NATIONAL
RESPONSE Official Journal of the Australian Institute of Emergency Services
VOLUME 29 NO. 3 WINTER 2016 PRINT POST PUBLICATION NO. PP100018976 PINERY DESTRUCTION COMPENSATION AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION COMPENSATIONSPECIALISTS AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION Concerned about your SPECIALISTSentitlements to compensation, disability Concerned aboutpayment your entitlements or superannuation? to compensation, disability Our team is professional,payment or experienced superannuation? and compassionate. Our team is professional, experienced and compassionate. Why not call us today? YourWhy first not consultation call us today? is free. Your first consultation is free. 1800 25 1800 stacksgoudkamp.com.au1800 25 1800 stacksgoudkamp.com.au Sydney, Liverpool, Newcastle Sydney, Liverpool, Newcastle NATIONAL Official Publication of AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
Print Post Approved EMERGENCY PP 337586/00067 RESPONSE DISCLAIMER Official Journal of the Australian Institute of Emergency Services Views expressed in this journal, unless specifically acknowledged, are not necessarily those of the Publisher, of the Institute, of its Council or of the Editor. Winter 2016 • National Emergency Response EDITORIAL RIGHTS The Editor of National Emergency Response reserves the right to grant permission to reproduce articles from this journal. Such Approval is hereby granted, unless a specific withdrawal of this permission is included in the article in question. CONTENTS The Author and the journal must be acknowledged in any such reprint. REGULAR COLUMNS MAILING AMENDMENTS OR ENQUIRIES For any amendments or enquiries regarding mailing, please email: 2 President’s Report [email protected] 3 New Members NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS This publication is the official journal of the Australian Institute of 26 Membership information Emergency Services. It is published by Countrywide Austral for the Australian Institute of Emergency Services and will be distributed 27 AIES Contacts to its members. An illegal practice is presently operating where advertisements from some of our publications are used to produce unauthorised FEATURES publications and our advertisers are contacted for payment for the unauthorised advertisement. 4 Victoria on the move If you are approached to place an advertisement or with a request for payment for another publication, you should verify that the 6 One flash and you’re ash advertisement has been authorised and establish the bona fides of the company. 10 Giving the farmers a hand The invoice and any correspondence should have the company name, ABN, and an address (not just a PO Box) and you should ask 14 Examining Pinery for proof of publication. 21 Emergency sign of the month If you do receive a request for an unauthorised advertisement, or have concerns about the bona fides of a company, we suggest 22 AIES Young Volunteer Award you refer it to the Office of Fair Trading in your capital city. 23 Annual General Meeting & Conference PUBLISHER National Emergency Response is published by 24 National Emergency Response: Winter flashback Countrywide Austral 28 A stair-climbing event of epic proportions
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EDITORIAL TEAM Editor: Kristi High Associate Editor: Ron Jones LFAIES 2.53pm Send articles for inclusion to: The fire grew and expanded so fast it Email: [email protected] looked different every minute.
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WEBSITE CONTENT The website has sections for each State as well as National Areas. If you have ideas for State Division content, please contact your State Registrar, for National content, email [email protected] Please be aware that all content must go past the National Registrar prior to web publication to ensure it meets required guidelines. FRONT COVER Examining Pinery. Page 14. Photo by Mark Dowson.
Disclaimer Countrywide Austral (“Publisher”) advises that the contents of this publication are at the sole discretion of the National Emergency Response and the publication is offered for background information purposes only. The publication has been formulated in good faith and the Publisher believes its contents to be accurate, however, the contents do not amount to a recommendation (either expressly or by implication) and should not be relied upon in lieu of specific professional advice. The Publisher disclaims all responsibility for any loss or damage which may be incurred by any reader relying upon the information contained in the publication whether that loss or damage is caused by any fault or negligence on the part of the publisher, its directors and employees. Copyright: All advertisements appearing in this publication are subject to copyright and may not be reproduced except with the consent of the owner of the copyright. Advertising: Advertisements in this journal are solicited from organisations and businesses on the understanding that no special considerations other than those normally accepted in respect of commercial dealings, will be given to any advertiser. 2 FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK Steve Jenkins MAIES National President
he 2016 Annual General and has held not only the Victorian Meeting (AGM) of the Australian Division presidency, but also that of TInstitute of Emergency Services National President for many years. took place at University House in Alan has been a source of support the Australian National University and advice for myself since I took in Canberra on Thursday 21 May. office, and I am pleased to see that There was a good attendance with he is continuing his involvement with some members travelling some the Victorian Division Management distance to be here. As an organisation Committee as a Committee Member. that covers the entire country, the We thank Alan for his service in these tyranny of distance restricts our ability president roles. to meet formally more frequently, so The official publication of the AIES for those who were able to attend in is the National Emergency Response person, the AIES is extremely grateful. (NER) Journal, which is published
PRESIDENT’S REPORT PRESIDENT’S Likewise, we are also appreciative of quarterly. Special thanks to President The Constitution and those who could not attend but went to the Tasmania Division Ron Jones for to trouble of submitting an apology, his efforts in the role of sub-editor and Rules also allow for the or nominating a proxy. providing the conduit between the AIES appointment of non-voting Since the new Constitution and and NER Editor Kristi High. There are Rules were approved in Sydney at the deadlines to meet with the publishers Directors to the Board. AGM last year, there have been many and without the efforts of Ron and Kristi governance-related issues that the we would be in all sorts of trouble. One John know so he can post it. John is Board has been required to progress. thing that is frequently lacking is articles also desirous of having divisional media I thank the Board members involved for the journal. I would like to encourage officers who can be provided limited for their efforts, in particular, National everyone to consider writing something administrator rights to the Facebook Registrar Peter Schar and Financial for the inclusion in the Journal. It does page so that divisions can do their own Officer David Mack who transitioned not have to be war and peace, even posting. I would like to thank John for into these roles from our past Registrar just a photo with a couple of sentences his efforts, frustrating as they are at Bob Maul, who retired after many about something of interest is sufficient. times, and also those of his son who years of valuable service to the Tell your colleagues in your respective spends quite a bit of time administering organisation in that role. organisations as well. Anyone can the website. John can be contacted via Under Peter and David’s leadership, put articles in the journal. Ron and [email protected] new financial management processes Kristi can be contacted by emailing The Constitution and Rules also allow have been introduced at both national [email protected] for the appointment of non-voting and divisional levels that have Directors to the Board. I am pleased streamlined the Institute’s financial Since the new Constitution to advise that Associate Professor reporting and which have provided Brett Aimers has been appointed to transparency of finances across and Rules were approved the Board as an Independent Director. the organisation. in Sydney at the AGM Brett is presently a General Manager This has also made auditing the in the Emergency Management Institute’s financial records much last year, there have been Division of the Victorian Department simpler, as the National Registrar of Economic Development, Jobs, now arranges this and completes many governance-related Transport and Resources. for national and divisions all at once. issues that the Board has In conjunction with the 2016 AGM, Thus, there are fewer costs incurred National Board members took part in by the Institute as a whole. There is been required to progress. a two-day Strategic Planning Workshop still more to be achieved in this area to scope out some future directions despite the great progress. The AIES also has a Facebook page for the Institute. There was some Rod Young attended the AGM as that is managed by AIES Director for very interesting discussion during the newly elected President of the Membership John Rice. Like the Journal the workshop, which was facilitated Victorian Division. Rod replaces retiring though, John struggles to find enough by Brett, who will be drafting a Victorian Division present Alan Marshall information to post. Any time something comprehensive report for the Board who is a long-serving AIES member of interest happens, or is planned, let in due course.
Winter 2016 • National Emergency Response 3
Following the AGM, members attended the annual dinner in the RECENT AIES EVENTS University House dining hall. Australian • Two AIES Queensland Division representatives attended Leadership Training
Capital Territory Division President Scott for Emergency Management Volunteers workshops conducted in Brisbane PRESIDENT’S REPORT Milne filled in as the guest speaker due by the Australian Emergency Management Volunteers Forum (AEMVF). to scheduled speaker cancelling at the The delegates were Mr Keith Williams from the Volunteer Marine Rescue eleventh hour to respond to a serious Association (Qld) as the senior delegate, and Ms Tia Rowley, a State family health matter. A Senior Response Emergency Services (SES) volunteer in Cairns as the Youth (Junior) delegate. Manager with the Australian Maritime • Ms Rowley is also AIES’s 2016 nominee for the Young Endeavour voyage. Ms Safety Authority, Scott provided a very Rowley was nominated by Queensland and was the only member from that state interesting overview of the search eligible for consideration. No nominations were received from any other state. for Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 • Ms Lisette Reinke, an SES and CFA volunteer from South Australia, attended including response operations, the a three-day Volunteers Leadership Program conducted by the Red Cross on Australian political, and international geo- behalf of the AEMVF in Melbourne. political issues, and their impact on the • On behalf of AIES, I was invited by the Australian Radio Communications search operation. Scott’s presentation Industry Association (ARCIA) to be an award presenter at its 2016 Gala was extremely well received by Dinner, held in Melbourne, as part of the CommsConnect 2015 Conference those present. and Exhibition on 2 December 2015. Victorian President Alan Marshall and In my next report I hope to be able I attended the dinner, and I presented the award. to provide a precis of the outcomes • AIES again participated in the Australia and New Zealand Disaster Management from the Board’s strategic planning Conference (ANZDMC) and the Search and Rescue Conference, which workshop. Until then, stay safe, and was held at Jupiters on the Gold Coast from 30 May to 1 June 2016. please consider submitting an article The conference attracted over 500 delegates. for the NER Journal. l
NEW MEMBERS The Australian Institute of Emergency Services is pleased to announce the following emergency services people joined the AIES between April and May 2016. NAME ORGANISATION DIVISION Adrian Brown SES (SA) SA/WA/NT Matthew Bouzaid Covertex Ltd NSW Victor Cork Rural Fire Service NSW Jack Daniel SES (Vic)/ADF VIC Nicholas de Rozario DEWNR (SA) SA/WA/NT Peter Dubiez Enviro Frontier Pty Ltd NSW James Gegg SES (Qld) QLD Brett Henderson NSW Police NSW Rebecca Hunt SES (SA) SA/WA/NT David Johnson Emergency Management (Vic) VIC James Middleton AVCG (SA) SA/WA/NT Louise Murphy St John Ambulance (NSW) NSW Tony Pearce SES (NSW) NSW Daniel Rickard St John Ambulance (Vic) VIC Nicholas Roberts Ambulance Victoria VIC
LEGEND: ADF: Australian Defence Force; AVCG: Australian Volunteer Coast Guard; DEWNR: Dept Environment, Water & Natural Resources; SES: State Emergency Service
http://au.linkedin.com/groups/Australian-Institute-Emergency-Services-3844281 or log in at au.linkedin.com and search for ‘Australian Institute of Emergency Services’ under ‘Companies’.
www.facebook.com/aies.online
Winter 2016 • National Emergency Response 4 VICTORIA ON THE MOVE Emergency Management Team and a member of the St John Ambulance Association (Vic). Rod has worked at Telstra since 1985. He commenced as a Trainee Technical Officer and worked in various exchange maintenance technical roles that included the responsibility of Emergency Services Liaison Officers (ESLO) throughout metropolitan Melbourne. In 2011 he was promoted to the position of National Emergency Response New President: Rod Young. Manager. This role encompasses the Past President: Alan Marshall. responsibilities of being the Telstra od Young MStJ, MAIES, has been National ESLO which is also responsible As Rod takes the helm in Victoria, Alan appointed as President of the for approximately 50 ESLOs that represent Marshall, CStJ, AIMM, LFAIES, moves to a RVictorian Division of the AIES as Telstra across the nation at state and committee role, providing support to Rod. former President Alan Marshall CStJ, regional level to ensure that it is actively Alan has been involved in emergency AIMM, LFAIES, moves to a committee role. engaged with emergency services and management for more than 35 Rod has more than 30 years’ experience critical infrastructure providers for disaster years. He believes that emergency as a member of St John Ambulance planning, response and recovery activities. management officers must continue Australia (Vic) and held many positions up Rod is a recipient of the St John to inform, educate, mitigate and build to the rank of Regional Superintendent. Ambulance Service Medal and a resilience into Australian communities He is a currently a member of the Member of the Order of St John. and that it is the responsibility of the Victorian State Emergency Response In 2013, he completed his degree in AIES to pass on knowledge gained from Planning Committee (Communications), Emergency Management and received involvement in major operations so it is North/West Metropolitan Regional an MBA (Consulting) in 2016. not lost or buried. l
VICTORIAN DIVISION. • President/Director – Rod Young, MStJ, MBA, field and brings to the committee his direct involvement BEmergMgt, MAIES in community activities over many years as a team player. • Vice President – Grant Coultman-Smith, VA, BJ, JP, He is oriented to detail and diligent in his continuing MEmergMgt, BSocSc, DipBus, FBIA, MAIES support to the Australian Institute of Emergency Services. • Registrar/Treasurer – Richard Lodder FFS, FAIPOL, Alan was awarded the AIES National Award of MCSFS, MAIES Excellence in 2014 in recognition of excellent and Committee Members outstanding service rendered to the Institute and its • Alan Marshall CStJ, AIMM, LFAIES (immediate past members over many years. President/Director) • Ian Munro AFSM, M.I. FireE, MAIES • Associate Professor Brett Aimers CStJ, RN, FACN, MAIES Historical Advisor • Alan Alder OAM, LFAIES NEW HISTORICAL POSITION A new position of Historical Advisor has been added to support the Divisional Management Committee of the Victorian Division. Alan Alder OAM, LFAIES, is moving from Divisional Registrar to this new position of Historical Advisor. Alan has been the Institute’s Registrar in Victoria for over 35 years, as well as a past National President and National Board member. Alan’s expertise and experience will help Victoria retain the knowledge base and detail workings of the Institute. (L-R): Past Victorian President/Director Alan Marshall CStJ, AIMM, LFAIES, and Alan Alder OAM, LFAIES, receiving the National Award of Excellence in 2014. He is a person who gives trusted advice in his particular
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There was a time when the Cold War threatened the Western World. That was one-and-a-half generations ago and not long after atomic bombs were dropped on Japan to help end their engagement in World War II. The nuclear age began. It was a new and devastating weapon of mass destruction. Des Lambley
Winter 2016 • National Emergency Response 7
ll countries had every right to In August 1972 the first legislation, be a little concerned. Most the State Emergency Services and A countries had counter plans Civil Defence Act 1972 (Act No.11, in place for preparedness, response 1972) was proclaimed to regularise the OPINION and recovery should a major city be organisation and it became known as bombed. That concern preceded a the State Emergency Service of New later concern about accidents from South Wales (the SES). The change the ‘peaceful’ use of nuclear reactors. of emphasis from civil defence to In Australia the general community state emergency resulted from the was not really made aware of realisation that the possibility of a government planning because of the nuclear holocaust was diminishing. belief that it would cause widespread Under the new legislation, civil defence panic (and political repercussions). became simply part of the many Today, except for a few rogue states different types of emergencies to and their impeding leaders, some be dealt with. 162 countries are signatories I had been trained by the military in to a United Nations sponsored the 1960s about the nature and effects convention on the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, and how, as a of nuclear weapons. soldier confronting these killer weapons, In Australia during the Cold War one might minimise the risk. period the military services were These days most people know that planning for and preparing their a nuclear blast has multiple effects. operational responses should nuclear, It causes an electromagnetic pulse biological and chemical (NBC) that can destroy electronic equipment, weapons be used against us. it has a blast with intense light and Governments also initiated and heat that incinerates and sets fires, funded arrangements to ensure civil it has a pressure wave that destroys defence organisations and plans were structures and it causes a widespread in place for a suitable response for fall-out of radioactive material that can the general community. These plans contaminate everything for kilometres included the education of certain around ground zero for great periods people about the effects of a nuclear of time. detonation and the subsequent Roentgens were the units of needs of a society to rebuild its life. measurement for radiation doses. Among the priorities to be considered: Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen had governments needed to secure their discovered x-rays in 1908. Wikipedia ability to govern, to ensure that a means tells us that although roentgens of communication and transport was describe radiation, their relation to possible, to secure energy sources and the absorbed dose (which is usually safe water and food stocks, to protect or important for human safety) is not reassemble factories and to re-establish straightforward. The impact depends order promptly. on the different absorption rates of Intrinsic to government is the the radiated alpha, beta, gamma or responsibility to protect the life and neutron particles upon different kinds property of its peoples. The mechanisms of living tissue but an exposure of 500 and linkages of a modern society roentgens in five hours is regarded are complex and any one defective as lethal for human beings. component cascades upon others While employed at the state necessary for life and limb. Planning headquarters during the early 1970s for the nuclear threat in Australia fell I often wondered who the visiting to each of the states’ emergency strangers were. ‘They are the NBC services and civil defence organisations. advisers and you didn’t see them’, The New South Wales Government was the answer. Their work was secret. established a Civil Defence Organisation A limited number of selected SES in 1955. staff were involved with this planning. 8
When leaving on promotion for a nuclear explosion. Little windows in the position in another public service top disk show a scale for quantifying department, my SES friends gave me required detail. For example, the as a memento an unwanted piece Weapon Power (from 10KT to 20MT), of civil defence era equipment – whether it was a Ground Burst or an a computer. In fact, it was a Nuclear Air Burst at a given altitude, and the Weapon Effects Computer No.1. maximum fireball radius (from 400 to 6665-99-949-1 47 manufactured by 12,000 feet). From the various aligned Blundell Rules Limited of Weymouth, scales an indication of a theoretical England, c.1960. A collector’s damage impact to buildings from ground piece nowadays. zero out to a ‘glass and tiles’ range Academic historians and museum in miles can be read off. It calculates archivists understand well that heirlooms an estimate of the percentages of link and strengthen the fibre of a people likely to be killed, trapped Nuclear Weapon Effects Computer No.1 society down through the generations. or seriously injured at the various distances. On its rear it has a compass OPINION When leaving on promotion for a position in rose and a ready-reckoner for the fires likely to be caused at various weapon another public service department, my SES powers, for air and ground bursts, at friends gave me as a memento an unwanted various distances. It is thought that this crude, simple, piece of civil defence era equipment – a cheap computer was merely a training tool rather than an operational one. computer. In fact, it was a Nuclear Weapon Otherwise, it beggars belief that any Effects Computer No.1. 6665-99-949-1 47 person would stand and watch a nuclear explosion. Anyone within manufactured by Blundell Rules Limited of viewing distance would be a bit goggle Weymouth, England, c.1960. A collector’s eyed anyway when witnessing such an explosion and if still alive and sane, piece nowadays. would still have to guess the detail needed in order to be able to compute They prompt us to reflect upon the The computer consists of two an estimate of the damage. I shall socio-economic and geo-political rotatable plastic disks, the outer five never give away this wonderful exhibit. contexts that dictated the lives of inches (12.7 cm) and an inner disk It reminds me of a different time when people living in a previous age, and four-and-a-half inches (10.8cm) in our existence was threatened by the remain precious objects significant diameter, and a rectangular cursor Cold War; but my blood still curdles to our history. to line up known detail about the each time I look at it. l JOIN THE AIES IN 2016 Simply go to the website and apply online Membership is open to all members of the Australia and New Zealand emergency services, and affiliated organisations. Membership cost: $60 yearly subscription plus $30 initial joining fee*. Student, Associate and Retired Memberships are also available. Chapters of the Institute are established in most States in Australia, and membership of the Institute carries a professional post nominal. *Both of these fees are tax deductible for people employed in an emergency management or counter disaster capacity. Find out more about AIES Visit www.aies.net.au to join, or to find out more. membership on page 26.
Winter 2016 • National Emergency Response 9 BE A CONTRIBUTOR to National Emergency Response
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RESPONSE VOLUME 28 NO. 2 AUTUMN 2015 VOLUME 28PRINT NO. POST 3 PUBLICATION WINTER NO.2015 PP100018976 NATIONAL PRINT POST PUBLICATION NO. PP100018976 RESPONSE NATIONAL RESPONSE SUMMER RAIN