Operational Communications FRNSW Advisors Support Firefighting in the Solomons
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Fire & Rescue October 2014 News Operational Communications Triple zero heroes FRNSW advisors support firefighting in the Solomons The The Minister Commissioner writes writes Being appointed to the Police and In the ‘What’s new’ section Emergency Services portfolio has of the issue, we touch on given me the opportunity to see the the far-reaching changes magnificent work done by all our emergency services and related in several key areas of what agencies as they work tirelessly to we do and how we operate. protect the community of NSW. The new Retained Award, which took effect in May, seeks to improve availability, increases pay and enables The NSW Government is committed to ensuring our Retained Firefighters to achieve a better work/life emergency services are well-resourced to meet the balance than before. My thanks to everyone who played many challenges that they face. In the 2014/15 State a part in bringing this to fruition, including the FBEU. Budget announced in June, the NSW Government provided $665.5 million in funding for Fire & Rescue Last December we held a Rescue Summit to review NSW. This included capital expenditure of $70.6 million FRNSW’s rescue practices, resources and training. which includes $17.7 million for the ongoing replacement Following this summit, we initiated development of of fire appliances, $15.7 million for major works on a rescue capability roadmap to ensure we continue new fire stations and upgrades to existing fire stations, to be a world class rescue service. This issue provides and $7.2 million for the structural firefighting helmet an update on this process and the expected timeframes. replacement program. On 9 July Commissioner Mullins This issue also contains a profile of Operational and I visited the heritage-listed Pyrmont Fire Station to Communications and the superb work they do in handling learn first hand about the planned major redevelopment emergency calls for the State and dispatching FRNSW of the station, and to meet with the firefighters on duty. resources. Our Comms Centre operators are well-trained It has been very pleasing to see the concerted effort and capable, efficiently and professionally handling being put into by FRNSW and other emergency services hundreds of thousands of triple zero calls annually. into promoting prevention. The continuing downward The case studies in this profile are just two of a large trend in the number of house fires over the last five number of incidents where the Comms Centres played years is strong testament to the effectiveness of these a crucial part in saving lives. programs. At FRNSW’s 2014 Open Day on 17 May, Following several months of drier weather with above- I took the opportunity to visit Penrith Fire Station in average temperatures, there are strong indicators of my electorate and saw for myself the excellent work a very challenging bushfire season ahead of us, and being done by firefighters in promoting fire safety the first few days of August saw the first property losses messages to their community. – months earlier than we would expect. I take this As one of the most trusted professions, I am sure opportunity to urge all stations to not only make sure firefighters will keep working hard to deliver timely your crews are ready for this bushfire season, but also effective emergency services to the people of NSW and to work hard at reminding your local communities of to maintain the community’s continued trust in them. the critical importance of being prepared, particularly in areas of high bushfire risk. Stuart Ayres MP Minister for Police and Emergency Services Greg Mullins AFSM Commissioner Front cover: Modern and historic fire appliances and uniforms at Eastwood centenary. Fire & Rescue News : October 2014 In this issue 07 OPERATIONAL 03 COMMUNICATIONS WHAT’S NEW? 11 FIREFIGHTING IN THE SOLOMONS 15 18 LEARNING FROM EXPERIENCE TRAINING & EXERCISING 23 28 32 35 36 FRNSW in Selling Movement at This Fundraising the media the safety the stations sporting life message 01 Fire & Rescue News : October 2014 WHAT’S NEW? Other stories The process of developing a Rescue Capability The future of rescue _________________________________________________ 03 Roadmap for FRNSW State Budget and highlights for FRNSW _________________________________ 03 has now entered the New Retained Award introduced _______________________________________ 04 second of three Commissioner’s Safety Awards established ______________________________ 05 Gas pipeline explosion _______________________________________________ 15 major phases. Survey on Victorian deployment ________________________________________ 16 Tunnel exercise aims to prevent traffic woes______________________________ 18 Regional Firefighter Championships ____________________________________ 20 New guide makes talking to the media easier_____________________________ 23 Greenacre becomes Hollywood for a day _________________________________ 23 FRNSW featured in ABC Catalyst program _______________________________ 24 How to take a good photo or video ______________________________________ 24 Live coverage – in high definition _______________________________________ 26 2014 Open Day attracts record attendances ______________________________ 28 Firefighters enlist Aboriginal fire safety volunteers ________________________ 31 Station centenaries celebrated with lion dances and historic fire engines_______ 32 New station opened at Terrigal ________________________________________ 32 Pyrmont Station redevelopment goes ahead after extensive consultation_______ 32 Creative fire station noticeboards ______________________________________ 33 Firefighter ironman breaks 9-hour barrier _______________________________ 35 ‘400 in 4’ rides again _________________________________________________ 36 Runaway horses and rotary gongs ______________________________________ 37 FRNSW staff awarded Queen’s Birthday Honours__________________________ 38 FRNSW ‘Bravehearts’ recognised on St Florian’s Day ______________________ 39 Other awards for FRNSW staff _________________________________________ 41 Thank you from Victoria ______________________________________________ 42 Firefighters again voted as highly trusted ________________________________ 42 ollowing feedback from firefighters Japanese PM praises FRNSW _________________________________________ 43 on issues relating to rescue Social media says thank you __________________________________________ 44 capability, the Commissioner Deaths and retirements ______________________________________________ 45 Fbelieved it was time to review FRNSW’s rescue practices, resources Incidents and training, to ensure the organisation retains its standing as a world-class rescue service. 7th Alarm fire in recycling plant at Somersby _______________________ 06 The first phase of the rescue 5th Alarm factory fire and rescue at Alexandria _____________________ 10 review was the Rescue Summit held on 4 December 2013, followed by the Firefighters use CPR and defibrillator to revive MVA victim ____________ 14 publication of a report on the summit Cotton truck on fire at Mt Victoria ________________________________ 17 and gaining firefighter feedback on its Rescuing a horse with an iPad ___________________________________ 22 key themes. This feedback, along with Highrise rescue of window cleaners in Sydney CBD __________________ 27 other feedback, has been analysed and 60 Avalon experiences ‘that sinking feeling’! ________________________ 34 will assist the next phase of the review. The second phase of the rescue review process commenced in late July. Phase two includes the creation Send in your stories and photos of a reference group who will provide assistance in developing the 2015 Rescue Fire & Rescue News is the internal news magazine of Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW). Roadmap for FRNSW. FRNSW Media & Communications Unit (MCU) wants to publicise the incidents your The reference group is currently in crew attended, and the achievements of your unit. the process of reviewing the outcomes of the summit, considering feedback T: (02) 9265 2907 E: [email protected] received, identifying priorities and assisting Operational Capability to develop Intranet a draft Rescue Capability Roadmap due Email any photos and stories to [email protected] in October. Some of the priority projects Fire & Rescue News include reviewing units of competency for Send any high-resolution photos (larger than 1,000KB) to: [email protected] general land rescue and vertical rescue, flood / swift water, confined space, road accident rescue and reptile handling. Follow FRNSW The rescue reference groups consist of permanent and retained firefighter FRNSWMEDIA @FRNSW FRNSW 02 Fire & Rescue News : October 2014 THE FUTURE OF representatives from all Area Commands, along with representatives from Education STATE BUDGET & HIGHLIGHTS and Training, Logistics Support and FOR FRNSW Operational Capability. The third phase of the rescue review process will include a formal launch of the 2015 Rescue Roadmap later this year On Tuesday 17 June the NSW Treasurer Andrew Constance along with an implementation plan that handed down the NSW Government’s 2014/15 budget. ensures we deliver on our priorities. Highlights for FRNSW included: “We have now successfully completed Phase 1,” said Superintendent Gary McKinnon, Capability Manager Rescue. $17.7 million capital for the ongoing replacement of “The Rescue Summit last December, fire appliances – this includes purchase of 10 Class 3 pumpers which focused on the assessment