christchurch 1 year
later
Today marks one year since Christchurch New Zealand was devastated by
a 6.3 magnitude earthquake. Local emergency services were stretched to
the limit and a request to deploy international USAR teams, including
Australia, was made soon after the earthquake hit. NSW Task Force 1,
under the leadership of Chief Superintendent Gary Picken, deployed
immediately and was the first international team to arrive and provide
relief for exhausted local emergency workers. Over the following 12
days, the NSW Task Force attended numerous USAR related incidents
including the rescue of a deeply entrapped female from a collapsed
office block, locating and assisting with the removal of numerous
deceased persons and conducting search and clearance of over 700
buildings. The USAR deployment experienced constant aftershocks and
conditions were both austere and challenging. When the TF1 departed, a
follow-up combined Australian USAR Task Force took over operations,
lead by Chief Superintendent John Denny. They assisted by shoring
collapsed buildings, making areas safe and helping with local
community recovery tasks. Our thoughts are with the people of
Christchurch as they continue the massive task of rebuilding their
city while coping with the tragedy of the 181 lives lost on that day.
This morning Deputy Commissioner Benson represented us at a ceremony
in Christchurch where he was presented with a thank you plaque by the
Mayor.
Beat the flu bug!
The vaccination clinic is open for bookings
As flu season is
approaching, I'll be lining up at City of Sydney Fire Station to
receive my ‘flu jab’, as I do every year. I encourage you to be a
part of this invaluable FRNSW commitment to promoting health and
reducing illness. We will again be offering flu vaccinations for all FRNSW
staff throughout NSW. To find out more about the FRNSW vaccination
program and to make an
appointment, visit the Health and Safety intranet
site via this link.
National incident
management working group
Tomorrow Assistant Commissioner Mark Brown and I will be in Melbourne
working with other fire agencies, land management authorities and the
SES on further developing the Australian Inter-service Incident
Management System (AIIMS). My role is alternate Chair, and AC Brown is
the national urban fire service representative. AIIMS has evolved over
the years from a primarily bushfire-focused ICS, to an “all hazards”
system. FRNSW has been at the forefront of developing incident command
tools for urban scenarios, such as hazmat, rescue, high rise and major
structure fires. Our SOGs were originally written by me after I was
awarded a Churchill Fellowship in 1995 to research incident command
systems and other fire service issues. They were based on the Phoenix
(Arizona) Fire Dept. “Fire Command” model developed by Chief Alan
Brunacini. 17 years later, we are trialing the “Blue Card” online
ICS training course developed by Chief Brunacini and his sons, which
is a significant advancement on what I saw back in 1995. AC Brown and
I are feeding the key concepts of urban ICS into the national work on
AIIMS.
Possible replacement of
FireAir1
FRNSW has enjoyed a successful partnership with the NSW Police Force (NSWPF)
in the joint operation of FireAir 1/ PolAir 5. The time has now come
to look at a possible replacement of the BK 117 helicopter and after a
review of FRNSW and NSWPF requirements, the Bell 412EP helicopter has
been identified as a suitable replacement. The Bell 412 has double the
carrying capacity and range of the current aircraft, and has a far
greater capacity for water bombing bushfires (1,900 litre belly tank).
Along with several other senior officers from FRNSW and the NSWPF, I
recently visited the Bankstown Aviation Base to inspect a similar
aircraft and learn more about it’s capabilities. FRNSW and NSWPF
will now work together on a business case in an effort to secure the
necessary funding.
IPP Entry Test
review and a “country” IPP As
a result of feedback from the Inspectors Promotional Program (IPP)
Entry Test review process we have updated the information available
for the Incident Management section of the
entry test. Go to the IPP intranet page and
see the links for Incident
Management format - Fire (Powerpoint) and
Incident Management format - Hazmat (Powerpoint).
Today’s special edition
of Commissioner’s Orders advertises an IPP entry test targeted at
newly created country Duty Commander positions. All candidates for the
IPP will need to be prepared to serve in regional NSW.
US Fire Chief visit
Last week Chief Bruce Stedman from Arlington Fire Department,
Washington State, USA, visited Sydney. We discovered we have many
mutual fire service acquaintances in the US, and coincidentally we
were both the same age when we joined the fire service back in 1978.
Chief Stedman spent 33 years with the very busy East Los Angeles
Alhambra Fire Department, and retired as Fire Chief before being
offered the new possible in Arlington. In 1992 he led a Strike Team
into the centre of the Los Angeles riots, where many buildings had
been set alight. During his stay, Chief Stedman met with firefighters
from City of Sydney, Western
Sydney and South Western Sydney and attended a 2nd Alarm structure
fire scenario at Liverpool Fire Station. The firefighters were keen to
hear his stories of firefighting during his career, particularly
during the LA riots. Chief Stedman told me he was extremely impressed
with FRNSW firefighters and reiterated that even though the two
services are half a world away, firefighting in NSW and the USA is
fundamentally the same. “It’s the people who make firefighting the
best job in the world,” he said. My thanks to Inspectors Kernin
Lambert and Glenn Launt for hosting Bruce.
Be Safe News
This week you will have received your first edition of the new Health
and Safety newsletter, 'Be
Safe News'. The responsibility of
making sure everybody returns home safely after very shift
and every callout is something I take very seriously and as far as I
am concerned, the most important part of my role. Safety is not just
important for us at work - it’s just as important in every aspect of
our daily lives. The intent of the newsletter is to help us think
about safety all of the time, whether we are at work or with the
people most important to us -
our families. The new approach of Be
Safe News includes general health and
safety messages and
topics that are relevant at work and at home. The focus of the
newsletter will range from the latest research on dietary and exercise
guidelines, new promotional programs and services available for all
things 'health', as well as general information on prevention of
injury and/or illness, for both at work and at home. Any suggestions
for future topics can be sent
to health&safety@fire.nsw.gov.au
Firefighter for a Day
On Wednesday 8 February 2012, members of the media attended the State
Training College to
experience ComSafe’s Firefighter for a Day program.
Participants gained a greater insight
and understanding of
FRNSW operations through hands-on training in basic firefighting
skills, simulated search and rescue, car accident rescue, hazmat
incidents, and communication demonstrations. This is the second event
of its kind and has now been attended by various external media
representatives and staff from the Office of the Minister for Police
and Emergency Services. The event has proved to be highly successful
in building understanding and strengthening positive relationships
with our stakeholders and the media, and has resulted in a number of
very positive newspaper, radio and TV stories.
Physical aptitude test
review update
Following a very good response to the organisation-wide survey on
physically demanding job tasks, the University of Wollongong has now
completed the task analysis phase of it’s research into FRNSW’s
Physical Employment Standards. Simulations conducted at Ingleburn,
Londonderry, Beecroft and the State Training College involved
physiological monitoring of 57 firefighters
from 10 stations during a range of hazmat, rescue, bushfire and
structural firefighting
scenarios. I would like to personally thank all firefighters who
participated in, or assisted with, the simulations for the
professionalism they demonstrated. The efforts of all involved will
allow FRNSW to lead the field in the application of physical
employment standards. The next stage of the research will focus on
developing the PAT itself. For more information
please see the intranet article link.
FRNSW Chaplains
The FRNSW Chaplaincy Service provides assistance to FRNSW employees
and their families during times of stress. Whether the issues relate
to work, home, relationships or health, our Chaplains can offer
confidential and non-judgmental emotional care and support. Lyndsay
and Dawn Smith have been our Senior Chaplains for eight years and
provide a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on and perhaps some
guidance on where to get the best help - whatever the situation. They
can meet you at home, work, hospital or coffee shop - all discussions
are totally confidential. The Chaplains are actively involved in all
FRNSW support services including the Critical Incident Support
Program, Relief and Welfare Fund and Employee Assistance Program. As
Salvation Army Officers they have access to the wider resources of The
Salvation Army in NSW and as part of the FRNSW are available to
conduct weddings, christenings, naming ceremonies and funerals for
family members. To contact them, email: chaplain@fire.nsw.gov.au
or phone Lyndsay on 0418 869 280 or Dawn
on 0418 268 754.
Toughest Firefighter
Alive (TFA)
The Toughest Firefighter Alive competition is the blue ribbon event of
the World Firefighters’ Games.
The event tests competitors physically and mentally with firefighters
having to complete 4 timed stages of firefighting related activities.
TFA is only open to permanent, retained and volunteer firefighters and
is a very popular event limited to 250 participants – so
be quick to register, or miss out. Competitors will be pushed to the
limit with all aspects of agility, power, strength, stamina and
endurance being tested, not to mention the mind. There are also Gold,
Silver and Bronze medals to be won in all the respective men and women’s
age groups. A full detailed layout of the 4 stages in the TFA as well
as the rules etc. is available on the website
at www.worldfirefightersgames.com.au
WFG Events is flying out
the current World Champion Toughest Firefighter Alive, Joachim Posanz
from Germany who was the overall winner in Daegu, South Korea last
year to be part of the official countdown to the Games launch. This
will be happening on Monday 27 February in Martin Place at around
12pm. If you can, come to Martin Place and meet Joachim and see what
it takes to become a champion. While you’re there, don’t forget to
get your discounted registration for the Sydney Games in October.s
INCIDENTS
NSW floods
During the recent severe flooding in Moree, firefighters from 381
Station were kept extremely busy assisting local SES and RFS crews.
Apart from providing fire protection to the town throughout the
flooding, 381 Tanker responded to three hazmat calls, a flooding and
an AFA. It was a challenging time as 381 Station had three retained
staff members unable to get to the station, with another member
suffering major damage to his home. The town was cut by road in all
directions, and towns to the south, including Narrabri, Wee Waa and
Gunnedah, were facing their own flood problems. Warialda and Bingara
to the east were cut off from Moree due to major road damage and
flooding. As the combat agency, SES was in charge of coordinating
jobs, and all calls for flood assistance were relayed through them.
The recent flood in December and subsequent debriefs had enabled the
SES to ensure they had adequate personnel on the ground before the
floodwaters arrived. When the Mehi River cut the town in half, a FRNSW
pumper was placed on the least flood-affected southern side of the
town while the tanker remained on the heavily-flooded north side. At
the flood peak, 381 Tanker was the only vehicle able to cross the main
bridge, transporting the Local Area Police Commander from her
residence to the EOC. The tanker crew also assisted nursing staff from
Moree Hospital and Fairview Nursing Home to safely cross the river and
return home as well as enabling the Mayor of Moree to inspect the
damage after the flood had peaked. The tanker also transported much
needed milk supplies to flood affected homes. After the floodwaters
subsided, 381 Station assisted with the mammoth clean up. The
mid-north coast has also seen its fair share of wet weather, receiving
1.4 metres of rain in the last four weeks. FRNSW Stations in RN1 have
been kept busy responding to flooded commercial basements, assisting
SES crews with flood operations, attending MVA’s resulting from the
wet wether, assisting with evacuations from areas that have been
affected by swollen rivers and creeks and helping remove fallen trees
from across roads. The FRNSW crews predominately involved in these
operations were 221 Bellingen, 235 Bowraville, 257 Coffs Harbour, 453
Taree, 502 Wingham and 507 Woolgoolga. Bellingen, which is affected by
flooding probably more than any other location in RN1 was extremely
busy both during and after the floods. The crew from 221 assisted
other Emergency Services by washing away debris and mud from roads and
bridges after the Bellinger River subsided.
Bowraville also had roads
cut and bridges flooded which resulted in firefighters living out of
town having to stand by at the fire station to ensure there were
adequate crew numbers in case of a call. As is always the case, all
firefighters and support staff performed their duties without fuss or
complaint despite the extremely arduous and uncomfortable conditions.
Lightning strike at
Mullumbimby
At 0234 hours on Tuesday this week firefighters from 388 Mullumbimby,
240 Byron Bay and 316 Goonellabah Hazmat were called to a fire in a
local church. Upon arrival, the crew from 388 found a serious fire on
the 2nd level and mounted an offensive attack, backed up by crews on
240 pumper and tanker. Several lines of 38mm hose were deployed
internally by BA crews and the fire was controlled within half an
hour. During salvage and overhaul operations it was found that the
fire had originated from a lightning strike – the church becoming
another casualty of the wild weather. Well done to the crews on a good
save.
Recycling complex fire
At 0804 hours on Thursday 9 February, crews from 28 Marrickville, 5
Newtown, 13 Alexandria, 35 Botany and 26 Mascot responded to a fire in
a recycling complex in St Peters. Arriving crews were confronted by a
large area of waste paper alight inside the recycling plant. A male
employee who was suffering from smoke inhalation was treated by
firefighters at the scene before being transported to hospital by NSW
Ambulance Paramedics. Crews wearing breathing apparatus attacked the
fire but gaining access was difficult without the use of front end
loaders and oxy cutting equipment. Staff working at the site assisted
firefighters in reaching the seat of the fire and the blaze was
subsequently extinguished. Exceptional work by fire crews saved the
complex from major damage.
ASK THE COMMISSIONER
Q. Are there any plans to
develop a FRNSW App. I have noticed many people now using iphone and
ipad technology. It could contain many helpful tips, skills, facts or
contacts etc pertinent to our organisation. Maybe even a game eg “FRNSW
Trivial Pursuit” which would be a fun way of maintain our knowledge
and learning. Just a thought.
A. A
what?? (sorry – I’m getting older). At the moment we are
concentrating our effects on creating mobile friendly websites. We
already have an iPhone app for the Brigade Kids game which is
available here
http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-junior-fire-fighter-challenge/id433368564?mt=8
When you visit
our website homepage (www.fire.nsw.gov.au)
from an iPhone or Android mobile
device, you are presented with a cut down mobile friendly version of
our website which includes fire safety materials for the community and
includes an automatic fire station locator. This mobile website is
always undergoing improvements and additions. Figures from our website
show that last month, 19% of visits where from mobile devices. We are
currently developing mobile device specific applications for the
public and for internal use so please watch this space. Our IT-savvy
people tell me that the suggestion to look at developing “apps” is
a good one that we can look at in the future.
Q: Some time ago, in line
with our values of dignity and respect in the workplace, you issued an
instruction about removing anything from personal and station lockers
that could be offensive to others. This isn’t being observed 100%,
and some officers allow offensive material to remain. Why?
A: Hopefully
this is an isolated case. I have always been very clear on this –
anything that offends, excludes, or discriminates in any way, has no
place in FRNSW. Something that might be seen as harmless and funny,
can be devastating to the person it refers to. A couple of things need
to happen – in line with our respectful workplace training, all of
us need to have the courage to speak up if we see something that is
not right. If you find something offensive or fear that somebody else
might be offended, bring it to the attention of the person who placed
it, in a calm and respectful manner. If you are approached in this
way, don’t react aggressively – the person has done you a big
favour. Acknowledge this and remove the offensive material
immediately. Officers of all ranks and non uniformed managers must not
walk past or ignore something that clearly has no place in a FRNSW
workplace – whether it is offensive language, material, or
aggressive behaviour. Walking past something effectively condones it,
and this is not good enough. It is an abrogation of responsibility. We
have an enviable workplace culture and we look out for each other.
Ensuring that all of our workplaces are welcoming and safe for all is
what we expect and want, and all of us have a responsibility to try to
address any concerns immediately at the local level before they become
big problems. If something cannot be addressed, please escalate the
issue immediately via the chain of command, and to the Workplace
Standards Unit if necessary.
COMMISH’S CORNER
· Commissioner’s email: Commissioner@fire.nsw.gov.au
· Sandra Garcia, EA to Commissioner: 9265 2930
· Ask the Commissioner: OfficeOfTheCommissioner@fire.nsw.gov.au
· To contribute a story to the intranet, please contact the Media,
Ministerial and Communications Unit: 9265 2907