LIFT-OUT: GUIDE TO THE NEW NSW RFS CONSTITUTION BUSH FIREbulletinVOLUME 40 NO 1/2018 THE JOURNAL OF THE NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE Community unites for Tathra Deployments to Canada, Gallipoli and the United States Fires in electric vehicles A long hot summer, a bone dry winter Contents 1 FOREWORD 2 IN FOCUS INCIDENTS 4 A long drawn out season 8 With Tathra under threat a community unites 24 Not what we expected COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 30 ACEFA conference 2018 32 Public liaison critical during hazard reductions 38 Choosing the right message to keep people safe GENERAL NEWS 16 Region North Exercise 18 Gallipoli deployment 2018 42 New infrastructure out west 50 Donations fund hot fre training equipment RESEARCH 36 Research gives insight into community bushfre response FEATURES 12 Canadian deployment 22 Fire incidents involving electric and hybrid motor vehicles 25 New NSW RFS Brigade Constitution takes effect 34 Technology for predicting fre behaviour MEMBERS’ SERVICES 40 At your service: the NSW RFS library LIFTOUT 26–27 New NSW RFS Constitution membership classifcations AWARDS 43 Australian Fire Service Medals 2018 46 Young members’ excellence recognised 48 St Florians Day Awards VALE 51 Father Peter McGrath 52 OUR BULLETIN HISTORY The NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) encourages the availability, dissemination and exchange of public Disclaimer Statement information. 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All photos, unless otherwise stated, taken and owned by the NSW Rural Fire Service, Firewise logo. Corporate Communications. The views expressed in articles in the Bush Fire Bulletin do not necessarily refect the views or the policies of the NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE. BUSH FIREbulletin // CONTENTS Foreword There has been considerable attention recently on challenging and destructive bush fres such as those which affected communities like Tathra and around south-western Sydney. These fres were diffcult to contain, and were particularly challenging given how late in the season they occurred. It’s worth remembering though that these events across March and April, were just two of more than 14,000 bush and grass fres our members have dealt with across the 2017/18season. The state’s north saw fre activity in August and September, and while there was somewhat of a reprieve during October and November, serious fres were experienced in areas such as the Hunter, Northern Tablelands and western Sydney by Christmas. In the early parts of this year, the challenge continued thanks to lightning causing around 500 new fres across the ranges. The late conclusion to the fre season – which saw a total of 22 days of total fre ban and more than 70 homes destroyed – shows how we, just like the community, can’t be complacent about the threat of fre. While the loss of property is a tragedy for those affected, it’s worth refecting once again on a very important statistic – that is, there was no loss of human life. It’s important to recognise that this includes no loss of frefghters. I’m always reminded of the danger that our people face, never more so than when I attended the recent National Volunteer Memorial service held in Canberra on 1 May. A new memorial wall was unveiled at the ceremony, featuring the names of more than 70 NSW RFS volunteers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. You can read more about the memorial in this edition of the Bulletin. You will also fnd in this issue a feature on the new Brigade Constitution, which is now in effect for all brigades. This is a big step forward for the Service and, most critically, it provides a greater level of certainty and IN THE NSW RURAL FIRE SERVICE protection for our members. The Constitution allows brigades to maintain their identity, and create brigade rules and standing orders, to ensure the brigade operates effectively and within the requirements of today’s WE VALUE legislative environment. As we send off our members to assist with the devastating fres in the United States and Canada this month, we can look back with pride at the community and environment unprecedented deployment of front-line frefghters to British Columbia in 2017. The article in this issue highlights the fascinating differences in support, friendship and camaraderie frefghting in these locations compared with Australia. The 2018/19 season is starting early. Whatever role you perform in your knowledge and learning brigade, stay safe and thank you all for your continued service with the NSW RFS. integrity and trust Regards, one team, many players and one purpose adaptability and resourcefulness mutual respect Shane Fitzsimmons AFSM NSW RFS Commissioner facebook.com/rfscommissioner @RFSCommissioner infocus Reduced traffc speed trial to keep members safe New Research Hub to focus on bush fre risk From September this year there will be a twelve-month trial of The University of Wollongong will house a new $4 million a speed limit around emergency vehicles on NSW roads. The Bushfre Risk Management Research Hub, which is part of a fve- Minister for Emergency Services, Troy Grant, announced in year research partnership between the university and the Offce of April that the 40 km/h reduced speed limit will apply on roads Environment and Heritage. when emergency services vehicles have their red and blue lights Minister for Emergency Services, Troy Grant, welcomed the fashing at emergency incidents. partnership and the Hub’s specialised focus on NSW bush fres. The NSW Rural Fire Service Association has been actively “This Hub brings together academic expertise and practical pursuing this initiative and the NSW RFS has worked with knowledge from our frefghters to develop ways we can mitigate other emergency services and the NSW government to develop bush fres in the future,” Mr Grant said. this initiative. The trial follows similar laws that have been introduced in Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia. “What works for one area may not work for another, so it’s great The reduced speed limit is designed to ensure the safety of NSW that this research will look at local solutions across the state,” Mr RFS members and other emergency services personnel who are Grant said. responding to emergencies. An operational brief released on 7 June contains further details and can be viewed on MyRFS. Black Hawks to be used by NSW RFS The NSW RFS will take delivery of two Black Hawk helicopters for use The NSW Government confrmed the transfer as part of the State during emergency operations. Budget in June, with $6.5 million allocated to converting the aircraft The Commonwealth Government has agreed to the transfer of the into frefghting resources. aircraft once they are withdrawn from military service. The aircraft The Black Hawks have a cruising speed of 270 km/h and are expected will be transferred from the Defence Department to the NSW to be operational for the NSW RFS over the next two years. Government, through the NSW RFS. The task profle of these aircraft will be consistent with the current Once refurbished, they’ll be used in a range of emergency operations primary and secondary roles of RFS owned helitak aircraft. including bush fres, foods and other disasters. They will also be used for RAFT and RART operations. 2 BUSH FIREbulletin // INFOCUS Rotary Emergency Services Community Awards The 2018 Rotary Districts & Clubs of NSW and ACT Emergency Zone has had a huge portfolio of roles with the NSW RFS for over Services Community Awards were announced on 1 June.