Annual Report 2000 Contents
Commissioner’s Foreword 2 Financial Overview 5
Profile 4 Vision 4 The strength Mission 4 Values 4 of the Service Structure and Accountability 6
Objectives and Achievements 7 Leadership and Management 8 is the volunteer Incident Response 12 Risk Management 14 People and Learning 19 Business Development 20
NSW Rural Fire Service Role and Functions 7 Customers 7 Organisation Chart 7 Corporate Executive Group 22 Bush Fire Regions and Office Access Details 24
General Statement on Standards for the Provision of Services 28 Contracting and Market Testing 28 Overseas Visits 28 Guarantee of Service 28 Consumer Response 29 Annual Report – Print Run and Unit Cost 29 Payment Performance 29 Engagement of Consultants 29 Major Assets 30 Sale of Property, including land 30 Grants to Outside Organisations 30 Year 2000 Millennium Bug 30 Executive Remuneration 30
Financial Independent Audit Report 32 Commissioner’s Statement 33 Financial Statements 34
Appendices 1 Fuel Management Reports 1999-2000 52 2 Equal Opportunity Statistics 53 3 Freedom of Information Statistics 54 Contributing Photographers: 4 Circulars Issued 55 John Winter 5 Total Allocations to Councils 56 Rolf Poole 6 Current Publications 57 Liz Mead 7 Chaplaincy Activity Report 58 8 Statement of Performance Mick Beltran of Chief Executive Officer 59 Tim Scott 9 Committees 60 Cameron Wade 10 Organisation Chart 61 11 Risk Management and Insurance 63 12 Human Resources 64 ISSN 1035-6053 2000 Commissioner Phil Koperberg AMAFSMBEM Yours sincerely Other highlightsare referenced throughout the Report,whichIcommendtoyou. 62,290 kilometres travelledbythe ChaplaincyService. • 1,614working daysequivalentforfeitedbystaff inflexitime;and • 5%head andregional office electricitynowfrom ‘green’ sources; • 100%group officers certifiedtoGroup Leaderlevel; • 83%active firefighters certified to BasicFirefighter level; • 200new CommunityFireguard facilitatorstrained; • 4thannual CommunityEducationConference heldatDubbo; • 80%of bush fire plansofoperations completedandapproved; • 70%ofbushfire riskmanagementplansapproved forexhibition; • 20NewSouthWales companiesaccredited tobuildfire tankers; • Inexcessof$40millionallocatedfortheprovision offirefighting equipment; • 279newandrefurbished fire tankersfunded; • Achievements intheyearinclude: year ended30June2000. you, forsubmissiontotheParliament,AnnualReportofNewSouthWales RuralFire Serviceforthe Pursuant totheprovisions oftheAnnualReports(Departments)Act,1985,Ihavepleasure inpresenting to Dear Minister SYDNEY NSW2000 StreetLevel 25,59-61Goulburn Minister forEmergencyServices The HonBobDebus,MP Annual Report The HonBobDebus, MP Emergency Services Minister for
LETTER TO THE MINISTER Commissioner’s Foreword
During what was a relatively performance and philosophy and The Committee made thirteen quiet year in terms of fire- such examination was considered recommendations covering such fighting activity the Service to be timely and proper. areas as 2 continued to focus strongly on the development of The findings of the Inquiry have • Standards of Fire Cover; contemporary management provided the Service with a • Assistance with the principles and practices. springboard for consolidation development of rural There was a significant and unification of aspects of economies; commitment at all levels to management and leadership • Extension of provision of the implementation of more at all levels. Indeed, it was personal protective equipment cohesive approaches to the gratifying, but not altogether and training to non-firefighting provision of fire protection surprising, to read in the volunteers; to the communities which Chairman’s Foreword that ‘the • Devolution of committee we serve. Committee’s investigations have meetings; clearly shown that there has • Effectiveness of communication Following the thrust of the been a major transformation strategy; Service’s Strategic Plan, regions, of the RFS in the past decade.’ • Dissemination of information districts and head office sections to volunteers; developed and implemented The Committee of Inquiry • Înternet provision for local business plans aligned to the acknowledged that the Service brigade home pages; overall budget process. This is working hard to address • Code of Ethics for volunteers; has brought uniformity to the outstanding issues or areas • More ‘local’ command and processes, policies and procedures of concern raised during the control systems; that drive our business and, as the Inquiry and in other fora. The • Role, employment and Service further develops, the full Inquiry Chairman also stated that accountabilities of Fire Control benefits of coordinated planning ‘the Committee believes that the Officers; and budgeting will become responsiveness of the RFS to • Process for making self-evident and business this Inquiry has been positive appointments under Section management more proficient. and has pre-empted the need 44 of the Rural Fires Act, to make recommendations in 1997, and The Parliamentary Inquiry certain instances.’ • Hazard reduction burning. (Legislative Council) into the Service was welcomed by the majority of The Committee received over Reflecting the outcomes of Service members. In responding 600 submissions, which is the the Parliamentary Inquiry, the to a diverse range of views largest number of submissions Government approved the transfer expressed by volunteers and ever received by a Legislative of fire control and district staff to others we were able to show Council Committee and reflects State government employment. the transparency within which the interest of the community, Such a transfer will have a major the Service is managed whilst at volunteers and stakeholders impact on the culture and the same time being able to refute in our Service. That there were organisational structure of the many erroneous statements, no adverse findings from the Service and will accelerate the assumptions and misconceptions Inquiry is testimony that the move towards the provision of made and held by our critics. direction and management of a single Rural Fire Service, as The Inquiry provided a unique the Service is considered to be opposed to 142 disparate opportunity for the Service to appropriate to meet the needs Services. ‘Agglomeration’ will be examined on all aspects of of the community. be replaced by ‘Coordination’. COMMISSIONERS FOREWORD In terms of equipment provision, The support of the Rural Fire funding was made available Service Association in our for 279 new and refurbished continuing development is also tankers. In excess of $40m appreciated and recognised. 3 was allocated for the provision of firefighting equipment. District Fire Control Officers and their staff have also contributed We have taken the opportunity The Service has continued to play in no small measure to the to establish a series of program a major role in the co-ordination maintenance and development teams and committees to of volunteers to undertake security of an effective fire and emergency establish the conduits by roles at the 2000 Sydney Olympic service. which organisational change Games. Our 1,200 Olympic and continuous improvement will Volunteers in Policing, and one Finally, to Service staff, my sincere begin to flow through the Service. hundred operational volunteers, appreciation for their continuing will assist in delivering the Games. commitment. The changes that We are continuing to develop are flowing through the Service, and implement Service Standards First and foremost, I acknowledge and the significant changes that that will strengthen organisational the commitment and dedication are to come, are due in no small capacity without detracting from of our volunteers and I commend part to the foresight, innovation the ability of local communities to their efforts to the Minister, the and energy of its members. The structure their firefighting services Government and the community. staff have worked in an extremely to align with local needs. It is a fact that these men taxing and challenging environment and women continue to give where, often, demand continues Our commitment to community unstintingly of themselves in to exceed capacity to supply. education has continued to an environment of increasing Their efforts are worthy of grow with more resources being and changing demand and broad public recognition. made available and local Service expectations. Their efforts members being trained to demand our resounding and Our commitment to the facilitate Community Fireguard sustained applause. We will volunteers remains foremost as programs in their own areas. The continue to work to help them a fundamental tenet of our success of the fourth Community protect their communities more organisation. It cannot be Education Conference at Dubbo effectively, always recognising over-emphasised, with apologies reflects the wide recognition their status as volunteers. to Kipling, that ‘the strength of the importance of developing of the Service is the volunteer local initiatives in self-help and I would like to place on record and the strength of the information provision. my appreciation of our Minister, volunteer is the Service’. The Honourable Bob Debus MP, The Service has continued to without whose continuing support develop mutually beneficial links the Service could not have met its with overseas agencies and has commitments to the community. been active in seeking revenue The Minister’s staff have been generating opportunities in equally supportive and for that The People’s Republic of China, I thank them, as I do Richard Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia, Lyons, Director of the Office for Singapore, the Philippines Emergency Services, and his staff. and Europe. COMMISSIONERS FOREWORD 4
PROFILE • Honesty, integrity • Co-operation – • Continuous • Quality customer • Community • Professionalism – Ourpeople– • our actionsare that underpinallof The corporatevalues Values Our and behaviour. ethical standards and trust– working together improvement measurable improvement – external and internal service – mutual assistance involvement – in allwedo commitment Volunteerism and Profile service." fire andemergency a communitybased in theprovision of standard ofexcellence "To provide aworld Statement Vision operational capability." prevention, and community education, standards oftraining, providing thehighest emergencies by of fire andother imise theimpact environment wewillmin- community andour "To protect the Statement Mission Financial Overview
Expenditure for the year exceeded $84M an increase of $6M over the previous year. 5 The increase was due to the following factors:
• an increase of $9M in payments for costs associated with rural firefighting activities and equipment; and
• a reduction of $3M in payment for natural disaster expenditure. This reduction being the result of a low activity fire season.
Expenditure on employee related activities reduced by $1M over the previous year. This reduction relates entirely to fluctuations in employer superannuation prepayments. The Superannuation Administration Authority advised greater than expected return on reserves.
Caption The Service has continued to play a major role in the co-ordination of volunteers to undertake security roles at the FINANCIAL OVERVIEW Structure and Accountability
6 Minister for Emergency Services
Commissioner
Local Government Councils
Fire Control Officers (117)
Deputy Fire Control Officers (125)
Rural Fire Brigades (2,301)
Group Captain
Captain
Senior Deputy Captain Volunteers
Deputy Captain
Members 68,983 Brigade Members OBJECTIVES AND ACHEIVEMENTS Role and Functions
The fire management • the provision of community of New and fire protection emergency assistance South Wales who may responsibilities of the to other emergency have reason to use or 7 NSWRFS arise from the service organisations. receive the Service’s Rural Fires Act, 1997. resources. The Service provides They include,but not They can be summarised the Secretariat for the exclusively, the volunteers, as follows: Bush Fire Coordinating other agencies, the Committee, the peak • the protection of life media, government planning body for bush and property for all departments, rural fire management in fire related incidents land managers and New South Wales. within all rural fire land-owners, local The commissioner districts in the State; government, schools has an over arching and all members and coordinating role and • the safety and welfare sections of the Service. of all volunteers; chairs the Coordinating Committee. Organisation Chart • the provision of effective training and Customers The functional resources to rural fire organisation is shown The customers of the brigades; and in Appendix ‘10‘. NSWRFS are a large, diverse group. In reality they are the general Objectives and Achievements Leadership and Management Sound Leadership and Management Practices
8
The dynamics of structural, Change Management cultural and organisational change began to impact on the Service Work began on various programs during the year as the Service and projects which collectively implemented key aspects of formed part of the structural, its Strategic Plan. cultural and organisational change management process that is Major initiatives were introduced fundamental to the Service as in the areas of : it develops into a world-class fire and emergency service in line • Continuous improvement; with the goals of the Strategic • Allocating funding and Plan. This is a long-term project resources linked to risk but one that, when completed, management; will see the Service providing total • Human resource management; quality service capable of being • Incident management; benchmarked and measured • Management and against world’s best practice. administration; • Risk management compliance The newly established programs; and Organisational Change and • Community protection incident Continuous Improvement Steering prevention. Committee will have the overall stewardship of this major Individually and collectively initiative. these initiatives underpinned the transition of the Service to one, more responsive to customer needs and capable of delivering high quality, cost effective and efficient services. OBJECTIVES AND ACHEIVEMENTS Achievements • Strategic Office Accommodation Plan prepared and submitted in compliance with guidelines Future Goals • Major records archiving and disposal project to • Further improvements to rationalise records storage Service appliances and completed and work to equipment resulting from expand system to regional ongoing research and offices begun development
• New mail register system • RFS/CSIRO research into 9 introduced vehicle spray protection systems will continue • Warehouse manual handling assessment completed • A start will be made on fitting tankers with • 20 companies, many in rural insulated sleeves on brake, parts of the State, accredited fuel and air lines, with full for tanker construction fleet compliance in 2001 • The Service continued to • The equipment catalogue represent Australia at will be provided through international standards the Intranet meetings concerned with personal protective clothing • Electronic Service for firefighters Delivery will be a focus of information technology • Research and development development into firefighting equipment development continued through various fora The transfer of district (local operating procedures and enables • 279 new and refurbished government based) staff to the the most economical and effective firefighting tankers funded Service as full time employees use to be made of local resources. • Response time for calls to of the State is likely to have a The program will continue to the information technology significant impact on the direction developed across the State help desk was reduced and performance of the Service during next year. from 10 to 6 minutes in the short to medium term There will be major industrial, financial, • Corporate intranet Accommodation developed human resource and management issues to be addressed and The Department of Public Works • Information technology overcome. Key performance and Services has supported services developed to indicators are being developed the Service’s Strategic Office provide operational and to ensure that the work is carried Accommodation Plan which business information to external clients out with an appropriate level recognises that the present of professionalism. accommodation arrangements • Levels of information at Rosehill represent cost effective technology customer service Zoning service delivery for the Service’s were enhanced current needs. • An officer exchange The year saw a continuation program with the of the move towards the adoption In keeping with equity protocols, Singapore Civil Defence of a zone-based structure that disability access was improved Force was implemented would enable numbers of at Rosehill to enable access to • All Y2K objectives were met local government districts to parking, site buildings and amalgamate their fire management internal amenities. • 5% of Head Office and Goulburn training office and operations responsibilities electricity purchased from into a series of zones. Zoning is ‘green’ sources crucial to the development and implementation of common • RFS Training Committee service standards and standard established OBJECTIVES AND ACHEIVEMENTS Rural Assistance Information Technology established with resources and reference materials being obtained The Service was able to provide The emphasis on information and promulgated to women in the 10 a boost to some rural economies technology in the year has been Service to assist in the areas of through the accreditation on making the vital business equity and workforce planning. of several country-based resource of information assets Women’s concerns and issues manufacturers for the construction available throughout the Service. were incorporated into the of Category 1 and 3 tankers. Consistent with government day-to-day workplace, with The new accreditations will see policy, development projects strategies being formulated to the number of approved vehicle have focussed on improving address appropriate matters. builders increase from three service delivery to customers. Policy and protocol development to twenty. The Service remains To support this emphasis, the was begun into the areas of health at the forefront of technical power and availability of Internet and safety of pregnant volunteer development and innovation technologies have been widely personnel. It is expected that in the design of a range of utilised to disseminate information doctrines will be finalised, firefighting appliances. to customers and staff. Further systems established and guidance developments in electronic material distributed next year. Multiculturalism service delivery will enhance Participation in the Service’s the Service’s ability to respond Inaugural Women’s Conference The Service entered into a to customer needs. enabled women to gain further contract with the Department access to information, training/ of Immigration and Multicultural Women’s Issues education and resources available Affairs under the Living in Harmony throughout the Service. A second Initiative to encourage people from The Service was extremely Women’s Conference will be held non-English speaking backgrounds proactive in developing and next year. to join the NSW Rural Fire Service implementing its ‘Action Plan for as volunteers. A pilot program is Women’. Improved information being trialled within a brigade in gathering systems were Hornsby (Cherrybrook Brigade) whose members are working with community workers and leaders in the Chinese community to educate and inform the community on fire safety and volunteerism. This partnership has been developed with the assistance of the Australian Chinese Association. 279new and refurbished The Service continued its firefighting tankers commitment to ethnic affairs reporting requirements. were funded OBJECTIVES AND ACHEIVEMENTS While the Service is increasingly called upon to support the community in a variety of emergencies, Bush Firefighting remains both our greatest strength and principal action comprehensive and coordinated series of objectives, goals and performance indicators to be developed and integrated with 11 the Strategic Plan.
Fundamental to the Service’s continued growth and development is the retention and recognition of the volunteer base. The change management process will provide volunteers with a greater voice in the future directions of the Service. Regular regional visits by senior management; business and strategic planning workshops; regional volunteer forums, and better communications will be designed to ensure that volunteers can contribute opinions and concerns both in person and via the electronic media.
Overall the Service has gone from strength to strength and will continue to do so. This is especially so as the various aspects of the change management program flow Feedback Code of Conduct through the organisation and the organisational and structural In the non-metropolitan areas The Service maintained its benefits become evident. of the State the regional structure commitment to the Code of of the Service enabled it to meet Conduct with all new staff being Communication and transparency the needs of its customer base. briefed at induction and provided of processes and policies, both Feedback from volunteers, salaried with a copy of the Code. There in theory and application, will officers, stakeholders and members were no amendments to the Code underpin and enhance our of the public has been invaluable in during the year. management and leadership helping the Service to develop practices. plans and policies consistent with Conclusion customer needs and government and community expectations. The leadership and management of the Service were of a level consistent with the objectives and performance targets of the Strategic Plan. The introduction of strategic and business planning across the Service enabled a OBJECTIVES AND ACHEIVEMENTS Incident Response Professional Incident Response to Fire and Other Emergencies
The year was relatively quiet for fire and other emergencies with ten Total Fire Bans and one Declaration 12 under Section 44 of the Rural Fires Act, 1997.
Call Centre
The Service’s 24-hour Call Centre continued to expand its role with the introduction of a ‘Firezone’ operational management terminal. Extensive training was provided for Fire Control Officers and district staff. Compilation of district incident data utilising ‘Firezone’s’ Fire and Incident Reporting System (FIRS) was begun. State Operations 11,473 Three operations officers Volunteers hold completed their first full season in the State Operations Centre in mainstream qualifications their specialist areas of planning, aviation and communications. higher than Basic The Service’s Operational Firefighter Management Task Group developed a number of management tools (tabards, A review of aviation safety has Communications slot cards system, folders) to resulted in an initial report and assist in incident management the rectification of issues in a In the area of communications, as well as a Section 44 incident number of important areas was a new State-wide radio profile management kit. begun. Emphasis was placed has been provided to all Service- on amendments to new contract issued Motorola radios of which Aviation specifications, training, and 6,400 were reprogrammed in the development and writing of 1999. This reprogramming As the use of aircraft in firefighting standard operating procedures, provided all radios with a standard operations becomes increasingly as well as material for the set of frequencies/ modes that will widespread internationally the Operations Manual. The material enable communications between Service has moved to ensure will be progressively published all Service vehicles irrespective that it has the capacity to support next year. In the interim, an of their district of origin. In another firefighters by air operations should Aviation Support Plan has been area, the commissioning of Private this be necessary. The number written and published in draft Mobile Radio (PMR) networks in of standby aircraft available for form and released for comment. rural fire districts is well advanced immediate response to all areas These initiatives are in line with with ninety per cent of the State of the State has been increased the objectives of the Service’s from one to four. Aviation Strategic Plan. OBJECTIVES AND ACHEIVEMENTS The useofTechnology andAircraftinFirefighting is leadingtomoreeffectivefiresuppression the current year. published before theendof for publiccomment.Itwillbe been prepared andreleased driving emergencyvehicleshas Australian RoadRulesrelating to draft precis ofalllegislationand and thecommunityatlargea As aservicetoourvolunteers Emergency Vehicles It willbepublishednextyear. Fire BrigadesEmployeesUnion. Service Associationandthe and reviewed bytheRural Fire Agreement hasbeenprepared, Communications ServiceLevel as aresult, adraftOperational Wales Fire Brigadesand, closely withtheNewSouth The Servicecontinuedtowork repeaters havebeenbuilt. difficulties, eightportableradio situations withcommunications now covered and,toassist in 200 Operationalincident • Aviation SupportPlan • Aviation safetyreview • Aviation StrategicPlan • Installation ofcomputer • CallCentreoperators • Pagernetworksusedby • RegionalAssistancePlans • Reprogrammingof • CallCentreStandard • FirstStatewideIncident • Achievements trained Fireguard facilitators new Community documentation templates supported byon-line folders) developed and (tabards, slotsheets, management tools for comment completed andreleased completed published initiated aided despatchterminal information system of ‘Firezone’management completed traininginuse 94 ruralfiredistricts regions developed forService’s network Strategic communications Statewide Fieldand Network radiostodeliver 6,400 GovernmentRadio developed Operating Procedures successfully exercise completed Management Team training Commissioningofcomputer • ProvisionofUHFstrategic • ReviewofRFSState • Developmentofaviation • Developmentofradio • Future Goals aided despatchterminal Office andWestern Region network linkbetweenHead Assistance Plan procedures standard operating communication policy
OBJECTIVES AND ACHEIVEMENTS 13 Risk Management Cost Effective Risk Management Principles, Policies and Processes
Assessment and management of risk is a critical part of the Service’s overall responsibilities 14 for community protection. With the worldwide move from fire suppression to fire prevention it is incumbent upon the Service to be proactive in providing appropriate levels of resources to ensure that levels of risk to the community are minimised.
A number of risk management programs and strategies, designed to protect the Service’s members, assets, operational performance, reputation and the community, are in place. These cover areas of occupational health and safety, serious accident reduction, corruption and fraud prevention, and disaster recovery in the areas of communications and information technology.
Major organisational areas of the Service that are related to risk management are training services, public affairs (community education), engineering services (equipment and personal Nonetheless, there were in the focus shifting to workshops protective clothing), safety seventy-two training courses on how to conduct training rather and welfare, and bush fire risk held during the year with over than running training courses. This management planning. In the main, twelve hundred volunteers has met with limited success and each of these areas have achieved participating in these courses. future emphasis will be placed their respective performance At the same time, the numbers on coordinating this change at targets for the year as detailed of rural fire instructors and regional level. in the Strategic Plan. assessors continued to grow, there now being 1,220 instructors The Service has 43,874 active Training and 253 assessors. The necessity firefighters of whom 36,390 for the Service to continually train (83%) have been certified to The Service was heavily involved in volunteers to appropriate levels basic firefighter level. At a higher assisting with the development of of competence lies within the level 100% of Group Officers have the Public Safety Training Package Service’s responsibility to been certified to Group Leader at a national level. The package has prevent and suppress fires. level. The investment in training been endorsed by the Australian A capably led, well-trained and has had positive results in National Training Authority but well-equipped rural fire service can improved performance in without the fire component which do much to lessen the risks and fire management. will be endorsed next year. fire threat to the community. The need for equity in the development and management of training for volunteers resulted OBJECTIVES AND ACHEIVEMENTS • Spatial Information System database xpanded
• Community Fireguard brochures in Chinese, Arabic, Maltese and Spanish were developed and distributed
• Nine new community safety announcements were The community should be distributed to radio stations reassured about the competence Achievements throughout NSW of its volunteer Rural Fire Service • Design of new prototypes • Nearly 2,000 calls were and the commitment of the 15 of single-cab grassland received on the Service’s volunteers who, by giving up tankers completed bush fire information line their own leisure time to attend • New designs of protective 1800 654 443 training courses, reinforce their clothing progressively • 56 rural fire districts commitment to community fire introduced throughout submitted community prevention and protection. the Service education strategies, of • Design and development of which 32% also applied for Community Education performance and general and received grants to assist specifications for a range of in implementing the There was a heavy resource tankers and equipment strategies commitment in the area of completed • Number of standby aircraft community education supporting • Two potential ‘Fireguard’ for immediate response to the drive to prevent and lessen the community education incidents increased to four risk of fires with schools and local communities being targeted in centres identified – Dubbo • The Service’s Disability Plan and Armidale was submitted to the the first instance. The strategies of the Strategic Plan were • Secondary schools program Ageing and Disability implemented and most key enhanced by distribution of Department workbook "Firescience – objectives were achieved with Workbook 1” the majority of key performance measurement indicators met. • Service’s Rosehill library Future Goals and research capability A market research survey enhanced • Remaining 35.2% Bush Fire Risk Management Plans to into the needs of adults in the • New corporate video be approved for public wider community was carried produced in-house exhibition before end of 2000 out. Utilising focus groups and • Fourth annual Community people involved with Community • Review of Standards of Fire Education Conference held Cover model to be completed Fireguard groups the survey in Dubbo contrasted earlier work into why • Release of expanded ‘Planning • Increase of 200 in number and how some people undertake for Bush Fire Protection’ of Community Fireguard fire safety actions while others do advisory document by facilitators not. The results of the survey will 1 September, 2000 assist in planning information and • 64.8% of Bush Fire Risk • Remaining Bush Fire Management Plans advertising in the lead up to the Operational Plans to be approved for exhibition next bush fire season. approved before end of 2000 • $135,000 provided to • Continuing internal audit councils to offset costs of program in areas of printing and exhibiting Bush Fire Risk Management Plans - Council claims for reimbursement of costs • 80% of Bush Fire associated with firefighting; Operational Plans completed and approved - Allocation of equipment to councils with emphasis • Review of Standards of Fire on Standards of Fire Cover; Cover project begun - Procurement and accounts • Research project with payable; CSIRO on bush fire assessment methodology - Staff travel; and begun - Use of corporate credit cards OBJECTIVES AND ACHEIVEMENTS The fourth Community Education Safety and Welfare Conference with the theme "Move, Motivate, Make the Difference" was A comprehensive strategic 16 held in Dubbo and was attended business plan, aligned to by a record number (265) of the Service’s Strategic Plan, delegates. The intent of the was developed and the conference was to equip implementation of key strategies community education facilitators has begun. Full implementation with tools and ideas for starting of the Service’s health, safety and developing community and welfare programs will education strategies at local occur next year. levels to reduce the risk of fires. The Community Fireguard Our commitment to volunteer programs were expanded into firefighter safety is illustrated the western region of the State by the work being carried out and two hundred additional through the Serious Accident facilitators were appointed. Reduction Project, a three-year initiative focused on reducing Nine new community service announcements were broadcast by radio stations throughout the State and provided clear and precise messages to residents about fire safety and advice on where to get further information. This initiative complemented the bush fire 43,874 information line (1800 654 443). active firefighters Supporting these general initiatives was the identification of locations for two new Community accidents but also developing Support Advisory Group began Fireguard education centres, one in systems and processes for serious work on planning to enable it to Dubbo (which has been completed) accident recording, investigation meet welfare obligations for the and the other in Armidale which and reporting. The Service was Olympic and Paralympic Games. will be completed next year. These also a participant in an inter-agency unique education centres provide group focusing on determining A key component of the Service’s learning opportunities for students basic fitness and medical commitment to volunteers and in an environment conducive to standards for firefighting. staff is the Critical Incident Support educational aims and objectives Service which provided a full range with all activities supported by Most districts within the Service of services on a 24-hour basis. structured lesson plans prepared have established firefighter This service will be enhanced for the different learning ages of health and safety committees next year by the recruitment and students. The strategic location with reporting and accountability training of a further one hundred of these centres will enable the systems being implemented peer supporters across the State Service to reach more children next year. Inter-agency cooperation while, at a different level, the than traditional outreach programs. occurred on issues of organisational employee assistance program A further four centres are planned stress management covering provided confidential assistance for completion by 2002. prevention and mitigation and the on an ‘as required’ basis. impact of stress on individuals and organisations. Assessment criteria will be implemented next year. An Emergency Services Personnel OBJECTIVES AND ACHEIVEMENTS Chaplaincy During the year funding was provided for the purchase of The Chaplaincy and Family 157 new and 122 refurbished Support Network continued to tankers and in excess of $21 17 offer a variety of opportunities for million was spent on the provision helping members of the Service of other firefighting equipment in and their families. Development accordance with the objectives and implementation of reporting of the Strategic Plan.The priority data for Associate Chaplains given by the Service and the occurred during the year. The Government to providing the reports are designed not only volunteers with the best protective to collect data but also to clothing, firefighting vehicles provide information that can be and other equipment reflects of operational use to the Service. the commitment to safety and effective risk management The redeployment of Associate programs. In parallel with these Chaplains throughout the State initiatives the Service has also enabled a better overall coverage completed new designs in a although there will be further new range of tankers, protective evaluation of the service in the blankets, smoke goggles, smoke
A key component of the Western, Riverina and Central respirators, protective gloves, Service’s commitment to volunteers regions to provide better helmets and breathing apparatus. and staff is the Critical Incident coverage. Research and development Support Service which provided a continued into a range of full range of services on a 24-hour Overall the Chaplaincy Service other associated issues. basis. This service will travelled 62,290 kilometres be enhanced next year during the year to carry out its The Service will continue its ministrations. significant allocation of funds and resources to these areas Full details of the activities of the and through the application of Chaplaincy and Family Support efficient risk management and Network are included in assessment practices will Appendix ‘7‘. constantly strive to be a leader in the area of firefighter Protective Clothing protection. and Other Equipment Bush Fire Risk The Service retained its pre- Management Planning eminent position in the areas of personal protective clothing The development of Bush Fire for volunteer firefighters and the Risk Management Plans was the design of fire appliances. The main focus of relevant activity to Service represents Australia ensure operational readiness for at meetings of the International the bush fire season. Guidelines Standards Organisation, a situation and a model plan were released reflecting the high credibility and to assist regions and districts in esteem in which the Service’s the development of local plans expertise is held. for public exhibition and comment. OBJECTIVES AND ACHEIVEMENTS Subsequently, eighty-three plans The Standards of Fire Cover modelling project, a federal were submitted for approval (SOFC) project continued research grant of $300,000 was for exhibition and, of these, throughout the year. It provides received to ensure continuation 18 eighty-one (97.5%) were endorsed. a methodology to determine the of the research program. This represents 64.8% of the level (or standard) of firefighting 127 Bush Fire Management resources that are necessary to A major contributor to the bush Committees. All remaining plans provide an acceptable level of fire risk management process should be submitted by the end protection to a particular area is the Bush Fire Coordinating of the 2000 calendar year. The given the risk of fire in that area. Committee which, together with Service also provided $135,000 to Ninety percent of the State has its three standing committees, assist councils with the costs of been assessed using SOFC. released a range of policies public exhibition and printing Completion will be by the end affecting risk management of these plans. of the 2001/02 financial year. issues.
In concert with the development of risk management plans, districts were obliged to prepare Bush Fire Operational Plans and 80% were completed during the year. The remaining twenty percent will be completed next year. Fuel management remains a 100%of Group Officers cornerstone of any effective fire risk management program. The certified to Group responsibility for carrying out fuel management programs lies with the many land management Leader Level agencies reporting through Bush Fire Management Committees (BFMCs) which, in turn, have to Levels of risk are impacted Significant emphasis will continue report on their fuel management heavily by building developments to be placed on risk management plans and activities to the Bush Fire and, in conjunction with the issues which, by their very nature, Coordinating Committee. Nineteen Department of Urban Affairs and must be the drivers of much of BFMCs failed to provide activity Planning, the advisory document the direction and policies of the reports and, of these, twelve were ‘Planning for Bush Fire Protection’ Service in the immediate future. unable to provide reasons for non- will be reissued next year to The historic ‘prevention is better compliance. This is unacceptable coincide with the promulgation than cure’ ideology has special and will be rectified as soon of the revised ‘Environmental importance to the firefighting as practicable. Details of fuel Planning and Assessment community and there is a management achievements are Regulations’. responsibility on all members of set out in Appendix ‘ 1 ‘. the Service to ensure that risks The Service continued to of all types – operational and provide support to several non-operational – are minimised research and development at all times. projects running jointly with such agencies as CSIRO, University of Western Sydney, the Bureau of Meteorology, and the University of New South Wales. In respect of the ‘Mesoscale’ weather OBJECTIVES AND ACHEIVEMENTS Achievements • 72 training courses for volunteers were held by People and Learning Head Office staff at regional A continuous Learning and state levels Culture Recognising the • Increase in the number of Instructors (up by 160) and Value of all Service Members Assessors (up by 45) achieved
• New draft training and professional development policy prepared 19
• 145 staff training courses completed
• Despite Y2K priority resource requirements, five information technology training courses were provided for staff
• New Advanced Firefighter training package developed
• 11 major training projects completed It is a reasonable statement that Reference to the training courses
• 83% (36,390) active a good organisation is an informed undertaken by volunteers during firefighters certified to Basic organisation, where management the year is made in ‘Achievements’ Bush Firefighter level and employees ‘walk the talk’ and section of this Objective. have absolute transparency in • 100% (728) group officers communication. The value of For their part, staff responded certified to Group Leader honesty, integrity and trust is a positively and underlined their level key component of the Service’s continued commitment to • Airbase Operations and Air Strategic Plan and it will continue public service by forfeiting the Observers training courses to be integrated as a management equivalent of 1,614 working instituted dictum. days in flexitime entitlements. Also, the average number of sick It should be the goal of every days taken by staff during the year organisation – public or private – – 3.73 – was down considerably Future Goals to have and support a workforce on last year’s 4.05. • Review and promulgation that is constantly striving for of policy for Career and individual, personal and The establishment of strategic Personnel Development for professional development. alliances with Seats of Learning, salaried staff The Service has set itself this planned career development • Review and evaluation goal in the Strategic Plan as initiatives, personal and of current providers for part of its strategic human professional development general staff training to resource planning initiatives. programs and personal career ensure cost effectiveness counselling programs will all • Review and evaluation During the year one hundred contribute to the investment of Flexible Working Hours and forty five training courses in our most valuable resource – agreement were completed by head and our people. regional office staff, courses ranging from basic information technology (despite Y2K priority resource requirements), conflict resolution, and interviewing skills through to post graduate management courses and specialist courses in particular disciplines both operational and non-operational. OBJECTIVES AND ACHEIVEMENTS Business Development Providing competitive Income earning services to meet customer needs
Achievements Future Goals • Provided training for forest 20 • Opportunities will be fire managers in Brunei pursued in China, Malaysia, • Supervised re-afforestation Indonesia and other parts of and fire management SE Asia as a high priority; project in Croatia • The Service will pursue • Monitored development of opportunities to export fire operational plan for West management skills and Kalimantan technology in Europe.
• Undertook review of forest fire management in China
• Hosted visits by delegations from Malaysia, China and Bhutan
The principal area of business where extensive and detailed International activities were in development was in the projects were negotiated and, in line with the objectives of the international arena where the the case of Indonesia and China, Service’s Strategic Plan and fully objectives of international projects projects were executed partially or met the designated performance continued to be consolidated. in full. Other opportunities were indicators. also identified and responded to While an appropriate priority was in Bhutan, India, Thailand, Fiji and The Service has carved a niche given to the generation of revenue, South Korea. Service officers also for itself in the international arena the Service also derived great responded to follow-up activities and is recognised as an agency benefit from enhanced experiences and on-going projects in Croatia that pragmatically addresses each and skills for those officers who and Greece. fire and emergency management took part, as well as increasing issue on merit. Solutions ties with regional forest fire In a non-commercial program proposed are always linked to management agencies. The designed to encourage exchange the cultural, social and economic Service’s strategic approach of ideas and the growth of personal constraints that exist within the was reinforced as the focus of skills, the Service participated in area or region of interest. activities shifted from seeking an officer exchange program with out new market opportunities the Singapore Civil Defence Force. in numerous locations to The success of the program strengthening business initiatives will be reflected in a further in those markets that have the exchange of officers next year. most potential for success. Consequently priority was given to initiatives and projects in Indonesia, Malaysia and China OBJECTIVES AND ACHEIVEMENTS 21
NSW Rural Fire Service Corporate Executive Group
Commissioner Phil Koperberg He transferred to the Fire Management eucalypt plantations in Tumut, Grafton AM AFSM BEM section of the Forestry Commission in and Eden. He was involved in practical Phil joined the Service in 1967 as a volunteer 1983 and was one of the inaugural team fire management for over thirty years and 22 in the Blue Mountains and progressed members developing the basic training then was responsible for the Commission’s through the ranks to become Fire Control and crew leader modules. statewide fire policies and strategies. Officer in 1970, a position he held until 1982. He was the Commission’s representative He was then appointed Emergency Services Ross has extensive international fire on the State Bush Fire Coordinating Policy Analyst to the then Minister for Police experience and has provided fire Committee and Bush Fire Council and and Emergency Services before being management advice to major international been an Appointee under Section 44 appointed Chairman of the Bush Fire agencies in Europe, Asia and South-East of the Rural Fires Act, 1997. Council of NSW and Executive Officer of Asia. He has also been involved extensively the Bush Fires Branch of the Minister’s office with fire management in North America. Assistant Commissioner in 1985. From 1972-1983 he was Chairman Operations of the Fire Control Officers’ Association. Assistant Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons Strategic Development Shane has been a member of the Service In 1989 he was appointed Director- Mark Crosweller since 1984 when he joined the Duffy’s Forest General of the Department of Bush Fire Mark has 16 years’ Service experience Brigade where he remained a member for Services and, in 1993 he was appointed at all levels from firefighter to Assistant ten years and held the positions of Captain Commissioner of Bush Fire Services. In Commissioner. and Deputy Group Captain. He was an active January 1994 he was appointed overall participant in district training, especially in Emergency Controller for major bush fires His role covers a wide portfolio including areas of CABA, 4WD and Chainsaw. that were burning in eastern New South the development of the Service’s Strategic Wales and, in September 1997, following Plan, corporate and business plans, Service In 1994 Shane was appointed Regional the proclamation of the Rural Fires Act, 1997, Standards, policy development, performance Planning Officer in Central East Region he was appointed Commissioner and Chief management systems, inter-agency liaison, and eventually progressed to the position Executive Officer of the New South Wales legislative review, international business of Acting Regional Co-ordinator before Rural Fire Service. development, information management and joining the Rosehill staff as State Operations coordination, and organisational structure. Officer. In 1998 Shane was appointed Phil is Chair of the NSW Rural Fire Service Assistant Commissioner Operations. Advisory Council, Bush Fire Coordinating Mark has held various positions. He was Committee and the State Rescue Board. a member of the review sub-committee of In addition to the responsibilities of the the Fire Services Joint Standing Committee; Operations Division, Shane is Chair of the He was awarded the British Empire Medal a State Council member of the NSW Rural Review and Policy Sub-Committee of the in 1978, made a Member of the Order Fire Service Association; a member of the Fire Services Joint Standing Committee. of Australia in 1994, and awarded the State Executive of that Association; and Australian Fire Service Medal in 1995. a member of the Bush Fire Coordinating Shane has represented the Service at Committee. Mark has represented the international meetings in the United States. He is Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary Service on international projects in Malaysia, International and, in 1999, he was awarded Indonesia and China. Director the “Pingat Ketua Pengarah Bomba” by Corporate Services the Malaysian Fire Service. Prior to joining the Service Mark was Trevor Anderson, PSM employed in the consulting engineering Trevor entered the NSW Public Service in Assistant Commissioner industry. 1966. In 1979 he was appointed Secretary of Regional Management and Planning the Bush Fire Council which, at the time, was Ross Smith Assistant Commissioner a branch of the Department of Services. He Ross joined the NSW Rural Fire Operations Support later transferred to the Office of the Minister Service in 1994 following over 30 years Tony Howe for Police and Emergency Services as a of service in forestry in New South Wales. Tony joined the Service in January 1999 result of a number of State government His involvement with rural fire management as Assistant Commissioner Operations administrative changes. Following the now exceeds 40 years. Support. In this role he is responsible for establishment of the Department of Bush the Service’s firefighter support program Fire Services as a separate Government His initial appointment was as Manager including engineering and technical services, department Trevor was appointed Assistant of Planning and Research and followed a public affairs, community education, firefighter Commissioner Corporate Services and period of secondment to the Service from health and safety, research and development, more recently Director Corporate Services, the Forestry Commission to assist with and training. responsible for the finance, administration preparation for coronial inquiries arising and human resource functions of Head from the 1994 fires. He has served at a Prior to this, he was employed as a Office. number of field locations in the State. forester by the NSW Forestry Commission, with extensive experience in forest and In 1995 he was awarded the Public Service land management across NSW in native Medal for outstanding service. eucalypt forest, rainforest, exotic pine and NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE 23
Manager, Financial Services Human Resources industry in both a public Vice President (Salaried Officers) Peter Hennessy relations capacity and as head of economic NSW Rural Fire Service Association Peter has been employed in the New research for one of Australia’s largest human Superintendent Keith Harrap, AFSM South Wales Public Service since 1969 with resource consultancies. John authored Fire Control Officer the majority of positions held by him being regular columns for major New South Wales Hornsby Council associated with financial budgeting and and Victorian newspapers focussing on Keith joined the (then) Bush Fire Service monitoring. employment issues. in 1968 as a member of the Ku-ring-gai Brigade and eventually held appointments Prior to joining the NSW Rural Fire Service President, NSW Rural Fire Service as Brigade Secretary, Deputy Captain and, in 1988 in the position of Accountant, Peter Association for six years, Captain. He also served as spent 19 years in the Department of Health Don Luscombe Deputy Group Captain and Group Captain and 1 year in the Department of Lands. Don has been a volunteer firefighter in for Hornsby where, in 1988, he was He is currently Manager, Financial Services, the Service since 1976 when he joined appointed Deputy Fire Control Officer, with responsibility for the financial and Winmalee Brigade and currently holds the and in 1993, Fire Control Officer. accounting functions of the Service. rank of Group Captain. He played a key role in the formation of the NSW Rural In 1994 Keith was elected to the Senior Media Officer Fire Service Association of which he Executive of the (then) Fire Control Officers’ John Winter was elected President in 1998. Association and was a member of the team John joined the NSW Rural Fire Service as that worked for the formation of the Rural Senior Media Officer in October 1999. A Chartered Accountant by profession, Fire Service Association (RFSA). Keith was He has been an active volunteer of Warringah Don is the managing partner of a firm of elected the Association’s Vice-President Pittwater Headquarters Rural Fire Brigade Chartered Accountants practising in (Salaried Officers) in its inaugural year since 1995. He currently holds the position of Springwood in the Blue Mountains. and held the position for three years. Deputy Captain in that Brigade. Don is a director (and former Chair) of a Keith has extensive operational and John served on the State Executive of local corporate charity, which operates a administrative service and has served the NSW Rural Fire Service Association flower farm, work crews, a workshop, and on numerous committees. from 1998-1999 and has been Chair provides accommodation services for the of the Warringah/Pittwater Branch of the disabled. He is a past Secretary and Association since 1998. He also served as Treasurer of the Springwood Chamber a Councillor on Pittwater Council between of Commerce. 1992-1995, including terms as Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Warringah/Pittwater Joint Don has significant firefighting experience Bushfire Committee. and has also been involved at other natural disaster incidents. Prior to joining the NSW Rural Fire Service he ran his own media consultancy for several He was awarded the National Medal in 1993.
years. This followed a background in the NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE 36 47 37 46 38 64 50 39 60 55 48 40 119 115 114 51 123 24 56 4 41 49 52 65 61 42 57 43 62 53 71 5 44 66 58 45 69 54 116 73 8 67 59 12 72 63 122 120 70 13 23 68 19 84 79
74 2 14 75 25 20 24 89 26 21 15 85 22 16 80 10 1 17 6 7 124 86 18 117 76 2 121 81 1 90 87 8 (M)
103 3 82 77 11 118 91 104 4 93 88 83 6 107 78 99 92 5 9 94 33 112 111 108 27 97 110 7 100 34 95 105 34 30 101 109 98 113 106 102 96 3 28 31 35
29
32
RegionsOn this map of New South Wales local government areas are grouped into Regions. Some of the numbered subdivisions include a Shire plus the adjacent City or Municipality and may include either the whole or part of a Rural Fire District REGIONS NSW Rural Fire Regions 1999-2000
1 Central East Region 4 Northern Region 7 Riverina Region (M) Metropolitan - includes 36 Tweed 94 Gundagai Baulkham Hills 37 Byron 94 Tumut Blacktown 38 Ballina 96 Tumbarumba Camden 39 Richmond Valley 97 Wagga Wagga 25 Campbelltown 40 Maclean 98 Holbrook Fairfield 41 Ulmarra 99 Narrandera Hornsby 42 Coffs Harbour 100 Lockhart Ku-ring-gai 43 Bellingen 101 Culcairn Liverpool 44 Nambucca 102 Hume + Albury Penrith 45 Kempsey 103 Griffith Sutherland 46 Lismore 104 Leeton Warringah/Pittwater 47 Kyogle 105 Urana 48 Copmanhurst 106 Corowa 1 Hawkesbury 49 Nymboida + Grafton 107 Murrumbidgee 2 Blue Mountains 50 Tenterfield 108 Jerilderie 3 Wollondilly 51 Severn 109 Berrigan 4 Wollongong 52 Guyra 110 Conargo + Deniliquin 5 Kiama + Shellharbour 53 Armidale/Dumaresq 111 Windouran 6 Wingecarribee 54 Walcha 112 Wakool 7 Greater Lithgow 113 Murray 8 Oberon 5 Castlereagh Region 10 Evans 55 Inverell 8 Western Region 17 Wyong 56 Bingara 114 Walgett 18 Lord Howe Island 57 Uralla 115 Brewarrina 58 Parry + Tamworth 116 Bogan 2 Hunter Region 59 Nundle 117 Carrathool 12 Hastings 60 Yallaroi 118 Hay 13 Greater Taree 61 Barraba 119 Bourke 14 Great Lakes 62 Manilla 120 Cobar 15 Port Stephens 63 Murrurundi 121 Balranald 16 Lake Macquarie 64 Moree Plains 122 Central Darling 19 Gloucester 65 Narrabri 123 Western Division Unincorporated Zone 20 Dungong 66 Gunnedah 124 Wentworth 21 Maitland 67 Quirindi 71 Coonamble 22 Cessnock 69 Coonabarabran 73 Warren 23 Scone 70 Coolah 24 Singleton 72 Gilgandra 25 Muswellbrook 26 Rylstone 6 Central Region 68 Merriwa 74 Mudgee 75 Wellington 3 Southern Region 76 Blayney 9 Mulwaree 77 Boorowa 11 Crookwell 79 Dubbo 27 Shoalhaven 80 Cabonne + Orange 28 Eurobodalla 81 Cowra 29 Bega Valley 82 Young 30 Tallaganda 83 Harden 31 Cooma-Monaro 84 Narromine 32 Bombala 85 Parkes 33 Yass 86 Forbes 34 Yarrowlumla + Queanbeyan 87 Weddin 35 Snowy River 88 Cootamundra 78 Gunning 89 Lachlan 90 Bland 91 Temora 92 Junee 93 Coolamon REGIONS Head and Regional Office Locations and Access
The Service maintains eight regional offices throughout the State each staffed by a Regional Co-ordinator, Deputy Regional Co-ordinator, Regional Planning Officer and a Regional Assistant. 26 There is also a training facility based at Goulburn.
Regions are based on local government boundaries, office hours are from 0845-1700, and regional details are as under:
Castlereagh Region Hunter Region Southern Region No of Councils 17 No of Councils 14 No of Councils 13 No of Fire Control Officers 13 No of Fire Control Officers 14 No of Fire Control Officers 12 No of brigades 322 No of brigades 248 No of brigades 202 No of volunteers 5790 No of volunteers 6,642 No of volunteers 8,732 Regional Co-ordinator Lance Rainey Regional Co-ordinator Brian Pickford Regional Co-ordinator Barry Belt
Cnr Barwan and Bowen Streets Suite 1, 20 Cumberland Street 2 Crown Street (PO Box 566) (PO Box 233) (PO Box 138) NARRABRI NSW 2390 CESSNOCK NSW 2325 BATEMANS BAY NSW 2536
Tel 02 6792 4915 or 02 6792 4916 Tel 02 4991 1233 or 02 4991 1302 Tel 02 4472 4165 or 02 4472 4129 Fax 02 6792 3803 or 02 6792 4256 Fax 02 4991 1405 or 4991 1472 Fax 02 4472 4126 or 02 4472 4401
Central Region Northern Region Western Region No of Councils 20 No of Councils 20 No of Councils 12 No of Fire Control Officers 16 No of Fire Control Officers 17 No of Fire Control Officers 9 No of brigades 476 No of brigades 262 No of brigades 215 No of volunteers 12,885 No of volunteers 7,567 No of volunteers 4,421 Regional Co-ordinator Peter Ryan Regional Co-ordinator Ian Thomas Regional Co-ordinator Gordon Hill
Shop 3, Lovell Place Level 4, State Office Block 62 Marshall Street Lovell Street Victoria Street (PO Box 468) (PO Box 1342) (PO Box 1) COBAR NSW 2835 YOUNG NSW 2594 GRAFTON NSW 2460 Tel 02 6836 1566 or 02 6836 1564 Tel 02 6382 5677 or 02 6382 5678 Tel 02 6643 2512 or 6643 2514 Fax 02 6836 1563 or 02 6836 4509 Fax 02 6382 1731 Fax 02 6643 2515 or 6643 4965 Goulburn Training Office Central East Region Riverina Region NSW Government Offices No of Councils 25 No of Councils 22 159 Auburn Street No of Fire Control Officers 20 No of Fire Control Officers 16 (PO Box 701) No of brigades 309 No of brigades 267 GOULBURN NSW 2580 No of volunteers 14,890 No of volunteers 8,056 Regional Co-ordinator Bruce Holz Regional Co-ordinator Mick Beltran Tel 02 4822 1238 or 02 4822 1116 Fax 02 4821 9833 Suite 5 584 Stanley Street 235-239 High Street (PO Box 1033) Head Office PENRITH NSW 2750 ALBURY NSW 2640 3/175 James Ruse Drive ROSEHILL NSW 2142 Tel 02 4722 8444 Tel 02 6041 5384 or 02 6041 1446 (Locked Bag 17 Fax 02 4722 9414 or 02 4722 8588 Fax 02 6021 7092 or 02 6023 2011 GRANVILLE NSW 2142)
Tel 02 9684 4411 Fax 02 9638 7956 REGIONAL OFFICES 27
General Statement on On behalf of the Australasian Guarantee of Service Standards for the Fire Authorities Council and Provision of Services Standards Australia an officer The Service’s customer service 28 attended meetings of the Vision Statement remains Service provision is in accordance International Standards with the commitments and criteria Organisation in Czechoslovakia, "To consistently deliver to our as detailed in the Strategic Plan, Hungary, The Netherlands, the customers the highest possible copies of which can be obtained United Kingdom and Spain. levels of service". free of charge from the Service’s head and regional offices or by An officer, funded by the World Underpinning the Vision is our telephoning 9684 4411. Bank, supervised the forest fire Customer Service Commitment, management component of a which is to The review process for assessing World Bank forest reconstruction levels of service performance is and fire management project Listen itself under review to ensure that it in Croatia. to the needs and concerns complies with the review of quality of our customers and management processes being A member of the Engineering stakeholders developed within the Service. Services section travelled to the University of Alberta, Canada Respond Contracting and to undertake testing of fabric used to needs and concerns by Market Testing in the manufacture of protective finding and implementing clothing. the most cost-effective and Policies and action plans have environmentally acceptable been developed to address issues The Manager, Engineering Services solutions of contracting and market testing in attended the Interschutz Trade Fair areas of equipment supply, training in Germany during the course of Inform and community education. his work for Standards Australia. the community to the fullest extent possible of bush fire The Commissioner and senior staff of the Service undertake a regular program of regional visits during which valuable feedback on service provision is obtained. Overseas Visits Service Various officers of the Service visited Malaysia, Singapore, “To consistently deliver China, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Brunei on twelve separate to our customers the occasions to discuss regional issues, training opportunities, highest possible levels possible Asian Development Bank project funding and to sign of service" a Memorandum of Understanding with the Singapore Civil Defence Force. GENERAL prevention, protection and Payment Performance safety measures available to assist in reducing the threat A comparative summary of the Service’s head office payment of and potential losses from performance for the year under review, and the previous financial year, 29 fire; and is as follows: 1999/00 1998/99 Deliver Interest paid due to late paymentsNil Nil our services in a manner that Total dollar value of accounts paid $75,716,000 $72,399,084 ensures we provide value for Total dollar value of accounts paid on time $73,686,811 $70,552,907 money in the operations and Amounts payable as at 30 June management of a rural fire (all within 30 day limit) $3,248,000 $3,129,000 service. Percentage of accounts paid on time 97.32 97.45
The Guarantee of Service itemises measurable commitments and Engagement of Consultants constant monitoring of them has enabled the Service to Fourteen consultants were retained during the 1999/2000 financial identify and remedy any service year at a total cost of $851,873 compared with six consultants at a total deficiencies. cost of $224,470 for the previous year.
Future performance measurement Consultants engaged at a cost exceeding $30,000 were as follows: will be by way of benchmarking and the pursuit of best practice as Incheck Systems part of the process of continuous Computer Systems Development improvement. and Implementation, Y2K, Firezone, training $178,549 TSG Consumer Response Internet development $41,135 Firezone $55,220 The Service continued to be well Y2K and network development $80,945 regarded by its customers and Systems development $76,097 stakeholders. BDH Strategic Firezone systems (Y2K) $191,501 The Guarantee of Service MicroSource Consulting encourages the lodgement of Information technology $51,013 complaints where this is considered Onsen Intermedia justified and provides detailed Re-engineering of RFS Website $44,528 information as to how this McKay and Associates should be done. Radio reprogramming $35,230
Any complaints received are given Eight other consultants were engaged at a total cost of $97,655. priority attention and resolved at the earliest opportunity.
Annual Report – Print Run and Unit Cost
One thousand copies of this Report have been published with copies available for sale to the general public at $15 each. The unit cost for production was $12. GENERAL Sale of Property, • Local government was Executive Remuneration including Land responsible for the management of infrastructure In the light of the recognition 30 The Rural Fire Service does not within rural fire districts; and by the State Government that the own any land or property. • The Service would provide public has the clear right to know support to local government in how much senior public servants Year 2000 (Y2K) recognition that continued are paid and the need for more Millennium Bug operations during the critical transparency in the reporting Y2K period relied on the ability of senior executive salaries, the The Service’s peak management of rural fire districts to maintain following information is provided: body – the Y2K Steering an adequate level of service. SES Total Annual Committee – met six times Position Level Remuneration during 1999-2000. The Service implemented its Commissioner, plans during the critical periods, Mr P C The scope of the project was in particular New Year’s Eve, Koperberg 5 $187,202 broadly that 1999 and 28 February, 2000. No Y2K related problems were • The Service has accepted experienced and the Service was responsibility for its own system able to maintain full capability. and those items of equipment supplied to rural fire districts The total estimated cost of the through the Equipment project was $795,710. Catalogue;
Major Assets
1999/00 1998/99 Computer equipment $372,000 $419,000 General equipment $1,007,000 $1,215,000
Grants to Outside Organisations
1999/00 1998/99 Nature Conservation Council $40,000 $27,390 Volunteer Rescue Units (through Office for Emergency Services) $575,000 $697,000 Rural Fire Service Association $15,000 $15,000 Total $630,000 $724,990 GENERAL 31
Financial Statements 32
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 33 Operating Statement for the year ended 30 June 2000
Actual Budget Actual 2000 2000 1999 Notes $’000 $’000 $’000 34 Expenses Operating expenses Employee related 2(a) 7,957 9,432 9,081 Other operating expenses 2(b) 7,047 6,337 7,044 Maintenance 2(c) 9 20 16 Depreciation 2(d) 747 700 638 Grants and subsidies 2(e) 64,259 66,361 58,502 Other expenses 2(f) 4,110 3,000 3,224 Total Expenses 84,129 85,850 78,505
Less:
Retained Revenue Sale of goods and services 3(a) 144 200 144 Grants and contributions 3(b) 70,162 69,156 65,167 Other revenue 3(c) 543 500 456 Total Retained Revenue 70,849 69,856 65,767
Gain/(loss) on sale of non-current assets 4 ––10 NET COST OF SERVICES 15(c) 13,280 15,994 12,728
Government Contributions Recurrent appropriation 5 13,094 13,094 10,576 Acceptance by the Crown Entity of employee entitlements and other liabilities 6 29 – 67 Total Government Contributions 13,123 13,094 10,643 SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) FOR THE YEAR (157) (2,900) (2,085)
The accompanying notes form part of these statements. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Statement of Financial Position as at 30 June 2000
Actual Budget Actual 2000 2000 1999 Notes $’000 $’000 $’000 ASSETS 35 Current Assets Cash 8 17,380 14,008 18,031 Receivables 9(a) 396 140 914 Other 9(b) 2,225 886 457 Total Current Assets 20,001 15,034 19,402
Non-Current Assets Plant and Equipment 10 1,379 1,670 1,634 Total Non-Current Assets 1,379 1,670 1,634
Total Assets 21,380 16,704 21,036
LIABILITIES Current Liabilities Accounts Payable 11 3,248 2,061 3,129 Employee entitlements 12 1,287 1,111 1,039 Total Current Liabilities 4,535 3,172 4,168
Non-Current Liabilities Employee entitlements 13 1,518 1,659 1,384 Total Non-Current Liabilities 1,518 1,659 1,384
Total Liabilities 6,053 4,831 5,552
NET ASSETS 15,327 11,873 15,484
EQUITY Accumulated funds 16 15,327 11,873 15,484 TOTAL EQUITY 15,327 11,873 15,484
The accompanying notes form part of these statements. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended 30 June 2000
Actual Budget Actual 2000 2000 1999 Notes $’000 $’000 $’000 36 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Payments Employee related (9,394) (9,032) (8,173) Grants and Subsidies (63,792) (65,361) (57,563) Other (10,928) (10,357) (9,980) Total Payments (84,114) (84,750) (75,716)
Receipts Sale of goods and services 23 200 144 Other 70,838 69,656 64,849 Total Receipts 70,861 69,856 64,993
Cash Flows from Government Recurrent Appropriation 13,094 13,094 10,576
Net Cash Flows from Government 13,094 13,094 10,576
NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 15(c) (159) (1,800) (147)
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from sale of plant and equipment 15(a) 92 – 30
Purchases of plant and equipment 15(a) (584) (800) (811)
NET CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES (492) (800) (781)
NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH (651) (2,600) (928) Opening cash and cash equivalents 18,031 16,608 18,959
CLOSING CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 15(b) 17,380 14,008 18,031
The accompanying notes form part of these statements. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Program Statement Expenses and Revenues for the year ended 30 June 2000
Not Program 1* Program 2* Program 3* Program 4* Attributable Total 2000 1999 2000 1999 2000 1999 2000 1999 2000 1999 2000 1999 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 SERVICE’S 37 EXPENSES & REVENUES Expenses Operating expenses Employee related 6,416 7,509 320 422 347 312 874 838 – – 7,957 9,081 Other operating expenses 4,654 5,150 472 499 1,202 972 719 423 – – 7,047 7,044 Maintenance ––––––916––916 Depreciation 725 614––––2224––747638 Grants and subsidies 63,591 57,805 93–––575697––64,259 58,502 Other expenses 4,110 3,224––––––––4,110 3,224 Total Expenses 79,496 74,302 885 921 1,549 1,284 2,199 1,998 – – 84,129 78,505
Retained Revenues Sale of goods and services 137 134 7 – – 10––––144144 Grants and contributions 69,862 65,017––––300150––70,162 65,167 Other revenue 543 456––––––––543456 Total Retained Revenue 70,542 65,607 7 10 300 150 – – 70,849 65,767 Gain/(loss) on sale of non-current assets – 10–––––––––10 NET COST OF SERVICES 8,954 8,685 878 921 1,549 1,274 1,899 1,848 – – 13,280 12,728
Government contributions † ––––––––13,123 10,643 13,123 10,643 NET EXPENDITURE/ (REVENUE) FOR THE YEAR 8,954 8,685 878 921 1,549 1,274 1,899 1,848 (13,123) (10,643) 157 (2,085)
* The name and purpose of each program is summarised in Note7 † Appropriations are made on an agency basis and not to individual programmes. Consequently, government contributions have been included in the “Not Attributable” Column. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Summary of Compliance with Financial Directives
2000 1999 Expenditure/ Expenditure/ Net Claim on Net Claim on Recurrent Consolidated Capital Consolidated Recurrent Capital Appropriation Fund Appropriation Fund Appropriation Expenditure Appropriation Expenditure 38 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 ORIGINAL BUDGET APPROPRIATION/ EXPENDITURE Appropriation Act 13,094 13,094 – – 11,367 10,366 – – 13,094 13,094 – – 11,367 10,366 – –
OTHER APPROPRIATIONS/ EXPENDITURE Treasurer’s Advance – – 210 210 – – – – 210 210 – –
Total Appropriations/ Expenditure/Net claims on Consolidated Fund (includes Transfer payments) 13,094 13,094 – – 11,577 10,576 – –
Amount drawndown against Appropriation 13,094 – 11,577 –
Liability to Consolidated Fund – – FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Notes
1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (a) Reporting Entity The NSW Rural Fire Service, as a reporting entity, comprises all the operating activities for the Rural Fire Fighting Fund, the Office for Emergency Services and the 1994 Bush Fire Fighting Fund-Brigade Relief. 39
(b) Basis of Accounting The Service’s financial statements are a general purpose financial report which has been prepared on an accruals basis and in accordance with applicable Australian Accounting Standards, other authorative pronouncement of the Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB), Urgent Issues Group (UIG) Consensus Views, the requirements of the Public Finance and Audit Act and Regulations and the Financial Reporting Directions published in the Financial Reporting Code for Budget Dependent General Government Sector Agencies or issued by the Treasurer under section 9(2)(n) of the Act. Where there are inconsistencies between the above requirements, the legislative provisions have prevailed. In the absence of a specific Accounting Standard other authorative pronouncement of the AASB or UIG Consensus View the hierarchy of other pronouncements as outlined in AAS6 “Accounting Policies is considered. The financial statements are prepared in accordance with the historical cost convention. All amounts are rounded to the nearest one thousand dollars and are expressed in Australian currency. The accounting policies adopted are consistent with those of the previous year. When necessary comparative figures have been adjusted to conform with changes in presentation in the current year.
(c) Revenue Recognition Revenue is recognised when the Service has control of the good or right to receive, it is probable that the economic benefits will flow to the Service and the amount of revenue can be measured reliably. Additional comments regarding the accounting policies for the recognition of revenue are discussed below. (i) Parliamentary Appropriations and contributions from other bodies. From this financial year there is a change in accounting policy for the recognition of parliamentary appropriations. Parliamentary appropriations are generally recognised as revenues when the agency obtains control over the assets comprising the appropriations / contributions. Control over appropriations and contributions is normally obtained upon the receipt of cash. An exception to the above is when appropriations are unspent at year-end. In this case, the authority to spend the money lapses and generally the unspent amount must be repaid to the Consolidated Fund in the following financial year. As a result unspent appropriations are now accounted for as liabilities rather than revenue. The effect of this change for the year ending 30 June 2000 is NIL. It is impracticable to restate the comparatives for this change in accounting policy, as agencies were not required to determine any final amount owed to the Consolidated Fund for the year ending 30 June 1999. (ii) Sale of Goods and Services Revenue from the sale of goods and services comprises revenue from the provision of products or services ie user charges. User charges are recognised as revenue when the agency obtains control of the assets that result from them.
(d) Employee Entitlements (i) Wages and Salaries, Annual Leave, Sick Leave and On-Costs Liabilities for wages and salaries, annual leave and vesting sick leave are recognised and measured as the amount unpaid at the reporting date at current pay rates in respect of employees’ services up to that date. Unused non-vesting sick leave does not give rise to a liability as it is not considered probable that sick leave taken in the future will be greater than the entitlements accrued in the future. The outstanding amounts of payroll tax and workers’ compensation insurance premiums which are consequential to employment, are recognised as liabilities and expenses where the employee entitlements to which they relate have been recognised. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (ii) Long Service Leave The Service recognises the liability for long service leave for all employees, except for those of the Office for Emergency Services. The liability in relation to Office of Emergency Services is assumed by the Crown Entity, and the Service accounts 40 for the liability as having been extinguished resulting in the amount assumed being shown as part of the non-monetary revenue item described as “Acceptance by the Crown Entity of Employee Entitlements and other Liabilities”. Long service leave is measured on a nominal basis. The nominal method is based on the remuneration rates at year end for all employees with five or more years of service. It is considered that this measurement technique produces results not materially different from the estimate determined by using the present value basis of measurement. (iii) Superannuation The Superannuation liabilities are assumed by the Service as reguired by Treasury. The Superannuation Schemes relating to the employees of the NSW Rural Fire Service are: the State Super Scheme; the State Authorities Superannuation Scheme; the State Authorities Non Contributory Superannuation Scheme (Basic Benefits Scheme) – these funds are now closed to new entrants; the First State Super Scheme and the Public Sector Executives Superannuation Scheme. Details of the reserves, assessed liabilities, overfunding and provisions are shown in note.
(e) Insurance The Service’s insurance activities are conducted through the NSW Treasury Managed Fund Scheme of self insurance for Government agencies. The expense (premium) is determined by the Fund Manager based on past experience. This cover includes property, public liability, motor vehicles, workers compensation and miscellaneous.
(f) Acquisition of Assets The cost method of accounting is used for the initial recording of all acquisition of assets controlled by the Service. Cost is determined as the fair value of the assets given as consideration plus the costs incidental to the acquisition. Assets acquired at no cost, or for nominal consideration, are initially recognised as assets and revenues at their fair value at the date of acquisition. Fair value means the amount for which an asset could be exchanged between a knowledgeable, willing buyer and a knowledgeable, willing seller in an arm’s length transaction.
(g) Plant and Equipment Plant and equipment costing $5000 and above individually are capitalised. In addition and in accordance with Service policy some assets costing less than $5,000 and forming part of a network are capitalised.
(h) Depreciation of Non-Current Physical Assets Depreciation is provided on a straight line basis against all depreciable assets so as to write off the depreciable amount of each depreciable asset as it is consumed over its useful life to the Service. General equipment is depreciated at the rate of 20%, computer equipment at 33.3% per annum.
(i) Leased Assets Operating lease payments are charged to the Operating Statement in the periods in which they are incurred.There are no finance lease arrangements.
(j) Rural Fire Fighting Equipment The ownership of all fire fighting equipment purchased by the Rural Fire Fighting Fund is vested in the relevant local government council. The cost of such equipment is, therefore, expensed by the Service in the year of purchase.
(k) Donations – Trust Account As a result of the January 1994 bushfires, the 1994 Bush Fire Fighting Fund-Brigade Relief was established to administer the funds received by way of donation. The Trust funds are held by the Service. The Trust received no donations during the year and expenditure incurred is disclosed in Note 2(e). FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (l) Funding - NSW Rural Fire Service Contributions are received as follows: 2000 1999 $(mil) $(mil) Local Government 12.3% 9.9 8.7 41 Insurance Industry 73.7% 59.3 51.9 Treasury 14.0% 11.2 9.9
Contributions are recognised when invoices are raised.
(m) Financial Instruments Financial instruments give rise to positions that are a financial asset of either Rural Fire Service or its counterparty and a financial liability (or equity instrument) of the other party. For Rural Fire Service these include cash at bank, receivables and creditors. In accordance with AAS 33 “Presentation and Disclosure of Financial Instruments” information is disclosed below, in respect of the credit risk and interest rate risk of financial instruments. All such amounts are carried in the accounts at net fair value unless otherwise stated. The specific accounting policy in respect of each class of such financial instruments is stated hereunder. Classes of instruments recorded at cost comprise: • cash • receivables • creditors and accruals
Cash Cash comprises cash on hand and bank balances within the Treasury Banking System.
Receivables All trade debtors are recognised as amounts receivable at balance date. Collectability of trade debtors is reviewed on an ongoing basis. Debts which are known to be uncollectable are written off. A provision for doubtful debts is raised when some doubt as to collection exists. The credit risk is the carrying amount (net of any provision for doubtful debts). No interest is earned on the trade debtors. The carrying amount approximates net fair value. Sales are made on [30] day terms. Under S106 of the Rural Fires Act 1997 a ten percent surcharge is levied if contributions from Insurance Companies and Councils are not received within 60 days of assessment unless the Minister otherwise determines.
Creditors and Accruals The liabilities are recognised for amounts due to be paid in the future for goods or services received whether or not invoiced. Amounts owing to suppliers (which are unsecured) are settled in accordance with the policy set out in Treasurer’s Direction 219.01. If trade terms are not specified, payment is made no later than the end of the month following the month in which an invoice or a statement is received. Treasurer’s Direction 219.01 allows the Minister to award interest for late payment. The Minister did not apply any such interest rate during the year. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2. Expenses
2000 1999 $’000 $’000 42 (a) Employee related expenses comprise the following specific items: Salaries and wages (including recreation leave) 7936 7,171 Superannuation * (816) 1,019 Long service leave 252 311 Payroll tax 523 512 Workers’ Compensation Insurance 62 68 7,957 9,081
* Abnormal Item: Superannuation expense was offset by the increase of $1.836M in the prepaid amount resulting from better than expected fund earnings.
(b) Other operating expenses Auditor’s remuneration 68 52 Rental expense relating to operating leases 907 753 Travel 783 773 Telephones 685 450 Fees for Service 619 685 Printing and Stationery 935 895 Consumables 693 953 Vehicle Operation 607 379 All Outgoings – Buildings 192 157 Other Expenses 1,558 1,947 7,047 7,044
(c) Maintenance Repairs and maintenance 916 916
(d) Depreciation Computer Equipment 285 265 Other property, plant and equipment 349 245 Fitouts 113 128 747 638
(e) Grants and Subsidies Volunteer Rescue Units 575 697 Trust Expenditure 136 344 Regional Fire Associations 693 529 Payments for Council costs associated with Rural Fire Fighting activities and equipment 61,553 52,388 Emergency Fund – Natural Disasters 1,247 4,467 Other 55 77 64,259 58,502
(f) Other Expenses Workers’ Compensation Insurance 2,654 2,029 Public Liability and other insurance 361 357 Aerial support 1,095 838 4,110 3,224 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 3. Revenues
2000 1999 $’000 $’000 43 (a) Sale of goods and services Rendering of service 144 144 144 144
(b) Grants and contributions New South Wales Fire Brigades 225 150 Insurance Company Contributions 59,265 51,890 Local Government Contributions 9,891 8,660 Natural Disaster Welfare Relief * 781 4,467 70,162 65,167
* Natural Disasters Welfare Relief is restricted to emergencies that are declared under Section 44 of the Rural Fires Act.
(c) Other revenue Sale of Equipment 192 315 Other 351 141 543 456
In accordance with Section 119(4)(b) of the Rural Fires Act, distribution of proceeds from the sale by councils of fire fighting equipment between the Service and the councils is in the same proportion to each body’s contribution to the purchase of equipment as shown above. The Service’s share of such proceeds totalled $191,601 ($315,051 in 1998/99). FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 4. Gain/(Loss) on Sale of Non-Current Assets
2000 1999 $’000 $’000 44 Motor Vehicles –10 Other –– –10
[refer note 15(a)]
5. Appropriations
2000 1999 $’000 $’000 Total drawdowns from Treasury (per summary of compliance) 13,094 11,577 less return to Consolidated Fund – 1,001 Total 13,094 10,576
Comprising: Recurrent appropriations (per operating statement) 13,094 10,576
6. Acceptance by the Crown Transactions Entity of Employee Entitlements and Other Liabilities
2000 1999 $’000 $’000 The following liabilities and/or expenses have been assumed by the Crown Entity Long service leave 29 67 29 67
Also refer to Note 1(d) (ii) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 7. Programs/Activities of the Service (a) Program 1: Funding and administration of Rural Firefighting Services Objective: To promote effective rural firefighting services within the State including the co-ordination of bush firefighting and prevention activities. 45
(b) Program 2: Training of Volunteer Bush Fire Fighters Objective: To facilitate and promote the training of bush fire fighters.
(c) Program 3: Public Education and Information Services Objective: To promote community awareness of bush fire issues and generally educate the community in bush fire prevention, protection and safety.
(d) Program 4: Planning and Co-ordination of Rescue Services and Emergency Management Objective: To ensure the provision of comprehensive, balanced and coordinated rescue services and emergency management throughout New South Wales.
8. Current Assets – Cash
2000 1999 $’000 $’000 Cash at Bank 17,376 18,027 Cash on Hand 44 17,380 18,031
9. Current Assets – Receivables (a) Trade Grants and contributions 108 110 Less: Provision for doubtful debts 20 20 88 90 Other 308 824 396 914
(b) Other Prepaid superannuation contributions 2,215 434 Prepayments 10 23 2,225 457 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 10. Non-Current Assets
Computer General Plant Equipment & Equipment Fitouts Total 46 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 (a) Plant & Equipment
At Cost Balance I July 1999 1,067 1,640 641 3,348 Additions 245 339 – 584 Disposals 320 112 – 432 Balance at 30 June 2000 992 1,867 641 3,500
Accumulated depreciation Balance 1 July 1999 648 538 528 1,714 Depreciation for the year 285 349 113 747 Writeback on disposal 313 27 – 340 Balance at 30 June 2000 620 860 641 2,121
Written down Value At 1 July 1999 419 1,102 113 1,634
At 30 June 2000 372 1,007 nil 1,379
(b) Summary of fully depreciated assets still in use
At Cost Number Description of Asset $’000 of Assets Photocopying Equipment 75 9 Computers 309 100 Laptop Computers 19 4 Telephone System 71 Other 761 10 Total 1,171 124 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2000 1999 $’000 $’000 11. Current Liabilities – Accounts Payable Payroll Tax –44 47 Other operating expenses 456 418 Grants and Subsidies 2,771 2,610 Superannuation 21 57 3,248 3,129
12. Current Liabilities – Employee Entitlements Accrued Salaries and Wages 157 99 Recreation Leave Provision 1,130 940 1,287 1,039
13. Non Current Liabilities – Employee Entitlements Long Service Leave Provision 1,518 1,384 1,518 1,384
14. Commitments for Expenditure (a) Capital Commitments ––
(b) Other Expenditure Commitments Not later than one year 17,990 17,887
The Service includes as commitments all outstanding amounts identified in councils’ estimates for specific projects that are not at this stage completed. Whilst some of these are covered by contractual obligations and/or unfulfilled purchase orders, others relate to circumstances where contractual obligations have not been formalised.
(c) Operating Lease Commitments Aggregate non-cancellable operating lease expenditure contracted for at balance date, but not provided for in the accounts: Not later than one year 899 851 Later than one year but not later than two years 728 627 Later than two years but not later than five years 277 837 1,904 2,315 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2000 1999 $’000 $’000 15. Note to Cash Flow Statement 48 (a) Plant and Equipment Additions at cost – Cash Paid 584 811
Disposal of Plant and Equipment Cost 432 840 Less: Accumulated depreciation 340 820 Book Value 92 20 Gain on sale –10 Cash received 92 30
(b) Cash and Cash Equivalents For the purpose of the statement of cash flows, the Service considers cash to include cash on hand and at bank. Cash, $17,380,297 ($18,030,121 in 1998/99) at the end of the reporting period as shown in the statement of cash flows is reconciled in note 8 to the related items in the statement of financial position.
(c) Reconciliation of Net Cash Used on Operating Activities to Net Cost of Services Net Cost of Services (13,280) (12,728) Depreciation 747 638 Increase (Decrease in creditors) 119 1,255 Increase in employee entitlements 382 370 (Increase) Decrease in prepayments (1,768) 458 (Increase) Decrease in receivables 518 (773) (Gain) Loss on sale of plant & equipment – (10) Crown Acceptance – Long Service Leave Liability 29 67 Cash Flows from Government 13,094 10,576 Net Cash used in Operating Activities 159 147
(d) Non Cash Financing and Investing Activites Long Service Leave Liability assumed by Crown Entity 29 67 29 67
16. Equity Accumulated Surplus at 1 July 1999 15,484 17,569 Surplus (Deficit) for the year (157) (2,085) 15,327 15,484 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 17. Contingent Asset The total commitments for expenditure in Note 14 includes input tax credits of $492,000 that are expected to be recoverable from ATO. 49 18. Contingent Liability At balance date contingent liabilities totalled $40,000 ($200,000 in 1998/99)
19. Consultancies Consultancy fees paid for the year totalled $853,002 ($224,470 in 1998/99).
20. Budget Review Net Cost of Services The actual net cost of services was less than budget by $2.714M This variation relates primarily to natural disaster expenditure being lower than anticipated. As a result the amount spent on Grants and Subsidies was below budget.
Assets Current Assets were $4.967M in excess of budget due principally to prepayments for employers superannuation and an increase in cash at bank due to favourable expenditure.
Liabilities Total liabilities were above budget by $1.222M principally and as a result of increases in accrued expenditure.
General Expenditure on employee related expenses has decreased significantly over the 1998/99 level due to increased prepayments in employers superannuation.
Cash Flows Net Cash Flows from operating activities was $1.641M better than budget, primarily because of the fact that expenditure on Natural Disasters was less than anticipated due to a low activity fire season. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 21. Superannuation The assessed liability for the NSW Rural Fire Service at 30 June 2000 and funds held in reserve accounts at the Superannuation Administration Authority of New South Wales (including accrued interest) and prepaid superannuation were: 50 Calculation of the 30 June 2000 superannuation position uses actuarial assumptions revised from assumptions used in previous years. This change has created significant movement in the accrued superannuation liability. Thus, the superannuation funding position as at 30 June 2000 has changed significantly from 30 June 1999. Further, the Superannuation Administration Corporation made a distribution from the SSS Contributors’ Reserve to the Service during the year ended 30 June 2000.This increased the SSS reserve by $300,152.
Accrued Reserve Net Liability/ Liability Account (Pre-paid Contributions) 2000 1999 2000 1999 2000 1999 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 $’000 SASS 973 1,163 1,631 1,357 (658) (194) SANCSS 614 653 976 893 (362) (240) SSS 6,414 6,491 7,609 6,434 (1,195) 57 8,001 8,307 10,216 8,684 (2,215) (377)
The liability for the State Superannuation Scheme has been determined by the Government Actuary as at 30 June 2000. The assumptions are as follows: 2000/01 % and therafter Rate of investment return 7.0 Rate of salary increase 4.0 Rate of increase in CPI 2.5
22. Material Assistance provided by Other Persons and Bodies The Service received no material assistance from other persons or bodies.
23. Year 2000 The Service established a program to ensure that the impact of Y2K was minimised. The program proved successful in that there was no affect on the activities of the service. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Index
1 Fuel Management Reports 52 51
2 Equal Opportunity Statistics 53
3 Freedom of Information Statistics 54
4 Circulars Issued 55
5 Total Allocations to Councils 56
6 Current Publications 58
7 Chaplaincy Activity Report 59
8 Statement of Performance of Chief Executive Officer 60
9 Committees 61
10 Organisation Chart 63
11 Risk Management and Insurance 64
12 Human Resources 64
Appendices Appendix 1 Fuel Management Reports 1999-2000
Bush Fire Management Committee Fuel Reduction
REGION ACTIVITY 52 PERMITS HAZARD REDUCTION TRAIL WORK LINEAL FEATURE S66 NOTICES (#) ISSUED (#) Proposed Complete Proposed Complete ProposedComplete Inspect s66 s70 s86 s88 ha ha km km km km issue action (RFS) NSWFB Castlereagh 135475 96985 1437 1740 8410 8518 88 50 5 1932 162 Central 31586 57449 340.2 263 9313 6822.2 158 375 28 2820 29 Central East 46745 13088 618 923 910 1850 2756 970 121 1620 158 Hunter 56650 28163 1760 1570 8101 8668 249 249 6 3437 145 Northern 138784 11350 1882 1680 323 1565 1102 10 0 5650 120 Riverina 104513 175124 6957 6592 7388 6635 0 901 297 3245 53 Southern 80960 25159 1881 1812 1256 1247 2520 956 4 2079 12 Western 62113 66691 1532 988 3387 53834 21 3 0 591 12 TOTAL 656826 474009 16407.2 15568 39088 89139.2 6894 3514 461 21374 691
NB: Nineteen Committees did not provide data. See Page 18. APPENDICES erie nYa 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 PWPD 0 6 AboriginalEmployees 1 PWPD 0 144 9 3 Total Staff 9 0 11 AboriginalEmployees 42 10 0 1 141 3 14 1 61 3 Total Staff 29 52 4 144 56 83 11 % Recruited inYear 17 29 6 5 Total Employees 24 38 14 1999/00 NESB* 33 0 % 29 8 9 1 Recruited inYear 0 Total Employees 21 Women 0 1998/99 41 0 16 0 Total Staff 0 and EmployeeswithPhysicalDisability 3 56 11 Representation andRecruitment ofAboriginalEmployees 4 0 - 28 79 141 3 *NESB =Non-EnglishSpeakingBackground 80 64 7 15 % TOTAL 11 29 Above G12 20 7 55 A&C G10-12 NESB* 14 A&C GDS6-9 % 25 A&C GDS3-5 11 A&C GDS1-2 CO1-2 /GS Women Below CO1-2 Total Staff Grading Equal EmploymentOpportunityStatistics1999/00 *NESB =Non-EnglishSpeakingBackground TOTAL Above G12 A&C G10-12 A&C GDS6-9 A&C GDS3-5 A&C GDS1-2 CO1-2/ GS Below CO1-2 Grading Equal EmploymentOpportunityStatistics1998/1999 Statistics Equal Opportunity Appendix 2 600117 00000 00000
APPENDICES 53 Appendix 3 Freedom of Information Statistics
New Requests received and processed 1
Requests granted in full and processed 1 54
Costs of and fees received for requests processed Assessed costs Fees Received $30 $30 (Application Fee Only)
There were no reviews or appeals finalised during the period. APPENDICES 21.02.00 18.02.00 08.02.00 24.01.00 19.01.00 19.01.00 19.01.00 14.01.00 13.01.00 10.01.00 10.01.00 31.12.99 21.12.99 03.12.99 30.11.99 11.11.99 29.10.99 27.10.99 20.10.99 11.10.99 11.10.99 05.10.99 29.09.99 03.09.99 27.08.99 27.08.99 03.07.99 07.07.99 07.07.99 02.07.99 Catalogue 2000/2001 AmendedEquipment Category 1Tanker Fault Preliminary FindingsofProject Vesta & trial Workbook –availableforcomment Draft Crew LeaderGrassland(CLG) Workshops –2000 Fireground &CommunicationsSOPs Accident Prevention Workshops –2000 New Firefighter SafetyPosters Wales RuralFire FightingFund 2000/2001 Estimates–NewSouth Annual Report1998/99 New SouthWales RuralFire Service Guidelines forPermitIssuingOfficers 1999 Circulars & InstructorDatabase Updating Training RegisterInformation Serious AccidentReductionProject Spatial Information License ConditionReminder Vehicle Water SprayProtection Systems critical Y2KPeriods Rural Fire DistrictStaffing during Minimum ConstructionStandards ServiceAwardsInternal Purchase LocalItems99/00 NSW RuralFire FightingFund – Accredited Volunteer Training Code ofPracticeforNSWRFS Serious AccidentReductionProject Distribution ofServiceStandards Allocations 99/00 NSW RuralFire FightingFund Active Volunteers Entry intoNationalParksNSWRFS Materials nowAvailable NSWRFS Group Leader(GL)Course Bush Fire Vehicles Insurance Protection &Unregistered Certification ofSection44Controllers Coroner’s Inquest–Wingello Investigation Recommendations from Accident Rural Fire Districts Guide toestablishingZonesfor Circulars Issued Appendix 4 23.06.00 21.06.00 19.06.00 21.06.00 02.05.00 31.05.00 24.05.00 17.05.00 17.05.00 13.04.00 31.03.00 28.03.00 21.03.00 20.03.00 03.02.00 03.02.00 03.02.00 Appliances Construction ofCategory1/3 Talkgroups Inter-agency RadioLiaisonChannels/ Transfer ofDistrict Staff (Can’t Tear ‘EmPtyLtd) Recall Notice–FlashHoods 2000 Training RegisternowAvailable & CABAInitialTraining CABA Approval toSupply Equipment Now Available Pocket SizedVersions ofSOPs Management System for EOIDevelopingFirefighter Safety Serious AccidentReductionProject Call Port Stephens–19/20August2000 Accident Prevention Workshop – Firefighter Safety Management forImproving Call forEOIuseofCrew Resource Serious AccidentReductionProject – the BushFire Coordinating Committee Land andWater Conservationand Agreement betweentheMinisterfor Goods andServicesTax P&O FairPrincess~2for1Offer SOPs 1-5forreview, trial&comment Draft Firefighters AccidentPrevention Certification ofSection44Controllers Booklet 2000 Training ServicesInformation meet AustralianStandards Supply ofEarmuffs –Requirement to
APPENDICES 55 Appendix 5 Allocations to Councils 1999/2000
Castlereagh Central East Barraba $163,010.18 Baulkham Hills $1,313,981.58 Bingara $185,707.34 Blacktown City $597,092.61 56 Coolah $317,434.50 Blue Mountains $1,517,047.87 Coonabarabran $474,362.27 Camden $513,780.28 Gilgandra $455,196.64 Campbelltown $620,466.21 Gunnedah $459,124.76 Evans $575,338.39 Inverell $351,504.20 Fairfield $152,621.42 Manilla $134,716.64 Gosford $1,058,669.24 Moree Plains $607,781.55 Lithgow $934,703.66 Murrurundi $298,763.59 Hawkesbury $1,173,417.41 Narrabri $440,495.38 Hornsby $1,511,151.77 Nundle $162,936.37 Kiama $369,566.24 Parry $519,785.29 Ku-ring-ai $149,346.76 Quirindi $174,816.12 Liverpool $652,645.94 Tamworth $184,112.12 Lord Howe Island $22,799.42 Uralla $299,849.30 Oberon $446,283.83 Yallaroi $222,056.90 Penrith $898,760.53 Region Total $5,451,653.15 Shellharbour $417,029.61 Sutherland $1,106,085.17 Warringah $941,404.16 Central Wingecarribee $1,186,326.83 Bland $673,036.58 Wollondilly $1,131,475.42 Blayney $410,407.01 Wollongong $1,149,071.13 Boorowa $425,429.17 Wyong $1,290,312.63 Cabonne $956,244.71 Region Total $19,729,378.11 Coolamon $476,740.95 Cootamundra $363,333.53 Cowra $538,504.96 Hunter Dubbo City $647,563.96 Cessnock $1,172,810.71 Forbes $455,023.57 Dungog $755,437.28 Harden $401,788.95 Gloucester $494,045.56 Junee $395,764.25 Great Lakes $951,223.21 Lachlan $621,250.04 Greater Taree $980,057.02 Mudgee $847,722.97 Hastings $1,084,164.22 Narromine $526,203.03 Lake Macquarie $1,489,166.96 Orange $394,631.11 Maitland $520,142.15 Parkes $565,728.00 Merriwa $502,384.94 Temora $467,964.87 Musswellbrook $550,967.58 Weddin $347,068.15 Port Stephens $978,557.65 Wellington $594,105.99 Rylstone $359,775.67 Young $442,911.19 Scone $379,507.32 Region Total $10,551,422.99 Singleton $911,887.83 Region Total $11,130,128.10 APPENDICES idua $179,439.38 $400,826.27 $7,656,291.47 $342,168.30 $390,882.86 $842,500.86 $413,850.95 $412,317.05 $391,376.18 Region Total $185,118.67 $352,282.06 Windouran $386,690.50 Wakool $338,623.55 Wagga Wagga $508,249.67 Urana $387,074.54 Tumut Tumbarumba $215,400.34 $498,145.35 Narrandera $68,892.20 Murrumbidgee $334,687.53 Murray $353,727.14 Lockhart $191,321.41 Leeton $291,978.82 Jerilderie Hume $170,737.84 Holbrook Gundagai Griffith Deniliquin $262,724.51 Culcairn $600,593.87 Corowa $10,193,697.30 $577,494.53 Conargo Berrigan $307,687.23 $491,150.41 Albury City Riverina $476,208.50 $588,774.25 $555,892.80 $620,289.80 Region Total $695,220.49 Walcha $532,322.99 Ulmarra $684,470.51 Tweed $459,232.40 Tenterfield $31,709.47 Severn Richmond Valley $448,470.70 Nymboida Nambucca $482,693.91 $533,665.27 Maclean $674,582.81 Lismore $289,781.71 $880,731.14 Kyogle Kempsey Guyra Grafton Dumaresq Copmanhurst Coffs HarbourCity Byron Bellingen Ballina Northern as$1,097,444.80 $11,198,767.03 $1,047,857.23 $402,470.19 $706,095.80 $1,565,519.83 $153,209.58 $857,011.80 $816,451.21 Region Total Yass $994,988.01 $1,389,823.37 Yarrowlumla $379,761.69 Tallaganda $1,091,977.83 $696,155.69 Snowy River Shoalhaven Queanbeyan Mulwaree Gunning Eurobodalla Crookwell Cooma-Monaro Bombala Bega Southern arn$201,225.84 $658,523.75 $4,502,661.85 $364,411.12 $372,427.99 $539,118.32 $265,175.12 $435,128.02 $371,087.92 Region Total $243,635.36 $331,415.93 Wentworth $346,132.59 Warren $374,379.89 Walgett Hay Coonamble Cobar Central Darling Carrathool Brewarrina Bourke Bogan Balranald Western
APPENDICES 57 Appendix 6 Publications
1. Bush Fire Danger Season/Total Fire Bans 33. Other Resources 2. Barbecues and Campfires • Fireguard for Kids Kit (Whole) 3. Tree Selection for Fire Prone Areas • Fireguard for Kids Kit (Refill) 58 4. Trees and Fire Resistance • Balloons 5. Regeneration and Care of • Showbags Fire-Damaged Trees • Bush Fire Puzzle Book 6. LP Gas Safety • Smokey’s Activity Book 7. Bush Fire Readiness Check List • Smokey’s Home – Story Book 8. Home Fire Safety Check List • NSW RFS Corporate Folder 9. Bush Fire Preparedness. Your Family, • Bush Fire Protection for new and existing Your Pets. houses in urban areas 10. Industrial and Commercial Fire Prevention in • Bush Fire protection for new and existing Bush Fire Prone Areas rural properties 11. After the Fire Guide • The Burning Question 12. Equipment & Machinery Use in Bush Fire • Fifty Years of Fire Prone Areas • Fire! The Australian Experience 13. Holiday Fire Safety • A State Ablaze 14. Personal Safety Equipment During Bush Fires • Bookmark and Other Emergencies • Word Puzzle Activity Sheet 15. Hazard Reduction • Word Search Activity Sheet 16. Pre-schoolers and Fire Safety • Brochure – Join you Local RF Brigade 17. What is Community Fireguard? • Poster – Fire Safety (Several Versions) 18. Publications and Educational Resources • Poster – Join your Local RF Brigade Produced by the NSW Rural Fire Service • Poster – Fire Awareness Week (Annually) 19. Fires in Pine Forests • Sticker – Corporate "Heart of NSW" 20. Vehicles: How they can both protect you and • Sticker – Corporate "Peace of Mind" cause bush fires • Sticker – Children’s Fire Safety 21. First Aid during Bush Fires • Magnet – Animation/Hotline 22. Why Flammable Liquids need careful handling • Magnet – ‘000’ emergency for those who live in Bush Fire Prone Areas • Pens 23. Additional Fire Protection for your Home • Rulers 24. The Effects of Weather on Bush Fires • Fire Prevention Presentation Handbook 25. Controlling Bush Fires • Fire Safe, Book 1 (Primary Teachers) 26. Survival Flow Chart • Fire Safe, Book 2 (Primary Teachers) 27. Before you light that fire • Fire Safe, Book 3 (Primary Teachers) 28. Bush Fire Operations, Planning • Fire Science, Book 1 (Secondary Teachers) 29. Bush Fire Risk Management Planning • Fire Science, Book 2 (Secondary Teachers) 30. A Guide to the Rural Fires Act, 1997 • Geography Resource for Secondary 31. What does that mean? Terms used by the Teachers Rural Fire Service 32. Incident Control Systems APPENDICES rtclIcdn upr 96338 31 35 39 3 259247 41 35 3 51 8 8037 0 18 432 2 3 5 6 38 117 11 3 42 54253 5 536 19 6 639 12 5 1 592 77 14 1111 19 61 29 69 11 196957 5 17 47 92 22 26 96 12 20 20 11 5 13 7 8 34 31 Total Kilometres Travelled 116 30 14 470 Work Coverandothermeetings 379 Critical IncidentSupport 119 10 0 743 646 92 0 Championship &FieldDays 32 9 Respond toActualSuicides 25 486 11 21 92 Salvo Care LineCallouts 6 NSW Fire BrigadesCallouts 76 401 16 118 Police ServiceCallouts 16 Rural Fire ServiceCallouts 473 3 1 Service Weddings 474 983 Infant Christenings/Dedications 121 56 Funeral ServicesConducted 43 55 168 98 Hospital Visitation-Members 62 &Family Home Visits-Members 107 Telephone Support&Counselling Personal &FamilyCounselling 17 4 Fire FleetBlessings&Services 324 Station Openings&Dedications Seminars &Conferences 499 430 Brigade CaptainsMeetings 365 State FCOManagementConference June30,2000 Regional FCO'SConferences DistrictChaplains toRuralFireVisits Brigades withFireVisits Control Officers FamilySupportChaplain Forward June30,1999 toFireVisits Control Centres toRosehillHeadquarters Visits Chaplaincy Activity Chaplaincy andFamilySupportNetworkActivityReport-June30,2000 oasCrid eirCali 5 oute ieTotals 51Volunteer Fire SeniorChaplain& Totals Carried Activity Report Chaplaincy Appendix 7
APPENDICES 59 Appendix 8 Statement of Performance of Chief Executive Officer
Name: Phil Koperberg
Position: Commissioner NSW Rural Fire Service 60 Period 1 July 1999 to 30 June 2000
Results
During what was a relatively quiet year in terms of firefighting activity Commissioner Koperberg continued to focus strongly on the development of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service as a coordinated, well-resourced and effective emergency service organisation.
Throughout the year Commissioner Koperberg has continued to strengthen the NSW Rural Fire Service through strong and focused leadership and an emphasis on improved operational capabilities and support system management.
Achievements of particular note during 1999/00 are:
• participation in a major parliamentary review of the NSW Rural Fire Service; • preparation and execution of plans to mitigate the Y2K Millennium Bug; • preparation for participation in the Sydney Olympic and Paralympic Games; • seventy-two training courses were held during the year for volunteers and over twelve hundred volunteers participated in these courses. At the same time the number of rural fire instructors and assessors continued to grow, there now being 1,220 instructors and 253 assessors. • the progressive introduction of "zoning" for rural fire districts to better utilise fire fighting resources; • the establishment of a Serious Accident Reduction Unit within the Service to improve volunteer firefighter safety; • the expansion of the Community Fireguard program.
The Annual Report reflects the significant achievements of the Service under the leadership of Commissioner Koperberg.
Bob Debus Minister for Emergency Services APPENDICES or nottheadvicereports were requested. RFSAC maygiveadviceandmakereports whether suchotherfunctionsasmaybeconferred • advisingtheCommissioneronissue • advisingtheCommissioneronpubliceducation • advisingandreporting totheMinisterand • RFSAC hasresponsibilities thatcover Mr MSwayn. Mr RPallin Dr JMesser Mr HManglesdorf Mr AHolding Superintendent KHarrap,AFSM Councillor RPanton Councillor SBragg Councillor MBanasik Councillor JuneBaker AM AFSMBEM(Chair) Commissioner PhilKoperberg met onfouroccasionsduringtheyear. The RuralFire ServiceAdvisoryCouncil(RFSAC) Rural Fire ServiceAdvisoryCouncil Fires Act,1997. or imposeduponitbyunderthe of ServiceStandards; and training ofruralfirefighters; on programs relating toruralfire mattersand the administration ofruralfire services under Commissioner onanymatterrelating tothe Rural FiresAct,1997 (appointed 8Feb2000) (retired) (retired) (appointed 8Feb2000) (appointed 8Feb2000) (retired) ; Rural Committees Appendix 9 to thereduction ofbushfire hazards. Conservation oranypublicauthority withrespect arrangements withtheMinisterforLandandWater it ornot.Further, theCommitteemayenterinto and suppression ofbushfires, whetherreferred to may report onanymatterrelating totheprevention Minister onanymatterreferred bytheMinisterand Additionally theCommitteemustreport tothe Act 1991 of the sustained developmentdescribedinsection6(2) have regard totheprinciplesofecologically that affects theenvironment theCommitteemust Rural FiresAct,1997 as are conferred orimposeduponitbyunderthe suppression. TheCommittee hassuchotherfunctions prevention, mitigationand coordinated bushfire well asforadvisingtheCommissioneronbushfire fire prevention andcoordinated bushfirefighting as The BFCCisresponsible for planninginrelation to Mr GWorboys Assistant CommissionerKThompson Mr ATennie Mr DRidley Ms AReeves Councillor RPanton Mr RPallin Mr POlney Superintendent SMidgle Mr HManglesdorf Mr RConroy Councilor SBragg Councillor MBanasik Councillor JBaker Mr JAsquith (NSW PoliceService) Assistant CommissionerRAdams AM AFSMBEM(Chair) Commissioner PhilKoperberg met onfiveoccasionsduringtheyear. The BushFire Coordinating Committee(BFCC) Bush Fire Coordinating Committee Protection oftheEnvironmentAdministration . (appointed 8Feb2000) (appointed 8Feb2000) (appointed 8Feb2000) (retired) (retired). (retired) . Incarryingoutanyfunction (retired) (appointed 8Feb2000) (appointed 8Feb2000) y AFSM (NSWFB)
APPENDICES 61 Corporate Executive Group Other
The Corporate Executive Group, the Service’s senior The Service is represented on a number of external 62 policy making committee, met on ten occasions in organisations by various staff members. 1999/2000. Representatives sit on
Commissioner Phil Koperberg • Australasian Fire Authorities Council and AM AFSM BEM sub-committees, strategy groups Ross Smith • Fire Protection Association, Australia Assistant Commissioner Regional • Fire Awareness Week Committee (NSW) Management and Planning • Emergency Services Communications Tony Howe Working Party Assistant Commissioner Operations Support • Standards Australia – various committees Shane Fitzsimmons • State Emergency Management Committee Assistant Commissioner Operations • State Rescue Board Mark Crosweller • District Emergency Management Committees Assistant Commissioner Strategic Development • District Rescue Committees Trevor Anderson • Environmental Education Officers’ Group (NSW) Director Corporate Services • Association for Environmental Education (NSW) John Winter • Museum Education Officers’ Group (NSW) Senior Media Officer • GRN Joint Management Board – Department Peter Hennessy of Public Works and Services Manager, Financial Services • Radio Advisory Committee – Department of Don Luscombe Public Works and Services President, Rural Fire Service Association • Border Liaison Committees Superintendent Keith Harrap • Roadside Environment Committee (NSW) Vice President (Salaried Officers), • Fire Services Joint Standing Committee Rural Fire Service Association. • NSW Health Disaster Management Committee • Public Sector Occupational Health and Fire Services Joint Standing Committee Safety Group • Emergency Services Industry Reference Group The Fire Services Joint Standing Committee Act, 1998 • Emergency Services Personnel Support provides legislative support for the work of this Advisory Group Committee.
The Committee’s work of coordinating the activities of the fire services was supported by the Service’s representatives, Commissioner Phil Koperberg AM AFSM BEM and Superintendent S Midgley AFSM. Mr D Luscombe represented the Rural Fire Service Association on this Committee. APPENDICES Appendix 10 Organisation Chart
Minister 63 The Hon Bob Debus MP
Executive Commissioner Media Officer-Committees Phil Koperberg AM, AFSM, BEM
A/Commissioner A/Commissioner Director A/Commissioner A/Commissioner Regional Strategic Corporate Operations Operations Management Development Services Support Shane Fitzsimmons & Planning Mark Crosweller Trevor Anderson Tony Howe Ross Smith
State Operations Training Services Castlereagh Region Strategic Administrative Development Services Call Centre (Rosehill/Goulburn) Central Region Fire Zone Financial Services Communications Engineering Central East Services Region Human Resources
Public Affairs Hunter Region Information Technology Safety & Welfare Northern Region Chaplaincy Serious Accident Riverina Region
Reduction Southern Region
Western Region
Planning Services APPENDICES Appendix 11 Risk Management and Insurance
The NSW Rural Fire Service is a member of the NSW Treasury Managed Fund that provides all the insurance requirements for most public sector agencies in this State. Total Deposit premiums paid to the Treasury Managed Fund (with comparisons from the last two financial years) are set out below: 64 1997/1998 1998/1999 1999/2000 Coverage $$$ Workers Compensation 51,743 60,890 75,471 Motor Vehicle 31,632 29,636 37,366 Public Liability 257,000 307,794 307,259 Property 12,009 11,982 11,083 Other 3,383 3,832 3,410 TOTALS 355,767 414,134 434,609
Appendix 12 Human Resources
1997/1998 1998/1999 1999/2000 Approx Actual Approx Actual Approx Actual Comparative Figures for the Past Three Years (Equivalent Full-time Positions) 116 116 141 141 144 144 APPENDICES Index
Charter Consultants 29 Legislation 7 Vision Statement 4 Equal Employment Opportunity Mission Statement 4 Statement 53 Statistics 53 Aims and Objectives 7 Publications 58 Access Head and Regional Offices 26 Code of Conduct 11 Hours of Business 26 Major Assets 30 Financial Overview 5 Sale of Property, including Land 30 Management and Structure Principal Officers 22 Risk Management and Insurance 64 Organisation Chart 63 Annual Report Committee Representation Print Run and Unit Cost 29 Rural Fire Service Advisory Council 61 Bush Fire Coordinating Committee 61 Freedom of Operation Representation on Outside Bodies 62 Statement 54 Fire Services Joint Standing Committee 62 Statistics 54
Management and Activities Contract and Market Testing 28 Commissioner’s Foreword 2 Nature and Range of Activities 7 Action Plan for Women 10 Guarantee of Service 28 Consumer Response 29 Human Resources Overseas Visits 28 Number of Employees 64 Disability Plan 15 Statements and Standards for the Provision of Services 28 Statement of Performance of Chief Executive Officer 60 Ethnics Affairs 10
Grants to Outside Organisations 30 DESIGNED BY KWCD, TEL (02) 9438 1711 (4829) NSW Rural Fire Service Annual Report 2000