Fire & Rescue June 2015 News

OPERATIONS JOURNAL: MAJOR FACTORY FIRES

STORM AND FLOOD OPERATIONS

USAR DEPLOYMENT TO VANUATU The The Minister Commissioner WRITES WRITES

As someone who has worked in various In the last issue of Fire & Rescue News, combat agencies, I’m committed to we reported on the results of the recent supporting and promoting the outstanding readership survey to which many of you work of emergency services workers who responded. One thing you told us through put their lives on the line without thought this survey was that the two types of of personal safety. information you found most relevant were operational news and incident reports. Before entering Parliament in 2011, I worked for former federal MPs Bronwyn Bishop and Former Prime Minister Based on this feedback, I decided to reintroduce the John Howard and the NSW Police media unit before detailed incident reports previously published in a being commissioned into the Army. I later joined the separate publication, the Fire Operations Journal, and staff of then-NSW Opposition Leader Peter Collins more recently in cut down form as intranet stories. These before becoming the national campaign director for reports are prepared by Inspector Kernin Lambert, and Australians for a Constitutional Monarchy and also from now on will form a significant part of the magazine. serving with peacekeeping forces in Bougainville, as well I have received a lot of feedback affirming the value as working for the Australian Hotel Association and the of these reports and I believe that reinstating them Civil Contractors Federation (NSW). will contribute to us being a more effective learning I am proud of the fact that our State’s world-class organisation committed to continuous improvement. expertise in disaster management is internationally In this issue, Kernin has researched and written up recognised and regularly called upon. This was amply three of the larger and more complex structure fires demonstrated in March this year when Tropical Cyclone we attended in recent months, with details of how Pam swept across Vanuatu’s chain of islands, causing each incident unfolded, the resources allocated, the widespread devastation. As soon as assistance was challenges and strategies employed, and learnings from requested, Australia responded with a multi-agency each incident. I would appreciate hearing your feedback FRNSW-led Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Task on this change to the magazine. Force quickly formed and deployed to help our stricken Pacific neighbours. The article in this issue outlines In addition, we are increasing the magazine’s operational some of the great work done by the Task Force in news component, particularly in the What’s New helping to restore hospitals, schools and other critical section, to ensure that all staff are kept informed about infrastructure across the battered nation. key projects, achievements and new developments in operational matters. This expertise was once again on display in April when severe storms battered many areas of NSW. Once This edition also covers two of our recent major incidents again we saw FRNSW and other emergency services and deployments. In addition to the FRNSW-led multi- swing immediately into action, working closely with agency USAR deployment to Vanuatu, we have included other agencies and the community to respond to the a summary of FRNSW’s wide-reaching response in thousands of incidents and to facilitate recovery and conjunction with the SES and other emergency services rebuilding efforts. to the severe weather event which caused widespread devastation over extensive parts of the State in late April I look forward to meeting more of you during my time and early May. This was one of FRNSW’s busiest periods as Minister and being your strong advocate inside the on record, and I thank all staff for their huge effort NSW Cabinet. in responding to such a major weather event in often David Elliott MP extremely challenging conditions. Minister for Corrections, Emergency Services and I also take this opportunity to welcome David Elliott, Veterans Affairs who was recently appointed as the new Minister for Corrections, Emergency Services and Veterans Affairs. The Minister has already shown a keen interest in, and strong support for, FRNSW. Greg Mullins AFSM Commissioner

Cover image: Freak hail storm leads to 5th Alarm factory fire and collapse at Huntingwood. Photo credit FF Hugh Lloyd

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 In this issue 4 ADASHI FIRST RESPONDER

68 VANUATU 1FIRE1 OPS JOURNAL DEPLOYMENT

44 56 BULK TANKER STORM AND FLOOD ROLLOVERS OPERATIONS

48 52 53 54 75 Championships: Product safety Keep looking FRNSW Firefighters On the road from news when cooking commemorates bravery Gunnedah to the ANZAC recognised at Berry Centenary home and abroad

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 CONTENTS

THE MINISTER WRITES INSIDE FRONT COVER THE COMMISSIONER WRITES INSIDE FRONT COVER WHAT’S NEW? 3 New training prop hones USAR skills 3 New multipurpose helmets improve protection for firefighters 4 ADASHI at your fingertips 4 New SOGs striving to keep you safe 6 Summit targets the future of firefighting 8 SF Brett Carle and Olivia Blackburn help drive change at FRNSW 8 New Station Risk Profile tool helping combat accidental house fires 9 FIRE & RESCUE OPERATIONS JOURNAL 10 10th Alarm required to control Lansvale plastics recycling plant fire 11 FRNSW controls enormous 12th Alarm fire at St Marys oil recycling plant 18 13th Alarm fire in Smithfield wrecking yard and furniture factory 29 Using water storage tanks for firefighting water supply 44 OPERATIONAL READINESS 46 Ensuring safe decanting at bulk tanker rollovers 46 Championships: On the road from Gunnedah to Berry 48 SELLING THE SAFETY MESSAGE 50 Testing smoke alarm effectiveness 50 Program builds resilience in Aboriginal communities 50 A clear message on smoke alarms 51 Product safety news 52 Keep looking when cooking 53 FEATURE: ANZAC DAY COMMEMORATION 54 FRNSW commemorates the ANZAC centenary 54 FEATURE: STORM AND FLOOD OPERATIONS 56 ‘Low blows’ batter NSW, wreaking havoc 56 Lives saved, lives lost: Dungog’s desperate day 58 Stations share their stories on Facebook 59 FRNSW IN THE MEDIA 60 Meet your community through the media 60 The public ask firies their top questions 61 ABC TV’s Redesign My Brain program 62 INCREASING DIVERSITY IN THE WORKFORCE 63 The best person for the job 63 Going the extra mile: a retained recruitment success story in RW3 64 Indigenous students learn about firefighting roles 65 FRNSW celebrates diversity in the 2015 Mardi Gras 66 Celebrating International Women’s Day in 2015 67 Graduating recruits swell FRNSW’s ranks 67 FEATURE: USAR DEPLOYMENT TO VANUATU 68 FRNSW deploys to help its stricken Pacific neighbour 68 Homeward bound after mission accomplished 71 FEATURE: 10 YEARS OF 400 IN 4 72 Burns Unit benefits from a cool half million 72 THIS SPORTING LIFE 74 FRNSW goes into bat for Southern Highland youth 74 AWARDS 75 Firefighters’ bravery recognised for service at home and abroad 75 PAYING TRIBUTE 76 Letter and Facebook posts 76 Retirements 76 Vale 77

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 WHAT’S NEW NEW TRAINING PROP HONES USAR SKILLS In February, FRNSW officially opened a new state-of- the-art facility at its Disaster Training and Response Centre at Ingleburn.

he Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Prop is a custom-built The USAR Category NEW SEARCH KITS HELP Ttraining site designed to recreate SAVE LIVES search and rescue scenarios, such as 2 course conducted New search kits, comprising remote earthquakes or building collapses, that search and rescue control cameras and seismic and firefighters may face in NSW, across acoustic sensors, were initially Australia and overseas. It enables FRNSW operations in various installed at key heavy rescue fire firefighters and other emergency services situations associated stations – City of Sydney, Eastwood to constantly revise, practise and build on and Liverpool fire stations. In 2015/16 their USAR knowledge and skills. with USAR in a real the kits will be rolled out to all heavy The prop includes: life situation rescue appliances. This will increase – a lift shaft for mock high-rise and lift FRNSW’s operational capability to rescue training detect and locate victims who have – a train tunnel and derailed train of April following the severe storm been affected by structural collapse. and flooding experienced in Dungog, – a rubble pile with an intricate network Similar equipment is used around then back to Huntingwood in Sydney’s of tunnels, including submerged the world, and was used by FRNSW west following collapse of a number of tunnels after the Japan and Christchurch factories due to hail damage on Saturday – specially engineered concrete walls to earthquakes in 2011 and the Rozelle 25 April. simulate a disaster scenario such as shop fire in 2014. a building collapse. From 11–13 May the prop was used “This new equipment will extend The prop was in constant use for a major 48-hour USAR exercise the search and rescue capability of for skills maintenance training from by NSW Task Force 1. The exercise firefighters allowing them to perform February through to mid-April. The 4-day simulated an earthquake disaster rapid searches for casualties in program covers skills acquisition in the which caused widespread damage to the area, with particular impact on a the initial phases of an incident,” commercial / residential complex which said Commissioner Mullins. “This collapsed trapping numerous people. technology will ultimately save lives.” From 11–13 May the The USAR Category 2 course conducted The kits consist of two separate units: prop was used for a search and rescue operations in various SearchCam Recon III Camera major 48-hour USAR situations, including a two storey pancake – Is small enough to manoeuvre collapse, train derailment inside tunnel easily in rubble for rescue work, exercise by NSW Task and rubble pile search as well as other but also extends long enough for Force 1 functions associated with USAR in a real multi-floor search operations life situation. – Can be used in water Apart from FRNSW crews, the Delsar Mini Life Detector USAR prop has also been used to 2015 United Nations INSARAG guideline – Uses two types of sensors to detect train personnel from various other changes, rapid damage assessment, and locate casualties in the voids government agencies including the GPS/navigation, shoring, concrete of collapsed buildings or similar Ambulance Service of NSW Special cutting, tech roping, metal cutting and entrapment situations search techniques. Those attending Operations Team members, the NSW Police Force and various units from the – Is equipped with seismic sensors to included FRNSW rescue staff, with USAR detect sound vibrations generated Australian Defence Force. nEND Category 2 operators practising their by a victim’s movement or activity enhanced skills while USAR Category 1 travelling through the structural operators were trained in skills required remains of the building to support a USAR field operation. – Is also equipped with acoustic The first USAR Category 2 course for sensors to detect sound vibrations 2015 commenced on 20 April. The course VIEW VIDEO AT travelling through the surrounding was completed by 18 rescuers and two fire.nsw.gov.au/frnews airspace within the rubble Ambulance paramedics. Those attending OR received real life instruction when they – Allows two-way communication were called upon firstly to conduct rapid SCAN CODE TO with victims damage assessments in the third week WATCH NOW

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 WHAT’S NEW

NEW MULTIPURPOSE HELMETS IMPROVE PROTECTION FOR FIREFIGHTERS New multipurpose helmets are being issued to all firefighters in addition to the MSA Gallet F1 structural firefighting helmets. The new helmets will replace the current ones worn at Clockwise from top left: Supt Phil Lindsay, Insp Chris Wilson, SO Dean Wellfare and SO Alan Barrell test the integrated device rescues, bushfires, storm recovery, etc. The ADASHI First Responder project has rapidly he Pacific HR6NV Dominator improves on the Bushranger helmet gained momentum with the trial in Metro South Zone 3 Tpreviously in use. It meets the commencing in March 2015. requirements of AS/NZS 1801:1997 for a Type 3 helmet suitable for bushfire fighting. s part of the trial, 20 offline Assistant Director Operational The Dominator is more compact than (non-ESCAD integrated) rugged Communications Greg Wild said it allows the old helmet, and features a flame- mobile data terminals were appliances to respond immediately retardant neck protector, four-point chin A installed in vehicles. This included by acknowledging the incident and strap with quick release buckle, nylon 14 permanent fire crews and five confirming their response with the press webbing cradle for optimal comfort, retained fire crews, covering pumpers, of a button for Code 1 and Code 3 status and padding and sweatband which can rescue pumps, ladder platforms, and changes in ESCAD. “No more waiting be removed for cleaning. It provides one Duty Commander vehicle. for the radio to be clear. This dramatic increased impact resistance, penetration The non-ESCAD integrated devices change in dispatch capability is being resistance, retention strength and provide on-board (locally stored) maps, monitored and continually assessed wearing stability. It is ideal for rescues aerial imagery, hydrant locations, for accuracy, operational impacts and wherever space is limited without PIP data, weather feed from the BoM, feedback from the field.” compromising its suitability for bushfire, in-built navigation and access to SOGs, The ADASHI First Responder and storm and tempest work. n END chemical data sheets, safety and application took shape following operations bulletins at your fingertips. comprehensive engagement with Following this, the trial of the fully both the pilot ‘Super User Group’ and integrated ADASHI First Responder FireCOM with a key focus on ensuring VIEW VIDEO AT devices went live in June. This means the application is intuitive and easy to fire.nsw.gov.au/frnews that in addition to the above features, use en-route to incidents. OR crews can be dispatched directly from The Super User Group, which the Emergency Services Computer Aided includes MS3 Zone Commander SCAN CODE TO Dispatch (ESCAD) used by FireCOM. Superintendent Phil Lindsay, WATCH NOW Duty Commander Inspector Chris Wilson

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 ADASHI AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

VIEW VIDEO AT fire.nsw.gov.au/frnews OR SCAN CODE TO WATCH NOW

and Station Officers and Firefighters can look it up and say ‘have I done these from all four platoons in the pilot zone, things?’. I think it’s a great tool.” ADASHI FIRST RESPONDER meets regularly to discuss issues, and This new capability will improve BENEFITS provide feedback on the design, layout incident management and reduce and functionality. radio congestion for non-critical – No need to wait for radio Macquarie Fields Station Officer radio messages at large-scale congestion to ease to send code incidents. It will also immediately 1, 3 or 4s. provide critical information to other – See who else has been assigned It’s all about building arriving crews about the incident, and to the incident and who is the IC close the gap between FireCOM and at any time. up mental ’situational responding firefighters. – View hydrant locations, hazard awareness’ “It’s all about building up mental details, site PIPs, utility details, ’situational awareness’. It will improve aerial imagery of incident area. our service delivery and safety for – Access updated SOGs, Operations Dean Wellfare said the device is both the community and responding and Safety Bulletins. user friendly, provides a wealth of firefighters.” Chief Supt Wild said. – Follow turn-by-turn navigation to information and will cut down radio Spearheading this flagship incident location. chatter. Inspector Chris Wilson, Duty program, Project Manager FireCOM – Provide AFA status confirmation Commander MS3 agrees it will be very Mike Hinton says he is proud of the before leaving site. useful on the fireground. collaboration, energy and effort – Directly enter incident completion “The potential for firefighters to from the field and across each of the (STOP) messages for standard bring up information at their fingertips Directorates in realising this complex incident types (AFA 700 codes). will make them operationally more and multifaceted project. effective,” Insp Wilson said. “There’s Following the successful completion so much you have to remember when of the trial, it is envisaged that mobile you go to a job these days. There are so data terminals will be systematically many different variables but now you introduced across the entire FRNSW fleet. nEND

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 WHAT’S NEW

NEW SOGS STRIVING TO KEEP YOU SAFE

FRNSW firefighters have access to the latest technology and equipment to deal with emergency incidents from structural firefighting PPC to Altair gas detectors, state- of-the-art helmets, advanced rescue equipment, CAFS and mobile data terminal technology. However, the world’s best technology is only as good as the incident management guidelines that back it up.

s a large and busy emergency – Did we know where each firefighter information for incident management service, it is vital FRNSW takes was and what they were doing at every practitioners to understand. Athe time to review operating incident attended by FRNSW? In March 2015, new Incident procedures at incidents to ensure the – Did each firefighter have a reporting Management SOGs and a Guideline ongoing safety of every firefighter. line of one level up and one Support Document (GSD) were “As a professional fire service and a level down? launched. This was followed up with member of AFAC, FRNSW contributes to – Were officers or firefighters publication of e-learning modules and an making incident sites safe for all workers ‘freelancing’ at incidents outside of the Incident Management Policy to provide and the public,” said Capability Manager, Incident Action Plan (IAP)? information on the legal framework, Incident Management Superintendent – Was there always a strong command Greg Rankin. “To do this we must provide presence at incidents? the safest work site possible using a – Were the critical factors identified number of different tools and methods.” and addressed using the risk Operational Capability Until the commencement of a new management process? is working with all project last year, FRNSW’s Incident – Did we provide officers and firefighters Management Standard Operational a simple risk management plan and sections of FRNSW to Guidelines (SOGs) had not been reviewed incident phase change model that provide firefighters since their introduction by then Assistant was adaptable to all types of incidents Commissioner Mullins in 1997, nor did attended to by FRNSW? with the latest they consider the changes made to AIIMS – If the IAP was not working, did we equipment, methods, (the Australasian Inter-Service Incident provide commanders with a simple Management System) in 2013. review process to identify this and procedures and The project team, led by Supt Rankin, build a culture that it’s OK to change policies to make the asked a number of pertinent questions a plan? incident site as safe as about FRNSW’s incident management The review process identified a practices: number of gaps in current procedures possible and a need to provide background 6

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 principles, roles and responsibilities of FRNSW staff at incidents. The e-learning package, which is available through the Learning Hub on the intranet, is also being supported by face-to-face training for both permanent and retained firefighters. This training has commenced in regional areas for Captains and Deputy Captains and will be delivered to all permanent crews over the next twelve months. “The team at Operational Capability is working with all sections of FRNSW to provide firefighters with the latest equipment, methods, procedures and policies to make the incident site as safe as possible,” said Supt Rankin. “Please take the time to do the incident management e-learning modules. I know it’s a lot of theory and it’s not a tangible piece of shiny new equipment, but it is a vital part of making sure that firefighters, other emergency service workers and the public are kept safe at every incident site attended by FRNSW.” For more information see the Incident Management toolkit on the intranet (Operational > Incident Management > Incident Management System). The toolkit includes VIEW VIDEO AT information about the major differences fire.nsw.gov.au/frnews from the previous SOGs, answers to frequently asked questions, links to OR the e-learning modules and Incident SCAN CODE TO Management Policy.nEND WATCH NOW

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 WHAT’S NEW

SENIOR FIREFIGHTER BRETT CARLE AND OLIVIA BLACKBURN HELP DRIVE CHANGE AT FRNSW SUMMIT In 2014 the Commissioner’s Participative Council (CPC) TARGETS THE was formed to provide an opportunity for all FRNSW staff FUTURE OF to help shape the future of the organisation.

FIREFIGHTING his advisory group consists of This solution strengthens workplace 25 FRNSW staff from admin, health and safety and also gives greater On 6 May permanent and Ttrades and operations. They have ownership to stations – a good example already met twice this year to continue of people across FRNSW working retained firefighters from working out how to build their skills, together to bring good ideas to fruition. across the State gathered gather ideas from their peers, identify Another great example of the and progress good ideas for action, and council’s work is Olivia Blackburn’s at Sydney’s Powerhouse work together to support and achieve idea to include administrative staff Museum for a summit organisational goals. information in Commissioner’s Orders. To ensure they build on and assist FRNSW is one organisation where all to discuss the future of the good work already occurring within staff work together to provide a service firefighting at FRNSW. FRNSW, the group ‘started small’ and to the community so it is very important have already achieved some wins. For that processes reflect this. The addition n his opening address, Commissioner instance, 10 years ago, Station Officer of administrative staff in Commissioner’s Greg Mullins spoke of the need for David Absalom suggested standardising Orders is a timely reminder that we are FRNSW to be the best in a constantly first aid signage across the FRNSW fleet ‘One FRNSW’. I as some appliances had small signage, These and other deliberately small changing environment. He was followed by Assistant Director Fire Safety, Chief some simply had a cross and some ‘wins’ have enabled the council to Superintendent Greg Buckley who appliances had no signage at all. learn more about the organisation, and presented on the current and future about innovation and effective change challenges firefighters face within the management strategies. While it is early built environment. SEMC Climate Change FRNSW wants days, one thing is clear – FRNSW wants Chair Christopher Lee also presented on staff members at all levels to be more predicted climate change trends and the staff members at involved in suggesting and implementing risks they pose for firefighting. all levels to be more improvements. Attendees were then split into two So, how does this affect you? The groups with each having a chance to have involved in suggesting council needs your ideas and suggestions their say on training and equipment. and implementing in order to truly represent FRNSW and All participants were also involved on achieve our collective potential. What a session regarding future-proofing improvements issues and ideas are discussed at your FRNSW’s capability. station, directorate or branch? And what Facilitated by Operational solutions do you have? If you have ideas Improvement, the Firefighting Summit This great idea has finally been made on how FRNSW can improve in any area, follows on from the successful Rescue a reality. CPC member Senior Firefighter contact a CPC member and let them Summit in 2013 which resulted in the Brett Carle worked together with know your thoughts. CPC members are publication of the ‘2020 Rescue Roadmap’. Assistant Director Fleet Peter Fanning to listed on the intranet at Toolkits > About A report on the Firefighting Summit will find a simple, timely and cost-effective You > Committees and Networks > be published in the coming months. solution which enabled stations to fix Commissioner’s Participative Council. the new signage to their appliances. n nEND END

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 NEW STATION RISK PROFILE TOOL HELPING COMBAT ACCIDENTAL HOUSE FIRES

Stations can now identify and target households at greatest risk from accidental fires with a new online community profiling tool.

aunched in March by FRNSW’s Community Engagement Unit (CEU), CEU is now using Lthe Station Risk Profile (STRP) is designed to help us better understand Mosaic data to the types of people we serve. The STRP target community maps community segmentation data and incident data to identify those households engagement activities at greatest risk of accidental fires. at the top 10 ‘at risk’ What is community segmentation data? groups Community segmentation classifies all Australian households and neighbourhoods into 49 unique types e-learning module and 13 overarching groups, providing a The e-learning module (available in 360-degree view of household choices, the Learning Hub on the intranet) shows STATION RISK PROFILE preferences and habits. It is built using how the STRP works and provides an IN ACTION Australian demographic data from the interactive walk-through of how you Around 15 stations are now making 2011 Census and other best available can use the system in your station. The the STRP an essential aspect of data sources (a total of 238 variables). module takes approximately 10–15 their community engagement CEU is now using Mosaic data to target minutes and all FRNSW staff planning activities. Bonnyrigg Heights Station community engagement activities at the community safety activities should Officer Donald Peters said he uses top 10 ‘at risk’ groups which represent: complete it. the STRP to help plan community – 21% of households in NSW What next? safety activities and hydrant checks. – 37% of fires over six years Visit the Home Fire Safety Checks “We are focusing our time on the – 43% of injuries over six years toolkit on the intranet (Operational > highest risk areas that are shown in This data is now available to all Community Safety > HFSC) for the latest the STRP. We are still spending the FRNSW staff through the STRP. information and resources, as well as for same amount of time carrying out Getting started further instructions on how to access the checks or engagement activities, You can access the STRP via a STRP and e-learning module through the but we now know that we are doing dedicated area in the Employee Self Learning Hub. Users can also contact the them in the areas that will give us Service (ESS) reporting module using your STRP Project Team at [email protected]. the best outcomes for our efforts.” current login and password details. nEND

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 FIRE & RESCUE OPERATIONS JOURNAL

ISSUE 1: FIRE & RESCUE OPERATIONS JOURNAL

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 Aerial Pumper 47 is about to commence fire attack as a sudden wind change pushes heavy fire EDITOR’S NOTE onto Sector Bravo exposures. The burning plastic bundles produced intense fire conditions. Firstly, this is an opportune time to welcome everyone to this first issue of Fire & Rescue Operations Journal which will now be published as part of Fire & Rescue News. I’d like to thank members of the Media and Communications Unit for their generous and professional assistance in preparing the journal. It’s also an appropriate time to thank so many people for their support of the journal and it’s great to see that as a result of your enthusiasm and effort, it is back. This edition contains technical reports of firefighting operations at three major fires; an oil recycling plant fire, a plastics recycling facility fire and a large furniture factory fire. All three were very complex fires, containing numerous hazardous conditions, operational difficulties, tactical challenges and other significant issues. All three incidents were controlled in an extremely professional manner by responding firefighters. The journal reports on the fireground strategies, tactics and considerations that enabled these incidents to be safely and effectively controlled. These incident reports contain some very positive lessons for everyone. A goal of the journal is to share the VIEW VIDEO AT knowledge and experience of those who fire.nsw.gov.au/frnews attended these incidents with the wider organisation, so that all firefighters can OR benefit from the experiences of those SCAN CODE TO who responded. There is something in the WATCH NOW journal for everyone to help improve and perform our role with even greater safety and effectiveness. The journal is a tool to provide practical material to support station drills, pre-incident planning exercises and general discussion on firefighting operational issues. 10TH ALARM REQUIRED TO The journal also contains another popular feature; firefighting operations CONTROL LANSVALE PLASTICS associated with installed fire protection systems. In this issue, we look at RECYCLING PLANT FIRE water storage tanks and how they can Report by Inspector Kernin Lambert assist firefighters at major structure Incident summary: Fire broke out numerous exposures being impacted fires, particularly when there is a large within an open storage yard containing simultaneously by intense fire activity; demand for water and mains supplies are large quantities of recyclable plastic all crews were exposed to fierce radiant being exceeded. materials which were stored on timber heat produced by the fire, on a day when Again, welcome to Fire & Rescue pallets. Fuelled by a heavy and volatile temperatures reached 40°C. From the Operations Journal issue one. I hope fuel load, the fire quickly spread, rapidly commencement of operations, firefighters everyone enjoys and benefits from involving all materials within the storage encountered severe water shortages. this issue. I look forward to continually yard, as well as several large stacks of At the height of firefighting operations, improving this publication with each issue. construction formwork timbers and a a sudden wind change resulted in the Happy reading. machinery building. When firefighters formation of extreme fire behaviour and Inspector Kernin Lambert arrived on scene, the storage yard, timber a rapid escalation in conditions being Editor, Fire & Rescue Operations Journal stacks and machinery building were encountered by firefighters, including heavily involved in fire. Fire conditions the impact of large flames and heavy were ferocious, and the fire was producing fire activity onto a number of exposures. a large plume of thick black smoke. Determined firefighting operations and Numerous exposures on all sides and skilful placement of handlines and aerial in close proximity to the fire were under streams at key locations resulted in fire direct threat and in imminent danger, spread being stopped and this extremely including factories, further large timber fierce fire contained to its location of stacks, workshops, offices, car stacks origin. Deployment of compressed air foam and a large car disassembly yard. The systems (CAFS) attack streams resulted in site contained numerous LPG cylinders significant fire knockdown. used to power forklifts. Firefighting Incident type: Plastics recycling plant operations were conducted under fire and timber stack fire. difficult, highly oppressive and exhausting conditions, as crews battled to protect All image credits: Insp Kernin Lambert 11

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 FIRE & RESCUE OPERATIONS JOURNAL

Time, date and place of call: 1528 hours on 21 November 2014 to report of a fire in a storage yard at Day Street, Lansvale. FRNSW response: Pumpers 73 (Fairfield), 49 (Cabramatta), 41 (Smithfield), 65 (Rydalmere), 10 (Redfern), 14 (Ashfield), 16 (Concord), 48 (Mortdale), 20 (Hurstville) and 32 (Mount Druitt) and Runner 1 (City of Sydney), CAFS Pumper 31 (Busby), Rescue Pumpers 57 (Wentworthville), 62 (Bankstown), 101 (Bonnyrigg Heights), 8 (Liverpool) and 15 (Burwood), Aerial Pumpers 97 (Huntingwood) and 47 (Revesby), Ladder Platforms 27 (Parramatta), 21 (Kogarah) and 92 (St Andrews), Heavy Rescue 8, Hazmat Pumper 85 (Chester Hill), Heavy Hazmat 85, Incident Control Vehicle Alpha, Logistics Support Vehicle 97 and Rehabilitation pod 1. Duty Commanders MW2 (Parramatta), MW1 (Huntingwood) and ME3 (Ashfield), Zone Commander MW2 (Parramatta) Superintendent Selwyn Mathias, Area Commander Metropolitan West During initial firefighting operations, wind was blowing from west to east. Note smoke plume blowing from left to right. Chief Superintendent Rick Griffiths, Director Regional Operations Assistant Commissioner Rob McNeil, Acting FRNSW Commissioner Jim Hamilton, stored in the open yard. Stored recyclable Exposures Commissioner’s Staff Officer, Fleet plastic materials on site included – Exposure Alpha 1: Three shipping Operations Officer, Assistant Director compressed plastic bottles, plastic containers, located on the southern Media and Communications Unit Andrew shopping bags, polystyrene foam slabs edge of the storage yard Parsons, Operational Media Coordinator and assorted other plastic materials – Exposure Alpha 2: Numerous large Superintendent Ian Krimmer and Team and products. Numerous intermediate timber stacks consisting of plywood Leader Hazmat. bulk containers (IBCs) and metal pallet formwork sheets, planks and beams In addition to the above, a further cages were located in the yard, containing and a delivery truck located on the 36 FRNSW appliances and numerous other assorted scrap metal materials southern edge of the storage yard senior officers and specialist support staff including pressurised gas cylinders and – Exposure Alpha 3: Workshop, 40m responded to the incident for relief and fire 200-litre drums. Metals on site included x 10m, steel frame and iron sheet duty purposes. aluminium, brass, cast iron, copper, lead, construction, located 20m south of Additional agencies/services in nickel, stainless steel, steel and zinc. the fire location attendance: Police, Ambulance, gas A machinery building, single level, – Exposure Alpha 4: Office building, authority, electricity authority and 15m x 40m, steel frame, cement sheet 40m x 15m, two levels, metal sheet Environmental Protection Authority. clad and cement sheet roof, was located construction, located 20m south of the on the northern edge of the storage yard, fire building Total fire ban in contact with the stored materials. – Exposure Bravo 1: Factory, 130m x It is of note that on the day of this fire, Two 10m x 20m timber stacks were 15m, brick construction and cement a total fire ban was in place, resulting in located on the eastern edge of the storage sheet roof, located 2.5m west of the the deployment of 20 inner-city FRNSW yard. These stacks consisted of timber fire location appliances to the bush/urban interface on beams, planks and plywood sheets, used – Exposure Bravo 2: Factory, 130m x Sydney’s outskirts. Despite this significant for construction formwork. 15m, brick construction and cement re-deployment of resources, capability Numerous other materials were sheet roof, located 20m west of the was maintained for response to this large located on all sides of the storage yard fire location urban structure fire. including further large stacks of timber – Exposure Charlie 1: Metal elevated car Fireground description sheeting, metal scaffolding, trucks, storage racking, 45m x 5m, three levels, Sectors forklifts and machinery. used for the storage of pre-delivery new – Sector Alpha – Day Street, to south With the exception of the front of motor vehicles, containing 45 motor of fire location the storage yard, the fire location was vehicles, located 5m north of the fire – Sector Bravo – Area to west of fire surrounded and almost ‘built in’ by other location location structures, with minimal direct access – Exposure Charlie 2: Factory, 130m x – Sector Charlie – Hume Highway and for firefighters. 15m, brick construction and cement area to north of fire location The fire location was not fitted sheet roof, located 15m north-west of – Sector Delta – Area to east of fire with any installed fire protection systems the fire location location or equipment. – Exposure Charlie 3: Factory, 130m x Exposure Charlie 3 was fitted with 25m, brick construction and iron roof, Fire location a 100mm hydrant system, consisting of located 18m north of the fire location Storage yard, 21 Day Street, Lansvale, twin-headed pillar hydrants attached – Exposure Charlie 4: Factory, 150m x an open area 60m x 60m, used for the to an AS 2419.1 brigade booster fitting, 15m, metal sheet construction and storage of recyclable plastic materials consisting of two supply hydrants and two iron roof, located 10m north of the and scrap metals. A large number of booster inlets, located at the entrance to fire location plastic recyclable material bundles/ the site on the Hume Highway. – Exposure Delta 1: Storage building, stacks, located on timber pallets, were 35m x 15m, steel frame and metal sheet construction, open sided, containing large quantities of stacked timber 12

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 LANSVALE 10TH ALARM

Response increased to 6th Alarm At 1547 hours, the Incident Controller sent the following RED message: “FIRE COMMS, LANSVALE CONTROL RED! RED! RED! STRUCTURE FIRE SIXTH ALARM. HAVE AN EXTERNAL STORAGE YARD, 60M X 60M, CONTAINING LARGE QUANTITIES OF RECYCLED PLASTICS ALIGHT. ALSO HAVE LARGE AMOUNTS OF TIMBER AND SCAFFOLDING ALIGHT WITHIN AN ADJOINING TIMBER YARD. THERE ARE NUMEROUS PROPERTIES UNDER THREAT. REQUIRE THE NEXT ARRIVING AERIAL APPLIANCE TO RESPOND TO DAY STREET TO SET UP FOR EXPOSURE PROTECTION.” Following transmission of the 6th Alarm, the Incident Controller designated an appliance staging area on Day Street, at the intersection with Knight Street. Operations to protect Sector Delta exposures Shortly after Pumper 49 arrived on scene, Pumper 73 arrived at the fireground and deployed to 19 Day Street, to establish protection of Sector Delta exposures. Strong winds were pushing the fire towards exposures, in particular Exposures Delta 1 and 2, open-sided structures containing large timber stacks. Pumper 73 firefighters deployed a ground monitor towards the Alpha/ Pumper 49, supplying water to Aerial Pumper 47. The protective stream of Ladder Platform 27 is visible on the left side of the photograph. Delta corner, enabling a protective water deluge to be directed across the front of Exposure Delta 2. Operations in Sector Delta were conducted under the command (beams, planks and plywood sheets), a thick, heavy smoke column rolling of Sector Commander Pumper 73 located 10m east of the fire building. upwards and rotating near its base as air SO Bruce Fitzpatrick. – Exposure Delta 2: Workshop, 60m was being drawn in. SO Mallee sent an Third arriving appliance, Hazmat x 15m, steel frame and metal sheet immediate RED message on arrival for Pumper 85, was positioned at 19 Day construction, open-sided storage the response of a structure fire 4th Alarm. Street. At this time, Pumper 73 firefighters building, containing large quantities SO Mallee immediately implemented were placing the ground monitor into of stacked timber (beams, planks and Incident Control System (ICS) protocols, operation, however the appliance tank plywood sheets) and machinery, located formally establishing incident control water was beginning to run low. Pumper 20m east of the fire building and a Control Point, known as ‘Lansvale 85 firefighters assisted to secure a water – Exposure Delta 3: Car disassembler/ Control’. SO Mallee became the initial supply for Pumper 73 from reticulated storage yard, 50m x 100m, containing Incident Controller. street mains on Day Street. Fierce and approximately 500 motor vehicles in In addition to fire involving recycled intense fire activity from the heavily various states of disassembly, located plastic materials within the storage involved timber stacks burning on the edge 40m east of the fire building yard, two large timber stacks were also of the open yard continued to threaten the heavily involved in fire on the eastern large timber stacks located within the open Initial call and response side of the storage yard, producing sided Exposure Delta 1 structure. Pumper At 1528 hours on 21 November 2014 significant flame, intense radiant heat 85 firefighters directed a 70mm fire attack FRNSW Sydney Communications Centre and large quantities of airborne burning stream onto the involved timber stacks, received the first of many 000 calls materials. The burning timber stacks in an attempt to reduce fire intensity from reporting a fire in a storage yard at Day were only metres away from Exposures within the stacks. Pumper 73 Firefighters Street, Lansvale. Pumpers 49 and 73 Delta 1 and 2. At that time, the wind was wearing SCBA advanced a 38mm fire were initially responded to the call. From blowing from west to east, pushing the attack line through the Exposure Delta the engine bay, Pumper 73 saw large fire towards Sector Delta exposures. Fire 2 building and out the northern side of volumes of black smoke in the direction had also entered a machinery building on the structure, to enable a stream to be of the reported fire and requested the the northern side of the storage yard and deployed for the protection of Exposure response of a Structure Fire 2nd Alarm. was burning fiercely. Delta 1. Embers from the burning timber As firefighters responded to the fire, a stacks were igniting the roof gutters of large column of thick black smoke was Initial firefighting operations Exposure Delta 1 and were entering the rising vertically above the fire. Sector Delta and Alpha exposures open structure. Firefighters wet down the were now coming under immediate Firefighters arrive on scene stored timbers and extinguished spot fires threat. Pumper 49 firefighters wearing Pumper 49, under the command of in and around the exposures, including SCBA deployed a 70mm fire attack line, SO Glenn Mallee, was the first appliance the burning roof gutters. Crews worked which was positioned at the Alpha/Delta to arrive on scene and found the storage under highly oppressive conditions, due corner, enabling firefighters to direct a yard heavily involved in fire. A fierce to the intense heat and thick smoke being protective stream along the eastern and and intense fire was burning within the produced by the fully involved timber southern edges of the fire area, in an stacks of plastic recycled materials, stacks located only metres away. attempt to control fire spread. producing ferocious flame activity and 13

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 FIRE & RESCUE OPERATIONS JOURNAL

Aerial operations Sector Alpha Aerial Pumper 47, under the command of SO Daniel Cuskelly, was positioned in Sector Alpha and commenced operations conducting a direct attack on the storage yard fire, to reduce fire intensity. The aerial crew experienced severe water shortage problems, greatly reducing the effectiveness of the aerial attack. Firefighters from Aerial Pumper 47 deployed a 70mm hand line which was used to cool a 200kg LPG cylinder being directly impacted by fire and in danger of producing a boiling liquid expanding vapour explosion (BLEVE). Sector Charlie exposures under threat As firefighting operations were getting underway in Sectors Alpha and Delta, Exposures in Sector Charlie were coming under fire impact and were being significantly threatened. The Incident Controller received information that structures to the north of the storage Defensive firefighting operations are well underway in Sector Alpha. yard, located at 70 Hume Highway, were in imminent danger. Upon receiving this information, the Incident Controller sent a RED message to Fire Communications at 1542 hours for the next arriving appliances to go directly to this address to commence protecting properties. Rescue Pumper 62, under the command of SO Chris Dascolias was the first appliance to arrive at Sector Charlie, positioning on the western side of the storage yard, in a laneway to the west of the Exposure Charlie 3 factory. Firefighters obtained water supply from a pillar hydrant located on the Charlie/Delta corner of the fireground and deployed 38mm and 70mm hose lines, protecting stored cars located on the elevated racking, shipping containers and cooling Exposure Bravo 1 and Charlie Exposure factory walls. Rescue Pumper 101, under the Fire intensity of the burning timber stack (right side of photograph) and plastic command of SO Steve May, positioned in stacks (left side of photograph) indicated by severe flame activity. Sector Charlie behind Rescue Pumper 62. Firefighters wearing SCBA placed a 70mm fire attack line into operation and commenced protection of cars located on the 3-level elevated car storage rack. Firefighters had to cut through the metal chain fence to gain access to the stacked cars, which were all being impacted by severe radiant heat and in imminent danger of ignition. Pumper 41 was located at the brigade booster fitting at the entrance to the property on the Hume Highway and commenced pumping into the booster to improve water supplies within the installed hydrant system. Pumper 41 experienced water supply difficulties, necessitating Pumper 41 pump operator supplementing the two booster supply hydrant lines with two additional supply lines from reticulated main/standpipe supplies. Operations in Sector Charlie were conducted under the command of Charlie Sector Commander Pumper 41 From Sector Alpha, combined aerial attack was successful in protecting exposures SO Alan Roberts. and reducing fire intensity. Rescue Pumper 8 supplies water to Ladder Platform 27.

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 LANSVALE 10TH ALARM

Sudden change in wind direction was alternated between protection of Operation of compressed air foam At approximately 1600 hours a threatened exposures in proximity to the system (CAFS) appliance significant change in wind direction Charlie/Delta corner and direct attack CAFS Pumper 31 was deployed to occurred, as a strong south-easterly wind on the fire. Sector Alpha. Lines to Aerial Pumper 47 impacted the fireground. This had a major were shut down and switched to CAFS Response increased to 10th Alarm impact on firefighting operations, as Pumper 31, which was then placed into As conditions continued to deteriorate, exposures previously considered to be at operation. Firefighters operated two the response was increased to a structure lesser risk were suddenly directly in the 38mm CAFS Class A foam handlines fire 10th Alarm at 1558 hours. At this time, fire’s path and being seriously threatened. from east and west sides of Sector firefighters had been working in extremely In particular, exposures located on Alpha, advancing lines towards the oppressive conditions, with the ambient air the northern and western sides of the centre of Sector Alpha in a ‘pincer’ temperature reaching 40°C. Response of a fireground were now under imminent movement, extinguishing fire. Officer- 10th Alarm ensured there were adequate threat. The large thick black smoke column in-Charge of CAFS Pumper 31 SO Chris firefighters on scene to conduct crew was rising above the fireground, rotating Hughes reported the application of rotations, ensuring fresh crews engaged upwards in a clockwise direction, as large CAFS Class A foam achieved substantial in fire attack, releasing working crews to volumes of air began to be drawn in at the fire knockdown. attend fireground rehabilitation. fire base. As fresh supplies of oxygen were Fire brought under control drawn into the fire, re-ignitions of smoke Incident control transferred Firefighters continued to direct aerial immediately above the fire occurred, Duty Commander Parramatta master streams onto exposure edges, creating extremely fierce fire conditions, Inspector Jeff Hogan arrived on scene and ensuring protection remained in place of intense rolling spherical flames. conducted a hand-over briefing with SO49, as the main body of fire was brought resulting in a transfer of Incident Control Protection of exposures Bravo and Charlie under control. After approximately two to Duty Commander Parramatta. SO49 When the wind changed direction, hours of intense firefighting and with all was designated Sector Commander Alpha. the fire front suddenly burned towards exposures protected, fire activity within Exposure Bravo with ferocious intensity. Operations Sector Delta the storage yard began to significantly From the northern side of the fireground, From Sector Delta, firefighters diminish, enabling aerial streams and the firefighters from 62 and 101 stations continued to protect threatened water relay to be shut down and on-site maintained position and conducted a exposures. Rescue Pumper 57 firefighting resources to be reduced. desperate defensive operation to protect firefighters were conducting fire attack Final extinguishment Bravo and Charlie exposures with 70mm preventing fire spread into Exposure After the fire was brought under fire attack lines. Delta 1. Firefighters from 65, 55, 15 and control, firefighters remained on scene for Rescue Pumper 8 was positioned in 8 stations assisted crews from 73 and a further 30 hours, undertaking overhaul Sector Alpha and initially deployed two 85 stations, extinguishing the timber and completing final extinguishment. 70mm fire attack lines, protecting the stack fires. Firefighters began opening The fireground overhaul operation was eastern wall of the Exposure Bravo 1 up and pulling apart timber stacks, slow, arduous and exhausting, requiring factory, which was being impacted by fire. enabling extinguishment to take place. all timber sheeting to be pulled apart, From the southern side of the Firefighters continued to experience enabling burning timbers to be fully wet fireground, Ladder Platform 27 was poor water pressure. down to ensure complete extinguishment. positioned in line with the western edge Crew rotations Post-fire situation of Exposure Bravo 1, now being heavily Due to the high ambient temperatures, Upon final extinguishment of the fire, impacted by intense flames. Rescue firefighting crews were rotated regularly stored materials within the open storage Pumper 8 shutdown the handline attack to manage heat stress. Firefighters from yard, two timber formwork stacks on the and supplied Ladder Platform 27 with Pumpers 10 and 41 and Runner 1 worked eastern edge of the storage yard and a water, enabling the aerial to direct a with 62 and 101 stations deploying 70mm machinery building had been severely protective stream along the eastern wall of hose streams, protecting heavily at risk damaged by fire. Cars located on the the threatened factory. The aerial stream Exposure Bravo 1. storage racking, a delivery truck and four was also used to cool and protect a 200kg shipping containers and contents had LPG cylinder, truck loaded with timber Incident control transferred been impacted by radiant heat and smoke. pallets and several LPG powered forklifts Zone Commander MW2 All other exposures were protected. on the southern edge of the storage yard Superintendent Selwyn Mathias arrived on being directly impacted by fire. The aerial scene and conducted a hand-over briefing Operations notes crew reported water shortage restricted with DC MW2, resulting in a transfer of The following is noted in relation to the effectiveness of the aerial stream. Incident Control to Zone Commander this incident: Officer-in-Charge of Runner 1 MW2. DC MW2 was designated Operations 1. Plastics fires result in fire activity that SO Andrew McNamara was tasked with Officer. A short time later, Area is fierce and ferocious, releasing large establishing a water relay to improve Commander Metropolitan West Chief quantities of radiant heat, intense water supplies to Ladder Platform 27. Superintendent Rick Griffiths arrived flames and large quantities of thick, SO McNamara consulted the hydrant map at the fireground. Chief Superintendent oily, black smoke. Plastic has a very book and identified a large water main Griffiths acted in a command senior high heat release rate of 39.85 Kj/g. suitable to support a water relay. A water advisory capacity. This thermal energy is almost as relay was established along Day Street, At 1617 hours, the Incident Controller, great as burning propane gas (and consisting of base pumper Runner 1 and Zone Commander MW2 Superintendent is higher than most other combustible materials). Pumper 10 supplying water to Rescue Mathias, sent the following 2. Fire conditions at the subject fire were Pumper 8. situation report: worsened due to the large quantity From the northern side of the “FIRE COMMS LANSVALE of stored materials, packed closely fireground, Aerial Pumper 97 positioned CONTROL BLUE. HAVE AN AREA together and the storage arrangement to conduct an aerial attack, in an attempt 60M X 60M, CONSISTING OF TIMBER of materials, facilitating significant to secure the northern edges of the PALLETS, SCAFFOLDING AND RECYCLED aeration. Due to materials being fire and protect exposures via an aerial PLASTICS ALIGHT. TWO STRUCTURES stored in an open yard (as opposed to IN SECTOR CHARLIE ALIGHT. EXPOSURE master stream. 70mm hand lines being an enclosed structure), air supply to BRAVO UNDER THREAT. HAVE AERIAL operated from Rescue Pumper 101 were the fire was plentiful and unhindered, APPLIANCES AT WORK PROTECTING shut down, enabling supply lines to be increasing fire intensity. connected to the aerial. The aerial stream EXPOSURES.” 15

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 FIRE & RESCUE OPERATIONS JOURNAL

3. Once involved in fire, timber stack manner. Significantly at this fire, most fires produce intense flames, large sectors were unsighted from each 10. Use of compressed air foam systems quantities of radiant heat and other; nevertheless a coordinated (CAFS) Class A foam resulted in significant embers. Timber stack fires firefighting operation across the significant knockdown and diminishing are difficult to extinguish, usually fireground involving hand-lines, of fire activity. involving prolonged operations, ground monitors and aerial appliances 11. Water shortage was a critical factor requiring the stack to be opened up, was successfully undertaken. The at this fire, overcome by examination pulled apart and individual timbers command structure was built out of hydrant maps and identification of wet down. as additional senior officers arrived mains from which to establish water 4. On a day when temperatures reached at the fireground, strengthening the relays. Once in place, water relays 40°C, a significant component of the integrity of command processes. assisted to overcome water shortage firefighting safety strategy was to 7. This fire was a textbook example of issues. Use of on-site hydrant systems ensure adequate provision of relief fireground command strategy. Early and brigade booster fittings enabled crews. Response of a 10th Alarm size-up by the first arriving Station firefighting operations to get underway ensured sufficient firefighters were Officers identified fire location, without the need for lengthy hose lays. on the fireground to enable adequate direction of fire travel and exposures 12. Only the determination, skill and sheer crew rotation and rehabilitation. threatened, enabling a sound hard work of firefighters operating 5. The wind change became a game- fireground strategy to be employed, under difficult and highly oppressive changer at this fire, causing a consisting of effective placement of conditions prevented fire spreading significant increase in fire intensity cut-offs and heavy weight of attack to nearby exposures. Numerous and fire behaviour, resulting in resulting in safe and effective fire factories, warehouses and industrial heavy fire suddenly threatening control and knockdown and protection sites were located in close proximity exposures previously not at risk. The of all exposures. to the fire location; fire spread to initial strategy of containment on all 8. The nominated staging area exposures could have resulted in sides ensured that when additional enabled effective management of uncontained fire activity and extremely n exposures suddenly and unexpectedly resources and avoided congestion serious consequences. END came under threat, protection at the fireground. was already in place, enabling the 9. Significant safety hazards were heavily threatened exposures to be identified during the early phase of successfully defended. firefighting operations by firefighters 6. A robust fireground command (in particular LPG cylinders structure, consisting of sectoring being impacted by fire), ensuring of the fireground and placement appropriate control measures and of sector commanders enabled safety strategies could be put in place, firefighting operations to be conducted enabling firefighting operations to be in a coordinated, safe and effective carried out as safely as possible.

Aerial Pumper 47 is about to commence fire attack as a sudden wind change pushes heavy fire onto Sector Bravo exposures.

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 LANSVALE 10TH ALARM

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 FIRE & RESCUE OPERATIONS JOURNAL

Aerial Pumper 86 directs a water deluge onto Sector Delta exposures, providing protection from fierce radiant heat produced by the fire building. Image credit Jason Donnelly

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FRNSW CONTROLS ENORMOUS 12TH ALARM FIRE AT ST MARYS OIL RECYCLING PLANT Report by Inspector Kernin Lambert

Incident summary: Fire broke flaming embers, produced by materials FRNSW response: Pumpers out within a storage yard containing within the fire building and eucalypt 98 (Cranebrook), 96 (Schofields), a large number of stacked 1,000-litre trees located in proximity to the fire. 301 (Glenbrook), 82 (Richmond), 83 intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) As firefighters commenced operations, (Riverstone), 81 (Windsor), 43 (Seven storing flammable liquids including crews discovered hydrants in proximity to Hills), 72 (Merrylands), 94 (Kellyville), methanol and cooking oil. Almost the fire were unserviceable, necessitating 67 (Baulkham Hills), 27 (Parramatta), immediately following ignition, fire heat the establishment of water relays to 65 (Rydalmere), 41 (Smithfield), 55 caused the hardened plastic walls of supply first arriving attack pumpers. A (Guildford), 58 (Beecroft), CAFS Pumper the IBCs to melt, releasing thousands of major firefighting operation, involving 31 (Busby), Rescue Pumpers 63 litres of flammable liquids that rapidly multiple aerial appliance operations, (Blacktown), 57 (Wentworthville), 102 ignited and began to spread as a running multiple water relays, numerous hand (Regentville), 71 (Castle Hill) and 101 flammable liquid fire. Fire quickly entered line and ground monitor deployments and (Bonnyrigg Heights), Aerial Pumpers the recycling plant factory, spreading a Class A CAFS foam attack necessitated 86 (Penrith), 97 (Huntingwood) and 7 rapidly and involving two internal bulk the response of a 12th Alarm to safely (Horningsea Park), Ladder Platform 27, storage tanks and numerous stored bring this extremely dangerous and Hazmat Pumpers 77 (St Marys) and 85 200-litre drums of methanol. Fire activity highly destructive fire under control. (Chester Hill), Heavy Hazmats 77 and was ferocious and highly destructive. During operations, firefighters worked 85, Heavy Rescues 63 and 102, Logistics Numerous explosions occurred, in particularly strenuous and oppressive Support Vehicles 1 (City of Sydney) and enormous flames broke through the conditions, with a recorded ambient 97, Incident Control Vehicle Alpha and roof of the factory and fireballs erupted temperature of 36°C. Rehabilitation Pod 1. within the thick, heavy black smoke Incident type: Oil recycling plant Duty Commanders MW1 plume that extended to over 1km above fire. Note: The plant was used for the (Huntingwood), MW2 (Parramatta), MS3 the involved factory. Multiple exposures conversion of cooking oil to biodiesel. (St Andrews), ME3 (Ashfield) and MW3 in proximity to the fire building came Time, date and place of call: 1250 (Blue Mountains), Zone Commander under threat from the fierce fire activity. hours on Saturday 17 January 2015 to ME3 (Ashfield) and Zone Commander Numerous other exposure structures report of a fire at an oil recycling plant MS1 (Illawarra), Area Commander were impacted by large quantities of at Severn Street, St Marys. Metropolitan South, Director Metropolitan

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 ST MARYS 12TH ALARM

Operations, FRNSW Commissioner Greg Mullins, Assistant Director Media and Communication Unit, Fleet Operations Officer, Operational Media Coordinator, Team Leader Hazmat Advisory Response Team, HART 4, HART 5, Operational Safety Coordinator, Team Leader Community Fire Units, Manager Logistics, Manager Counter Terrorism and Aviation Unit, Manager Community Engagement Unit and Fire Investigation and Research Unit. In addition to the above, a further 37 FRNSW appliances and numerous other senior officers and specialist support staff responded to the incident for relief and fire duty purposes. Additional agencies/services in attendance: Police, Ambulance, Gas authority, Electricity authority, Local Council, Regional Emergency Management Officer (REMO), liquid waste removal contractors, heavy machinery contractors and Environmental Protection Authority. Fireground description Sectors – Sector Alpha – Severn Street, to south of fire location – Sector Bravo – Area to west of fire location – Sector Charlie – Private laneway and The scene that confronted SF Brett Staines and SF Garry Scott when they reached the storage yard area to north of fire location at the rear of the factory. Numerous intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) have ruptured, causing a running flammable liquid fire consisting of burning methanol. Image credit SF Brett Staines. – Sector Delta – Area to east of fire location Fire building: Oil recycling plant, Severn Street, St Marys, located on a site 90m x 40m and consisting of: 1. An open rear storage yard, 40m x 30m, housing the following: – Approximately 100 x 1,000 litre intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), containing various Class 3 flammable liquids including methanol – Approximately 50 x 200 litres metal drums containing various Class 3 flammable liquids including methanol – Approximately 50 x 20 litre metal drums containing various Class 3 flammable liquids – A small 5,000 litre tanker – Stack of coal – Pile of shredded rubber tyres. 2. Heavy distilling and petrochemical processing and refining equipment, including a distillation tower, boiler, furnaces and associated pipework and pressure vessels, located in an area 30m x 20m, at the north-east corner of the site. 3. Loading dock, 20m x 10m, attached to the northern end of the factory, of steel frame and metal sheet construction. 4. Factory structure, 20m x 30m, of steel frame and metal sheet construction. A 20,000 litre storage tank containing glycerol and a 20,000 litre storage tank containing cooking oil were located within the factory. One of several large explosions. Note a large sheet of iron at the top of the 5. Office building, single level, 20m x 10m, photograph, propelled by the force of the explosion. Photo by FF Martin Zeballos. cement sheet clad, timber frame and 19

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 FIRE & RESCUE OPERATIONS JOURNAL

iron sheet roof, located at the front of – Exposure Delta 4: Numerous external by a mixture of methanol and cooking the factory structure. stored 1,000-litre intermediate bulk oil were travelling rapidly towards the 6. A 1m wide drainage canal of concrete containers and 200-litre drums on northern end of the factory. Firefighters construction was located on the timber pallets, containing sulphuric directed a 70mm attack stream onto the eastern side of the fire building, in acid and methanol, located 20m east fire, in an attempt to push the fire back and proximity to Exposure Delta 1. of the fire building stop it reaching the factory. At this time, an No installed fire protection systems – Exposure Delta 5: Factory, 100m area of at least 30m x 20m in the rear yard were found at the fire building. Bravo x 75m, brick construction and iron of the factory, consisting of stacked IBCs and Delta exposures contained sheet roof, located 40m east of the containing flammable liquids, was fully installed fire hose reels. The three fire building involved in fire and spreading. closest reticulated hydrants to the fire Initial call and response Response increased to 4th Alarm building on Severn Street were out At 1250 hours on Saturday 17 January Pumper 98, under the command of of service. 2015 FRNSW Sydney Communications SO Rod Kinder arrived on scene on the Exposures Centre received the first of numerous 000 Sector Delta side of the fire and was able – Exposure Alpha: Office building, calls reporting a fire at an oil recycling to see the extent of the fire, involving an single level, 20m x 10m, cement plant at Severn Street, St Marys. Aerial open storage area, 20m x 30m, at the rear sheet clad, timber frame and iron Pumper 86, Pumper 98, Hazmat Pumper of the factory that was heavily involved in sheet roof, attached to the front of 77 and Heavy Hazmat 77 were initially fire (not visible from the location of SO86). the factory structure responded to the call. En route to the call, From this vantage point, SO986 sent a RED – Exposure Bravo 1: Storage building, firefighters from initial responding stations message at 1305 hours, increasing the 110m x 20m, brick construction, observed a large column of thick black response to a Structure Fire 4th Alarm. heavy timber frame and iron sheet smoke in the direction of the call address. At the same time as the Aerial Pumper roof, located 12m to the west of the Pumper 98, under the command of SO Rod 86 fire attack crew were attempting to fire building. Note: this building Kinder had the clearest view of the smoke stop the fire entering the factory, a second was constructed in 1942 to store column and sent a RED message en-route, 70mm fire attack line was deployed explosives and was formerly part increasing the response to a Structure Fire from Aerial Pumper 86 by SCBA crew of the Commonwealth Government 2nd Alarm. firefighters Peter Sargent and Andrew St Marys Munitions Filling Factory. Tonkih, to the entrance of the factory In accordance with the purpose of Firefighters arrive on scene in Sector Bravo, in preparation for an its construction, the building was Aerial Pumper 86, under the command internal attack and an attempt to establish formed of blast/fire resistant double of SO John Smith, was the first appliance to an internal cut off in the event that fire brick walls and doors, explosion arrive on scene, followed closely by Hazmat entered the factory. At this time this line blast vents in the roof, internal blast/ Pumper 77 and Heavy Hazmat 77. As was not charged. fire separation walls and did not appliances turned into the street, building contain windows occupants were waving firefighters down. Severe water shortage – Exposure Bravo 2: Metal scaffolding Upon arrival, firefighters observed a fierce As the fire attack crew were attempting and portable stage stacks x two, fire burning in the rear yard of the factory, to control the fire, Aerial Pumper 86 100m x 15m, located 10m west of producing large volumes of thick black appliance driver was attempting to locate the fire location smoke. SO86 sent an arrival message a hydrant to secure a water supply. The – Exposure Charlie 1: Office building, confirming the response of the 2nd Alarm, appliance driver attempted to place three 30m x 25m, weatherboard clad and while firefighters conducted investigations separate hydrants into operation, however iron roof, located 25m north-west of to determine what was alight and the each one was found to be out of service. the fire building extent of fire. The closest serviceable hydrant was – Exposure Charlie 2: Factory, 120m x located over 200m from the fire building Initial firefighting operations 45m, concrete slab construction and (at the intersection of Severn Street 86 Station firefighters Brett Staines metal clip-lock, located 35m north- and Dunheved Circuit), necessitating and Garry Scott donned SCBA, assisted west of the fire building establishment of a water relay to supply by firefighters from 77 Station, and began – Exposure Charlie 3: Factory, 130m x water to Aerial Pumper 86. When the to advance a 70mm attack line along 35m, concrete slab construction and appliance driver reported this situation to the Sector Bravo driveway to the rear of metal clip-lock roof, located 15m north SO86, the response was increased by an the factory to make investigations and of the fire building additional two pumpers for establishment commence fire attack. A large volume – Exposure Charlie 4: Factory, 110m x of a water relay from the serviceable of cooking oil 15cm deep was flowing 115m, brick construction and cement hydrant to Aerial Pumper 86. from the rear of the factory down the sheet roof, located 20m north-east of Firefighters Staines and Scott driveway towards the street, due to storage the fire location continued to fight a desperate battle to containers failing. The fire attack crew – Exposure Delta 1: Storage building, stop the intense fire reaching the factory, initially entered the factory checking for similar construction to Exposure however fierce flames began to erupt from fire spread and found fire had not spread Bravo 1. Numerous hazardous beneath the loading gantry. The iron sheet into the structure. Firefighters Staines and materials were stored within this walls of the factory began to glow red and Scott then exited the factory and continued building including sulphuric acid and buckle, indicating that the fire had crossed to advance the fire attack line along the methanol, contained within 1,000-litre the cut-off point and was now burning with driveway towards the rear of the factory. intermediate bulk containers and strong intensity within the factory. At about After travelling approximately 50m, they 200-litre drums on timber pallets, this time, Aerial Pumper 86 ran out of reached the northwest corner of the located 10m east of the fire building water, forcing all firefighters to withdraw, factory, near a loading gantry. Firefighters – Exposure Delta 2: Workshop and office backing the attack line out of the site. found intense and ferocious fire activity building, 20m x 15m, cement sheet In an attempt to extend water supplies, involving the IBC stacks in the rear yard. clad and metal sheet roof, located 12m a 70mm supply line was connected from Fuelled by large quantities of flammable east of the fire building Hazmat Pumper 77 to Aerial Pumper 86, liquids, flames 15m high were roaring – Exposure Delta 3: Storage building, enabling 2,000 litres of appliance tank from the IBC stacks. Numerous IBCs had 10m x 15m, cement sheet clad and water to be transferred to the main fire ruptured, resulting in methanol and oil metal sheet roof, located 22m east attack appliance, Aerial Pumper 86. pouring from the IBCs, flowing across the of the fire building ground and igniting. Intense flames fuelled

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 ST MARYS 12TH ALARM

Operations continue to stop internal ruptured storage tanks continued to flow associated processing vessels on the fire spread in the locations crews were working, eastern side of the fire building being Once a temporary water supply was making the ground slippery underfoot and heavily impacted by fire, fearing a major re-established to Aerial Pumper 86, hose lines slippery and extremely difficult explosion of these large steel pressurised Firefighters Staines and Scott again to handle. As well as creating a major slip vessels. Firefighters remained in this re-entered the site, advancing the hazard, the flowing oil fire began to ignite. position for as long as possible, until the 70mm attack line about 30m along the As firefighters withdrew from the site, Pumper 98 onboard water tank supplies Sector Bravo driveway of the factory and the 70mm attack line was secured with were exhausted, forcing firefighters commenced a direct attack on the fire, the branch in the open position, tied off to to withdraw. in an attempt to halt fire spread. As the a post, to enable the line to be used as a Incident control transferred fire progressed towards the front of monitor once water was re-established. Duty Commander MW1 Inspector the factory, firefighters were forced to The line was placed to protect the Glenn Launt arrived at the fireground progressively keep backing out, in line Exposure Alpha office. and conducted a hand-over briefing with with the advancing internal fire front. Initial protection of Sector Delta SO86, following which Incident Control Firefighters Staines and Scott entered the exposures was transferred to Inspector Launt. factory through a side door, advancing At the same time firefighters from about 15m in an attempt to stop the fire Response increased to structure fire 77 and 86 stations were conducting fire advancing internally. Crews experienced 8th Alarm control operations within the site of the poor visibility due to a heavy smoke Following transfer of Incident Control, fire building, fire from the heavily involved condition. Numerous explosions began to Inspector Launt conducted a size-up. Part Sector Charlie storage yard was impacting occur from the rear of the factory. Aerial of the size-up considerations undertaken exposures in Sector Delta. Structure Pumper 86 driver warned firefighters by the Incident Controller included the roof guttering, filled with fallen leaves the appliance onboard tank water supply size of the fire, water supply problems, from overhead gum trees, was alight. was again beginning to run low, forcing and the high ambient temperatures being Timber pallets in contact with the side of firefighters to withdraw. As crews backed experienced that day, which would require Exposure Delta 1 were alight. Firefighters the attack line out, they came across a additional relief crews. As a result of from Pumper 98 wearing SCBA used an forklift LPG cylinder which was being size-up, the response was increased to a installed fire hose reel to extinguish these impacted by fire and beginning to vent. structure fire 8th Alarm with a special call spot fires. The SCBA crew then deployed Firefighters directed a cooling stream for CAFS Pumper 31. a 70mm fire attack line about 30m down onto the cylinder, effectively cooling the At 1324 hours the Incident Controller the side of Exposure Delta 1, using the cylinder and preventing a dangerous transmitted a RED message, increasing fire attack stream to cool and protect the boiling liquid expanding vapour explosion the response to a structure fire 8th Alarm western side of the exposure building, (BLEVE) from occurring, exhausting the and directing all incoming appliances to which was being directly impacted by last of the appliance supplies. report to the staging area on Links Road. flames issuing from the involved factory. During the entire time firefighters From Sector Alpha, in line with Firefighters also directed the cooling were attempting to advance lines into the Exposure Delta 1, Heavy Rescue 102 was stream onto the distillation tower and site, large volumes of cooking oil from deployed as the Rapid Intervention Team.

Aerial Pumper 86 directs a water deluge onto Sector Bravo exposures. Note fire ignitions within the smoke plume. Image credit Jason Donnelly

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 FIRE & RESCUE OPERATIONS JOURNAL

Fire conditions intensify Firefighters reported an increase in wind, resulting in fire conditions intensifying. Fire progression through the involved factory was rapid. As fire progressed through the factory, numerous 200-litre drums containing flammable liquids were impacted by heavy fire, resulting in large explosions occurring. Within minutes, the factory was fully involved and large flames were now venting 25-30m above the roof of the structure, placing exposures on all sides under serious threat. A large column of thick black smoke was extending into the sky above the factory. As the turbulent smoke column rolled upwards above the roof of the factory, fire balls erupted within the smoke plume, 30m above the roof of the factory. Oil burnt with fierce intensity. Within the rear yard of the factory, most IBCs had now failed, releasing thousands of litres of flammable liquids that flowed in all directions, Aerial Pumper 97 shuts down to reposition out of danger, as fire spreads rapidly towards Severn Street and explosions begin to erupt from the factory. Image credit Jason Donnelly creating a ferocious running flammable liquid fire. Flames were now impacting structures within Sectors Bravo and Delta. Firefighters received information that Sector Delta exposures contained large quantities of hazardous materials, including sulphuric acid and methanol, stored within 1,000-litre IBCs and 200-litre drums. The canopies of large gum trees in and around the oil recycling plant became involved in fire, resulting in the release of large quantities of burning eucalyptus leaves that travelled varying distances to numerous other exposures within a 400m radius of the fireground, resulting in the ignition of multiple spot fires. Firefighters establish fireground water supply Incoming appliances overheard radio messages from Aerial Pumper 86, reporting that they were now out of water and requesting additional appliances to establish a water relay from the closest serviceable hydrant at the intersection of Dunheved Circuit and Severn Street. Rescue Pumper 102 was the first appliance to reach this location and obtained water from supply hydrants attached to a brigade booster fitting located at the front of a factory on Dunheved Circuit. Rescue Pumper 63 entered Severn Street, positioning mid- way between Rescue Pumper 102 and Aerial Pumper 86, enabling supply lines to be laid and a water relay established to Aerial Pumper 86. Once the relay was operating, firefighting operations were able to continue. Firefighters continued an attack with 70mm handlines, however extreme fire intensity made this attack too unsafe to continue. The aerial boom of Aerial Pumper 86 was placed into operation, enabling firefighters to alternate the aerial stream between a direct attack on the involved factory and The high heat release rates of the burning flammable liquids produced an extremely turbulent and buoyant smoke plume. protection of exposures within Bravo Sector and Delta Sectors being directed 22

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 ST MARYS 12TH ALARM impacted by fire. Firefighters located in hose reel to the area between Exposures defensive, with the use of aerial master line with Delta Sector exposures guided Delta 1 and 5, where numerous areas of streams to protect exposures. the aerial operator, who did not have sight grass, bush, trees, truck tyres and other The Incident Control Point was of the Sector Delta exposures. The aerial materials were alight, due to ember relocated to a position of safety, stream of Aerial Pumper 86 was able impact from the burning gum trees. approximately 100m to the west of the to extinguish timber pallets that were Numerous spot fires in close proximity to fire building, on Severn Street. The again alight, against the doors of the structures were extinguished. Incident Control Vehicle was positioned Exposure Delta 1 structure, preventing Upon extinguishment of the spot at this location. fire spread into the structure. Despite fires, Aerial Pumper 97 was placed into Major water relays established the establishment of a water relay from operation as an aerial master stream. The Incident Controller designated Dunheved Circuit, water supply remained At that time, only a single supply line Rescue Pumper 57 SO Wayne Keevers poor, restricting the effectiveness of the was providing Aerial Pumper 97 with the Water Supply Officer. SO Keevers aerial attack. water, resulting in a severely limited identified two hydrants on a 200mm stream, which was directed onto the roof Operations to protect Sector Delta reticulated main located on Links Road of Exposure Delta 1, providing cooling. exposures and organised for two twin line relays to A second supply line was connected to With Exposure Delta 1 remaining be established, for the supply of aerial Aerial Pumper 97 and the aerial monitor at serious risk, Rescue Pumper 63 operations, at maximum output. was fitted with a stacked tip nozzle. The and Pumper 67 firefighters deployed a Rescue Pumper 57 and Pumper 58 additional water supply enabled the ground monitor along the western side were established as the base pumpers appliance to be operated at 1200kPa, of Exposure Delta 1, directing a protective for the respective water relays. Relay One enabling the solid stream to reach the water deluge onto the side of the consisted of base Pumper 58 and Pumper fire building. The fire building was out of threatened structure. During placement 43, supplying water to Aerial Pumper 97. view of the aerial operator, necessitating of the ground monitor, firefighters were Relay Two consisted of base pumping a member of the aerial crew to act as a exposed to intense radiant heat produced appliance Rescue Pumper 57 and spotter. The aerial stream was impeded by the fierce flames coming from Pumper 94, supplying water to firefighting by the presence of large tree canopies. the factory. operations in Sector Charlie. Rescue 63 firefighters used a power- Two 38mm hand lines were placed Due to heavy fireground radio traffic, saw to forcibly gain entry to the Exposure in operation from Rescue Pumper 63 the water relay groups experienced Delta 5 timber joinery and furniture to Sector Delta, used by 63, 65 and 71 significant communications difficulties, factory, via a metal roller door. This Station firefighters to extinguish spot resulting in relay firefighters operating factory contained large quantities of fires burning in proximity to Sector Delta on a separate radio channel, Fireground stacked high quality milled timber and exposures, in particular Exposure Delta Talk-group 509. Relay Officer SO Keevers was at significant risk. Firefighters were 4, an open storage area where numerous reported that upon establishment of the concerned the large numbers of embers 1,000-litre IBCs were located containing dedicated relay channel, establishment landing in the area could burn through flammable liquids and acids. Rescue of the water relay proceeded smoothly. alsynite roof skylights and ignite fires Pumper 71 firefighters operated installed This was critical while supply lines were within the factory. Firefighters deployed hose reels to extinguish burning timber connected and pumping operations were a thermal imaging camera and 38mm pallets located in close proximity to getting underway, between appliances protection line into the factory, ensuring Exposure Delta 1. largely unsighted from each other. The no spot fire ignitions occurred. Pumper 96 was positioned in an open two relays were established and in Operations in Delta Sector were area in Delta Sector between Exposures 1 operation in less than 10 minutes. carried out under the command of and 5, using two 38mm lines to extinguish Delta Sector Commander Inspector Sector Charlie operations numerous spot fires burning in proximity Martin Hofstadler. Operations in Charlie Sector were to exposure structures, assisted by carried out under the command of firefighters from 82 Station. Response increased to 12th Alarm Charlie Sector Commander Inspector Aerial Pumper 97 was initially Poor water supply remained a critical Martin Hofstadler for the first two hours positioned on Severn Street, at the issue. With the need to establish further of operations. western edge of Exposure Delta 1. water relays from larger mains located Pumper 94, under the command The aerial boom was initially placed into on Forrester Road, the Incident Controller of SO Phil Nightingale, was directed to operation, alternating the aerial stream sent a further RED message at 1332 Sector Charlie to commence operations. between the factory fire and protection of hours, increasing the response to a Embers from intense fire activity involving Exposure Delta 1. Conditions within the structure fire 12th Alarm. a large area of bushes, shredded rubber factory continued to worsen as fire activity All operations switched to tyres and other material within the intensified, necessitating the relocation of defensive mode rear yard at the northern end of the Aerial Pumper 97 to a position of safety. The factory was now totally involved fire building were landing in areas of In addition to fire intensity from the in fire. Numerous explosions continued grass, bush, garden beds and a timber involved factory, a narrow canal located to occur, large flames were venting guardhouse in Sector Charlie, igniting on the east side of the fire building through the roof of the factory and the fire spot fires that were spreading and contained flammable liquids and was continued to expand. A large piece of red intensifying in close proximity to several heavily involved in fire, spreading towards hot roof sheet iron was propelled 100m Sector Charlie exposures, including the location of Aerial Pumper 97 in through the air due to the force of a major several large timber yards and joineries, Sector Alpha. Power lines at this location explosion, landing on the roof a factory placing these exposures at risk of ignition. were also in danger of falling and the (Exposure Delta 5), immediately above Pumper 94 obtained a water supply Exposure Alpha 1 building was in danger a roller shutter door entry point. The fire from a single 70mm supply line connected of collapse. Aerial Pumper 97 was re- was also heavily involving equipment to a brigade booster fitting supply hydrant. located to a yard to the east of Exposure and machinery associated with the oil A 70mm delivery line, reduced to a 38mm Delta 1, where Pumper 96 was located. refining process, including the distillation fire attack line, was used by firefighters to The Pumper 96 handlines were shut down tower, furnace and numerous assorted extinguish these numerous spot fires in and Pumper 96 was used to provide water pressure vessels. Due to the possibility proximity to Sector Charlie exposures. supply to the aerial. of a catastrophic explosion or fire event The area alight within the rear yard Prior to commencing operations occurring, the Incident Controller gave of the fire building continued to release with Aerial Pumper 97’s aerial monitor, a direction that all firefighting operations firefighters deployed the high pressure at the oil recycling plant would be totally 23

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 FIRE & RESCUE OPERATIONS JOURNAL significant quantities of embers towards grass, bush, gardens and other materials in proximity to Sector Charlie exposures, placing these exposures at significant risk, in particular factories containing large quantities of timber. A ground monitor was set up by firefighters from 94, 85 and 27 stations, to enable a water deluge to be directed onto the involved area. This ground monitor attack also protected 200-litre drums and 1,000-litre IBCs of methanol, being impacted by fire in adjoining Sector Delta. Supply lines from the water relay two were directed to Pumper 94, to provide the necessary water via two 70mm supply lines to enable the ground monitor stream to be effective. A further two 38mm hand lines were deployed from Pumper 94, to the rear of the factory yard. Pumper 27 firefighters cut the fence open and gained entry to the area of the rear yard fire, where fire control operations were carried out. Fire activity within the rear yard of the fire building began to diminish, with a corresponding reduction in embers produced, substantially reducing the threat of fire spread to Sector Charlie exposures. Sector Bravo operations Ladder Platform 27 was positioned in Sector Bravo, on the northwest corner of Exposure Bravo 1. A water relay from Severn Street to the south of the fireground was established via Pumper 301 and Pumper 83. Two 70mm supply lines provided Ladder Platform 27 with water. Almost as soon as Ladder Platform 27 commenced fire attack, reticulated water supply was over-run. This critical water shortage could not be overcome, forcing the aerial to be shut down and withdrawn from the fire attack. A 70mm line was deployed from Pumper 83, with a reducer and one into two breaching, allowing two 38mm fire attack lines to be deployed in Sector Bravo. Firefighters wearing SCBA from 83, 27 and 55 stations conducted fire control among heavily involved scaffolding stacks and the flowing flammable liquid fire within Sector Bravo. Incident command structure expanded The Incident Command Structure was expanded as follows: – Incident Controller: Director Metropolitan Operations, A/Assistant Commissioner Gerry Byrne – Operations Officer: Area Commander Metropolitan South, A/Chief Superintendent Philip Lindsay – Planning Officer: Staff Officer to Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent Chris Jurgeit – Logistics Officer: Manager Counter Terrorism and Aviation, Superintendent Brian Smart – Safety Officer: Operational Safety Coordinator, Senior Firefighter James Davies One of several large explosions. The object at the top of the photograph is a large sheet of – Water Supply Officer: Rescue Pumper red hot iron, propelled by the force of the explosion, which landed on the roof of an adjoining 57, SO Wayne Keevers factory 100m away, creating a further fire spread risk. Image credit QF Martin Zeballos

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 ST MARYS 12TH ALARM

– Staging Officer: Pumper 83, Captain Alpha, Aerial Pumper 97 in Sector Delta Jason Taylor and ground monitors in Sectors Charlie – Rehabilitation Officer: Team Leader and Delta. Master streams were securing CFU Program, Senior Firefighter the fire on all edges. Numerous handlines Heath Langdon were in operation away from the area of the – ICMS Officer: Pumper 41, SO main fire building, extinguishing spot fires Andrew Henderson in proximity to exposures. – Sector Commander Sector Alpha: At 1520 hours, the Incident Controller Duty Commander ME3, Inspector sent the following situation report: Craig Davies “SITREP, 12TH ALARM STRUCTURE – Sector Commander Sector Bravo: FIRE. ALL RESOURCES ARE ON Duty Commander MW3, Inspector SCENE. CREWS ARE IN DEFENSIVE Peter Nugent MODE. FIRE INVOLVING COOKING OIL. – Sector Commander Sector Charlie: PRIMARY BUILDING 20 X 30 METRES Manager Equipment Logistics, FULLY INVOLVED. SECTORS B AND D SO Matthew Waldon IN DEFENSIVE MODE, POSSIBILITY OF – Sector Commander Sector Delta: ASBESTOS. SECTOR D CONTENTS ARE Duty Commander MW2, Inspector SUPHURIC ACID, METHANOL AND OTHER Martin Hofstadler CHEMICALS. SAFETY OFFICERS AND – Incident Communications: An incident OPERATIONAL SAFETY COORDINATOR communications plan was implemented APPOINTED. RUNOFF INTO ADJOINING as follows: CREEK, HAZMAT AND HART DAMMING – Strategic Communications: AND MONITORING. SMOKE PLUME Talk-group 110 TRAVELLING STRAIGHT UP. REHAB POD – Command Channel Communications: SET UP AND CREWS BEING REHABED.” Talk-group 601 Compressed air foam system – Fireground Communications: (CAFS) operations Fireground 510 CAFS Pumper 31 responded to the – Relay Group Communications: fire due to a special call from the Incident Fireground 509 Controller and was located in Sector Alpha A member of the incident command to pump into Aerial Pumper 86 and conduct team reported establishment of the a class A CAFS foam attack on the fire command channel was a vital link in the through the aerial appliance. Immediately command structure, providing non- prior to the CAFS attack commencing, congested radio traffic between command firefighters reported substantial flame team members. This was significant due activity, explosions were continuing, and to the heavy fireground traffic present. a large column of thick black smoke was Similarly, the Water Supply Officer being produced by the fire. reported establishment of a dedicated Two 70mm supply lines were connected channel for the relay group overcame to CAFS Pumper 31 from Rescue significant communications problems, Pumper 63. A single 70mm supply line particularly due to heavy fireground radio was connected from CAFS Pumper 31 traffic and congestion being experienced. to Aerial Pumper 86. Other supply lines Commissioner attends the fireground to Aerial Pumper 86 were shut down. A FRNSW Commissioner Greg Mullins stack tip nozzle was fitted to the head attended the fireground at the height of of the boom, in accordance with CAFS firefighting operations. The Commissioner operations requirements. CAFS Pumper 31 met with the Incident Controller and commenced pumping to Aerial Pumper 86 received a full briefing concerning at water pressure 700kPa and air pressure incident operations, after which the 700kPa, flowing foam through the nozzle, Commissioner conducted a tour of the via the elevated aerial boom. Operators fireground, guided by Duty Commander reported the foam projection was good, West Inspector Launt. Throughout although the stream was being impacted firefighting operations, the Commissioner by the wind. The aerial crew noted the foam acted in the capacity of a senior command achieved good coverage. advisor to members of the command The initial CAFS stream was directed team. The Commissioner also provided onto heavily at risk Exposure Bravo 1, a detailed briefing to the large media providing a protective blanketing cover contingent that had assembled for this over the exposure. Following protection of high profile fire, and to the Minister for Exposure Bravo 1 being established, foam Police and Emergency Services. was flowed from the aerial directly onto the factory fire. At one point it was necessary to Firefighting operations continue bring the boom down low, horizontal to the The factory and rear yard remained ground to conduct fire attack. Firefighters heavily involved in fire. The running oil reported the attack was very effective fire had spread to the rear yard of Sector on the main fire, achieving significant Bravo, placing all exposures in that knockdown. Foam was then applied via the sector under threat. Fire activity from the aerial onto the running oil fire. Firefighters factory fire had ignited numerous spot reported the foam formed a blanket on fires within Sector Charlie and Delta. top of the oil fire, smothering the fire and Two water relays had been established, achieving extinguishment. enabling master streams to be placed into operation via Aerial Pumper 86 in Sector

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 FIRE & RESCUE OPERATIONS JOURNAL

CAFS Pumper 31 SO Jamey Towle to nearby Ropes Creek. This process was Fireground safety and firefighter welfare reported the fire was reduced to 10% of not straightforward, as above ground The Operational Safety Coordinator its original size, following application drainage disappeared below ground, attended the fireground and took control with CAFS foam via the Aerial Pumper requiring investigation of drain maps and of Incident Safety Officer responsibilities. 86 attack, requiring the use of 12 drums local terrain, to identify the location the Incident Crew Management System was of A Class foam. Notably, fire activity drainage system entered the watercourse. established by Pumper 41 firefighters. was significantly reduced and no further Firefighters were able to get ahead of The ICMS board was located at the explosions occurred. the contaminated run-off and establish Incident Control Point. Pumper 83 Captain CAFS Pumper 31 was then deployed to a series of containment points, using Jason Taylor was appointed Staging Sector Charlie, to assist in extinguishing booms and containment equipment Officer, ensuring all FRNSW resources a large pile of shredded rubber tyres and to construct dams, before the run-off entered the fireground in a deliberate an open coal stack fire. A single attack line reached the creek system. Hazmat crews and coordinated manner, maintaining was deployed from the appliance, used worked with local council staff, who were firefighter accountability. by Runner 1 firefighters to carry out fire able to provide sand for the construction Fire brought under control control operations on the burning stacks of dams within concrete storm water With all fire edges secured, spot fires and numerous other spot fires in the canals, containing the contaminant. A extinguished and exposures protected, fire area. SO Towle reported significant fire series of reeds within the watercourse conditions within the main fire building knockdown was achieved with the CAFS provided natural water filtration, capturing were beginning to diminish. At 1612 hours, attack. One downside to CAFS operations a significant amount of oil. A series of the Incident Controller sent a situation identified were the problems associated containment dams were constructed by report, stating the fire was under control, with continuously commencing and then Hazmat firefighters along the run-off although all resources were remaining shutting down the CAFS attack, which had course, using sand provided by the local in place. a negative impact on the CAFS operations. council. Contaminated run-off water At 1747 hours, the Incident Controller captured within containment dams was Hazmat operations sent a further situation report, stating removed by liquid vacuum trucks provided Heavy Hazmat units 77 and 85 the main fire was now extinguished, by chemical waste disposal contactors. responded to the fire and worked firefighters were commencing overhaul During water containment operations, together to manage water run-off phase and a fire duty consisting of a 3rd Hazmat crews worked closely with staff issues. Hazmat firefighters commenced Alarm assignment would be required. from the Environmental Protection Agency, to investigate potential water run- ensuring every effort was made to contain Final extinguishment off pathways, identifying the street contaminated water run-off and prevent it After the fire was placed under control, drainage and stormwater system led entering watercourses. firefighters remained on scene for a

The fire is now well advanced, fully involving the entire factory. Image credit Jason Donnelly.

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 ST MARYS 12TH ALARM further 26 hours, undertaking overhaul Operations notes major exposures significantly at risk and completing final extinguishment. The following points are noted in remained protected. This included During fire duty operations, CAFS relation to this incident. large factories containing extensive Pumper 31 was again deployed to the 1. This fire was as dangerous as it was quantities of highly combustible stored fireground, working closely with heavy spectacular. Due to strict adherence timbers being impacted by heavy machinery. An excavator was used to pull to FRNSW safety practices by all crews, ember impacts. the shredded tyre pile apart, enabling no injuries occurred at this fire. 7. Extremities of fire behaviour/fire SCBA crews to deploy CAFS streams 2. Due to the non-availability of spread included a large red hot iron onto the burning tyres, resulting in serviceable hydrants within proximity sheet, propelled over 100m through the extinguishment in approximately 10-15 to this expanding and highly air and coming to rest on the roof of an minutes. A significant amount of fire destructive fire, a desperate situation exposure structure. continued to burn under roof iron sheets confronted firefighters. A short-term 8. The fire was an enormous strategic at the front of the building. These irons solution to partially overcome this and tactical challenge for fireground were pulled apart with heavy machinery, problem was the resupply of the main commanders, with numerous enabling CAFS streams to be deployed attack appliance with water from exposures being impacted by fire onto the smouldering fire, achieving onboard tanks of incoming appliances, and coming under serious threat. extinguishment. CAFS Pumper 31 SO buying time while a water relay from a Appropriate placement of key Towle reported the CAFS application was a serviceable hydrant was established. resources at critical locations resulted significant factor in final extinguishment. This situation also highlighted the in the best possible firefighting need to constantly update Pre-Incident outcome, restricting fire spread, Post-fire situation Plans (PIPs). protecting threatened exposures and Upon final extinguishment of the 3. Water shortage issues continued controlling fire within the fire location. fire, the structure, stored materials and to significantly hamper firefighting 9. The CAFS fire attack proved decisive equipment within the site of the fire operations. Major water relays, in controlling significant fire activity building were severely damaged by fire. operating at maximum output, were within the fire building, extinguishing Exposure Alpha and Exposure Delta 2 were established from the larger Forester the running flammable liquid fire, severely damaged by fire. Exposure Bravo Road mains, improving water protecting significantly threatened 1 structure, Exposure Bravo 2 scaffolding supply and enabling a sustained exposures and completing fire overhaul stack and Exposure Delta 1 structure master stream attack to be placed of deep-seated burning materials. were partially damaged by fire. All other into operation. CAFS application was via aerial and exposures were protected. 4. Fire behaviour was fierce and highly hand-line streams. Firefighters destructive, due to the nature of cautioned that the air-based foam the flammable fuels involved. The solution was vulnerable to wind combination of large volumes of impact. When planning to undertake cooking oil and methanol was a CAFS attack, it is important that extremely volatile, producing firefighters take into consideration intense radiant heat, extreme flame wind direction when siting the activity, rapid fire spread and an appliance. Firefighters also noted that enormous thick black smoke plume when extinguishing deep-seated stack that extended to over 1,000 metres. fires (in particular shredded rubber Throughout firefighting operations, tyre piles) with CAFS, while all signs numerous explosions occurred; of fire may not be visible, deep-seated fireballs erupted within the plume fire may continue to burn necessitating and an oil-based running flammable opening of the pile and CAFS applied to liquid fire developed. The force of burning material. When this occurred, explosions dislodged sheets of iron, firefighters reported much faster propelling them significant distances extinguishment of stack and pile fires through the air. The fire involved highly than with plain water. Note: by the end unstable infrastructure including of the 2015 calendar year there should a distillation tower, furnace and be a total of 10 CAFS appliances online associated equipment, presenting the in Sydney. possibility of a major explosion and/ 10. At such a large and complex or catastrophic extreme fire event. fireground, radio communications were Additional materials contributing to a critical issue. Establishment of a 600 unstable fire behaviour included large series command channel significantly piles of coal and shredded rubber. relieved fireground radio congestion, The site also contained numerous enabling fireground commanders other highly dangerous hazardous to communicate effectively, without materials including large volumes of blocking fireground operations traffic. sulphuric acid, potassium hydroxide, Similarly, the complex processes glycerin and sodium methoxide. Under associated with establishing multiple the circumstances, it was an extremely water relays were eased due to the sound strategy to withdraw all crews establishment of a dedicated water and conduct defensive operations relay talk-group (509). using master streams. 11. In the days following this major fire, the 5. Master stream application ensured Commissioner publicly acknowledged, the application of the large volumes of thanked and congratulated all water necessary for the protection of firefighters and officers who attended exposures and cooling of the fire area, this fire, for their diligent and ensuring firefighters remained at safe extremely hard work at this very distances from this highly unstable fire. difficult and dangerous fire. nEND 6. Despite the ferocity of the fire and extensive fire spread mechanisms, all

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 Firefighters receive a briefing prior to entering the wrecking yard. 13TH ALARM FIRE IN SMITHFIELD WRECKING YARD AND FURNITURE FAC T O RY Report by Inspector Kernin Lambert Incident summary: Fire broke out within a metal recycling wrecking yard. Fire activity within the wrecking yard was fierce and intense due to the volatile nature of the wrecking yard contents. Prior to firefighters arriving on scene, fire had already spread into a nearby furniture factory. The large furniture factory was of open plan design, with no interior separation. Positioning of surrounding structures greatly limited locations where firefighters could access the fire building and establish effective fire cut offs. As the fire within the factory rapidly intensified and fire began to take hold of the entire structure, numerous surrounding structures began to come under threat. At least 12 exposures were directly in the fire’s path and at imminent risk. Firefighters successfully carried out a determined operation to halt the fire’s spread. This operation involved the deployment of numerous handlines and aerial appliances and the establishment of a number of water relays. Operations were underpinned by a strong incident command framework, ensuring fireground accountability and safety and ensuring all operations were conducted in accordance with the Incident Action Plan. Significantly, this fire saw the substantial operation of Compressed air foam system (CAFS) appliances, being used for defensive exposure protection and direct fire attack. Undoubtedly the use of CAFS had a significant impact on fire control operations. Incident type: Wrecking yard fire and furniture factory fire. Time, date and place of call: 0832 hours on 28 March 2015 to report of a fire in a wrecking yard at Woodpark Road, Smithfield. FRNSW response: Pumpers 72 (Merrylands), 41 (Smithfield), 55 (Guildford), 73 (Fairfield), 27 (Parramatta), 65 (Rydalmere), 19 (Silverwater), 43 (Seven Hills), 49 VIEW VIDEO AT (Cabramatta), 30 (Lidcombe), 67 fire.nsw.gov.au/frnews (Baulkham Hills), 16 (Concord), 42 OR (Ryde), 52 (Campsie), 58 (Beecroft), 82 (Richmond), 83 (Riverstone), 92 (St SCAN CODE TO Andrews) and 17 (Drummoyne), CAFS WATCH NOW Pumper 31 (Busby), Rescue Pumpers 57 (Wentworthville), 15 (Burwood), 62 (Bankstown), 63 (Blacktown), 8

All image credits Insp Kernin Lambert unless otherwise stated. 29

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 FIRE & RESCUE OPERATIONS JOURNAL

(Liverpool), 101 (Bonnyrigg Heights) Fireground description 2. Furniture factory (used for the and 59 (Eastwood), Aerial Pumpers 97 Sectors assembly and storage of office (Huntingwood), 86 (Penrith), 47 (Revesby) – Sector Alpha – Woodpark Road, to chairs), 83 Percival Road, Smithfield. and 45 (Miranda), Hazmat Pumpers 77 north of fire building Building single level, 40m x 175m, (St Marys) and 85 (Chester Hill), Heavy – Sector Bravo – Area to eastern end of steel frame and iron sheet roof. The Hazmats 77 and 85, Ladder Platform 27, fire building factory was constructed in three Tanker 82, CAFS Tankers 78 (Dunheved) – Sector Charlie – Jumal Place, to sections. These sections of the and 93 (Narellan), Logistics Support south of fire building factory were separated by internal Vehicles 1 (City of Sydney), 21 (Kogarah) – Sector Delta – Percival Road, to west partition walls. The factory was not and 97, Incident Control Vehicle Alpha of fire building fitted with fire separation walls. The and Rehab 1. Fire building front part of the factory consisted of Duty Commanders MW2 1. Car and scrap metal wrecking yard, a mezzanine office and showroom, (Parramatta), MW1 (Huntingwood), 168 Woodpark Road, Smithfield, an approximately 40m x 20m, of ME3 (Ashfield) and MS2 (Kogarah), open area 35m x 50m, containing concrete hollow block, horizontal Zone Commander MW1 (Huntingwood) crushed and wrecked motor vehicles pre-cast concrete slab and iron sheet Superintendent Alex Scott, Area and other scrap metal material. In cladding, with an iron sheet roof. A Commander Metropolitan West addition to wrecked motor vehicles, middle part of the factory, being the Chief Superintendent Rick Griffiths, the wrecking contained numerous assembly area, was 40m x 60m, of Director Regional Operations Assistant other materials and items including horizontal pre-cast concrete slab Commissioner Robert McNeil, waste metallic objects awaiting and iron sheet cladding, fitted with a Commissioner Greg Mullins, Manager wrecking such as household and metal truss frame roof and iron sheet Hazmat Capability Superintendent Paul commercial white goods and roof. The rear part of the factory, Johnstone, Assistant Director Media appliances, industrial machinery, used for product warehousing, was and Communications Andrew Parsons, air conditioning units, electric 40m x 85m, of concrete hollow block, Fleet Operations Officer SO Glenn motors, truck components, metal horizontal pre-cast concrete slab and Breen, Operational Media Coordinator sheets and piles of steel. Some of iron sheet cladding, fitted with an iron Superintendent Ian Krimmer, Team the metals located on-site included RSJ roof frame and iron sheet roof. Leader Hazmat and Hazmat Advisory aluminium, brass, cast iron, copper, The fire building was located 1m south of Response Teams 4, 5 and 6. lead, nickel, stainless steel, steel, the wrecking yard, separated by a steel In addition to above, a further 42 zinc and ferrous/non-ferrous metals. wall. This wall consisted of several steel FRNSW appliances and numerous other Numerous pressurised gas cylinders plates that buckled when exposed to fire, senior officers and specialist support and 1,000-litre intermediate bulk allowing spread of fire. The only access staff responded to the incident for relief containers (IBCs) were located at the to the furniture factory was via the front and fire duty purposes. site (the state of their contents was of the building in Sector Alpha, through Additional agencies/services not known). Additional hazardous a double pedestrian door and double in attendance: Police, Ambulance, conditions on site included a pit, vehicular metal roller shutter door. Electricity, Environmental Protection elevated platform, numerous Stock within the building was stored Authority, Roads and Maritime Services, LPG powered forklifts and heavy within cardboard boxes, located on Regional Emergency Management machinery. A 6m high steel plate wooden pallets and stacked on metal Officer and heavy machinery contractors. fence was located on the southern high bay racking, shelving and decking. side of the wrecking yard.

Aerial Pumper 97 provides protection to Sector Charlie exposures from Sector Delta.

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 SMITHFIELD 13TH ALARM

With the exception of the front of the building, the furniture factory was surrounded and almost ‘built in’ by other structures, with very little direct access for firefighters. The fire building was serviced by a 100mm hydrant system, consisting of single-headed pillar hydrants attached to an upgraded AS 2419.1 brigade booster fitting, consisting of two supply hydrants and two booster inlets, located at the entrance to the site on Percival Road, 120m to the west of the front of the factory. A single external pillar hydrant was located on the access driveway 20m to the west of the front of the fire building. The closest reticulated main hydrant was 220m from the fire building. A number of installed hose reels were located on the external walls of the factory and throughout the factory interior. Exposures – Exposure Alpha 1: Factory, 30m x 30m, steel frame and iron sheet construction, located at 87 Percival Road, 1m west of the wrecking yard. – Exposure Alpha 2: Distribution warehouse, 100m x 30m, steel frame and iron sheet construction, located at 89 Percival Road, 10m west of the wrecking yard – Exposure Alpha 3: Factory 100m x 60m, steel frame and iron sheet construction, located 150-166 Woodpark Road, 1m north of the fire building. Unoccupied at time of fire – Exposure Bravo 1: Storage building 15m x 10m, iron sheet construction, located 0.5m east of the fire building, containing plastic office chairs – Exposure Bravo 2: Storage building 25m x 10m, iron sheet construction, located 2m east of exposure Bravo 1, containing plastic office chairs – Exposure Bravo 3: Factory 100m x 50m, steel frame and iron sheet construction, located 3.5m to the east of the fire building. A bank of pressurised stored gas cylinders (acetylene, argon and oxygen) was located against the southern wall of this building, 3.5m from the fire building – Exposure Bravo 4: Transport yard, containing approximately 50 liquid petroleum gas (LPG) road tankers, located 25m south-east of the fire building – Exposure Charlie 1: Factory (timber flooring manufacturer), 25m x 30m, located at 4 Jumal Place, Smithfield, 30m west of the fire building – Exposure Charlie 2: Factory (engineering), 25m x 30m, located at 6 Jumal Place, Smithfield, 10m west of the fire building – Exposure Charlie 3: Factory, 25m x 30m, located at 8 Jumal Place, Smithfield, 1m south of the fire building

From Sector Charlie, Aerial Pumper 47 positioned outside the collapse zone, provides protection to Sector Charlie exposures.

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 FIRE & RESCUE OPERATIONS JOURNAL

SO Paul Jones and Rescue Pumper 62 firefighters are confronted by a wall of fire as flames erupt from the fire building and threaten the Exposure Alpha 3 warehouse.

– Exposure Charlie 4: Factory, 25m fire. Prior to FRNSW arriving on scene, and commenced a direct fire attack onto x 30m, located at 10 Jumal Place, calls were also being received indicating the pile of burning cars with a 70mm Smithfield, 1m south of the fire a possible building fire at the rear of the attack line, in an attempt to reduce the building wrecking yard (fronting onto Percival fire’s intensity. – Exposure Charlie 5: Factory, 30m Road). Fire Communications directed Woodpark Road was the front of the x 30m, located at 12 Jumal Place, Pumper 72 to respond to Percival Road to wrecking yard and became known as Smithfield, 1m south of the fire investigate reports of the building fire. Sector Alpha. An initial Incident Control building Point (ICP) was established at Pumper 41. Firefighters arrive on scene – Exposure Charlie 6: Factory (furniture SO41 was the Incident Controller. Pumper 41 arrived at the scene of the manufacturer), 30m x 25m, located at wrecking yard and found a large area of Firefighters arrive at Sector Delta 14 Jumal Place, Smithfield, 1m south stacked wrecked cars and other materials At the same time as Pumper 41 was of the fire building totally involved in fire. Officer-in-Charge commencing to attack the wrecking yard – Exposure Charlie 7: Factory, 40m of Pumper 41 SO John Perrigo stated fire, Pumper 72 arrived at Percival Road x 40m, located at 16 Jumal Place, the stack of wrecked cars was producing and found heavy fire from the involved Smithfield, 1m south of the fire a large column of thick black smoke wrecking yard impacting the northern building and flames. At 0840 hours SO 41 sent a wall and roof eaves of the furniture Initial call and response message confirming the response of the factory, towards the front of the building. At 0832 hours on Saturday 28 March 2nd Alarm while further investigations Officer in Charge of Pumper 72 Deputy 2015, FRNSW Sydney Communications were made. Shortly after the arrival of Captain Craig Ferns immediately sent a Centre received the first of numerous Pumper 41, Rescue Pumper 57 arrived RED message, requesting the attendance ‘000’ calls reporting a fire in a wrecking on Woodpark Road. Rescue Pumper 57 of an additional two pumpers to assist yard at Woodpark Road Smithfield. firefighters gained entry to the wrecking firefighting operations at the furniture Pumpers 41, 72 and 55 were initially yard and to premises to the east. At that factory. As a result of the message from responded to the call. Due to the number time, the furniture factory to the south Pumper 72, the response was upgraded of calls being received the response of the wrecking yard was completely to a structure fire 3rd Alarm. Percival was upgraded to a structure fire 2nd obscured from view to firefighters, due Road was located to the west of the Alarm, resulting in the further response to the 3m high steel wall, large body original fire building (the wrecking yard) of Rescue Pumper 57, Pumper 73, of fire and significant smoke column and became Sector Delta. Ladder Platform 27 and Duty Commander being produced by the fire. The rear Response increased to structure fire Parramatta Inspector Craig Easy. En route of the wrecking yard was completely 4th Alarm to the fire, initial responding appliance inaccessible to SO41, due to the large Duty Commander Parramatta, pumper 41 reported a column of black piles of wrecked cars and other materials, Inspector Craig Easy, responded at the smoke in the direction of the reported preventing SO41 completing a 360° size- time of call, due to the large number up. Pumper 41 firefighters donned SCBA of 000 calls being received. En route, 32

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 SMITHFIELD 13TH ALARM

Inspector Easy observed a large column flow from the hydrant. As firefighters impacted by fire spreading in an easterly of black smoke, increasing in size. Upon continued to try to stop fire impacting direction through the furniture factory. hearing a situation report that fire had the northern side of the factory, Pumper Firefighters forced entry to Exposure now spread from the wrecking yard 72 ran out of water, forcing fire attack Alpha 3. A 38mm line was initially and had entered the furniture factory, to be temporarily shut down. At this deployed to the external south west Inspector Easy sent a RED message at time Pumper 27 arrived at Sector Delta. corner of Exposure Alpha 3, enabling 0851 hours, increasing the response to Pumper 27 connected a supply line to Rescue Pumper 63 firefighters wearing a structure fire 4th Alarm. Pumper 72, providing Pumper 72 with an SCBA to direct a protective stream extra 2,000 litres of water and enabling on to the southern wall of Exposure Initial firefighting operations the defensive operations from Pumper Alpha 3, which was now starting to be Pumper 72 Firefighters observed 72 to be extended. heavily impacted by fire. This line was three civilians operating two installed With Pumper 72 now out of water, subsequently upgraded to a 70mm hose reels, attempting to fight the fire SO Jackson made the decision to search protection line. on the northern side of the factory with for a secure water supply. Pumper 73 As soon as Ladder Platform 27 minimal effect. These peope were at firefighters located the closest reticulated arrived at the fireground, the aerial significant risk as intense flame and main hydrant near the intersection of was positioned at the southern end of smoke activity began to impact their Percival Road and Jamal Place, 220m the western wall of Exposure Alpha location. Firefighters directed these from the fire building. Pumper 73 3. Rescue Pumper 57 pumped water persons to an area of safety and crews obtained water from the hydrant and to Ladder Platform 27 via two supply wearing SCBA deployed a 70mm attack began to establish a water relay back to lines. Firefighter Ben Forner wearing line and began to direct a heavy stream Pumper 72. Pumper 72 firefighters had SCBA was operating the aerial monitor down the northern side of the factory, in already commenced to lay hose from from the ladder platform cage. The an attempt to protect the factory from Pumper 72, back towards the relay being aerial stream of Ladder Platform 27 heavily impacting fire. established by Pumper 73. was alternated between direct attack Deputy Captain Ferns entered the on the involved furniture factory (via front office of the fire building where he Sector Alpha operations breaches due to roof sheet buckling) found two men attempting to fight the Shortly after Pumper 41 arrived on and protection of the southern wall of fire with an installed internal hose reel. Woodpark Road, firefighters commenced Exposure Alpha 3, now coming under At this time, fire was now well into the fire control operations within the significant fire attack from the furniture roof of the factory. DC Ferns removed the wrecking yard, attempting to contain the factory. Rescue Pumper 57 supplied two occupants from the involved building. fire, halt fire spread, protect threatened water to Ladder Platform 27 via two A short time later, the internal factory exposures and achieve extinguishment. 70mm lines. During aerial operations, ceiling in the office area collapsed. Fire activity within the wrecking yard the aerial cage was being impacted by Pumper 73, under the command of was fierce and intense. The wrecking significant quantities of smoke produced SO Troy Jackson, was directed by Fire yard contents were particularly volatile, by the large smoke plume, necessitating Communications to the reported building consisting of crushed motor vehicles Firefighter Forner wearing SCBA on the fire on Percival Road. Upon arrival, and components. Firefighters also air extension line for the entire period Pumper 73 firefighters met Pumper encountered burning spilled petrol the ladder platform was in operation. 72 crew. SO Jackson and the crew of from ruptured motor vehicle fuel tanks. The Ladder Platform crew reported the Pumper 73 donned SCBA and entered Access for firefighters was difficult due thermal updrafts produced by the fire the furniture factory, to investigate the to the large quantity of wrecked car were quite turbulent, like a “wind storm”. extent of fire spread within the factory bodies, automobile components, scrap The aerial cage monitor was fitted with and to ascertain the location of any metal stacks, heavy machinery and stack tips, producing a solid jet and possible internal cut-off points. When other materials; this also hindered the resulting in a harder hitting, further firefighters entered the front of the laying and advancement of hose lines. reaching aerial stream. Water supply factory, SO Jackson observed fire was A significant body of fire was burning from the Woodpark Road main was poor spreading internally extremely rapidly. beneath the wrecked cars, increasing and severely hindered the effectiveness Firefighters then investigated the second difficulties encountered placing of the aerial stream. Nevertheless, part of the factory (the assembly section) extinguishing medium onto the fire. The Ladder Platform 27 conducted a to identify an internal cut-off point. burning cars were located in a large pile. determined effort to protect the heavily Fire had already entered this part of Firefighters from 41, 55 and 57 threatened exposure. The aerial crew the factory. SO Jackson reported that stations deployed two 70mm attack lines worked in conjunction with the 70mm fire spread within the second section from Pumper 41 to the wrecking yard. hand line crew in an attempt to protect of the factory went from minimal to A one into two breaching and reducer Exposure Alpha 3. Aerial operators full flashover within two minutes. was placed on one of these 70mm lines, reported direct attack on the fire was SO Jackson further reported fire enabling two 38mm hand lines to be extremely difficult due to the iron sheet involvement within the front office went deployed. Class B foam was inducted roof of the factory severely obstructing from 30% to 80% in under four minutes. into this 70mm attack line, enabling the aerial stream reaching the fire. Due to the rapid speed of fire spread and firefighters wearing SCBA to conduct a severe fire intensity, SO Jackson made direct attack on the wrecking yard fire, Incident control transferred the decision that all operations would via two 38mm foam lines. The foam Duty Commander Parramatta now be conducted in defensive mode attack was effective at controlling the Inspector Craig Easy arrived on scene from Sector Delta. At this time, 30% of flammable liquid fires. Additional SCBA and conducted a hand-over briefing with the factory was now totally involved in crews attacking the wrecking yard fire SO41. Inspector Easy then relocated to fire and fire was spreading rapidly from were deployed from Pumpers 16 and 17. the front of the fire building in Sector front to rear. From Sector Alpha, firefighters Delta, where an incident command point conducted operations to establish (ICP) was established. Control of the Critical water supply problems fire protection for exposures (Alpha 1 incident was formally transferred to Pumper 72’s driver connected a and 2) coming under threat in Sector Inspector Easy, who was now the Incident 70mm supply line to the appliance Alpha. Rescue Pumper 57 positioned on Controller. A Control Point, known as from a single-headed pillar hydrant Woodpark Road, on the western side of ‘Smithfield Control’ was established located in close proximity. When the Exposure Alpha 3, a large warehouse at the ICP. hydrant was opened, there was no water structure that was starting to be

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 FIRE & RESCUE OPERATIONS JOURNAL

Response increased to structure fire 6th Alarm Upon taking control of the incident, Inspector Easy conducted a size-up of the incident and due to the rapid fire spread within the furniture factory, sent a RED message at 0859 hours, increasing the response to a structure fire 6th Alarm. Following transmission of the 6th Alarm, the Incident Controller directed a staging area be established on Woodpark Road, at the intersection of Cumberland Highway, for the attendance of all incoming appliances. At that time, the objectives of the Incident Controller were to contain the fire and prevent it spreading to the numerous other exposures about to come under threat as the fire in the furniture factory continued to intensify and expand. The most effective way of achieving these objectives was via the strategic placement of aerial master streams at key locations to achieve fire containment and exposure protection. At 0903 hours, the Incident Controller sent the following situation report: Under the most extreme of fire conditions, Rescue Pumper 59 firefighters provide fire protection for Exposure Alpha 3. Despite horrendous fire conditions, firefighters maintained their position and the exposure was saved. “FIRECOMMS, SMITHFIELD CONTROL BLUE. FROM 168 WOODPARK ROAD, SMITHFIELD, HAVE A CAR WRECKING YARD THAT IS WELL ALIGHT. FIRE HAS SPREAD TO A LARGE FURNITURE FACTORY, THAT IS ABOUT 30% INVOLVED IN FIRE. CURRENTLY HAVE LADDER PLATFORM 27 AT WORK IN SECTOR ALPHA CONDUCTING FIRE ATTACK AND PROTECTING EXPOSURES. REQUIRE THE NEXT ARRIVING AERIAL TO LOCATE ON PERCIVAL ROAD.” Response increased to 10th Alarm The Incident Controller conducted a further size-up of the incident, involving a survey of southern side of the involved factory and observed numerous factories within Charlie Sector either being impacted or about to be impacted by severe fire activity from the now heavily involved factory and under imminent threat. At 0906 hours, the Incident Controller sent the following RED message, requesting the response be increased to a structure fire 10th Alarm: “FIRECOMMS, SMITHFIELD CONTROL RED! RED! RED! REQUIRE A STRUCTURE FIRE TENTH ALARM. HAVE A LARGE FURNITURE FACTORY THAT IS WELL ALIGHT. FIRE IS THREATENING NUMEROUS EXPOSURES. REQUIRE ADDITIONAL APPLIANCES FOR PROPERTY PROTECTION.” Shortly after transmission of the 10th Alarm, Duty Commander West, Inspector Andrew Peake arrived at the fireground and was deployed to Sector Alpha, to take command of operations within that sector. Rescue Pumper 101 SO Don Peters was the first arriving SO at the staging area and was appointed Staging Officer. Operations from Sector Delta Fire erupts from the involved factory, threatening the exposure Alpha 3 warehouse. Two firefighters on a 70mm hand line fight a desperate battle to protect the exposure. On direction from the Incident Controller, the next arriving aerial

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 SMITHFIELD 13TH ALARM appliance, Aerial Pumper 97, went of exposures now being impacted within Sector Delta brigade booster fitting to the front of the furniture factory in Sector Charlie. The aerial stream from placed into operation Sector Delta, in an attempt to cut off fire Aerial Pumper 97 was swept along the Pumper 43 positioned at the front spread to Charlie exposures now under northern walls of Charlie exposures, of the fire building on Percival Road imminent threat. At this time, no water affording protection as the fire began and placed the AS 2419 brigade booster supply was available to supply the aerial to take a strong hold of the factory. A fitting and installed hydrant system into appliance. Aerial Pumper 97 SO David Tai firefighter wearing SCBA located at the operation, obtaining water supply via two and Pumper 27 SO Bob Callow searched head of the boom ensured this stream was supply hydrants and two 70mm supply the nearby area for an alternative water being directed as precisely and effectively lines to the pumper. Water was pumped supply. SO Tai located a large 700,000 litre as possible. The aerial stream was back into the booster via two 70mm on-site water storage tank, normally used alternated between exposure protection delivery lines and pressure increased to to supply early suppression fast response and direct attack on the main fire building. 1,000 kPa. The booster fitting isolation (ESFR) sprinklers, located at the industrial Breaches in the factory roof due to valve was placed in the closed position, complex almost opposite the involved buckling of iron roof sheeting provided ensuring all water entering the hydrant furniture factory on Percival Road. Next access to the aerial stream onto the fire. main was now flowing via the pumping arriving Pumper 42 was deployed to the From Sector Delta, firefighters were appliance. Operation of the booster fitting location of the storage tank. Pumper 42 able to remove a number of employees’ had an immediate effect on the pillar connected a suction hose to the 150mm private motor vehicles that were being hydrant located in proximity to appliances brigade attachment fitted to the base of impacted by severe radiant heat and near the front of the fire building, with the storage tank, and began to draft water flames away from proximity to the fire water flowing immediately through from the storage tank and relay pump building to safety. Immediately within the the hydrant. to Pumper 27 located in Sector Delta. front roller door of the factory, firefighters Operation of the booster fitting At about this time, the water relay from from Pumper 27, 43 and 72 used a 38mm and subsequent water supply to the Pumper 73 also arrived in Sector Delta. hand line to protect a delivery truck, being hydrant main enabled a third supply Aerial Pumper 97 was now being supplied heavily impacted by fire. line to be connected to Aerial Pumper with two 70mm supply lines (from At 0914 hours, the Incident Controller 97, strengthening the aerial attack. Pumpers 27 and 72) and commenced sent a further situation report, as follows: Firefighters didn’t know that the internal to operate an aerial stream of limited “FIRECOMS, SMITHFIELD CONTROL hydrant main within the involved capacity onto the fire. BLUE. HAVE A FIRE THAT STARTED IN A factory had broken until after the Aerial Pumper 97 had been positioned WRECKING YARD. FIRE HAS SPREAD TO fire was extinguished, allowing large in Sector Delta at the front of the furniture A LARGE FURNITURE FACTORY, THAT volumes of water to discharge into the factory, in a manner that enabled the IS WELL ALIGHT. CURRENTLY HAVE factory, reducing supply available for aerial boom to direct a protective stream TWO AERIALS AT WORK. THE INCIDENT firefighting purposes. down the southern side of the involved CONTROL POINT IS LOCATED AT 83 furniture warehouse, enabling protection PERCIVAL ROAD.”

A firefighter at the head of Aerial Pumper 47 boom directs a protective stream between the fire building and threatened Sector Charlie exposures

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 FIRE & RESCUE OPERATIONS JOURNAL

Response increased to 13th Alarm “FIRECOMS, SMITHFIELD Limited yard access existed between Water supply problems continued to CONTROL BLUE. ORIGINAL FIRE IN Exposures Charlie 5 and 6, enabling be experienced across many areas of the A WRECKING YARD IS NOW UNDER Aerial Pumper 47 to set up at a location fireground, particularly in Sector Alpha. CONTTROL. FURNITURE FACTORY IS where the boom could be placed in To facilitate the establishment of a water NOW TOTALLY INVOLVED. CURRENTLY operation and an aerial stream swept relay from the Cumberland Highway HAVE NUMEROUS HAND LINES AND along the northern walls of Exposures main to the fireground, the Incident AERIALS AT WORK. FIREFIGHTERS ARE Charlie 5 and 6, protecting the exposures Controller increased the response to a NOW INVESTIGATING JUMAL PLACE, as intense flames began to impact. 13th Alarm. DUE TO REPORTS OF FIRE SPREAD TO Significantly at this location, horizontal At about this time, Duty Commander BUILDINGS AT THAT LOCATION.” concrete slab panel walls fitted to the Georges River Inspector Glenn Launt furniture factory failed, allowing intense Sector Charlie operations arrived at the fireground. Due to the fire activity to directly impact Exposures As fire continued to spread in an large number of resources responding Charlie 5 and 6. A firefighter wearing easterly direction through the furniture to this extensive fireground, the SCBA was located at the head of the factory, the Incident Controller Incident Controller identified the Aerial Pumper 47 boom, directing the recognised that numerous factories need to establish proper fireground aerial stream precisely along the walls of in Sector Charlie were in danger of accountability to ensure fireground safety the exposures, enabling protection to be being impacted by fire. Appliances and correct allocation of resources. To undertaken. The aerial stream alternated were deployed into Jumal Place in assist the proper tracking of resources, between exposure protection and direct an attempt to protect factories under the Incident Controller established fire attack on the involved factory. At threat. Operations in Sector Charlie the role of Logistics Officer, filled by the time of positioning the appliance, were conducted under the command Inspector Launt, located at the ICP. firefighters identified the collapse of Charlie Sector Commander, Duty potential of the wall and located Aerial Wrecking yard fire brought under control Commander Inner West, Inspector Pumper 47 safely in a position outside With three foam lines in operations, Norman Buckley. the wall collapse zone. Pumper 30 relay firefighters from 41, 57, 16 and 17 Entry was gained to Exposure Charlie pumped water to Aerial Pumper 47. stations had been able to bring the 3 and a 38mm internal protection line Pumper 67 was located at the eastern wrecking yard fire under control, from Pumper 73 deployed into the end of Jumal Place. Fire continued to successfully protecting Sector exposure factory. Entry was forced into spread through the factory in an easterly Alpha exposures being threatened. Exposure Charlie 4 and a 38mm internal direction. As fire reached the storage The wrecking yard fire was largely protection line deployed from Pumper section of the factory, the increased extinguished when the Incident 30. Firefighters from Pumper 30 gained fire load caused fire activity to intensify, Controller sent the following informative entry to numerous other Charlie Sector placing Exposure Charlie 7 under message at 0945 hours: exposures to inspect factory interiors for imminent threat. Fierce flames erupted signs of fire spread.

Ladder Platform 27 worked under difficult Commissioner Greg Mullins and Assistant Commissioner Rob McNeil confer in Sector Alpha. conditions to protect Exposure Alpha 3.

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 SMITHFIELD 13TH ALARM

from the roof of the factory and a large Aerial Pumper 86 arrived at the A protection line from Pumper 67 column of thick black smoke rose above eastern end of Jumal Crescent and was deployed to the interior of Exposure the factory. At this time, water supply was positioned in a yard to the south Charlie 7. Significant structural wall within Sector Charlie was extremely of Exposure Bravo 2. Space within collapse of the southern wall of the poor. Pumper 67 firefighters gained side the yard was quite restricted to the furniture factory occurred, allowing fire access to the rear of Exposure Charlie 7 storage of a large quantity of materials, to directly impact Exposure Charlie 7. and attempted to deploy a protection line, significantly limiting the siting of the Firefighters successfully prevented any in an attempt to protect the now heavily appliance. Firefighters identified a fire spread into the exposure. threatened exposure. Due to extremely concrete hollow block wall at the eastern Command channel established poor water pressure, firefighters end of the factory in danger of collapse Upon the arrival of the Incident experienced significant difficulty and ensured the appliance was located Control Vehicle, Command Talk- deploying an effective hose stream. safely out of the collapse zone (This wall group 601 was established, facilitating Rescue Pumper 8 was directed to an subsequently completely collapsed). communications between members industrial complex at far end of Jumal A water relay from base pump Rescue of the incident command team, Place where a 500,000 litre stored water Pumper 8, via Pumper 67 enabled Aerial greatly streamlining and improving tank (used to supply an ESFR sprinkler Pumper 86 to provide an aerial stream to communications and removing system) was located. Rescue Pumper 8 protect the northern walls of Exposures significant fireground radio congestion. connected suction hose to the 150mm Charlie 6 and 7. Fire activity impacting brigade attachment, obtained water and Exposures Charlie 6 and 7 was fierce Operations to increase water supply supplied lines to Pumper 67, significantly and intense. Firefighters switched the Numerous aerial appliances were overcoming water shortage issues at the aerial Elkhart hollow stream spray now either operating or being placed eastern end of Sector Charlie. nozzle with a solid stream stacked tip into operation. Town’s main water Pumper 30 firefighters removed nozzle, providing a further reaching, supplies in immediate proximity to the numerous G-size high pressure harder hitting water stream, enabling fireground were poor and water shortage flammable and non-flammable gas greater exposure protection. Following was becoming a critical factor. Rescue cylinders (oxygen, acetylene and argon) the total collapse of the eastern wall on Pumper 8 was drafting from a stored from a storage cage located at the rear the southern side of the furniture, fire water tank in Sector Charlie, supplying of Exposure Bravo 2, 3.5m east of the intensity from the factory increased. water to Aerial Pumper 86. Pumper 42 building. (Note: major collapse of the Exposure Bravo 3 was only 3.5m from was drafting from a stored water tank fire building occurred at this location, this venting fire. Firefighters from Aerial in Sector Delta and supplying water via allowing heavy flames to directly impact Pumper 86 fought a desperate battle for a relay involving Pumper 27 to Aerial the location from which the cylinders had several hours to stop fire spreading to Pumper 97. Pumper 42 was also relay been removed). Exposure Bravo 3. pumping to Sector Alpha, via Hazmat

Pumper 41 supplies fire attack lines to the wrecking yard.

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 FIRE & RESCUE OPERATIONS JOURNAL

Pumper 77, Rescue Pumper 15 and Alpha 3, the building was heavily smoke- 3, directing attack line streams through Pumper 55. logged and firefighters were not able the windows at the southern end of the Rescue Pumper 101 was set up as to identify the nature or quantity of the building onto the involved factory fire. the base pumper on the Cumberland building contents. Firefighters were Sector Bravo operations Highway main and a relay was aware the structure had previously been Large flames began to break through established to Sector Alpha, consisting of used to store large quantities of shredded the roof of the furniture factory, in close Pumpers 19, 65, 49 and 59. rubber. (Note: after the heavy smoke proximity to Exposure Alpha 3. Firefighters cleared, firefighters identified there were Firefighter welfare from 62 station wearing SCBA under the no contents within this structure.) The Ambulance Service of NSW direction of SO Paul Jones (also wearing Due to the heavy fire impact from the provided a significant response of SCBA) deployed a 70mm fire attack line involved factory to exposure Alpha 3 and paramedics. An Ambulance paramedic to Sector Bravo, in proximity to the rear of the possibility of severe and uncontrolled treatment and triage area was established Exposure Alpha 3 and directed a protective fire spread within this structure (at that in Sector Alpha. A number of firefighters stream onto the southern iron sheet time, it was not known that the structure were treated by paramedics, one being wall of the exposure structure, providing contained no contents), Ladder Platform transported to hospital. cooling protection for the structure. 27 was shut down and repositioned away Rehabilitation 1 attended the Within the furniture factory, fire had now from a position of potential danger. fireground with the rehabilitation pod, reached large quantities of plastic chairs which was located in Sector Delta. Protection of Exposure Alpha 3 stacked on pallet racking. Fire conditions A firefighter rehabilitation area was Pumper 59, under the command of significantly intensified as flames 15m established in Sector Delta and a SO Craig Vincent was deployed from the high began to erupt from the roof of the Rehabilitation Officer appointed. staging area to Sector Bravo. SO Vincent factory and fire travelled directly towards was appointed Bravo Sector Commander. firefighters located in Sector Bravo. Commissioner in attendance As firefighters arrived at Sector Bravo, Firefighters were located downwind of FRNSW Commissioner Greg Mullins intense fire activity began to break the factory and were impacted by large arrived at the fireground at 0949 hours through the buckled iron sheeting walls quantities of rolling thick black smoke. and was given a full briefing on incident and roof of the furniture factory and Radiant heat at this location was intense. operations at the ICP. The Commissioner impact the Exposure Alpha 3 structure. Severe fire activity from the involved subsequently conducted a tour of the The intensity of fire impacting factory was now impacting the southern fireground and made a number of Exposure Alpha 3 structure indicated wall of the exposure structure. Wind recommendations to Incident Command, that uncontrolled fire could spread within activity intensified at this location, as the including the deployment of CAFS tankers this structure. Due to this situation, SO fire began to draw in large quantities to Sector Alpha. The Commissioner Vincent directed that Pumper 59 remain of air. (Note: air being drawn into the oversaw firefighting operations and outside the Exposure Alpha 3 site, in fire was travelling against the direction provided advice to Incident Command, case a severe fire over-run occurred, of the prevailing wind.) Firefighters in a command/expert senior advisory trapping the appliance. experienced ferocious conditions, however capacity, particularly in relation to Firefighters wearing SCBA, under maintained position, directing the 70mm operations in sectors Alpha and Bravo. the direction of SO Vincent, deployed stream across the wall of the exposure, Transfer of command a 38mm attack line to the rear of providing protection. At 0954 hours Area Commander exposure Alpha 3 and forced entry to the Firefighters worked under extremely Metropolitan West Chief Superintendent structure through a factory door. Upon difficult conditions in Sector Bravo Rick Griffiths arrived at the fireground gaining entry to the exposure Alpha 3 continuously for a number of hours as and following a hand-over briefing, structure, firefighters found the interior fire continued to impact Exposure Alpha Incident Control was transferred to of the structure alight. Firefighters 3. Additional SCBA crews operating Chief Superintendent Griffiths. Inspector then entered the structure and began protection lines in Sector Bravo included Easy was appointed Operations Officer. to undertake internal firefighting firefighters from Pumpers 16, 19, 52, 55, Assistant Commissioner Robert McNeil operations. An SCBA crew from Pumper 58, 65 and Rescue Pumper 15. attended the fireground and acted in the 55 were also operating a 38mm line Operation of compressed air foam capacity of command senior advisor. within exposure Alpha 3, which was system (CAFS) appliances subsequently upgraded to a 70mm Operations from Sector Alpha On direction from the Commissioner attack line. An SCBA crew from Rescue As fire progressed from front to rear while he was en-route, two 9,000 litre Pumper 57 had also entered exposure through the 175m long furniture factory, CAFS tankers (CAFS Tanker 78 and CAFS Alpha 3 from the western side and was a number of Sector Alpha Exposures Tanker 93) accompanied by qualified conducting firefighting operations. Within were threatened. The reach of the aerial instructors, were responded to the the exposure structure, firefighters were stream of Ladder Platform 27 was factory fire. The two CAFS tankers had operating under extremely oppressive unable to cover the complete length of only been delivered to stations two days conditions, encountering thick smoke, the southern wall of Exposure Alpha 3, prior to the fire. CAFS Tanker 93 was very limited visibility and significant leaving about half the wall unprotected deployed to Sector Alpha and CAFS heat. Firefighters were also exposed and the building vulnerable to fire spread. Tanker 78 was deployed to Sector Bravo, to superheated fire gases, radiant heat Pumper 55 initially experienced to assist in protecting heavily at risk and airborne burning materials from difficulty gaining access to Exposure exposure Alpha 3 and to conduct direct the involved factory entering through the Alpha 3, due to the presence of guard fire attack on the involved furniture open windows, only metres away from dogs within the building. It was not until factory. From Sector Alpha, water was the now fully involved furniture factory. the guard dogs could be secured that supplied to CAFS Tanker 93 via a single Water supply remained poor, significantly firefighters were able to make entry to 70mm supply line from Rescue Pumper hampering firefighting operations. the structure. Within Exposure Alpha 3, 57. CAFS Tanker 78 was supplied with a Additional lines were deployed numerous windows located along the single 70mm supply line from Pumper into Exposure Alpha 3 as additional southern wall faced the involved factory. 59. Firefighters from CAFS Pumper SCBA crews strengthened internal These windows were quickly breached by 31, familiar with the operation of CAFS firefighting operations. Firefighters heat from the factory fire, allowing heavy appliances, assisted in operating the from Pumpers 17, 19, 65, 82 and 83 and concentrations of thick black smoke to CAFS tankers. Tanker 82 conducted internal firefighting enter and fill the exposure structure. CAFS Tanker 93 was used to conduct operations from within Exposure Alpha When firefighters entered Exposure direct attack on the car wrecking yard

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 SMITHFIELD 13TH ALARM

Water is on its way to Aerial Pumper 97, enabling the aerial to protect exposures in Charlie Sector.

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 FIRE & RESCUE OPERATIONS JOURNAL fire and the involved furniture factory, significant diminishing of fire in the areas attack line and two 38mm attack lines and protect the threatened Exposure to which the CAFS foam was applied. were deployed from Pumper 59 to Alpha 3 warehouse. CAFS Tanker 78 CAFS Pumper 31 was then deployed to Sector Bravo. One 70mm CAFS line and was used to conduct direct attack on Sector Bravo to assist in extinguishment one 38mm CAFS line were deployed the factory fire and protect the Exposure of Exposure Bravo 1. A one into two from CAFS Pumper 31 to Sector Bravo. Alpha 3 warehouse. Firefighters operated breaching was placed on the CAFS foam Firefighters wearing SCBA gained the front mounted foam monitors delivery, enabling one 38mm foam line access to Exposures Bravo 1 and 2 by fitted to the CAFS tankers. Firefighters and one 70mm foam line to be deployed cutting away sections of metal sheeting reported significant fire knockdown was from CAFS Pumper 31 to Sector Bravo. with power saws, enabling firefighters achieved with the foam application. The Firefighters used the CAFS lines to to conduct external direct attacks on class A CAFS foam concentrate was attack fires burning within exposures the involved interior contents of the inducted at a rate of 0.3%. Bravo 1 and 2 and reported the much structures. Fire within these exposures Operating crews reported only lighter hoses provided increased ease was deep-seated and quite stubborn minimal water supply was required of manoeuvrability and greatly assisted to extinguish, taking several hours for the operation of the CAFS tankers. fire attack. to achieve complete fire knockdown. Firefighters noted the foam stream was To support the operations of CAFS These firefighting operations were vulnerable to the impact of wind and Pumper 31, LSV 21 was responded with prolonged, exhausting and arduous, advised wind direction would be a factor additional stocks of foam concentrate. lasting for several hours and were to take into consideration when siting assisted by SCBA crews from Pumpers Firefighting operations at the appliance. Minimal openings in the 16, 19, 52, 55, 58, 65 and 83 and Rescue Exposure Bravo iron sheet roof of the factory limited Pumper 15. Timber pallets in contact with the amount of foam agent that could be The combined efforts of the Exposures Bravo 1 and 2 ignited due to applied to the fire (an identical problem Sector Bravo SCBA handline crews contact from airborne burning materials encountered by water streams being working under the command of Sector and the significant radiant heat produced applied to the fire). However, the foam Commander SO Vincent and the aerial from the factory fire, resulting in fire that was reaching the fire was achieving stream of Aerial Pumper 86, stopped travelling through the metal sheeting of effective knockdown. CAFS operators further easterly fire travel from reaching the exposure walls, igniting the structure noted that inadvertent application of the large Exposure Bravo 3 factory, only contents. Exposures Bravo 1 and 2 water streams onto the foam resulted 3.5m to the east of the involved factory. contained high fuel loads consisting of in breakdown of the foam cover. The Beyond Exposure Bravo 3, Exposure large quantities of packed plastic chairs in firefighters operating the CAFS systems Bravo 4 was located, consisting of a boxes, located tightly stacked on racking, reported significant fire knockdown in the transport yard containing approximately resulting in rapid and intense fire spread areas the CAFS foam was applied. 50 LPG road tankers. and were heavily involved in fire. CAFS Pumper 31 was initially Firefighters cut metal cyclone Hazmat operations deployed to Sector Delta and class A wire fences to gain access to burning Atmospheric monitoring was provided foam was pumped through the boom of exposures Bravo 1 and 2. One 70mm by Heavy Hazmat 85, using Area Rae Aerial Pumper 97. Firefighters observed

A desperate battle by Rescue Pumper 62 firefighters operating a 70mm handline to stop fire spreading to an exposure Alpha warehouse.

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 SMITHFIELD 13TH ALARM monitors and four-headed gas detectors. Final extinguishment Operations notes Hazmat Pumper 85, Heavy Hazmat 77 and After the fire was brought under The following points are noted in relation Hazmat Advisory Response Team (HART) control, a 4th Alarm (including three to this incident: conducted a hazard assessment and aerial appliances) was assigned for 1. The furniture factory contained monitored water run-off in conjunction fire duty purposes. A significant body no internal fire separation walls. with the Environmental Protection of fire continued to burn beneath the Under these circumstances, fire Authority. Hazmat crews conducted collapsed 7,000 m² iron sheet roof of the is free to progress unhindered hydrogen sulphide monitoring and pH factory. Two excavators were brought to through a structure. It is difficult testing at the fireground. Firefighters the scene, enabling the sheeting to be for firefighters to establish effective deployed Altair 5X five-headed gas opened up, allowing hand line streams fire cut-offs within large non- detectors. On occasions, high levels of to complete extinguishment. These compartmentalised structures. carbon monoxide were detected. This heavy machines were organised by the 2. The area contained very poor information was relayed to the Sector Regional Emergency Management Officer reticulated water supply. Firefighters Commander, resulting in operating crews in conjunction with engineers from NSW were able to identify and access on- wearing SCBA within the affected sectors. Public Works. Fire duty extinguishment site water storage tanks, providing Hazmat crews also attended nearby continued until approximately 1300 hours large volumes of water supply to the waterways to assess water run-off issues. the following day. The last firefighters left fireground, via connection of suction Heavy Hazmat units supplied the fireground, approximately 30 hours hose and relay pumping. Firefighters additional SCBA cylinders, in conjunction after FRNSW were first called to the scene are encouraged to identify and become with SCBA cylinders brought to and the site was handed over to Police familiar with the locations of on-site the fireground by the Logistics crime scene officers. water storage tanks within the local Support vehicles. area and operations required to use Post-fire situation these tanks to access and obtain Fire brought under control Upon final extinguishment of the a water supply. This information After approximately five hours of fire, the car wrecking yard, furniture should be recorded in Pre-Incident intense firefighting and with all fire factory, and exposures Bravo 1 and 2 Plans (PIPs). edges now secure, fire activity within the were severely damaged by fire. Exposure 3. When operating from on-site water furniture factory began to significantly Alpha 3 sustained flame and heat impact storage tanks, it is important that the diminish. With fire activity now subsided damage to the southern side, however back-filling valve fitted to the storage and the situation well under control, remained protected. Exposures Charlie 5, tank be placed in the closed position. operations began to be scaled back, 6 and 7 were subject to pre-cast concrete If the valve is left in the open position, including the shutting down of the slab wall collapse from the furniture it will simply draw water from the Cumberland Highway water relay. At 1414 factory and fire impact, however no fire surrounding street mains. It should hours, the first wave of relief appliances penetrated to these exposures, which be remembered numerous other and crews began arriving at the remained protected. All other exposures firefighters are attempting to access fireground, releasing crews assigned on remained protected. local reticulated main supplies, via the initial alarms. hydrants and are most likely engaged in critical operations. Backfilling storage tanks will deplete these mains at a time when they are most needed. Refilling storage tanks is not an urgent priority and can usually wait until the fire has been brought under control. 4. The placement of heavy streams from aerial appliances is an effective strategy for protecting vulnerable exposures directly under threat of fire impact from well involved structures. To be completely effective, the stream must be in contact with the surface of the threatened structure. ‘Water curtains’ do not absorb enough heat to be effective. Cooling potential fuels is the objective. 5. The effectiveness of CAFS as an extinguishing medium was yet again demonstrated at this fire, with firefighters reporting significant knockdown in locations CAFS was applied. When CAFS is applied, where possible the cover should not be broken up with the further application of water streams. Firefighters observed the CAFS stream is influenced by localised winds. Wind speed and direction is a factor to take into consideration when deploying CAFS streams and determining foam concentration. 6. Wrecking yards are both difficult and hazardous to operate in. Effective

CAFS Tanker 93 in operation in Sector Alpha, utilising the front mounted monitor. firefighting was conducted by SCBA

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 FIRE & RESCUE OPERATIONS JOURNAL

crews surrounding the fire and conducting control and extinguishment operations with class B foam lines, particularly due to the large volume of class B fires present. 7. Fire attack on the involved furniture factory was particularly difficult due to the fire building being largely ‘built in’ by other structures, significantly hindering access. Nevertheless, firefighters were able to take full advantage of the limited access available, setting up key defensive streams that were highly effective at stopping further fire spread. 8. The establishment of a staging area enabled the large number of resources that responded to the incident to be effectively managed, increasing fireground accountability, firefighter safety and ensuring resources were deployed to where they were needed most. 9. Firefighters identified a number of walls displaying signs of collapse and established appropriate collapse zones. Subsequently, a number of the identified walls collapsed, however all firefighters remained in locations of safety. 10. At an early stage in operations, an Incident Control Point was established. As the incident increased in size and scope, the Incident Command structure was built out, resulting in clearly defined sectors, with all firefighters working under the control of Sector Before: Sector Charlie concrete block wall. Firefighter is operating outside collapse zone. See next photograph. Commanders and in accordance with the Incident Action Plan, resulting in operations that were safe, effective and well coordinated. This was particularly important due to the large size of the fireground, complex nature of operations and the situation where all sectors were operating out of sight of each other. 11. Establishment of the radio command channel significantly eased congestion of fireground radio traffic, enhancing command communications and enabling command to function in a cohesive manner. 12. Firefighters worked extremely hard at this fire, at times during highly oppressive conditions and situations of rapid fire spread and ferocious fire behaviour. Operations were highly professional, disciplined and effective. nEND

After: Sector Charlie concrete block wall, post collapse. Establishment of collapse zones prevented serious harm occurring to firefighters. See previous photograph.

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 SMITHFIELD 13TH ALARM

43

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 FIRE & RESCUE OPERATIONS JOURNAL

A water storage tank in operation at a 7th Alarm factory fire, enabling A typical water storage tank and brigade the pumping appliance to provide a significant water supply to an aerial. suction point, note no two are the same.

USING WATER STORAGE TANKS FOR FIREFIGHTING WATER SUPPLY In recent years there have been a number of large industrial fires requiring establishment of long water relays to provide the necessary volumes of water required to conduct firefighting operations. Report by Inspector Kernin Lambert t some of these fires, firefighters sprinkler systems operate at very high Components of a fire protection system identified the presence of water water flow rates (between 100–150 litres water storage tank Astorage tanks, used to provide water per second). Most reticulated water The following components relevant for installed fire protection systems, at mains are unable to meet these water to FRNSW operations are fitted to fire nearby sites and successfully used these flow requirements. To facilitate the very protection system water storage tanks, in water supplies to support firefighting high water flows required to operate accordance with Australian Standard 2304 operations. The recent 13th Alarm ESFR sprinkler systems, on-site water – 2011: Smithfield factory fire on 28 March 2015 storage tanks are installed, containing – storage tank, formed of all metal demonstrated the importance of using the required volumes of water. These construction, either cylindrical or water storage tanks; on this occasion, tanks typically contain between 500,000 rectangular in shape water storage tanks on separate sites and 1,000,000 litres of water, depending – 150mm diameter suction hose supplied water to the fireground, helping on the requirement of the installed fire attachment (some older storage tanks overcome significant water shortages. protection system. contain 70mm supply hydrants in lieu of Water storage tanks are a significant Many installed fire protection systems the suction attachment); more than one asset to support major firefighting are operated by installed diesel or electric suction attachment are sometimes fitted operations where there is a requirement pumps. These systems are also fitted with to some tanks (facilitating simultaneous for large volumes of water, particularly a back-up brigade booster fitting, enabling multiple pumper operations) in areas of poor reticulated water supply. firefighters to manually pump water into – suction point discharge valve This report provides an overview of how fire the fire protection system via pumping – tank inlet valve protection system water storage tanks can appliances, in the event of an installed – hard stand area, to facilitate the location assist firefighters obtain water supplies pump failure. To facilitate these operations, of brigade pumping appliances and the simple steps to take when placing water storage tanks are fitted with brigade – tank contents indicator these tanks into operation. attachments, enabling firefighters to – sign with words “BRIGADE SUCTION connect 150mm diameter suction hose POINT” printed. Fire protection system water between the pumping appliance and the storage tanks Additional features storage tank, to obtain water supply (which Some installed fire protection systems – Although most water storage tanks are is then pumped back into the installed require very high volumes of water usually located above ground, some can system via a brigade booster fitting). operating at high water flow rates to be located below ground. This water supply can also be used for achieve effective operation. For example, – More than one tank can exist on site, conventional firefighting purposes. early suppression fast response (ESFR) however they are interconnected and supply to a common discharge valve.

44 Image credits: Insp Kernin Lambert

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 WATER STORAGE TANKS

Placing fire protection system water at capacity (which is the whole reason an fast knockdown containment of a fire or a storage tank in operation alternate source is being located). Refilling fire that becomes an extended incident. 1. Identify the location to position the storage tank at that time is not critical Considerations when operating a fire the pumping appliance by signage and can probably wait until the fire has protection system water storage tank indicating the suction point attachment been brought under control. If refilling the A fire protection system water storage (e.g. “BRIGADE SUCTION POINT”). tank depletes the local mains of water, tank is not a limitless supply; if the tank 2. Locate the pumping appliance on the causing firefighters to run out of supply, is drawn from for long enough, it will run hard stand area. If there are multiple establishing the alternate water supply out. However, at maximum output, a type suction attachments, room should be has defeated the purpose for which it 3 FRNSW pumping appliance will draw left for additional pumping appliances was intended. 210,000 litres of water from the storage if possible. Advantages of placing a stored water tank tank in one hour. Most tanks have a 3. Connect the appliance suction hose into operation capacity of at least 500,000 litres, providing between the appliance and the suction A surprisingly large number of fire water supply for a minimum 2½ hours at attachment point. protection system water storage tanks maximum pumping output. This will buy 4. Place the appliance in pump gear. exist, which means there could be one very the Incident Controller enough time to 5. Lay supply lines to the next pumping close by to where firefighters are operating establish a more substantial water relay if appliance in the water relay. from, negating the need to establish a a large volume of water is required for an 6. Slowly fully open the suction point time-consuming, labour-intensive and long extended time. It is important that the tank discharge valve, allowing storage water relay. contents indicator be monitored during tank water to flow from the storage Pumping appliances can operate at operations to ensure tank contents do not tank through the suction hose to the maximum output when drawing water fall too low. Should tank contents fall to a pumping appliance. from a water storage tank, without fear of critical low level, the tank inlet valve will 7. When the next appliance in the over-running supply. Similarly, water can have to be opened to refill the tank. This relay is ready to receive water, open be drawn from a storage tank at maximum should be done in consultation with the pumping appliance deliveries and output, without fear of impacting on water Incident Controller, as firefighters working commence pumping. supply in the surrounding street mains from surrounding water mains may 8. Close the storage tank inlet valve.* (providing the storage tank inlet valve has experience a diminished supply. 9. Monitor the tank contents indicator. been closed). 10. When pumping operations cease, Fire protection system water storage tank Water storage tanks are a highly remember to re-open the tank familiarisation suitable water source for aerial or other inlet valve. Firefighters are encouraged to identify master stream operations; large volumes *This step is important. If this valve fire protection system water storage tanks of water can be supplied, in accordance is not closed, the tank will automatically within the local area, in particular taking with aerial flow requirements. These refill. While this might seem like a good note of: flows can be achieved without exhausting thing, it should be remembered water – the locations of sites containing water supplies being used by nearby firefighters. to refill the storage tank can only come storage tanks A high volume master stream attack from nearby reticulated mains, which are – tank capacity during the initial phases of firefighting probably being used for critical firefighting – key operating components of the tank (as operations could be the difference between purposes and will most likely already be described above) – procedure to place the tank into operation as a static water supply – multiple suction points for the operation of more than one pumping appliance. One of the keys to successful stored water tank operation is knowing the actual location of the tanks. Conclusion Fire protection system water storage tanks are a substantial resource to assist firefighters, particularly in circumstances where water demand exceeds available supplies. This resource is relatively straight forward to operate; the key to successfully using water storage tanks is through familiarisation with the equipment, which will develop confidence and competence during operations. nEND

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 OPERATIONAL READINESS

ENSURING SAFE DECANTING AT BULK TANKER ROLLOVERS

Police, Ambulance, FRNSW and other emergency services and support agencies are often responded to bulk dangerous goods tanker rollovers. These MVAs are significant incidents that can have devastating consequences on life, property, infrastructure and the environment.

Bulk tanker rollovers – adequately and suitably informed, trained the challenge for responding agencies SEMI-TRAILER ROLLS and instructed to deal with the risks. A key priority when dealing with these IN MUDGEE CBD The site of tanker rollovers are types of emergencies is to decant any workplaces for emergency services in On 14 January 2014, a semi-trailer remaining fuel from the crashed tankers. carrying 11,000 litres of diesel rolled accordance with the WHS legislation. However petroleum fuels are both volatile over in the Mudgee CBD. When the FRNSW therefore has shared and dangerous, and poor decanting crew from 387 Mudgee arrived on responsibility for ensuring the safety procedures create a high risk of fire scene, they found the semi-trailer of responding personnel as far as and explosion. Observing best practice lying on its side with a ruptured fuel reasonably practicable. procedures is therefore absolutely critical tank, and more than 5,000 litres Decanting and product transfer to ensure the safety of all personnel on of diesel having already leaked processes involve specialist industry scene. The two incidents highlighted are from the vehicle. Decanting of the emergency responders. However typical of the sorts of bulk tanker rollovers remaining fuel was commenced determining the competency of such to which FRNSW responds. by a contractor, however vapour responders is problematic for Police and emergency services as there is Why is action needed? ignition caused an explosion during no nationally recognised standard for Under the Work Health and Safety this process. Firefighters quickly applied a foam blanket to prevent training these personnel. (WHS) Act 2011, FRNSW has a primary any further ignition. Decanting duty of care for its workers. FRNSW The way forward was then completed and the truck is responsible to ensure that people The Canberra and Regions Oil Industry was righted, allowing the centre of operating at their workplace have been Mudgee to return to normal. Emergency Response Group (CROIERG) and the Transport Industry Skills Centre (TISC) have jointly developed a nationally

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 FRNSW firefighter assists Industry Recovery Team in decanting damaged tanker

VIEW VIDEO AT fire.nsw.gov.au/frnews OR SCAN CODE TO WATCH NOW

Once this program is in place, FRNSW Petroleum fuels are intends that incident controllers will OUT OF CONTROL require industry responders to provide a FUEL TANKER SPARKS both volatile and Bulk Tanker Emergency Responder Card EMERGENCY IN dangerous, and poor or proof of similar competency before MONA VALE decanting procedures allowing them into the hot zone at bulk On 1 October 2014, FRNSW received tanker incidents. multiple calls to a crash on Mona create a high risk of Awareness video and annual exercise Vale Road at Warriewood in Sydney. fire and explosion A promotional video has been An out-of-control petrol tanker had developed to raise awareness of the collided with a number of other risks associated with overturned fuel cars, rolled on its side and burst into accredited training program for industry tanker incidents and how they should flames. Within minutes, four FRNSW emergency responders. The course is appliances and three NSWRFS be managed. It will inform responding registered by the Australian Skills Quality tankers were on scene. First arriving personnel and agencies of their shared Authority and benchmarks best practices. crews were confronted with flames responsibility for providing a safe Successful course participants carry leaping 20-30 metres into the air, workplace through competent workers. a Bulk Tanker Emergency Responder a running petrol fire, explosions, Production of the video was Card. The card is administered by the multiple cars and bush on fire, carried out by FRNSW’s Media and Fire Protection Association Australia and and nearby buildings under threat. Communications Unit. It was filmed at endorsed by AFAC and the National Bulk Tragically two people died when petrol the 2015 bulk tanker emergency response Tankers Association. ignited and several others were badly exercise which was held on 22–23 January The card gives Police and emergency injured. Under difficult conditions, at the TISC training complex in the ACT. firefighters managed to extinguish the services an effective time-efficient way It is hoped that this exercise will be fire. Around 18,000 litres of fuel was of easily identifying competent industry conducted annually to test, measure decanted and the truck was righted responders. However, not all industry and report on response performance of the next day. responders have been trained through participating agencies while identifying this course and therefore don’t carry the areas for improvement. card. This makes it difficult for an incident The video is in two sections – a two management team to reliably determine complex this year. FRNSW will be making minute introductory video and a 20 minute industry responder competency to the video available to all its fire crews and training version. CROIERG described it perform safe decanting of a tanker. will incorporate it into their e-learning as “a first class training tool” and have WorkCover has advised that material. The video will also be distributed endorsed it for use in their training FRNSW would be managing its risks in national to all emergency services via courses conducted by TISC for the accordance with the WHS legislation if it AFAC. n group’s members. END insisted on proof of competency such as The video was officially launched for the provision of this card the transport sector at the TISC training

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 OPERATIONAL READINESS

Broken Hill RetFF Amy Ellice at Cootamundra Championships Cootamundra RetFF Jennie Williams and Gilgandra RetFF Steve Terry at Cootamundra Championships

CHAMPIONSHIPS: ON THE ROAD FROM GUNNEDAH TO BERRY RetFF Steven Fawcett and RetFF Jeremy Penfold from 316 Goonellabah competing at Gunnedah Trangie RetFF Tony Terry at Gunnedah

48 Image credits: Andrew Parsons

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 The 2015 Firefighter Championships series kicked off on a brand new purpose-built battleground at Gunnedah on 14 and 15 March, with 17 teams competing across multiple events.

ith plenty of home town pride at hone skills and display what we do stake, Gunnedah delivered on a to the community,” said Assistant Wsuccessful championships event Commissioner McNeil. – and a sixth place finish – while Moonbi From Gunnedah it was south to Kootingal RFS took the title. Cootamundra for the next round on 2 and Assistant Commissioner Rob McNeil, 3 May. In the Riverina, there may have Director Regional Operations, said been fewer teams, but the competitors community attendance at the Gunnedah were no less prepared to throw everything Regional Championships was the they had at every event. At the end of day strongest he had seen in the past two and two Moonbi Kootingal RFS were again a half years. crowned champions. On the field, 24 FRNSW brigades were The Firefighter Championships represented from across the State as well are open to firefighters from fire services as three NSWRFS teams. Goonellabah throughout NSW – volunteer, retained attended for the first time and the and permanent. Events encompass Firefighter Championship Association some traditional and functional teamed them up with the Kelso State firefighting operations – including hose Champions through the mentor program and hydrant drills, pumping, ladder, to provide assistance and guidance. extinguisher, suction and relay. For “I know that first-timers Goonellabah more information, or to register, visit would highly recommend newcomers www.firefighterchampionships.com.au. to the championships as they’re a The next championships event will great way to meet other firefighters, take place at Berry on 1–2 August 2015. build camaraderie, improve teamwork, nEND

IN YOUR OWN WORDS What benefit do firefighters get from Have you ever taken family or the championships? friends to a championship – Retained Firefighter Judith Alderdice what did they think? (JA): If there is an easier or more JA: It’s not until they actually get there effective way to do something, the guys and see for themselves the speed and girls are more than happy to share and skill involved in the events that their knowledge and show you the little they truly appreciate and understand tricks of the trade which I have passed the importance of our job. They walk on to my fellow firefighters back at away feeling confident they have highly the station. I’m also more confident skilled and efficient firefighters looking in my ability to stay focused under after them. immense pressure. What would you say to encourage RESULTS TABLE Senior Firefighter Anthony Hatch (AH): other firefighters to compete in the The first thing I saw was the mateship, championships – is it worth it? Cootamundra Gunnedah even though these guys are competing JA: Come and take part in a tradition Kootingal RFS 1,350 Kootingal RFS 1,124 to win, I saw winning teams giving tips that’s been going for over 100 years. Kelso 1,068 Dorrigo 1,063 to other top teams on how to improve. You will meet people you would Echuca (CFA) 842 Tamworth 809 Many of the skills are invaluable. The otherwise never get to, make lifelong teamwork when it comes to getting Berry 669 Kelso 626 friends and learn skills you may not water from the hydrant to the motor have learnt before this. I was hooked on Nowra 585 Tamworth 507 then out to the branch is excellent. these events after my first time and my Wellington 504 Gunnedah 457 Then there was the pure skill and confidence and skill levels rise every Dubbo 474 Wyong 382 knowledge in the Rescue and BA time I attend. events. It is very nerve-racking standing Gunnedah 407 Dubbo 332 AH: Would I encourage permanent there doing a functional check on your Mudgee 357 Trangie 292 firefighters to enter a team? For sure, BA with the assessor checking each it was a ton of fun and there was no Griffith 339 Forbes 277 box as you go, and your teammates pressure to win, it was about having Goonellabah 317 Uralla 242 hoping you don’t miss something. a good time. Even if you can’t get a Kurri Kurri 290 These guys are good; they must Gunnedah RFS 223 team together, many teams are always practice pre-ops and functional checks Cootamundra 275 Kurri Kurri 221 willing to give you a run in their team. a lot. As a permo we check our BA Unanderra 30 Armidale 207 sets every shift, but when you have to Gunnedah 207 tell the instructor the four differences West Tamworth 188 between a pre-op and a functional Tamworth RFS 182 check, a few of us permos may need a couple of seconds to recall it.

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 SELLING THE SAFETY MESSAGE

TESTING PROGRAM BUILDS SMOKE ALARM RESILIENCE IN ABORIGINAL EFFECTIVENESS COMMUNITIES FRNSW is partnering with the Local Aboriginal Lands Council to highlight home fire safety prevention within Aboriginal households across NSW. VIEW VIDEO AT fire.nsw.gov.au/frnews he Community Resilience Innovation OR Program (CRIP) aims to educate SCAN CODE TO TAboriginal communities about unsafe WATCH NOW practices and the importance of working smoke alarms. During the program, participants are also shown how to use a fire extinguisher and fire blanket safely and take part in a simulated disaster exercise wearing full BA. In March, FRNSW conducted an extensive program of CALD Coordinator David Weir said the program has had good representation research burns at its Londonderry testing facility. The from the Aboriginal community and tests analysed different types of smoke alarms and their elders from surrounding districts thanks effectiveness in providing early notification to occupants to a successful partnership with the 119 Aboriginal Land Council offices around to enable safe egress. the State. “So far successful programs have he test burns were conducted in a In addition to the burns, a been completed in Batemans Bay, Moruya, full-scale replica two-bedroom unit. comprehensive literature review was Narooma, Bega, La Peruse, Kempsey, TThe unit was fully furnished and carried out, including analysis of data Moree, Coffs Harbour and Redfern with carpeted to create realistic fire scenarios. collected from incidents attended by more planned for regional areas over the Specialist gas sampling equipment was FRNSW over a 15-year period. coming months.” nEND used to monitor toxic gases and assess Superintendent Jeremy Fewtrell, conditions within the unit as the fire Manager Fire Investigation and developed. Residential sprinklers were Research, said: “The findings of these VIEW VIDEO AT also tested to assess their effectiveness research burns were very valuable, fire.nsw.gov.au/frnews in containing fire and also maintaining and will be used to support FRNSW’s a survivable atmosphere. efforts to improve fire safety in the built OR environment.” Details of the research findings will be published in the next SCAN CODE TO WATCH NOW issue of Fire & Rescue News. nEND 50

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 A CLEAR MESSAGE ON SMOKE ALARMS

VIEW VIDEO AT fire.nsw.gov.au/frnews OR SCAN CODE TO WATCH NOW

With FRNSW data showing more than half (56%) of fatal house fires between 2000 and 2014 had no smoke alarms present, the annual ‘Change Your Clock, Change Your Smoke Alarm Battery’ campaign is critical in improving community safety.

he 2015 campaign was launched on Battery Replacement (SABRE) program “In a small community such as Narromine Wednesday 1 April by Commissioner at the annual Premier’s Seniors Week Gala word spreads quickly resulting in 70 SABRE TMullins and NSWRFS Assistant Concerts in Sydney in March. At the popular visits this year,” said Captain Ewen Jones. Commissioner Steve Yorke at Paddington FRNSW stand, firefighters distributed 5,000 RSL & Services Clubs Association Chief Town Hall. They were joined by a crew from Duracell batteries and reminded seniors, Executive Officer Garrie Gibson said clubs City of Sydney who used an aerial appliance who are the highest fire fatality risk group appreciate the support and involvement of for a photo opportunity in front of the in NSW, of the importance of working FRNSW to help promote awareness and town clock. smoke alarms. The Change Your Clock TV ultimately save lives. Fire stations across the State commercial was also screened inside the “The best way for FRNSW crews to worked hard to get the message out to Qantas Credit Union Arena, reaching 30,000 promote fire safety is to visit clubs at their local communities. More than 70 seniors over two days. busy times to meet members, discuss fire safety and hand out batteries,” said articles appeared in metro and regional RSL Partnership Mr Gibson. “Being present in the club newspapers with crews appealing for A number of metro and regional and talking directly with patrons is the the public to change their smoke alarm stations maximised the ongoing most powerful way to influence people’s batteries. Many stations also used their partnership between FRNSW and the RSL attitudes and behaviour.” n noticeboards to spread the word. and Services Clubs Association of NSW by END During the campaign, stations were attending activities at their local clubs. urged to get creative with a ‘Change Your For 280 Dubbo it was a whole-of-station Clock’ Facebook photo competition. By the effort with all four platoons attending bingo CHANGE YOUR CLOCK end of daylight saving, 392 Muswellbrook’s sessions at Dubbo RSL to talk about fire Lego fire boat composition gained 682 CAMPAIGN STATISTICS safety. At 293 Finley, Captain John Hand (1 MARCH – 1 MAY) likes to win a $100 cook up and Proctor contacted the Finley Returned Soldiers & Gamble product hamper for the station. Club and was given access to seniors – 2,235 SABRE activities The total reach of the social media exercise classes and bingo sessions. He – 120 fire safety presentations to component of the campaign (including said club members were very grateful seniors groups Facebook and Twitter) was approximately for this service, with FRNSW enjoying an 330,000 people, with nearly 14,000 – 182 community risk activities excellent reputation in the town. involving seniors people actively engaging by sharing or 401 Narromine attended the annual 70+ commenting on the messages. Seniors Week lunch at Narromine United – smoke alarm battery media articles Seniors Week Services Memorial Club gaining a host of FRNSW also promoted the Change Your new SABRE customers and a write up in – 330,000 total reach on social media Clock campaign and Smoke Alarm and the Narromine News & Trangie Advocate.

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 SELLING THE SAFETY MESSAGE

PRODUCT SAFETY NEWS

E-cigarettes Lunchbox cookers In December 2014, FRNSW NSW Fair Trading have ordered attended an incident at Port that all ‘lunchbox cookers’ (i.e. Macquarie Base Hospital. A patient camp-style portable gas stoves with who was receiving oxygen therapy enclosed butane cylinders) must be suffered burns to his hands and arms withdrawn from sale within NSW. while using an electronic cigarette. FRNSW has responded recently to This was the first identified and several incidents involving these types reported e-cigarette fire incident of cookers, including explosions in in Australia; other cases have been Merrylands and Doonside unit blocks reported overseas. in March and April respectively. E-cigarettes are battery-powered Firefighters should familiarise devices that heat liquid (also called themselves with information on the NSW Fair Trading website about e-liquid) into an aerosol which is these types of cookers. It describes inhaled into the lungs. Inhaling test results which show that the the aerosol (known as ‘vaping’) in cookers’ shut-off valves, known as oxygen-rich environments creates overpressure devices, malfunction a potential fire risk. FRNSW is and don’t comply with Australian likely to encounter further incidents Standards. NSW Fair Trading involving e-cigarettes due to their warns that the cookers can become increasing use. overheated and explode, posing FRNSW compiled a report serious safety risks. outlining its fire safety concerns These units are cheap and and sent this to the Civil Aviation previously were widely available Safety Authority, the industry safety across NSW, selling for between $15 regulator, who in turn tabled it at an and $30. It is likely that many units aircraft safety forum. E-cigarettes is are still being used by the public. a topical issue in the airline industry, Firefighters approached for advice and FRNSW’s research will help to should refer people to the NSW Fair inform development of guidelines Trading website which advises anyone for commercial airlines. FRNSW with such a device to immediately also passed its report on to other stop using it, and to dispose of it Australian fire services via an AFAC appropriately through community Working Group. waste or recycling centres. Faults when recharging these Consumers with proof of purchase devices or using them in hazardous should return the product to the atmospheres are two common retailer as soon as possible and seek causes for fires involving e-cigarettes. a full refund. nEND Visit the NSW Health website for information about e-cigarettes, and contact FRNSW’s Fire Investigation and Research Unit on possible fire risk with these products. SO Robin Weckert talks to the media at the Winter Fire Safety launch

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 KEEP LOOKING WHEN COOKING

VIEW VIDEO AT fire.nsw.gov.au/frnews OR SCAN CODE TO WATCH NOW

Winter is upon us and for firefighters this represents the busiest time of year for fires in the home. The 2015 FRNSW Winter Fire Safety Campaign will run throughout June, July and August with the aim of reducing incidents and injuries by increasing awareness.

his year’s campaign focuses on The campaign was launched by the kitchen fires caused by unattended Emergency Services Minister David Of the recorded Tcooking with the theme ‘keep Elliott and Acting Deputy Commissioner looking when cooking’. Of the 4,254 Mark Brown at CSIRO in North Ryde on kitchen fires, data residential fires attended in NSW last 25 May. The launch included a kitchen suggest these fires year, approximately 47% started in the burn to demonstrate the risks associated kitchen with unattended cooking the with unattended cooking and to highlight contributed to 46% of most likely ignition factor. to the media just how quickly a fire can fire related injuries. Of the recorded kitchen fires, data take hold. suggest these fires contributed to 46% “This year the main message is ‘keep of fire related injuries. Community Safety looking when cooking’ but we should simulator at community events and Coordinator, Station Officer Jeremy also remind the public to maintain a capitalise on the RSL and Services Clubs Cohen said one reason for this high working smoke alarm and in case of partnership to meet members of the injury statistic is people trying to tackle a fire, get out, stay out and call Triple community at club events. the fire themselves in an unsafe manner. Zero,” said SO Cohen. For more information see the “When people return to find their Firefighters are encouraged to Winter Fire Safety toolkit on the intranet cooking alight, they try to move pots/ actively work with the local community (Operational > Community Safety > pans causing themselves injury. Another to help them be home fire safe. Use Winter Fire Safety Campaign). nEND cause of injury is loose clothing catching the media template and talking points alight. This conclusion is supported with to promote the campaign in the local health injury data.” area, post the campaign message ‘Keep looking when cooking’ on your station noticeboard, use the kitchen fat fire

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 FEATURE: ANZAC DAY COMMEMORATION

FRNSW COMMEMORATES THE ANZAC CENTENARY

54 Image credits: Andrew Parsons

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 VIEW VIDEO AT fire.nsw.gov.au/frnews OR

The face of ANZAC Day: Sid Handsaker (pictured, middle) served with 451 Spitfire Squadron and was deployed to England and SCAN CODE TO Germany to provide flying protection for bombers attacking German submarine bases in March 1944. Sid’s son-in-law, 320 Hamilton WATCH NOW SO Barry Cleary, and grandson, 462 Mayfield West SF Ben Cleary, are continuing the tradition of serving and protecting at FRNSW.

ANZAC Day commemorates the landings of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) on the shores of Gallipoli in Turkey in 1915 during World War 1. A total of 319 NSW Fire Brigades personnel fought in World War I. Of these, 30 were killed; one was awarded the Military Cross; two were awarded the Distinguished Service Order; and four were awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

n this ANZAC Centenary year, FRNSW musician Vince Sedgwick who turned 90 honours the many men and women Although the ANZACs this year and is still a serving member of Iin the Australian Defence Forces who the FRNSW Band. This year the FRNSW have served, and continue to serve, in were just ordinary folk contingent was also joined by the New the Australian Defence Forces in our like you and me, they Zealand Fire Service Deputy National country and all around the world. FRNSW Commander Paul McGill and several especially gives thanks to those who began to epitomise the New Zealand firefighters and senior made the ultimate sacrifice. best characteristics officers as part of the commemoration On Saturday 25 April this year, of the ANZAC tradition. FRNSW firefighters and other staff again of the legendary Commissioner Greg Mullins and Mr participated in ANZAC Day services and Australian bushman McGill also attended the Dawn Service commemorative events across the State. where they laid wreaths at the Cenotaph In Sydney, the day started with in Martin Place. After the march, FRNSW’s traditional ANZAC Day the legendary Australian bushman: Assistant Commissioner Rob McNeil Remembrance Service at City of Sydney unbreakable bonds of mateship, represented FRNSW at a special ANZAC Fire Station to remember and honour fortitude and endurance in hardship, Day Commemoration Service at the War those who have served and died for their individualism, scant regard for authority Memorial in Hyde Park. country in times of conflict. In his ANZAC and humour in adversity.” Commissioner Mullins spoke for all Day oration, Commissioner Greg Mullins After the Remembrance Service, FRNSW staff when he paid tribute to the summed up the ANZAC legacy: “Despite FRNSW’s contingent and band then ANZAC spirit in his oration: “Today we the terrible toll, many people believed participated in the main Sydney ANZAC salute the ANZACs who have inspired then, and now, that Gallipoli forged for march. The FRNSW contingent was past generations of Australians with their the first time a national consciousness made up of serving and retired officers, deeds and sacrifice. They have built a – a feeling of being a proud Australian. firefighters and other staff who are ex- cathedral in our minds – one that we can Although the ANZACs were just ordinary services personnel or current serving visit each ANZAC day to commemorate folk like you and me, they began to members of the Reserve Forces. It their sacrifice and honour our dead.” epitomise to many people at the time included five members who saw active Lest we forget. nEND some of the best characteristics of service in World War 2; one of these was 55

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 FEATURE: STORM AND FLOOD OPERATIONS

‘LOW BLOWS’ BATTER NSW, WREAKING HAVOC

Firefighters secure damage to Captain Cook Towers at Brighton Le Sands. Image credit SF Craig Vaughan

From 20 April through to early May, FRNSW and other emergency services experienced one of their busiest periods as severe east coast lows caused widespread devastation over extensive areas of the State.

20 APR ONWARD00:00 Areas worst hit were the Central Coast, Newcastle and the Lower Hunter he intense low pressure system, The damage and disruption caused FRNSW maintained seven Strike Teams described as a ‘once in a decade’ by the storm was enormous. Ausgrid (28 appliances and crews) in the field in Tstorm, brought damaging winds reported that more than 200,000 homes Metro North to assist NSWSES volunteers and heavy rainfall over a wide area. The and businesses across their network had and local stations dealing with the massive storm was particularly heavy in the Hunter lost power, with many remaining without storm damage. The Strike Teams provided region and Central Coast. A line of storms electricity for days until power supplies much-needed extra resources to help over- impacted Dungog, Maitland and Newcastle were restored. FRNSW worked with the stretched local crews. on Monday evening with more than 300mm utilities to try to improve their response Throughout the week, dozens of of rain falling in some areas and winds arrangements in order to release FRNSW staff were also involved in gusts of up to 135kmh recorded. appliances caught up at “wires down” coordinating resources in various locations 282 Dungog responded to the small incidents, as this once again was a major and roles. This included in the Major township of Stroud at 0418 hours on drain on resources. Tragically a fourth Incident Control Centre at Alexandria, as Tuesday and rescued a number of people person died in a flood-related incident Liaison Officers at the State Emergency marooned by floodwaters on the roofs of in Maitland, where firefighters helped Operations Centre, at the NSWSES their homes and in a football grandstand. to rescue four people from floodwaters. Operations Centre in Wollongong, in 377 Minmi and 254 Cessnock (Bravo All transport networks in the affected Incident Management Teams, at the Pumper) were sent to backfill at Dungog, areas – road, rail, bus and ferry – were Newcastle Forward Command Centre and and were soon engaged in rescues there severely impacted, with numerous in the Operational Logistics section. together with retained firefighters from cancellations, delays and road closures. In the aftermath of the storms FRNSW 282 who had stayed in town. The Dungog Many schools and TAFEs were also closed also deployed rapid damage assessment appliances tried to return but were initially for safety reasons. personnel to the Central Coast. The team cut off by floodwater – the tanker was able The storm and its after-effects led included USAR Category 2 officers and to make its way back. Firefighters stopped to one of the busiest weeks in FRNSW’s hazmat technicians. On 2 May the team to assist many residents, and sadly, located history. Between 1800 hrs on Monday completed 599 rapid damage assessments three deceased persons. 20 April and 0600 hrs on Thursday 23 in 28 different suburbs on the Central FRNSW’s Rapid Damage Assessment April, FRNSW Communication Centres Coast, including Wyong, Nora Head, Task Force saw a lot of action while in received 7,107 Triple Zero calls reporting Killarney Vale, Kanwall and Waldalba. Dungog. Consisting of 44 FRNSW staff emergencies, and made 18,626 calls in and They found 15 buildings that were (USAR, hazmat and incident management out to coordinate responses. damaged and uninhabitable, and a further and logistics personnel) plus two During this period, FRNSW firefighters 131 buildings that, while still habitable, Ambulance paramedics, it was deployed were kept busy responding to 3,042 were damaged or affected. midweek to assess the structural safety of storm-related incidents. These included In response to the storm’s widespread buildings as well as identifying risks like powerlines down, roofs damaged or blown impact, the NSW Government declared asbestos and other hazardous materials. off, fallen trees and flooding as well as 327 12 natural disaster areas where special By Friday 24 April, the Task Force had fires, 195 rescues, 86 hazardous material assistance packages were made available completed 232 damage assessments incidents, 59 medical assists and 921 AFAs. to assist residents and businesses with in Dungog, then moved on to Stroud On a couple of occasions, FRNSW ran out recovery and rebuilding. nEND and Paterson. of available appliances and calls had to be prioritised. 56

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 VIEW VIDEO AT fire.nsw.gov.au/frnews OR SCAN CODE TO WATCH NOW

Firefighters encounter ankle deep hail at Petersham. Image credit FF Hugh Lloyd

25 APR 00:00 1 2 MAY Location: Sydney metropolitan area, with western Sydney hardest hit Location: North-eastern NSW hortly before 1600 hours on Saturday Due to concerns about the potential n east coast low formed near the 25 April, several storm cells passed for serious injury and spread of fires southeast Queensland coast during Sover south-eastern NSW resulting to other buildings, additional FRNSW AFriday 1 May and moved south in heavy rain and hail falling throughout crews, including specialised rescue, overnight into northern NSW. The low Greater Sydney and surrounding areas, hazmat and USAR operators, were dumped heavy rain with some areas leading to fire and major building sent to the Huntingwood area to assess recording as much as 220 or 236mm of collapses in the Huntingwood area. damage to the many collapsed buildings. rain over a 48-hour period, leading to 97 Huntingwood, initially responding Overall, the response equated to a flooding in many areas. to an automatic fire alarm at a nearby 10th Alarm, together with USAR and a In anticipation of heavy storm impacts, warehouse, was soon confronted with an Rapid Damage Assessment Task Force, FRNSW deployed a Task Force from escalating situation. Heavy rain and hail which had just returned from Dungog. Sydney to Coffs Harbour which included falling on the roofs of large industrial An over-arching incident management three Strike Teams with rapid damage buildings in the Huntingwood area caused team was established at 97 Station assessment, flood rescue and chainsaw several structures to collapse under the and the Commissioner attended to capability. Additional senior officers were weight. A building totalling 17,000 square oversee coordination. deployed to Coffs Harbour and Goonellabah metres had completely collapsed. Meanwhile, the rest of the to act as IMT and liaison as required. A fire had also broken out at the metropolitan area was also battered with For the 48 hours to 0800 hrs May 2, rear of one of the collapsed buildings on heavy rain and hail, keeping firefighters FRNSW resources responded to a range Huntingwood Drive. Firefighters fought very busy throughout Sydney and of incidents including 30 rescues and 27 the fire which was impacting on LPG gas surrounding areas. FRNSW personnel storm-related incidents. cylinders and machinery, working hard worked alongside their emergency service Swiftwater rescue personnel to stop the blaze spreading through the colleagues throughout the afternoon and responded to a number of incidents damaged building. Crews faced the worst into the evening, responding to multiple involving cars swept into creeks. They possible conditions in which to fight this calls related to storm damage, car also assisted Ambulance paramedics at fire with heavy hail, rain and lightning accidents, electrical fires, flood rescues calls, including an invalid trapped in a and the electricity company unable to and flooding. The high tempo continued house with rising floodwater (the house cut power to the structure. The fire was into the evening with significant damage was sandbagged, allowing the resident contained and eventually extinguished, but sustained to FRNSW’s Major Incident to remain at home); a snake entering not before the incident was upgraded to a Control Centre at Alexandria, which had another house due to rising floodwater; 5th Alarm. to be relocated due to serious flooding. and a person bitten by a spider in Nimbin. n The low slowly weakened as it moved END south, allowing Strike Teams and other additional deployed resources to be stood down. nEND 7,107 3,042 599 TRIPLE ZERO CALLS STORM RELATED RAPID DAMAGE INCIDENTS ASSESSMENTS 57

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 FEATURE: STORM AND FLOOD OPERATIONS

Story by Retained Firefighter Matthew Thompson Lives saved … When floodwaters hit Dungog hard and high on the morning of 21 April, leaving three people dead, businesses wrecked, four houses totally gone and many others uninhabitable, most of the local retained firefighters and both of 282’s appliances were cut off from the town. Everyone who was rostered on overnight had responded to a pre-dawn call-out in Stroud, about 30 kilometres away, where, using 282’s rescue pumper and 4WD tanker, firefighters scrambled to pluck several people and numerous pets (including a husky) from grave danger as floodwaters raged. Driving through water that at times washed over the windscreens and wading LIVES SAVED, in human chains through chest-deep water, firefighters scrambled to save desperate people, hauling them out LIVES LOST: where possible and other times swinging a ladder onto balconies to bring terrified residents onto the trucks and to safety. Stroud could easily have suffered a DUNGOG’S tragedy to match or exceed Dungog’s had the 282 crew not been there to assist the DESPERATE DAY NSW Rural Fire Service and NSWSES. … and lives lost When they went to drive back to Dungog, the crews found the connecting road impassable. Meanwhile in Dungog itself, where Minmi 377 had arrived to standby, the visiting crew soon found itself in a chaotic situation as daylight brought a rise in floodwaters that even elderly locals had not seen before. Due to work commitments, my wife and I were not rostered on that night nor that day, but when another call-out sounded that morning, we went to the station to see what was happening. We knew there had been heavy rain overnight but had no idea how bad things were until that drive to the station. En route we saw the town’s tennis courts had been destroyed, the artificial grass torn up and heaped by the water. After connecting with Minmi 377 (Cessnock 254 were soon in town also), Retained Firefighter Renae Thompson and I found ourselves jumping a fence with a local policeman and forcing entry to a house. The neighbours had called up about it out of concern for the resident. Alas, wading waist-deep through the house we could see the water had reached almost to the ceiling. We saved a dog but found a deceased person inside. Tragically it was not the last body I’d see that day.nEND

SF Dragan Bilbija and FF Sam Parkhouse conducting rapid damage assessments in Dungog

58 Image credits: Andrew Parsons

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 STATIONS SHARE THEIR STORIES ON FACEBOOK The Facebook pages of various fire stations reflected the intense activity by FRNSW and other emergency services as severe storm activity impacted many communities.

Seven Hills Fire Station Blacktown Fire Station 26 April at 09:24 26 April at 19:21

FRNSW crews attended a major operation in Huntingwood A few photos from the massive storm that hit Western Sydney after yesterday’s freak hail storm. Seven Hills Fire Station was on Anzac Day afternoon. Both Pump 63 and Heavy Rescue 63 one of many FRNSW crews on scene assisting with a number responded to major structural collapses which came through of incidents in the Huntingwood area ranging from building as regular fire alarm code calls. This, along with the fact the fires, major structural collapses, a high expansion foam fire areas were basically uninhabited due to it being a public holiday, suppression system activation, HAZMAT incidents and numerous reinforce the fact these incidents, on any other day may have automatic fire alarms. been a significant disaster.

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Newtown Fire Station 27 April at 16:25

Some more scenes from the Anzac Day hail storm … Parramatta Rd was blocked at the intersection of the aptly named Flood St and had a car with a young family floating in it. The final photo is of the Newtown Crew rescuing the family from the floating car.

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Minmi Fire Station 27 April at 18:41

Last week the crew of 377 Minmi experienced their busiest period since the 2007 June storm. We responded to many calls ranging from trees down to alarms operating, car accidents and many more. On Tuesday the 21st a crew of 4 were sent with the pump to assist the town of Dungog in what was one of the worst hit areas in the state, the crew worked for a day and a half Like • Comment • Share assisting the town with whatever was required and even being stranded in Dungog overnight. Be the first to like this. Most Relevant Like • Comment • Share

Be the first to like this. Most Relevant Raymond Terrace Fire Station 30 April at 12:13

The last couple of weeks have been quite busy, with several calls Morisset Fire Station in 36 hrs: calls for flooding, assist the public, & helping the SES 30 April at 23:06 with tree removal in Raymond Terrace & Medowie. Strike teams With the recent super storm we had last week on Monday night from North Coast & Sydney assembled at our station … As well the 20th April … Morisset attended approx 80-90 callouts to a as the storm related calls we still have been responding to the variety of storm related incidents. normal everyday calls: AFAs assisting Ambulance & a couple of Like • Comment • Share house fires … We all have seen some challenging times with no power & phones. Our thoughts go out the Dungog and Maitland Be the first to like this. Most Relevant areas they suffered substantial damage.

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59

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 FRNSW IN THE MEDIA

MEET YOUR COMMUNITY THROUGH THE MEDIA

Northern Beaches Senior Firefighters Sam Wall and Chris McNeill have become experts in maximising their region’s exposure through print and digital media. But why and how do they do it?

Get your story in print public safety campaigns such as Change engage them. The Firefighter for a Day Dee Why SF Sam Wall joined FRNSW Your Clock or Winter Fire Safety. exercise (which MCU can help organise) 10 years ago. He successfully worked with The feedback from the community is also a great way to get to know your the Mosman Daily when he was stationed is quite rewarding. I’ve had members of local reporters.” at 53 Neutral Bay and now runs a weekly the public say that they had no idea we Connect on Facebook column at The Manly Daily alongside attended so many different incidents. We Narrabeen SF Chris McNeill joined Narrabeen SF Chris McNeill. may take it as part of our working day, FRNSW in 2003 and started Narrabeen “There were plenty of times when but I think it’s great that the community Station’s Facebook page in 2012. He’s also it seemed like other agencies were knows more about what we do and who been successful in gaining coverage in the reporting on house fires and MVAs with we are and that we‘re ready to help when North Shore Times and runs The Manly people trapped – things that are our core they need it. The Manly Daily says our Daily column alongside SF Wall. business. I think it’s fair to say that all column is one of the most widely read and “I started the Facebook page after firies are proud of the service they provide popular sections. I returned from a kindy visit in Collaroy to the community and the professional where the pump crew delivered a talk. way in which they conduct themselves; I I realised our local community had very thought it was important that we had the limited knowledge of the extra work we chance to represent ourselves. Facebook allow locals do. I decided that social media would After transferring to 69 Dee Why, I had to ‘tag’ their friends be a great way to interact with our local several stories published in The Manly community due to its ability to engage Daily so I approached them about having and family to let them people within seconds of publishing a weekly column. I talked with SF McNeill know about the event information. It also allows community about assistance with the project. We members to share information with locals discussed the logistics of formulating and or family and friends who are out of the running the column with FRNSW’s Media If you want to engage with your area, interstate or overseas. team and then organised a meeting with local media, get in contact with the Stories on school visits, unique and the journalist who was all for the idea. Media Officers in the Media and interesting incidents and Santa runs After reviewing incidents on BOSS, Communications Unit (MCU) and have a are always well received. We also post there might be a common theme of kitchen look at the intranet toolkit (Organisation information on Open Days, Winter Fire fires, for example. We then submit these Wide > Communication > Media). MCU Safety, SABRE and so on depending stories along with some fire safety advice. can help you make initial contact and give on what FRNSW is publishing on the In addition we submit media releases for you valuable insight into how print media corporate website. works, writing techniques and ideas to

60

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 THE PUBLIC ASK FIRIES THEIR TOP QUESTIONS

t the end of the recent highly- popular Channel Ten series Firies, AFRNSW Facebook and Twitter followers were asked to submit questions they wanted to ask firefighters for a chance to win an ‘Ask The Firies’ prize pack. The top five questions submitted by viewers were then put to Pyrmont SF Sam Wall (centre) conducts Firefighter for a Day at Dee Why. Image courtesy The Manly Daily firefighters and their answers were filmed and posted online. The questions sent in included, “Why did you choose to become a firefighter, and what does your job as a firefighter mean to you?” and “What kind of training do you do to get ready for your job as a firefighter, and how do you maintain your level of fitness?”

“What kind of training do you do to get ready for your job as a firefighter, and how do you maintain your level of fitness?”

By 29 April, the video had received 2,151 views, 88% from within Australia and SF Chris McNeill with FF Dean Hollander and Toby who was rescued after his arm became stuck in a 12% from overseas. It had also attracted pool filter. Toby’s story was one of SF McNeill’s first Facebook posts. Image courtesy The Manly Daily 84 likes from the Facebook link to the video. Visit FRNSW’s YouTube channel to view the video (http://bit.ly/1DJ2pAB). nEND The most popular stories are human If you are going to use social media, interest articles. One such article was make sure that you know the basics like of the actions taken by a firefighter at setting up the correct profile and using a major MVA. The story was posted in appropriate pictures etc. Talk to people conjunction with information on Trauma who have done it before – they have Teddies and was reposted over 300 times already made mistakes and worked out and viewed by over 50,000 people. how to overcome them so can help you Narrabeen Station has seen an avoid any of the traps in posting content increase in the number of people attending or pictures. Finally, make sure you talk to VIEW VIDEO AT Open Day over the last three years. Some the Media Team before you post anything fire.nsw.gov.au/frnews of the increase can be put down to social for the first time.”n END media as the posts on Facebook allow OR locals to ‘tag’ their friends and family to let SCAN CODE TO them know about the event. WATCH NOW

61

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 FRNSW IN THE MEDIA ABC TV’S REDESIGN MY BRAIN PROGRAM

From left: Insp John McDonough with Todd Sampson and the production crew

VIEW VIDEO AT fire.nsw.gov.au/frnews OR SCAN CODE TO WATCH NOW

TV personality Todd Sampson was recently put through his paces at FRNSW’s Londonderry testing facility. Todd was being filmed for the second series of the ABC’s Redesign My Brain program, which explores the science of brain plasticity. The episode featuring Todd went to air in June 2015.

odd’s resilience was tested in this Todd’s day as a firefighter culminated “The best way to learn it is to do it.” second series. The experience of in the large volume cell where he had Inspector John McDonough said: Tbeing a firefighter for a day aimed to make decisions as the first arriving “This episode will go a long way to to test his decision-making ability in very officer. These included deciding where to educate the public in what we do. I think stressful and scary situations. And what direct the crews, what to do when he came the public has always accepted that there could be more frightening for someone across a casualty, and whether to focus on is a physical element to our work.” with claustrophobia than to spend a day finding the fire or victims. He also had to However, as Todd found out, there is in breathing apparatus in the dark and manage the air supplies for himself and even more going on mentally as we apply smoke-filled training cells at Londonderry? other firefighters. knowledge and experience to quickly After training in the USA with a It was a challenging exercise for make difficult decisions during hazardous Harvard University Professor to help him both Todd and his trusty film crew who and stressful situations.” overcome his fears so he could make were beside him at every turn. “The first Said Todd, “I think the biggest good decisions, Todd was given a few scenario was OK, the second one was a bit impression I’ve had is how firefighters hours of training in fire behaviour, hose scarier, and the third one was the scariest have the ability to be non-emotional in tactics, breathing apparatus, and search of all because I was in charge,” Todd said. incredibly emotional situations and how and rescue tactics. Then, with the help “Some of the best decision-makers they have to make these decisions at of Inspector John McDonough and the in the world are firefighters. So I’ve come lightning speed and don’t really have a lot Firefighting Operational Training Team, to learn firsthand how they do it, how of information to make these decisions. it was time to extinguish his first fire at they make their decisions, how they stop So it’s confirmed all the good things I love flashover in one of the T-cells and test getting overly emotional in dangerous about firefighters, and I hope everyone his knowledge of gas cooling as well as situations, and how they have learned enjoys the show.” nEND search and rescue tactics. to survive in extreme environments.

62

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 INCREASING DIVERSITY IN THE WORKFORCE

THE BEST PERSON FOR THE JOB

SO Brett Johnson’s video profile reached 86,000 people on Facebook. Inset Silverwater SF Nicole Henness

The 2015 Permanent Firefighter Recruitment campaign was launched in April with a particular emphasis on attracting more women to the ranks.

he campaign was aimed at Fire Fit guide, created by Health intelligent, fit and healthy men and & Safety’s exercise physiologists, was ON SHIFT AT 19 also published to help both men and Twomen from all walks of life and SILVERWATER backgrounds who could have what it takes women train specifically for the tasks Silverwater Station Officer Jeff Boyd to become a permanent firefighter. involved in firefighting. has been at FRNSW for 21 years. His However, with women making up A series of five video profiles, current crew includes three female just 4.25% of full-time firefighters, produced by Assistant Director Media and firefighters (one relieving). Commissioner Greg Mullins is Communications Unit Andrew Parsons, unapologetic in saying FRNSW needs were released on social media to give “My background – working in to reach out to more women. candidates a better idea of what to factories and then coming to “Research shows that many women expect on the job, and reached more than firefighting – is in male-dominated have probably never considered FRNSW 309,000 potential new firefighters. industries. Going through 18 or 19 as a career choice. Although the first Applications were open from 4 to years of male domination with the women joined the ranks 30 years 18 May, with candidates required to odd woman here and there, and then ago, relatively few apply during our complete an online application and finding myself with three women campaigns compared to constantly high undergo a series of tests based on the on the shift was a steep learning numbers of men.” capabilities and values of FRNSW. These curve. But the women I’ve got have In response to those who claimed this include cognitive ability, work safety, just fitted in. Once you put the approach makes it ‘easier’ for women to work reliability, emotional intelligence uniform on and jump in the truck, get in to FRNSW, Commissioner Mullins and physical aptitude. I don’t care who you are. If you’ve is unequivocal. Candidates who successfully got your backside on that seat, progressed through the online testing you’re a firefighter. And I expect you and PAT are now at the interview stage. to be a firefighter. One of the main Women make up just The final list of candidates will be things as an SO is to make sure my determined in July, with the first intake crew all come home safe. I can be 4.25% of full-time of new recruits commencing their very harsh on my crew; and if they firefighters 13-week training course at the State don’t measure up, I tell them in no Training College in August. nEND uncertain terms. Your competency affects me and everyone around you. “Let me be clear with our approach; You’ve got to be able to do the job. They [the female firefighters] know there are no quotas or targets, and the VIEW VIDEO AT entry requirements for all applicants are fire.nsw.gov.au/frnews their job, they’re good firies. And I the same – for everybody.” think most people I know would take During the campaign, FRNSW OR my word for it.” partnered with Women and Firefighting SCAN CODE TO Australasia to offer Physical Aptitude WATCH NOW Test (PAT) preparation sessions. A new 63

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 INCREASING DIVERSITY IN THE WORKFORCE

GOING THE EXTRA MILE: A RETAINED RECRUITMENT SUCCESS STORY IN RW3 Hillston RetFF Jasvir Singh with his wife Narinda

Hillston is a sleepy little town on the Lachlan River more than an hour west of Griffith, NSW, with a population of around 1,000.

ts fire station is filled with character Ticehurst, Captain Mick Brettschneider communication may be an impediment and history. Its Captain, Mick and Senior Instructor Country Tony Hatch but he did not give up on him. That night, IBrettschneider, is tried and true, with will all tell you, it is worth going the he rang Duty Commander Rick Jones. decades of service and a crew he cannot extra mile. The class situation was full of spoken speak highly enough of. But, as is typical Jasvir Singh has lived in Hillston and written fire theory and FRNSW of many of our regional communities, for the past seven years and works as jargon. That part was likely to stump FRNSW struggles to maintain a sufficient forklift driver and manager at a potato Jasvir who had limited English at the retained firefighting force to protect the and garlic farm. His wife Narinda time, unless he could get some extra area. Captains and Inspectors across the is a nurse’s assistant. Captain Mick help. He checked with the Captain and State can tell you what a burden it can be Brettschneider says, “You are generally the three of them agreed to persist to find prospective firefighters in regional doing interviews with people before they with the process. They worked out a areas from an ever diminishing, ageing even know they are being interviewed, strategy to send Jasvir’s wife Narinda to pool of residents. Many prospective just talking to them, [finding out] have Deniliquin. Her English was much better candidates are already overcommitted they got any spare time to be involved in and she could act as a translator. But due to the demands of country living. the brigade ... For Jasvir we organised a that would only get them so far. “As soon Recently in Hillston, the recruitment get-together and he was really interested as he saw it, he could do it”, SIC Hatch of retained firefighters has turned in becoming part of it.” The Captain was explained. So, DC Rick Jones also went around. They have upped their staffing confident that Jasvir could be a great to Deniliquin to work individually with levels by one quarter, due to a group firey. He was mechanically gifted, good Jasvir and Narinda, allowing SF Hatch to of dedicated FRNSW firefighters with people in his job and in the prime progress the rest of the class and giving recognising potential worth pursuing and of physical fitness, as well, he had a real Jasvir the attention he would need to get then pooling their time and expertise desire to give back to the town that had him through. to coach and encourage new applicants taken him in. After Phase One was completed, RW3 through the process. In Regional West That is where the recruitment was on the front foot. They pre-empted 3, Zone Commander Andy Cozens, Duty challenge for RW3 really began. any difficulties with Phase Two for Jasvir Commanders Rick Jones and Andrew At Jasvir’s Phase One training in by establishing a course of tutoring Deniliquin, SIC Tony Hatch could see sponsored by the Zone. Some nights, SF Hatch would visit Jasvir and Narinda in 64

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 VIEW VIDEO AT fire.nsw.gov.au/frnews OR SCAN CODE TO WATCH NOW INDIGENOUS STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT

Hillston and work through any content FIREFIGHTING ROLES that could be challenging. When Jasvir returned for Phase Two, he blitzed it. Twelve students recently completed a pilot program to By this time, having translated for Jasvir, Narinda was so competent with help Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people apply the skills that SF Hatch suggested she to become firefighters. The program was run as part of might as well join up too. So she did. Narinda is currently looking forward to FRNSW’s Indigenous Employment Strategy. completing her own training. Captain Mick Brettschneider couldn’t he collaboration between TAFE be more pleased to have not one but two South Western Sydney Institute and ‘Thousands of people new retained firefighters to call on. We TFRNSW saw indigenous students of already have one other husband and wife all ages and backgrounds attend classes apply to be firefighters as Retained Firefighters, he says, “they at Macquarie Fields TAFE, local fire every year and rightly, are used to looking after each other, stations and the FRNSW State Training which is what we all do as a team. As College at Alexandria. Students were also it’s not easy to get in, well, the Indian community is growing mentored by Aboriginal firefighters from but it’s important the in Hillston and now we can reach out within FRNSW ranks. through Jasvir and Narinda to offer them “Thousands of people apply to be fire service represents fire safety advice in their own language.” firefighters every year and rightly, it’s the community it Jasvir says one of his friends also not easy to get in, but it’s important the wants to join FRNSW, when his visa fire service represents the community serves’ comes through. it serves,” Commissioner Mullins said. This case study is a clear example “The information and experience these of FRNSW’s ongoing commitment in K9 and ComSafe. They also took part in graduates have gained will help them with a mock PAT, and gained an insight into working closely with new and emerging the application process. Completing the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse aerial appliances at St Andrews Fire course doesn’t guarantee them a position, Station and rescue operations at Liverpool (CALD) communities under our but it has given them a unique insight into Multicultural Policies and Services Plan. Fire Station. The graduating students the job and the process.” attained a Certificate III in Fitness, as well nEND During the course, the students as developing basic firefighting and job learnt about the role of firefighters, PPE, application skills. nEND BA and hazmat, USAR, bushfires, FIRU, 65

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 INCREASING DIVERSITY IN THE WORKFORCE

FRNSW CELEBRATES DIVERSITY IN THE 2015 MARDI GRAS From Fair Day to the Mardi Gras Parade, FRNSW marked a decade of diversity.

n Sunday 22 February, FRNSW FRNSW’s contingent wore multi-coloured station community noticeboards: “Fires firefighters joined the tens of ‘celebrating diversity’ t-shirts as they don’t discriminate and neither do we”. Othousands of people visiting Fair Day danced their way up Oxford Street to the Ian Cargill, a member of the public, at Victoria Park – the biggest community tune of Pat Benatar’s song, ‘All Fired Up’. posted on FRNSW’s Facebook site: event of the Mardi Gras Festival. Like the broader community, FRNSW “Great to see inclusiveness like this. A fortnight later on Saturday 7 March, is an organisation that represents a broad A mate of mine was part of FRNSW’s first 100 FRNSW firefighters, administration/ range of lifestyles, cultures and beliefs. time involvement with Mardi Gras. We trades staff, CFU volunteers, friends and Its participation in Mardi Gras was an often see equal opportunity employment family showed FRNSW’s commitment to important celebration of diversity in the ads. Here it is in action.” nEND inclusiveness and diversity by participating workplace that reinforced a message of in Sydney’s 37th annual Mardi Gras acceptance to all its staff. To quote the Parade for the tenth year running. slogans on Newtown and Maitland fire

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY IN 2015 International Women’s Day in 2015 was especially significant as FRNSW celebrated 30 years of women serving as firefighters within its ranks. To mark this event, newly-appointed Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Leanne Close APM was invited to speak at City of Sydney Fire Station on Wednesday 11 March.

s Close joined the Australian discuss the current barriers and issues Federal Police in 1986 and initially impacting women in FRNSW. Mworked on investigations into major Following an opening address by and general frauds and serious drug Deputy Chief Executive Rosemary Milkins, importations. She has held key positions FRNSW’s first female Station Officer, SO in the AFP College in Canberra and in ACT Sally Foote, talked about her experiences Policing, and subsequently several AFP in the brigade since joining in 1989. She National Manager positions in protection, was followed by Queensland Fire and human resources and aviation. Emergency Services’ highest ranking After being welcomed by female officer, Inspector Michelle Young, Commissioner Mullins, Deputy who urged women to embrace being “one Commissioner Close then shared some of the team”, rather than trying to be “one of her experiences in the AFP and gave of the boys” and to reach out to other her thoughts on this year’s International women in the service. Qualified Firefighter Women’s Day theme: Make It Happen. Aimee Vasallo also presented about the Ms Close’s talk was preceded by development of a new Women’s Liaison a FRNSW Women’s Employment and Officer role and female support network AFP Deputy Commissioner Leanne Close Development Workshop. The workshop to complement FRNSW’s existing support brought together more female firefighters programs. Speakers were followed by and other women in the organisation to lively group discussions on a range of key questions. nEND

The graduates, who are aged from their 20s to their 40s, came from all over the State. They left behind a range of careers, from cabinet making to landscape gardening, forklift driving, IT and serving in the Royal Australian Air Force. Two classes celebrate at combined graduation On Friday 17 April, 20 former retained firefighters and 19 new recruits graduated to become permanent firefighters at the FRNSW State Training College at Alexandria. Minister for Emergency Services David Elliott joined FRNSW Commissioner Greg Mullins in congratulating the new firefighters as they joined one of the world’s most trusted professions. The 19 recruits from class 1/2015 graduated after an intensive 13-week course. The class included George Lloyd, GRADUATING RECRUITS who joins his identical twin brother in FRNSW’s ranks. George is stationed at City of Sydney while his brother Hugh is at SWELL FRNSW’S RANKS Ashfield. Russell Stirton was selected to receive the Commissioner’s Recruit Merit Recruits swap retained for permanent year, with this being the first full class of Award for his efforts. On 3 March, a class of former former retained firefighters to graduate. The 20 recruits from class 3/2015 – retained firefighters graduated to become Each graduate participated in a modified formerly retained firefighters – graduated permanent firefighters at the FRNSW 6-week training course to build on their after an intensive 6-week bridging course. State Training College at Alexandria. The existing skills and knowledge. The course This was the second of the two ‘retained 20 graduates were selected from within included advanced training in firefighting, to permanent’ recruit classes. Matthew FRNSW’s retained ranks after an additional road crash rescue, working safely at Smith was also selected to receive the 40 permanent firefighter positions were heights, community risk management, Commissioner’s Recruit Merit Award. funded last November. fire technology and hazardous materials n A special ‘retained to permanent’ management. END recruitment campaign was run late last 67

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 FEATURE: USAR DEPLOYMENT TO VANUATU

FRNSW DEPLOYS TO HELP ITS STRICKEN PACIFIC NEIGHBOUR

‘MONSTER FRNSW DEPLOYMENT STORM’ HITS On Saturday 14 March, the Australian Government “A monster storm” – Vanuatu requested that two senior FRNSW USAR Reconnaissance President Baldwin Lonsdale Officers undertake damage assessments in Port Vila.

n Thursday 12 March 2015, the uperintendent Dave Lewis and A large amount of heavy USAR Pacific nation of Vanuatu was Inspector Greg Houston from the on- equipment was removed to free up Obracing for the arrival of Tropical Scall NSW Task Force 1 (AUS 2) were weight and volume for the modified Cyclone Pam. Evacuation alerts were subsequently deployed to work with the cache inventory. These changes and issued as the cyclone intensified to a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade documentation were completed in maximum Category Five, with winds (DFAT), Emergency Management Australia a massive overnight operation with of 280 kph, heavy rain, flash flooding, (EMA) and the Vanuatu Government Logistics staff procuring resources such landslides and huge seas predicted. The National Disaster Management Office as additional water, chainsaw kits, height storm was expected to severely impact (NDMO) in Vanuatu. safety packs, 240 volt and battery power on low-lying areas of the nation’s 65 In addition, FRNSW Superintendent tools and roofing screws/fasteners. inhabited islands, particularly those Warwick Kidd was seconded to head a Because the Task Force needed to be situated in the south. United Nations Disaster Assessment self-sufficient for up to 14 days, the cache The cyclone hit with brutal force on and Coordination team of 25 disaster included more than 6,000 items ranging Friday night, 13 March 2015, obliterating specialists assisting the NDMO. from ration packs, water, bolt cutters to entire villages and leaving many Following the damage assessment, radios, tents, Kombi tools and generators. thousands of people homeless. In the TF/AUS 2 was tasked to deploy a medium On Tuesday 17 March, the Task devastated capital of Port Vila, it was USAR capability to Vanuatu. The mission Force headed by Team Leader Chief estimated 90% of homes were damaged, was to assist with recovery operations of Superintendent Greg Wild assembled at and the smaller island communities major infrastructure, in particular the old Ingleburn at 7.30am. The team comprised suffered massive destruction. nEND Port Vila Central Hospital which had been 45 FRNSW experts in rescue, hazmat, severely damaged, as well as a number disaster relief and incident management, of schools and health facilities around the six Ambulance Service NSW paramedics, main island of Efate. one NSW Police Force officer, an EMA VIEW VIDEO AT liaison officer, two doctors and two The cache – what’s in the box? fire.nsw.gov.au/frnews engineers. Within four hours they had Reconnaissance information provided completed the comprehensive pre- OR by Superintendent Lewis and Inspector mobilisation process – including passport, Houston enabled Logistics staff at SCAN CODE TO vaccination and medical checks, uniform Ingleburn to reconfigure the cache WATCH NOW issue, equipment issue and dangerous equipment for the operations in Vanuatu. 68

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 Task Force carrying out roof repairs to Port Vila East Public School

goods checks. The team and cache Safety first departed from Richmond RAAF base in “The safety of the team members was two Hercules C130 aircraft. The first plane of the highest priority,” said Task Force A maternity hospital carried 14 personnel and half the cache Leader Wild. “Some Task Force practices was repaired so that as well as the President of Vanuatu and had to be altered due to local conditions his staff (who had been in Japan when the but I believe these changes were support services could cyclone struck). The second carried the managed very well. Risk assessments be restored to mothers remainder of the task force and cache. were completed and monitored for Around 23 tonnes were transported on everything from planning road convoys and babies nine aircraft pallets. to roof and chainsaw operations,” he said. “There were no serious injuries during Port Vila – a major disaster field operations which is a credit to team First things first: “It was evident that a major disaster members and the importance they placed Port Vila Central Hospital had occurred,” said Task Force Leader on watching out for each other.” The old hospital buildings housing Wild when the team arrived at Port Vila. The medical team monitored fatigue the children’s medical and surgical wards “Roads were severely damaged and trees and heat stress in team members as had been badly damaged and rendered and debris littered the streets. Much well as field hygiene. After 24 hours of uninhabitable but the new hospital wing, of the infrastructure was damaged or extensive water quality testing, the team built to cyclone standards, remained had failed. Power poles were down with was cleared to use the local water supply. largely intact. Patients and staff had powerlines strewn across the roads. Most Due to the extreme heat and humidity, relocated into the new wing which was commercial buildings had roof damage the average water consumption was now dangerously overcrowded and the and nearly all the lightweight buildings calculated to be 8.3 litres per person Accident and Emergency reception was were destroyed and uninhabitable.” per day. unable to work effectively. After a first night sleeping on the floor The Task Force assessed the damage of a warehouse, the Task Force set up a Day by day and got to work. The list of repairs Base of Operations (BoO) at the municipal Operations were restricted to daylight included neutralising and removing sports stadium where command, hours during the deployment. hazardous materials (including large logistics, mess, medical, hygiene and The team began work around 7am sheets of broken asbestos boards), rehab facilities were constructed and each day and returned to base by dinner repairing the roof, replacing ceiling tiles, satellite communications established. The time where equipment was prepared for carrying out electrical repairs, removing town water was tested for contamination the following day’s tasks. Each afternoon debris, and replacing windows. Within and water filtration commenced. the team was greeted with very welcome two days the team had performed enough Communication between teams cans of icy cold soft drink which was a work to enable the old hospital wings and the BoO was via hand-held radios welcome change to the bottled water and to reopen. using standard 500 series channels with ration pack foods. A maternity hospital was also repeater units placed at a number of local WiFi access via the Task Force’s repaired so that support services could secure areas including the grounds of the satellite communications systems be restored to mothers and babies. Australian High Commission and on the allowed team members to communicate roof of the local fire station. with families back at home.

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 FEATURE: USAR DEPLOYMENT TO VANUATU

Back to school for the kids delighted to see so many Australians equipment for specific tasks. Ladders Throughout the week, the team on the ground...rebuilding houses and were constructed from onsite timber focussed on repairing schools within the putting schools back together. Australia supplies; and at one worksite, the crew Port Vila area. Despite arduous conditions, is making a considerable difference but used a jack out of the hire vehicle to lift the Task Force managed to return six it will be a long-term recovery effort that an entire wall back into position. schools to a safe state. “It was critical will be required.” “This innovation and resourcefulness to repair infrastructure quickly so that Ms Bishop thanked the team was demonstrated time and again thousands of children could return to members for their commitment and said throughout the deployment,” said Task school and begin to resume a semblance of that the entire Australian nation was Force Leader Wild. “The locals were normal life,” said Task Force Leader Wild. proud of their efforts. Task Force Leader amazed by the achievements of the Task Wild provided the Foreign Minister with a Force teams and their ability to constantly The worksheet brief overview of the team’s achievements adapt and overcome.” • Vila Central School: Tree removal, roof in Vanuatu and also some background to repair, ceiling repair and asbestos The happiest place on earth USAR in Australia. remediation as well as debris removal Vanuatu well and truly lived up to its • Vila East School: Roof replacement, Next on the list reputation as “the happiest place on earth”, window repair, tree removal, sports Assessment teams (rescue, medical according to Task Force Leader Wild. “I am resource repair and engineers) circumnavigated Efate amazed by the communities’ happiness, • Vila North School: Roof repair, debris resolve and positive attitude,” he said. removal and tree cutting “Despite the incredible hardships, locals • Pango French School: Roof repair, wall While working at were always smiling and saying ‘hello’. repair and debris removal Whether playing an impromptu netball • Pango Central School: Roof repair, Vila East School, game or giving a lesson on how to use a debris removal the team received a hammer, each member of the Task Force • Ecole School: Tree removal, roof repair, thoroughly enjoyed engaging with the local numerous structural repairs, debris visit from Australia’s population – especially the children.” removal, and repairs to a shrine Foreign Minister, The football association scheduled While working at Vila East School, the Honourable Julie three soccer games during the second half the team received a visit from Australia’s of the deployment. In what is believed to Foreign Minister, the Honourable Julie Bishop MP be a world first, the BoO was split in half Bishop MP. Ms Bishop was overwhelmed so that players and officials could access by the amount of work the Task Force the pitch from the grandstand. There were had been able to accomplish and said she Island to inspect infrastructure damage. nearly as many spectators outside the was pleased to see so many Australians Teams also travelled by banana boats to ground as there were inside. Vantage points working with the local people and helping assess and repair schools and medical were sought on nearby buildings, trees with the recovery effort. facilities on nearby northern islands. and roads so Task Force team members “The people of Vanuatu are getting Due to the nature of the transport, reached into their own pockets and paid for on with the job of cleaning up and the the teams had to pack lightly and a number of less fortunate locals to enter long road to recovery,” she said. “I was displayed great ingenuity in adapting the ground. nEND

Task Force removing damaged limbs from Foreign Minister Julie Bishop thanks members of the Task Force at Port Vila East Public School trees at Port Vila Public School

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 Team photo while taking a well-earned break at Ecole School in Port Vila

HOMEWARD BOUND AFTER MISSION ACCOMPLISHED Homeward bound and highly skilled team. “Each member After ten days, field operations of the team has gone above and beyond ceased, and on Thursday 26 March, the in helping the people of Vanuatu who demobilisation process began. Rehab have suffered great loss as a result of the tents were packed up and cache contents devastating cyclone.” stowed into cases. A small logistics team Task Force Leader Wild also praised remained in the country for an additional the work of the team. “The passion, skills four days to clean and prepare the and professionalism displayed on a daily cache items for Australian quarantine basis was exceptional,” he said. “As well inspection. The Task Force was moved as USAR knowledge, the team used to a partly-functioning hotel where skills in chainsaw operations, roof repair, preparations were made for a 4:30am building, carpentry and electrical work. departure to the airport. Because of the fast recovery operations, On Friday 27 March, and amid we felt we were able to make a difference much fanfare, the team flew into Sydney to the people of Vanuatu.” at 11:30am. They were greeted by FRNSW “The deployment was conducted in Commissioner Greg Mullins and a large great spirit,” he said. “We are extremely contingent of agency heads, government grateful to have been able to help those representatives and a large media much less fortunate than ourselves. component. Those achievements and memories will Rebuilding classrooms at Pango Central School outside Port Vila Commissioner Mullins said that he remain with us forever.” was extremely proud of the dedicated nEND

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 FEATURE: 10 YEARS OF 400 IN 4

BURNS UNIT BENEFITS FROM A COOL HALF MILLION

Heading out of Gundagai on the 185km trek to Goulburn on day two. Image credit Scott Austin

In 2006, Station Officer Scott Hanley and Qualified Firefighter Mark Edis hatched a plan to cycle from Wagga Wagga to Sydney (some 400kms) in just four days to raise money for the Burns Unit at Westmead Children’s Hospital. This was despite the former never having ridden a bike “further than my house to the shops”.

ast forward 10 years and the now Commissioner Mullins said he was in absolutely certain is world’s best practice. infamous 400in4 charity ride has awe of the riders and the incredible feat of Funds from the 400in4 have made a Fraised a total of $450,000, with more completing the 10th annual ride. significant contribution to the unit’s than $100,000 coming from the March “Not only does the 400in4 sum up so theatre and laser therapy treatment.” 2015 event alone. much of what FRNSW is about, it also Event treasurer, social media Cycling in an event like this not only clearly highlights our affinity with the promoter and rider Senior Firefighter takes its toll on the body, but also on Burns Unit. As firefighters, we sometimes Brett Carle said funds raised by the 400in4 family life with those involved dedicating see badly burnt children but due to the are used every day to improve every child’s months of their time into pre-event nature of the job we lose track of them. experience in the Burns Unit. planning and preparation. What we do have is the reassurance that “Over the years we have built an Despite this, everyone emphatically when they arrive at the Burns Unit, they operating theatre and bought a laser agrees that riding into Westmead Hospital are looked after by a team of absolute which helps with physical and emotional on the last day more than makes up for it. miracle workers.” recovery by minimising scarring. The Burns Unit is one of the only paediatric And then, once the sore legs have eased Donations at work units in Australia with a laser to treat and the money has been counted, comes The Burns Unit brings together scars which is something we are very the best day of all – the presentation of the a range of different specialties and proud to have achieved.” cheque to Westmead Children’s Hospital. disciplines with doctors dedicated to The treatment is considered to be In May, Commissioner Greg Mullins minimising the trauma and anxiety for at the forefront of international laser joined the riders at Westmead as they both children and their parents. It is work technology with Westmead’s Burns Unit presented a cheque for $101,372 to the that Dr Harvey says simply can’t be done recently asked to evaluate a proposed Burns Unit’s Dr John Harvey. without FRNSW’s support. laser project at The Hospital for Sick “Thank you to FRNSW and the 400in4 Children in Toronto, Canada. n for allowing us to provide what I am END

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 2015 SADDLE SOUNDBITES “This year we had some amazing glue that bonded us together. That glue came in the form of the one and only Karl Madderom. Karl, who is in his early 40s, is the longest serving patient of the Burns Unit. Karl’s biggest single ride prior to ours was 55kms ... Every time we got to the bottom of a hill, seamlessly, organically and without direction or order, there would be a rider on either side of Karl with a hand on his back pushing him up the hill. It may be to some who didn’t witness it a minor act, but when the Garmin is telling you it’s 39 degrees, you’ve got a headwind and you’re pushing through whatever stage of 185kms with B-Doubles only a breath away, it’s a big deal. It’s a selfless Commissioner Greg Mullins greets Karl Madderom and the cycling crew at Liverpool Fire Station on day four act, a sacrifice to ensure we all get there. That we make it together. The cohesion and camaraderie of the 400in4 Class of 2015 will stay with me for a long time.” Senior Firefighter Brett Carle “My personal highlight would have to be day two when we rode for a total of 185kms ... It was a pretty emotional day for me. There were moments when we were riding, hurtling down the road at 55kms per hour, that tears would come to my eyes because I couldn’t believe what I was doing. When I got to 150kms I realised I was going to make it. I was going to grind away and ‘not get out’. But of course this was only possible with the help of the other riders ... The finish line in Goulburn

400in4 representatives and major sponsors present the 2015 cheque to the Burns Unit at Westmead Children’s Hospital that night was really special too. Everyone clapped each other, shook hands and hugged. It is a day I will never forget for as long as I live.” Karl Madderom “I have had a concern for quite some time that the bubble may burst especially considering we take predominantly the same route each year. Then the ride takes place and NSW blows us away with its generosity and support. There are so many worthy and necessary charities out there, but I think the fact that the 400in4 continues to grow is a sure sign of the high regard that the community holds for us as firefighters ... I think the entire crew, from the riders to the support team to the partners and families and also the sponsors, should be incredibly proud of what we have achieved this year and the nine previous years. At the end of the day, we are just firies doing something extra to try and help with very limited experience in this sort of thing.” Station Officer Scott Hanley

The 400in4 organisers with major sponsors the Fortnum Foundation (from left: SO Scott Hanley, SF Brett Carle, Marg Miles, SO Brett Butler, Anna Uremovic and SO Scott Henderson). Image credit Mark Zworestine

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 THIS SPORTING LIFE

FRNSW GOES INTO BAT FOR SOUTHERN HIGHLAND YOUTH On 15 April, in collaboration with the Bradman Foundation, the NSW Police Force, Ambulance Service of NSW, FRNSW, NSWRFS and NSWSES swapped their uniforms for cricket whites to raise funds for the Southern Highlands Youth Hub in Bowral.

he Hub provides programs allowed its team to limit the strong Police and activities for teens aged batting line-up to 65 runs after claiming Tbetween 12 and 18 years in 11 wickets. A solid batting display from the Wingecarribee Shire. The cricket all pairs in the FRNSW line-up allowed match, which is sponsored by the Fire their team to compile 96 runs. FRNSW Brigades Credit Union, aims to identify was leading the competition until a with Sir Donald Bradman’s vision “to storm struck the local area, causing engage, inspire and educate” youth in the match to be abandoned with no the community. For more information winner declared. about this annual interagency sporting Special mention goes to Firefighters fundraiser, visit www.facebook.com/ Martin and Richards who both received triplezerochallenge. awards from former international cricketer, the great Lenny Pascoe, Match report by Inspector Brendan Cox who was the special guest on the day. The challenge was played under an Firefighter Cottingham from 234 Stn 18-over a side format, with five runs Bowral also performed brilliantly in deducted for every wicket taken. The the field cutting off many runs with his FRNSW team was made up of a mixture diving efforts. of retained and permanent firefighters All services had a range of interesting who set out to take the title off NSW community engagement material Police, the inaugural tournament available on the day, with the NSW Police winners. A mixture of accurate bowling Porsche being a particular feature. and enthusiastic fielding by FRNSW FRNSW is now more determined than ever to take the title next year. nEND 74

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 AWARDS

Firefighters and members of the public who risked their lives to help others during the Christchurch earthquake, Samoan tsunami and 2013 bushfires were recognised on Sunday 3 May, ahead of St Florian’s Day, or International Firefighters’ Day. The commendations were presented by Emergency Services Minister David Elliott and FRNSW Commissioner Greg Mullins at a special ceremony at Penrith Panthers. FIREFIGHTERS’ ustralian Humanitarian Overseas Service Medals were presented to A64 FRNSW firefighters who provided urban search and rescue support in the BRAVERY wake of the Christchurch earthquake, and also to four firefighters who provided logistical support in Samoa after the 2009 tsunami. This medal is an Australian RECOGNISED Government award which honours FOR SERVICE AT HOME AND ABROAD Australians performing emergency humanitarian service in dangerous overseas environments. Commendations for courageous and meritorious action were also presented to 64 FRNSW firefighters and staff who risked their lives to save others during the October 2013 bushfires; and to eight others, including four members of the public, for their brave actions at other fires and emergencies. Commissioner Mullins said he was honoured to present Australian Humanitarian Overseas Service Medals to the firefighters who spent nearly two weeks searching the rubble for victims after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. He also praised the firefighters who bravely battled extreme fire conditions and risked their lives to save others during the October 2013 bushfires. “During what was the most destructive bushfire we have seen, many of these firefighters put themselves at great peril as the fire storm swirled around them to rescue stranded residents caught out by the fast-moving blaze,” said Commissioner Mullins. “We have also recognised the courage of firefighters and members of the public for their actions at several other fires and emergencies in recent times including a VIEW VIDEO AT house fire at Mount Druitt in October 2014 fire.nsw.gov.au/frnews and a motorcycle accident at Mangrove Mountain in July 2014. OR For a full list of recipients, see SCAN CODE TO the intranet story posted 4 May 2015. WATCH NOW nEND

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 PAYING TRIBUTE A GRATEFUL PUBLIC FAREWELL AND SAYS THANKS THANKS TO

Firefighters thanked for saving house THOSE RETIRING FRNSW received the following heartfelt letter from a St Peters resident who almost lost her home to a house Retirements fire in March. A candle in her laundry caused a fire which Name Fire station Date retired quickly escalated. Fire crews from 26 Mascot and 29 Arncliffe stations responded and extinguished the blaze. The woman SF N Diven Hamilton 16-Jan-15 was so thankful that she also donated $500 to the Burns SO D Blanche Hamlyn Terrace 13-Jan-15 Unit at The Children’s Hospital, Westmead on behalf of SF M Ruscoe Training College 19-Dec-14 the firefighters. SO M Murray Drummoyne 12-Dec-14 It is with the utmost gratitude, respect and admiration that SF P Hennessy Queanbeyan 05-Jan-15 we give you this thank you note from the bottom of our QF G Stevenson Albury Central 19-Dec-14 hearts. We express our huge appreciation to the firefighters DCapt S Campbell Mortdale 14-Nov-14 who were on duty on Sunday, 8th March at 11.30pm for RetF M Bretag Yenda 30-Nov-14 saving our home and potentially my life and others too. RetF T Winchester Cessnock 19-Dec-14 You are true heroes and it takes an amazing person to RetF K Snowdon Wauchope 31-Dec-14 put their own lives at risk every day in order to help others ... This was the scariest, most horrendous experience for RetF K Danaher Lithgow 31-Dec-14 me and I basically owe my life to you all. Keep up your Insp G O’Regan RN3 Zone Office 23-Jan-15 amazing work and thank you again. RetF G Byrne Woolgoolga 09-Jan-15 SF D Simms BA & Hazmat Training 13-Feb-15 SF G Dossett Avalon 16-Feb-15 Linda Leiva SF D Connerton Schofields 20-Feb-15 3 May at 13:42 RetF B Stuart Molong 22-Jan-15 Thanks so much to the Lakemba firefighters who after a very busy Capt W Simmons AFSM Byron Bay 31-Jan-15 morning had stopped to get some lunch & still found the time and SO G Williams Menai 27-Feb-15 energy to talk to my daughters and show them the pumper. From SF H Battaerd Bulli 06-Mar-15 the girls in Clemton Park with the Frozen Elsa dolls (hope you found them for your daughters!) DCapt T Robinson Moama 24-Oct-14 RetF B J Love Lockhart 05-Nov-14 Like • Comment • Share Capt V R Pearson Jerilderie 14-Nov-14 Be the first to like this. Most Relevant RetF R Egan Wentworth 06-Feb-15 Capt A Van Hoeck AFSM Bellingen 15-Feb-15 Melinda Phillips RetF G Wetsbury Batemans Bay 27-Feb-15 DCapt S Waite New Lambton 01-Mar-15 Firstly, I would like to express my sincere appreciation Capt P Dwyer Wagga Wagga 29-Aug-14 to all firefighters who are so dedicated to their job. You guys respond to countless calls for all types of needs RetF J Easey Quirindi 19-Dec-14 and when people see you we feel comforted and safe. RetF R Dunnicliff Warialda 30-Jan-15 You are in such a selfless profession and I hope you feel Capt G Gibbons Kelso 28-Feb-15 the rewards in helping so many. The morning of the RetF C Wilson Turvey Park 03-Mar-15 Rozelle explosion will, like for many others, stay with me RetF B Edgar Camden 17-Mar-15 forever. The immediate relief we felt once you arrived is Supt W Roberts Batemans Bay Zone Office 20-Mar-15 impossible to describe. I live a few doors down from the site SO P Mangioni Randwick 13-Mar-15 and walk past it everyday and the constant reminder is SO C Courtney Manly 20-Mar-15 heartbreaking and devastating. This motivated me into SF P Minahan Silverwater 20-Mar-15 finally saying thank you and hope you can pass on my SO T Schofield Broken Hill 05-Apr-15 gratitude to the other responders as there were so many SO J O’Dwyer Turvey Park 3 April 2015 firefighters involved. SF T Barnett Newcastle Command 30 Mar-2015 QF S Earl Penrith 03-Apr-15 Anne Perry DCapt R Dellar Werris Creek 27-Feb-15 22 May at 18:14 RetF A Brown Lithgow 27-Mar-15 Thank you for rescuing my neighbour and her children after a RetF D Elliott Byron Bay 27-Mar-15 tree fell across their car on the way home from school. Great job, SF D Russell Macquarie Fields 10-Apr-15 minimum fuss, maximum effect ...You guys are awesome! Capt P Mangan Coonabarabran 06-Mar-15 Like • Comment • Share RetF H Fisher Mudgee 10-Apr-15

Be the first to like this. Most Relevant RetF P Green Dubbo 13-Apr-15

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Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 ASSISTANT VALE: WITH COMMISSIONER NOEL GRATITUDE FOR NEWSON AFSM (RETIRED) SERVICE TO THE arlier this year retired Assistant ECommissioner Noel PEOPLE OF NSW Newson passed away after a long illness at the age of Deaths 75. Noel joined the NSWFB 57 years ago in 1958 as Name Date deceased a ‘volunteer’ (retained firefighter) in Wollongong, Retired SO Kevin McBrien Feb-15 and joined as a permanent Retired Assistant Commissioner Noel Newson AFSM Feb-15 firefighter in February 1961. He was promoted Retired Capt Des Wright Feb-15 to the rank of Regional Retired RetF Justin Parkinson Mar-15 Commander (later called Assistant Commissioner) Retired Capt Barry McDean Feb-15 in 1991. He retired in Retired SO Brian Collins Feb-15 1998 after an outstanding Retired Capt Brian Warren Feb-15 career that saw him serve in Sydney, the Illawarra, Retired VF Richard Dye 26-Feb-15 Tamworth, Fire Safety, Region South, Region South West, and Retired Capt Donald Lee 04-Mar-15 Head Office. In 1997 he was part of the Incident Management Team at the Thredbo landslide, and took charge of many major Retired VF Robert Thomas 08-Mar-15 fires over the years. Many serving and retired members attended Retired FF William Farquharson Mar-15 Noel’s funeral at Milton where Commissioner Mullins delivered the eulogy. nEND Retired RetF Clifford Field 21-Mar-15 Retired SO Lew Phillips Apr-15 Retired S/F William Peter Burge 12-Apr-15

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CONTRIBUTORS Editors Peter Walker Michelle Bowers Fire & Rescue Operations Journal Editor Insp Kernin Lambert Art Director Design Davey Studios Production, photography and editorial Andrew Parsons Heather Pillans Malissa Milligean Bronwyn Hilton Jan Crombie-Brown Supt Ian Krimmer Kerry Blackett

© Fire & Rescue NSW 2015 77

Fire & Rescue News : June 2015 COOKING The leading cause of home fires in NSW is leaving FIRES cooking unattended.

FACT – Almost half of all house fires start in the kitchen. Keep matches out of reach of children.

Never leave cooking unattended. Stay in the kitchen while cooking and turn off the stove before you leave. Keep your oven, rangehood and grill clean and in good working order. A build-up of grease and fat can ignite Don’t put anything in a fire. metallic in the microwave and always double-check the timer.

Avoid cooking Turn pot handles under the inwards. influence of alc ohol or drugs.

Keep loose clothing, fabrics, tea towels, There are many dangerous curtains and substances in the kitchen. flammable items Flammable materials such away from the stove. as aerosols, cleaning agents and cooking oils should be stored away from heat.

Children need constant supervision to protect them from the dangers ! of fires, burns and scalds.