March 2004

Commissioner: Greg Mullins AFSM

Editor: Jan Crombie-Brown

Manager Corporate Communications Capability: Peter Walker

Assistant Director Corporate Communications: Julie Delvecchio

Editorial Committee: Jan Crombie-Brown, Graham Dewsnap,Anne Fien, Natalie Laharnar, Anne Pickles and Peter Walker

Front cover photo: Port Kembla ethanol tank fire

Design and layout: Gemma Metzker and Kerrie Hudson, QESU

Telephone: (02) 9265 2631 Facsimile: (02) 9265 2882

Internet: www.nswfb.nsw.gov.au

Send Letters to the Editor, articles and photos to:The Editor, Fire News, PO Box A249 SYDNEY SOUTH 1232

EMAIL: jan.crombiebrown@fire.nsw.gov.auphone: (02) 9265 2631

Fire News would like to thank all contributors for sendingmaterial, but due to space and time constraints it isimpossible to publish all items. Please do not let this deteryou from contributing in future editions.

The contents of Fire News are copyright and cannot bereproduced either in part or full without written permission.

Fire News reserves the right to edit articles and letters submittedfor publication.

ISSN 0047-990X

ContentsMajor ethanol tank fire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Firefighting US style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Chemical spill at Mt Victoria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Fire at Australia’s oldest winery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

No picnic for Tamworth firies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Thermal Imaging Camera aids firies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Warehouse fire in Armidale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Purrfect rescue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Fairlight Childcare Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Firies on the front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

First year of sponsorship for the NSWFB Retired Members and Wives Association . . . . . . . . . 16

Flying the flag…. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

A bloody battle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Police Secondment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

NSWFB participates in International Search and Rescue forums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Review of Mutual Aid Agreement with State Emergency Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Take a break . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

2003 Community Fire Unit Gala Day and Championship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Matthew Wykniet benefit night . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Surfboard Challenge…. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Senior Firefighter Jeff Walsh, Sydney Communication Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Butt out… NSWFB Don’t be a firebug campaign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Smoke alarms…everybody should have them!” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Cessnock Firesafe Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Graduations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Where’s Bernie? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

ZITTS spread to country fire stations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Back to basics training off to a great start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Zone West 3 Championships at Bathurst. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Championships calendar of events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Rugby World Cup - kicking some goals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Station profile: Narrabeen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Varley Commander (Class 3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

The Scientific Support Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Retirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Letters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Vo l 8 No 1 March 2004

F I R E N E W S M a r c h 2 0 0 4 1

Summer is over and thankfully it was free from the majorbushfires we have become accustomed to in recent years.

Unfortunately 2004 has begun under the spectre of terroristattacks. The Madrid bombings show that we have to remainvigilant.

These events underline the fire services’ new roles in managingthe consequences of terrorist attacks. The NSWFB leadsAustralian emergency services, and is at the forefrontworldwide, in its capabilities to deal with chemical, biologicaland radiological attacks, and to rescue people from collapsed

buildings Urban Search and Rescue (USAR). We must continually train to hone our skills forevents that we hope will never happen on Australian soil.

Other incidents during the first three months of the year have highlighted the diversity of roles,and the professionalism of the NSWFB. The Port Kembla ethanol fire, the Sydney cityunderground rail “gas leak”, Redfern riots, Newcastle University fire and Mt Victoria and Dubbochemical spills all tested our capabilities. The common theme was that firefighters excelledwhen tested, and each incident was handled safely, professionally and effectively.

2004 promises to be an exciting year in the history of the NSWFB. Our “back to basics”compartment fire behaviour training is rolling out statewide, our fleet renewal programcontinues apace, and our new USAR, CBR and air operations capabilities are now in place. Allof this translates into safer, more confident communities and improved morale amongstfirefighters in this, the most challenging and rewarding of careers.

Greg Mullins AFSM

“Be careful what you wish for...”

When putting together this edition of Fire News, I noted a distinct lack of major incidents, andwas at a loss for a spectacular cover picture. Less than fifteen minutes later I was on the wayto an explosion at Port Kembla.

I learned a lot that day, especially about logistics. It had never occurred to me that during anextended incident, appliances need refuelling (what else runs the pumps?), firefighters needfeeding, and it amazed me how all these items materialised, seemingly orchestrated from onebig red bus, the Incident Control Vehicle. I also learned that despite the many variables ofweather; heat, rain, hail and howling wind, firefighters simply and cheerfully got on with the job.

The only problem now is deciding which photos to use.

Jan Crombie-Brown

FROM THE EDITOR

FROM THE COMMISSIONER

Major ethanoltank fire

Sides of tank collapse

Just before 10am on 28 January2004, NSWFB crews from

Wollongong and Warrawongresponded to reports of anexplosion at Manildra ParkPetroleum located in anindustrial area near BHP’s PortKembla steelworks. On arrivalfirefighters were confronted by alarge flammable liquids storagetank from which flames wereleaping 50 metres in the air.Radiant heat had melted andbuckled plastic fixtures on carsparked over 50 metres away. The first arriving officer noted that the5-tonne tank roof had blown off in theexplosion, landing approximately 20metres away. Unfortunately, thisdamaged much of the tank’s installedfire protection equipment eliminating anychances of quickly controlling the blaze.

Inspector Frank Murphy from Wollongongwas told that the tank contained fourmillion litres of ethanol concentrate, apolar solvent. The water-soluble natureof ethanol, and the need for ATC (alcoholresistant) foam, meant that firefightingoperations would be extremely difficult.

Chief Superintendent Hans Bootsmacalled for a 5th Alarm response and anIncident Management Team (IMT) to helphim in commanding operations.

In these early stages local knowledgepaid off. Local firefighters, with theassistance of technical advisers from thecomplex, were able to manually activatethe drenchers on the tanks at thenorthern end of the complex. Firefightersquickly moved into the bunded area andset up a number of ground monitorsdespite intense radiant heat, and thenwithdrew to safety. These initial actionsproved crucial for the success of theoperation from then on.

A further threat came from twounprotected and directly exposed tankson the south-western side of the complex.These tanks contained a further threemillion litres of ethanol and 12.5 millionlitres of heavy fuel oil. The possibility ofan additional 15 million litres of

hydrocarbon fuel freely flowing into thebunded area posed obvious risks to thefirefighters, to the environment, and toadjoining premises including the BHPplant. Strategies were implemented forcooling these exposures and protectingthe tanks. Despite the intense radiantheat, this defensive strategy was showingearly success when Commissioner GregMullins flew from Sydney in FireAir 1 withChief Superintendent Jim Hamilton fromState Operations and SuperintendentsMick Guymer and Doug Williams fromRegion South. A full IMT comprisingIncident Controller, Operations Officer,Planning Officer, Logistics Officer, MediaOfficer, Safety Officer, Division and SectorCommanders was then put in place by theCommissioner.

Chief Superintendent Bootsma briefed theCommissioner and arriving officers on thecurrent strategies, based on protectingthe exposures through cooling andprotecting the tanks. The IMT immediatelyliaised with representatives from Caltex,Shell and Manildra Chemicals to developstrategies for attacking the fire later in theday. It was decided to conserve foam untilenough supplies were available toextinguish the fire.

F I R E N E W S M a r c h 2 0 0 42

F e a t u r e

Above: A melted car

Left: Commissioner Mullinsbriefs Minister Kelly andNSW Police AssistantCommissioner Terry Collins

Incident briefing

Monitors coolsurrounding tanks

When Assistant Commissioner MurrayKear arrived, Commissioner Mullinsrestructured the IMT appointing AssistantCommissioner Kear as Incident Controllerand Superintendent Bootsma asOperations Officer. The incident site wasthen divided in two divisions; eachdivision having a number of sectors.

By this stage local emergency managementprocedures were also in place. AssistantCommissioner Kear liaised with the localPolice Commander, AmbulanceSuperintendent, District Emergency

Management Officer, representatives fromthe Environment Protection Authority, andport facility managers to ensure acoordinated, multi-agency effort.

The Sydney Communication Centreplayed an important role in supportingthe logistics officers by sourcing extrasupplies of foam from the NSWFB’scontract supplier, having extra stocks ofstored foam in Sydney transported to thefire scene and seeking additional foamstocks from the Caltex refinery at Kurnell.

By 4pm an 11th Alarm response hadbrought 120 NSWFB firefighters and 22pumpers to Port Kembla, as well as threeaerial appliances, rescue and hazmatteams, and the Incident Control Vehicle. Astrong breeze from the north east, andextreme radiant heat from the fire,

estimated to be several thousand degreesCelsius at its core, made firefightingconditions even more difficult.

After considering the tank size, surfacearea and nature of the ethanol product,the IMT developed a strategy for a bulkapplication of foam at around 5pm.

“We knew we had come up with a largesupply of alcohol-resistant foam and anumber of different options for applyingthat foam to the tank,” SuperintendentGuymer said.

It was decided to use the EricksonSkycrane and its foam-producingcapacity together with foam deliveredfrom an Airport Fire and Rescue Servicetender. This foam would be used inaddition to that delivered from the aerial

F I R E N E W S M a r c h 2 0 0 4 3

F e a t u r e

Commissioner Mullins and Chief SuperintendentHans Bootsma discuss strategies

The incident continues into the night. Members of the IMT monitor the situation

Above: Change of shift

F I R E N E W S M a r c h 2 0 0 44

F e a t u r e

Commissioner Mullins and firefightersmanage a smile.

platforms already on scene, as well as theseven ground monitors delivering water. ARural Fire Service spotter aircraft wouldbe used to guide the Skycrane.

This bold strategy was the first of its kindto be used in Australia. Unfortunately, thewind direction changed and blew fromthe south as the attack on the firecommenced. This made the foam fromthe airport rescue tender less effectivedue to the southerly wind combined withair turbulence generated by the fire.

The change in the weather conditionsmeant that, despite tremendous efforts,the combined attack of the EricksonSkycrane, airport tender, monitors andhydraulic platforms rendered efforts lesseffective than hoped. However, the attack

substantially reduced the intensity of thefire and the large amount of foamsolution assisted in cooling the tank andsurrounding structures.

The predetermined fallback was to focuson containing the fire to the tank of origin.Plans were drawn up to continue thefoam application which would assist indiluting the ethanol, allowing the fuel toburn down to a level where another foamattack could be made with greaterchance of success some hours later.

The IMT was relieved at approximately7pm, and Assistant Commissioner Bensonbecame Incident Controller assisted byChief Superintendent Ken Bryant. The nextIMT led by Chief Superintendent RogerBucholtz decided on a foam attack at firstlight the following morning. The strategythat eventually proved effective was aconventional ground-based attack,including another bulk foam application at6am. The wind conditions were veryfavourable, and once the tank had cooledto below 100°C from the continual use ofground monitors, a ladder platform and theairport fire tender managed to get enoughfoam in the tank to extinguish the blaze inseven minutes. The foam layer wasmonitored throughout the morning and thelevels were topped up when required. Inall, 50 000 litres of foam were used.

Commissioner Mullins praised firefightersas did Minister Tony Kelly who attended

the incident to observe operations.“Containing the fire to its origin andprotecting the surrounding fuel stores wasa tremendous effort by the fire fightersinvolved, especially given that ethanol isa notoriously difficult product toextinguish,” Commissioner Mullins said.

Commissioner Mullins also praised theoverall management of the incident, andthe level of cooperation and coordinationwith other agencies.

Once the tank contents had cooled,NSWFB hazmat technicians supervisedindustry clean up teams, and theEnvironment Protection Authority starteda clean up program to ensure theremaining ethanol could be safelyremoved for reprocessing. Fuel orcontaminants in the bunded area wereproperly treated before being releasedinto the environment.

Manildra pumper next to crumpled tank lid

Section of tank lid

Above: EricksonSkycrane dropsfoam

F I R E N E W S M a r c h 2 0 0 4 5

F e a t u r e

Other agenciesNSW Police Service

NSW Ambulance

Rural Fire Service (air operations)

National Parks andWildlife Service

SES

Caltex

Shell

Manildra

BHP

Environment Protection Authority

Local Council

Integral Energy

Port facility managers

Sydney Water

NSWFBattendanceWollongong

Balgownie

Corrimal

Dapto

Shellharbour

Warrawong

Unanderra

Thirroul

Bulli

Bankstown

Cabramatta

Rosemeadow

Riverwood

Mascot

Mortdale

Glebe

Cronulla

Matraville

Fairfield

Lidcombe

Drummoyne

Leichhardt

Campsie

Rockdale

Gladesville

Merrylands

Runner HQ

Willoughby

Rydalmere

Concord

St Andrews

Busby

Redfern

Chester Hill

Pyrmont

Ashfield

Incident ControlVehicle

Hazmat

Rescue

Commissionerand SeniorOfficers

SOLO

FireAir 1

Ron at Whisky - 1st day

Shelter training

By Inspector Ron Sinclair

Class Boise

Last August I joined a multi-agency contingent from NSW

sent to Montana to assist USfirefighters in their escalatingbattle against numerous wildfires.At the request of the USgovernment, 16 firefighters fromthe NSWFB, NSW Rural FireService, State Forests and theNational Parks and WildlifeService formed part of acontingent of 51 Australian andNew Zealand firefighters.It was a big two weeks, coping with toughmountain terrain, high altitude and longhours at the Mineral Prim fire in theRocky Mountains, Montana where Imanaged crews at the fire line as well ashelicopter water drops.

They were very appreciative of the effortsand skills of our Australia/New Zealandcontingent.

What assistance did the NSWFBprovide to the US firefighting effort?

US firefighting resources were becomingstretched to the limit as they headedtowards the end of this particularly long

and arduous season. Many of the majorfires required an Incident ManagementTeam (IMT) and other people inleadership and supervisory roles. TheNSWFB would classify these positions asfireline leaders such as DivisionCommanders, Sector Commander, TaskForce Leaders etc. The US has a standingagreement with Australia and NewZealand to provide qualified people whenshortfalls arise.

I was allocated the role of Task ForceLeader at a major fire, managing teamsof firefighters on an active fireline. Othermembers of our contingent performedroles in air support, IMT and liaison.

Our attendance at the fires also meantthat many US personnel were able to takea well-deserved break before they movedon to another fire.

Up, up and awayAfter passing the fitness test with flyingcolours, it seemed that only a very shorttime later I was boarding the US-boundplane along with other members of thecontingent. To my surprise, we received awelcome announcement from the pilotand applause from the passengers.

Over 27 hours later we arrived in Boise,Idaho and transferred to the National

Interagency Fire Centre (NIFC). A tour ofthe facility revealed a veritable Aladdin’scave of gear: rows and rows ofequipment - most of it brand new. TheNIFC houses one of four caches offirefighting equipment stored for use atfires across the US.

As part of the orientation, we were showna video on wildfire fighting with emphasison the fire shelter, which is also known asthe ‘shake ’n bake’ - it cooks you if you’renot careful. With that delightful piece ofinformation under our belts, we managedto successfully execute our practicaltraining in deploying the shelter, whichwas just as well because our effortsaroused some local media interest!

6

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F I R E N E W S M a r c h 2 0 0 4

Drop off at meadow

Heber hotshots truck

Heavy fill at lake

Camp at dawn

HotshotsHotshots crews are elite wildfirefirefighters in mobile teams of 20 whotravel wherever they are needed formajor fires. There are only about 14crews in the US, and many firefightersaspire to join these teams. Even veryexperienced firefighters are stillconsidered rookies for a while afterbecoming a hotshot.

Hotshots are trained to rememberand perform particularly detailedcommands or strategies. Their fitnesslevels are extremely high and theyuse their down time to sharpen toolsor work out. They also have a veryhigh discipline standard; each oneknows his/her place in the crew andeach has a number. They then marcheverywhere in order. At one stage theHeber Hotshots were working on aridge with us and were split tocomplete two tasks. At the end of theday the crew at the bottom marchedup the hill to link up with their bossand the rest of the crew so that theycould march back down the hill incorrect order!

Down to business

Our camp, Mineral Prim, was ten milesnorth east of Missoula. It was a very flat,bare farm paddock on the main road. Noshade, lots of traffic noise, and about 800people. Security, Information and GroundSupport tents were situated at the frontgate, beyond which was a large row of tentsknown as Main Street. Main Street was theIMT centre with a tent for Operations,Logistics, and Communications as well asa separate section for the sleeping tents ofthe overheads (that’s us).

There was a huge catering trailer whichwas a fully-functioning industrial kitchen,hot and cold water sinks and three verylarge marquee mess tents as well asSupply and Medical tents, showertrailers, laundry tent, telephone tent, andthe Commissary which sold everythingfrom toothpaste to T-shirts with the logofor this particular fire.

At the initial briefing, Task Force Leaderswere allocated their Divisions, and wewere given updates from Operations,Logistics, Air Support, Finance, HumanResources, Communications, Informationand Safety personnel. Part of the safetytalk emphasised the danger of bears, andwhat precautions needed to be taken,such as taking all rubbish with us, not

leaving food in our tents, keeping food inbear boxes where possible, or hanging itfrom trees. We were also told to try not tostartle the bears, and to make lots ofnoise while walking through the forest.There was even a brochure on what to doif confronted by one!

Out on the trail, while scouting for myDivision (Whisky) I noticed that I wasvery short of breath. It took me a while torealise that we were at an altitude aboutthe same as Mt Kosciusko, and Idefinitely was not acclimatised. Anotherthing I found most unsettling was theposition of the sun in relation to north. Ifound orientation difficult now the sunhad moved south, and I was alwaysgetting confused and having to align themap to a compass.

F I R E N E W S M a r c h 2 0 0 4 7

F e a t u r e

Chopper through smoke

Meadow from air

As the week progressed, some daysinvolved even more walking/climbingthan before. There were some injuries tocrew members: heat exhaustion, a nosebleed, and a wasp sting (it flew up theunfortunate victim’s trouser leg). On amore serious note, one of our crew washit by a falling tree. While the crew wasremoving scrub from around trees thatwere beginning to “torch”, a helicopterdropped a water bucket very close to thecrew, knocking a tree over onto one of thefirefighters. The tree hit him on the headand back, and he was only saved by hishelmet. The chopper pilot had decided tomake the drop on his own, withoutinstructions and without checking to seeif anyone was there. He said later, “reallysorry man,” just before he left to go backto California!

The injured firefighter was treated at thescene and airlifted by helicopter tohospital. Happily, he was OK, except forthe skin off his forehead where the EMThad taped his head to the stretcherwithout folding the sticky part over.

Weather-wise…I was amazed at how quickly the weathercould change. While crews were moppingup a few spots that had jumped the fireline in gale-force wind, it began to snow.The high wind also meant that crews who

had been flown in now had to walk out,and the result was 90 people marching insingle file back to camp - encounteringtwo black bears en route.

I woke the next morning to discover thatmy tent wasn’t as waterproof as Ithought. There was a pool of water on thefloor (it had been dripping on my faceduring the night) and my sleeping bagwas wet. My pack and most of my clotheswere also wet. Then it snowed again aswe headed back up the mountain. It wasat about this stage I was looking forwardto a warm dry motel…

I thawed out eventually and attendedseveral major debriefing sessions beforeheading back to Australia. We landed inSydney accompanied by a rousing vocalrendition of Waltzing Matilda courtesy of oneof the more patriotic contingent members.

What I learnt from the experienceI learned that Australian firefightingauthorities would be unwise to emulatethe US system of using contract teamsand crews, as the cost is enormous. USfirefighters also rely heavily on resourcessuch as air support, equipment, vehiclesand support facilities. Their spending ona major fire would be considered extremeby our standards.

The tactics and operational procedures

are very similar to those used by theNSWFB, but a much greater emphasis isplaced on the Safety Officer role. TheSafety Officer plays a major part in theIMT, and one is assigned to each Division.The Divisional Safety Officer remains onthe fireline with the crews, and isconstantly vigilant in addressingbreaches of the safety code.

US Fire Camps are quite amazing andprovide excellent support for thefirefighters and the IMT. These could be agreat bonus for Australian and NewZealand fire crews if we could ever getour firefighters to agree to sleep in asmall tent on the ground for 14 dayswhile on a tour of duty at a fire!

What did they learn from me?Besides benefiting from my considerablefirefighting expertise, I taught theAmerican firefighters how to cooeee.

F I R E N E W S M a r c h 2 0 0 48

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Incidents

At 11:21 pm on 25 February 2004, NSWFBfirefighters were called when a semi-trailer

carrying a mixed load of chemicals overturned at thebottom of Mt Victoria Pass on the Great WesternHighway. Many of the drums containing thechemicals had fallen onto the road, scattered over awide area and split, their contents leaking andcombining to form toxic products and gases.

When fire crews arrived they donned spillage suits and breathingapparatus and set up a hot zone around the truck. Hampered byheavy rain, crews constructed earth dams to control the spill. “Wedidn’t want to risk the chemicals getting into any of the nearbywatercourses,” said Katoomba Station Officer Andy Peters.

Hazmat CommanderActing SuperintendentMichael Brown wascontacted and heresponded the NSWFBPrimary Hazmat Unitsfrom Greenacre.A/Superintendent Brownarrived at the incidentcontrol point at 1:15 am.After reassessing theseverity of the incident,Incident Control wasmoved 250 metres westto increase the safety ofthe hot zone.

Hazmat teams were also sent to theservice station at Mt Victoria Tops wherea number of people had contaminatedthe shop after coming in contact withtoxins at the accident scene. The peopleand the area were decontaminated andthe people left with NSW Ambulanceofficers for observation.

At approximately 2 am a new incidentcontrol point was established in a moreaccessible area on the eastern side ofthe incident with local resourcesremaining on the western side toprovide fire protection.

Rescue crews in spillage suits and breathing apparatus worked forfour hours to recover the deceased driver. They stabilised the truckusing timber cribbing, shoring and a ‘tifor’ winch. The truck hadbeen carrying herbicides, insecticides, pesticides, hydrochloricacid and sodium hypochlorite, as well as tinned food stuffs and

bulk galvanised piping.As the hydrochloric acidwas fuming and reactingwith the galvanised pipe,hydrogen was beingproduced so it wasunsafe to use petrolpowered rescueequipment and crewsused air-operatedequipment and handtools.

The recovery was madeeven more difficult by theseverity of the damage to

the cab and the fact that crews had to bedecontaminated at each air cylinderchangeover.

Crews worked through the rest of theday and into the night to clean up thesite. Firefighters in spillage suitsremoved the steel, foodstuffs andsurface debris first. Then, in fullyencapsulated suits, they identified thedifferent types of chemicals andseparated them into individualcontainers for removal from the site bysalvage contractors.

To ensure the ongoing safety of crewstheir health was monitored by NSW

Chemical spillat Mt Victoria

The Incident Management Team decided to use our jointly

owned helicopter, FireAir 1, to fly air cylinders to the

incident ground in order to maintain continuity of

operations. Extra cylinders were then transported by road

and refilled at the Katoomba Fire Station facility.

F I R E N E W S M a r c h 2 0 0 4 9

I n c i d e n t s

The clean-up

“I believe that this incident was handled

in a very professional manner,” said

Superintendent Tom Milburn. “Firefighters

performed their tasks under extremely

arduous conditions and I congratulate

them on their efforts during this incident.

“It is important to acknowledge the

invaluable assistance from other

emergency service agencies, especially

during the recovery phase, particularly the

District Emergency Management Officer

John Mayfield, who assisted in bringing

this incident to a satisfactory close.”

F I R E N E W S M a r c h 2 0 0 410

I n c i d e n t s

Photos by Kernin Lambert and Robert Comerford

Truck and scattered load

Ambulance SCAT officers. Observations were conductedon firefighters prior to their entering the hot zone inprotective clothing and on leaving the hot zone afterdecontamination.

The area, including the semi and equipment was spotdecontaminated with a sodium hypochlorite solution toneutralise the spilt organophosphates. The Departmentof Environment and Conservation continued to monitorthe incident ground by conducting atmosphericmonitoring, water quality and soil tests.

Decontamination

NSWFB Attendance

Mt Victoria

Lithgow West

Katoomba

Blackheath

Leura

Wentworth Falls

Bathurst

Lithgow

Springwood

Lawson

Wentworthville

FireAir 1

Mt Druitt

Dunheved

Glenbrook

SAR5

Zone Commander W3

Operational Commander W3

Hazmat 1

Hazmat 2

NSWFB Scientific Advisor

Hazmat 9 Alpha

SIW3

SOLO

USAR 1

Other Agencies

Rural Fire Service

NSW Police

NSW Ambulance

Department of Environmentand Conservation

NSW Roads and TrafficAuthority

Lithgow Council

District EmergencyManagement Officer

Sydney Catchment Authority

Western Area Health Service

On 5 January 2004, fire broke out shortlybefore 6 am in the administration

building of Australia’s oldest operatingwinery, Wyndham Estate at Dalwood. Crewsfrom Branxton, Telarah, Cessnock, EastMaitland, Maitland, Singleton and theNewcastle hazmat team responded alongwith three Rural Fire Service brigades.

When firefighters arrived, the fire had already taken afirm hold and was spreading rapidly through the roofof the building. Firefighters wearing breathingapparatus had to move cautiously as the roof wascollapsing around them. They faced further difficultiesfighting the fire in a cellar. Initial water supplies werelimited and the lack of water pressure hamperedfirefighting efforts. Rural Fire Service tankers wereused to relay water to the scene.

While the administration building was largelydestroyed, firefighters were able to save vitalcomputer equipment. Fortunately, the vineyard,factory and historical buildings, some dating back toaround 1828, were not threatened.

“Fire crews showed great determination in tacklingthis extremely exhausting and dangerous fire,” saidInspector Mark Reilly. “Operations were complicatedby poor water supply and a unique building layout.Firefighters had limited access to the basement andthis is where the fire spread into the roof of thebuilding.”

The cause of the fire was investigated jointly byNSWFB investigators and the NSW Police ForensicServices group.

Fire at Australia’soldest winery

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incide

nts

Firefighters from Tamworth and WestTamworth were responded and theNSW Police Service notified. In case

there was a chemical, biological orradiological incendiary device being insidethe package, Tamworth’s Hazmat van wasalso dispatched. West 5 Country InspectorTerry Farley, barrier-taped the area andestablished a hot zone. After liaison withStation Officer Wayne Zikan, InspectorFarley moved club patrons away from thewindows to the other side of the club. Thewindows overlooked the car park andcould have been affected by a blast.

Firefighters used a thermal imagingcamera to determine whether there wasanything abnormal inside the package butfound no heat coming from it. They ran aline of 38mm hose out for protection andstood back until the Police arrived.

“I was not taking any chances with thelives of the community or my crew,”Inspector Terry Farley said. “Theprocedures set out in the StandardOperational Guidelines relating to bombscertainly helped me carry out my role.”

When police arrived they asked crimescene investigators and a bomb squadtechnician for help. It was decided toclose Marius Street, the main arterialroad north and south out of Tamworth.

A 100m blast radius was established andNSWFB set up a BA Stage 1 Control withone crew in breathing apparatus runninga line of 70mm hose as cover while thebomb squad opened the package.Another crew stood by with encapsulatedsuits if required.

When the package was finally opened itturned out to be a picnic basketcontaining an empty plastic bottle.

Although the incident caused majordisruption to the community, it proved agood test of emergency resources leadingup to the Tamworth Country MusicFestival when more than 100,000 peoplecame to the city.

“All emergency services workedextremely well together and I would liketo congratulate firefighters on theirprofessionalism during the incident,”said Inspector Farley.

On Tuesday 13 January 2004 asuspicious package was found next to

a mini underground substation next to theTamworth Services Club. The NSW PoliceService Bomb Disposal Unit was called into remove the package and more than 140people were evacuated from surroundingbuildings.

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Thermal Imaging Camera aids firiesToukley Fire Brigade used specialist rescue equipment to pinpoint theexact location of a fire in a Central Coast kitchen manufacturingfactory.

At 5.30am on 18 December 2003, crews fighting a fire in a dust extractingsilo/hopper at Polytech Doors in Warnervale, employed a thermal imagingcamera from Berkeley Vale Fire Station to determine the fire’s location within thesilo. They were then better able to decide on appropriate firefighting techniquesto access and extinguish the fire.

After carrying out a thorough reading with the camera, one crew opened theexternal access door with 2 x 70mm lines for fire protection and attack (as shownin the accompanying photo). A safety crew below provided fire protection to thoseabove. Crews in breathing apparatus at the bottom of the hopper removedperspex covers to gain entry to the fire. The area was declared safe at 1.17pm.

No picnic for Tamworth firies

Warehouse firein ArmidaleOn 1 January 2004, firefighters from

Armidale, Guyra and Uralla battled fortwo and a half hours to control a fire atHarvey Norman’s Armidale warehouse whichcontained furniture and household goods.

Firefighters had to use power saws and axes to gainaccess to the building. They then faced a tough jobas the stock added fuel to the fire, and thebuilding’s single-storey tin and iron constructionbuckled under the intense heat.

During the fire the warehouse roof caved in, and anLPG cylinder exploded inside the building. Nobodywas injured, but three firefighters suffered heatexhaustion and were treated on scene by theAmbulance Service of NSW.

Inspector Terry Farley said the Incident ControlSystem was implemented in the early stages andhelped in controlling the incident, by accounting forthe firefighters, putting tactics and strategies inplace and enabling them to successfully extinguishthe fire.

Purrfect rescue

ADubbo resident had given up all hope offinding her much loved purebred Siamesecat, Biddy, who had been missing for several

months. The animal, however, was eventuallylocated (via microchip scan), alive and well andresiding in a wall cavity in the Grace Bros Building.

Biddy had given birth to six kittens, and wasreluctant to leave her new home, so the NSWFBcrew from Dubbo were called to the rescue. Aftermuch effort on the part of firefighters, Biddy andher mewing offspring were removed from the walland returned home.

Cartoon by Firefighter Paul Dorin

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Fairlight Childcare Centre

On 15 December 2003, a car crashed into a childcare centre in Fairlightand burst into flames. Fire crews responded to 000 calls reporting a school fire in Balgowlah Rd, Fairlight. Whenfirefighters arrived they saw smoke coming from a childcare centre. On closer inspectionthey discovered that a car had smashed through a wall and window of the centre and wasnow on fire. Some children were trapped inside the badly damaged structure, includingseveral who were seriously injured.

A Red message for a 2nd alarm was transmitted, while firefighters initiated a search andrescue operation. Crews from Manly, Dee Why, Narrabeen, Crows Nest and Mosman werejoined by Ambulance personnel, centre staff, council workers and members of the public incarrying out a phenomenal rescue effort. Two firefighters, Senior Firefighters Tony Farrell andWade Leverack with the help of a courageous local, physically lifted the car to free trappedand injured children.

Firefighters extinguished the fire within five minutes of their arrival.

As children were located, they were freed and moved to the safety and care of AmbulanceOfficers. One child was still unaccounted for and the Narrabeen Heavy Rescue unit wascalled upon to lift the vehicle and search underneath. Thankfully a short time later themissing child was located.

Unfortunately, eight children suffered injuries, two seriously. The driver of the car alsosustained injuries. In total, 48 children and staff were evacuated from the facility. Allcasualties were treated at the scene by Ambulance personnel and subsequently transportedto hospital, including one child by rescue helicopter.

Getting ready for thecharity walk

Fundraising effortsIn the aftermath, firefighters were alsostrongly involved with the local communityin fundraising for the two girls who wereseriously hurt. D Platoon firefighters fromNarrabeen and C Platoon firefighters fromManly, Mosman, Crows Nest, Gladesville,Eastwood, Drummoyne, Bondi, City ofSydney, Silverwater and Parramatta helpedparticipants at checkpoints of the walk-and-paddle fundraiser which began atManly Wharf and finished at ParramattaWharf.

The fundraiser ended with an auction at theManly Wharf Hotel which raised over$200,000. The families of the girls werealso presented with the firefighting helmetsof Inspector Gordon Boath and SF WadeLaverack who attended the incident.

Goonellabah firies were photographed with young patient Kane Shieldsduring one of their regular visits to the children’s ward of Lismore BaseHospital. The group is featured on the front cover of Health Bites, theNorthern Rivers Area Health Service Magazine.

Picture courtesy of Susan Walker, NRAHS

Firies on the front

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In 2003, the NSWFB Relief and Welfare Fund elected tosupport the NSWFB Retired Members and Wives

Association; many members of this association havingpreviously been involved with the fund. The Fund donated$2000 to the Association to cover costs in producing regularnewsletters for members. The newsletters contain updateson what’s happening in the NSWFB and provide news aboutother members of the association.

A few words about the Associationfrom Tony Hayman, Secretary

Retired NSWFB members began meeting in 1979. The originalcommittee decided that an annual get-together should be heldeach year and that it should be open to all employees, not justfirefighters. Annual dinners have gained popularity, with over200 members attending.

Over the years, the organisation has grown considerably and isnow incorporated. I have been secretary since 1988 and havebeen delighted that the Association has enabled me to keep incontact with both serving and retired members.

I encourage any retired member to contact the committee. Thereis no joining fee and we would be quite happy to put you on ourmailing list.

Contact Tony Hayman, on 9632 7910 or 0402 448 526.

From Dave Gardner, PresidentTo my way of thinking, the very idea of an association that givesone a chance of continuing a lifestyle is very appealing indeed.It would be a great shame if a member of the NSWFB were tolose contact with his/her mates. And, mates we all were.

After retirement our members appear to be scattered to the fourwinds. Some decide to stay in Sydney, while others choose tomove to less frenetic climes, and we never hear from themagain. The original founders of the Association decided to dosomething about it. Well done, I say.

In the early days there were no computers or any of the technicaladvantages we enjoy today. It was a case of writer’s cramp andhours of organised chaos and stamp licking. Tony Hayman canvouch for this.

At our annual dinner there is a palpable feeling of esprit decorps. What better than to see the result of weeks of preparationculminating in a gathering of old comrades all under one roof fora few hours each year. We may all be looking a little older, butthe memories are sharp and who cares if the stories growslightly more embellished as the years roll by?

I urge all our present members to attend the annual dinner, andfor the recently retired - join us and enjoy!

L to R: Superintendent Peter Stathis,Vice President Relief and WelfareFund, Mrs Julia Simonides, AssistantSecretary Relief and Welfare Fund,Tony Hayman, Dave Gardner,Commissioner Mullins andSuperintendent Doug Messenger,President Relief and Welfare Fund.

First year of sponsorship for the NSWFBRetired Members and Wives Association

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To help get into the spirit of Australia Day, smallAustralian flags were flown from the aerials ofNSWFB pumpers and major appliances. Firefighters from Parramatta participated in Parramatta CityCouncil’s celebrations by providing a static display of theirpumper and ladder/platform as well as distributing fire safetyinformation to the community.

Firefighters from Castle Hill and Northmead took part in theAustralia Day Emergency Expo at Castle Hill Showground. The expowas designed to explain the cooperative arrangements in placebetween the emergency response agencies. Firefightersdemonstrated rescue and hazmat skills during a simulated accidentbetween a car and a semi-trailer carrying a toxic chemical.

Keeping the NSWFB Australia Day flame alive in the south-west,Junee crews cooked up a storm by holding a BBQ to raise moneyfor the Cancer Patients’ Association.

Flying the flag…

A bloody battle

Firefighters from Armidale won the NSW Fire Brigades (NSWFB) FireFighters Blood Challenge Shield for giving the most amount of blood (318

donations) during the 2003 NSWFB Fire Fighters Blood Challenge.

The Challenge, which was held betweenplatoons from 1 May to 30 September 2003,was designed to help the Australian RedCross Blood Service ensure there wassufficient blood during winter.

Congratulations to all NSWFB firefighters andtheir families who made a total of 607 blooddonations.

Back: Superintendent Steven Pearce, Zone CommanderWest 5 and Inspector Terry Farley, OperationalCommander West 5.

Front: Firefighter Darren Meuron, Firefighter IanUnderwood, both from 205 Station, Armidale andFirefighter Les Solomons, Relieving Firefighterfrom Sydney.

Honiara pumper

Solomon Island fire station

“I was well received by the people of the Solomon Islands. They were morethan eager to witness change; in fact, they wanted me to fix things while Iwas there!

The weather was extremely hot and humid. There was nearly always asmoke haze hanging around from people burning off rubbish on the footpath.I was told not to swim in the sea near Honiara due to possible contaminationby sewerage outfall. Mozzies were aplenty andI had to take anti malaria tablets each day. I’mtold that there are some really beautiful placesin the Solomon Islands, but unfortunately, therewas little time to sightsee.

During my stay I developed relationshipsbetween the Fire Service and othergovernment departments, including the waterauthority, the ports authority and the naturaldisasters organisation. I also attempted to setup a hydrant location/inspection regime for thefirefighters, as well as liaising with technicalpersonnel who could assist in re-establishingradio communications.

Although there is a long way to go, I departed the Islands a little moreconfident that firefighters were a little better equipped to deal with anemergency.”

Last December, NSWFB Fire SafetyInspector Chris Jurgeit returned to

Australia after participating in theRegional Assistance Mission to theSolomon Islands (RAMSI).

The RAMSI program, which wasrequested by the Solomon IslandsGovernment in July 2003, coordinatesthe assistance of international agenciesrestoring law and order and re-establishing infrastructure in thatcountry. Participating countries includeAustralia, New Zealand, Cook Islands,Tonga, Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu and Kiribati.

In recent years, the fire service in theSolomon Islands has been affected bypolitical upheaval, resulting in thedeterioration of fire service equipmentand buildings, and eroding theconfidence of its personnel. It is hopedthat with a commitment from theSolomon Islands Government and theirfire service (approximately 70personnel), together with ongoingassistance from programs such asRAMSI, things can begin to turn around.

Inspector Jurgeit’s task was to prepare acomprehensive report on the state of theSolomon Islands Fire Service and makerecommendations for redeveloping theSolomon Islands Fire Service.

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RegionalAssistanceMission to theSolomon Islands

An SEV and striker

The new Bushfire CooperativeResearch Centre (CRC) was

launched on 10 December 2003 bythe Federal Minister for Science,the Hon Peter McGauran MP. TheCRC will create opportunities for allAustralian fire agencies to benefitfrom an unprecedented nationalcollaboration on bushfire research.The CRC maintains strong links with theAustralasian Fire Authorities Council, andinvolves 30 Australian partnerorganisations. The CRC will have combinedcash and resources of close to $100 millionover the next seven years, including a cashgrant of $25 million from theCommonwealth.

As the name implies, the Bushfire CRC relieson cooperation and collaboration amongrelevant research and educationalorganisations including state-based fire andemergency authorities, land managementagencies, universities, CSIRO and the Bureauof Meteorology. In NSW, core participantsinclude the NSWFB, Rural Fire Service,National Parks and Wildlife Service and StateForests. The University of NSW is anassociate participant.

The CRC will focus on five programs:

Program A: Safe prevention, preparationand suppression

This program aims to develop acomprehensive understanding of bushfirebehaviour and risk, taking into accountlocal differences in vegetation, landmanagement and weather conditions. Theoutcomes will be biophysical eg control ofair quality, maintenance of biodiversity andprescribed burning.

Program B: Management of prescribedand wild fires in the landscape

Program C: Community self-sufficiencyfor fire safety

Knowledge gained from Program A willassist in development of local managementarrangements such as prevention andsuppression strategies, prescribed fuelreduction regimes and enhanced localcommunity self-sufficiency.

Program D: Protection of people andproperty

Program A outcomes will also be relevant toimproving the safety of people andbuildings during bushfires.

Program E: Education and training

Aims to ensure that effective and appropriatecommunication and training occurs withinCRC agencies and organisations, particularlyeducational agencies.

An important feature of the CRC is thedevelopment of strong, well-connectedresearch teams within all programs. Thiscoordinated approach should ensure thatthe results of bushfire research areefficiently transferred to agencies andcommunities, and the CRC intends toemploy three part-time ‘technologytransfer’ officers to translate research intopractice. Examples include operationalmanuals, training packages, and enhanceddecision-making processes that improvecommunity safety and firefighter wellbeingas well as protect property and reduce riskand cost of bushfire management.

The CRC will support and producegraduates specifically trained in bushfireresearch with skills relevant to industryneeds, and is offering up to 60scholarships. Universities involved includethe University of Western Australia, RMITUniversity, the University of Melbourne,Australian National University, James CookUniversity, La Trobe University, andUniversity of NSW.

Bushfire CooperativeResearch Centre

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The CRC is offering appropriatelyqualified students full postgraduatescholarships valued at $25 000 per yearas well as top-up scholarships (forstudents eligible for scholarships such asAustralian Postgraduate Awards) of$7000 per annum.

The CRC will also be involved in providingshort courses for a variety of audiencesincluding postgraduates and agencystaff. It will coordinate exchangeprograms for agency and research staff,and an annual bushfire researchconference.

The CRC board is chaired by formerNSWFB Commissioner Ian Mac Dougall.NSW Rural Fire Service CommissionerPhil Koperberg is also a board member.Chief Executive is Kevin O’Loughlin,formerly the NSW State Director of theBureau of Meteorology.

Information about the Bushfire CRC,including research programs andeducational opportunities, is available on thewebsite at www.bushfirecrc.com or contact:

Bushfire Cooperative Research CentreLevel 5340 Albert Street,East Melbourne VIC 3002

Phone: 03 9412 9600Fax: 03 9416 3717.

Police Secondment - CriticalInfrastructure PreIncident Planning

Superintendent Glen Sheedy recently commenced asecondment to the Police Counter Terrorism Command.Superintendent Sheedy’s primary role will be to assist NSWFBZone Commanders in furthering a joint agency approach to preincident planning for critical infrastructure sites.

Glen will be contacting Zone Commanders to discuss andassist with the progression of critical infrastructure pre-incident planning in their areas of responsibility.

Superintendent Sheedy can be contacted at:glen.sheedy@fire.nsw.gov.au.

NSWFB participates in InternationalSearch and Rescue forums

Last November, Commissioner Greg Mullins travelled toJapan and Korea, where he represented Australia at the

International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG)Asia Pacific Chapter meeting in Kobe, and the InternationalUrban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team Leaders Meeting inSeoul which attracted delegates from over 30 countries.

The meetings focussed on lessons learned from the most recentAlgiers and Turkey earthquakes, standardisation of USAR size-upprocesses, and a proposed accreditation and assessment system forinternational USAR teams. Our NSWFB USAR Task Force 1 isaccredited by the United Nations as capable of internationalresponse, which means that if an incident occurs in the South Pacificregion, Australia can be asked to help.

As the Australian fire services’ representative on the NationalUSAR Working Group, Commissioner Mullins has been lobbying forFederal Government funding to help the smaller states to developtheir own USAR capabilities.

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The NSWFB Relief and Welfare Fund has recentlypurchased a fully furnished holiday unit at

Forster on the north coast of NSW. The threebedroom unit, which sleeps six people, is situatedone street back from the lake and within walkingdistance to shops and main beach. The rent is$200 a week all year round.

Ballots are to be held annually and are open tomembers of the Fund. To those who were successfulin obtaining accommodation this year, we hope youhave a wonderful holiday.

Application forms are available on the NSWFBIntranet site.

L to R: Superintendent Peter Stathis, Vice President Relief and Welfare Fund, Mrs JuliaSimonides, Assistant Secretary Relief and Wefare Fund, Superintendent Doug Messenger,President Relief and Welfare Fund being presented the keys by Commissioner Mullins.

Take a break

Following the windstorm on Sunday 24 August 2003 whichaffected many areas of Sydney and the Illawarra, the

NSWFB and State Emergency Service (SES) decided to reviewthe Mutual Aid Agreement (MAA) between the twoorganisations. The aim of the MAA is to ensure that the NSWFBeffectively supports the SES during flood and storm recoveryoperations and that the community receives the highest levelof service.

The MAA covers activities and issues such as sharinginformation about calls for help from the public, coordinating thework of teams from each service and providing the best liaisonand logistical support. NSWFB crews involved in flood and storm

recovery operations will continue to work as they have alwaysdone, but will be better supported and will be given jobs thatmatch their capability.

Based on the lessons learned during the recent storm recoveryoperation, the MAA was strengthened in some areas, includinggiving more detailed information to the SES about jobs ‘renderedsafe’ by the NSWFB. A training package in SES sector operationswill be developed for NSWFB liaison officers.

The revised MAA was signed by NSWFB Commissioner GregMullins and the Director-General of the SES, Brigadier PhilipMcNamara, on 16 January 2004.

Review of Mutual AidAgreement with StateEmergency Service

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2003Late last year, Community Fire

Unit (CFU) members from acrossSydney and the Blue Mountainsgathered at Museum of Fire groundsin Penrith to compete in the CFUChampionships which were hostedin partnership with the NSWFBFirefighters ChampionshipsAssociation.Team members competed in four eventsdesigned to promote teamwork and simulatebushfire fighting scenarios. The competitionprovided a great opportunity for CFUmembers to hone their skills in protectingtheir homes from fire.

Apart from the competition, CFU membersand spectators enjoyed the Museum of Firedisplays, carnival rides and fire safetyeducation, including the NSWFB CommunityEducation Van, Bushwise Puppet Theatre,and a display from the NSWFB Rescuesection. Recruits from the Training College atAlexandria displayed their skills in providing asausage sizzle lunch.

And the winners are…The major event trophy was awarded toValerie Avenue, Chatswood West. TheCommissioner’s trophy went to Fuller’s Road,Chatswood West, while Muttama Street,Wahroonga took home the University ofWestern Sydney Hawkesbury encouragementtrophy.

Community Fire UnitGala Day and Championship

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Last November, Armidale firefighters held a benefit night forMatthew, the son of NSWFB Retained Firefighter Ron Wykniet who,

along with his wife Cecilia and two daughters Sarah and Bridgette,died in a horrific motor vehicle accident. The evening included an auction which was well supported by local businesses whodonated goods and services. Major items going under the hammer included a signedand framed Don Bradman cricket bat, which fetched $7500; a signed and framed DonBradman picture featuring his St George Cricket Club playing cap, which was snappedup for $5200; and a framed Wallabies jersey signed by the entire 2003 Rugby World Cupsquad, which went for $3150.

NSWFB Regional Commander West, Assistant Commissioner Murray Kear said thetragedy had affected the entire community and he was immensely proud of the effortsof the Armidale firefighters.

“I met Ron Wykniet when I presented the members of Armidale Fire Brigade with aCommendation for Courageous Action and will remember him as a brave andcourageous firefighter as well as a great family man.

“I have been touched and honoured by the efforts of the Armidale firefighters to providesolace and much-needed comfort to Matthew and the Wykniet family. This tragedy hasaffected everyone in the NSWFB and feelings of sorrow and loss were felt across thecommunity.

“At a time when there is so much negativity in the world, nights like these remind youthat there is still some good out there and I am extremely proud of the firefighters’efforts to help a mate.

“The thoughts and prayers of the entire NSWFB are with the Wykniet family.”

A big THANK YOU“Fellow firefighters, on behalf of

Armidale Fire Station, I would like

to thank each and every one of you

for the overwhelming support of

our appeal for Matthew. The

benefit night was an outstanding

success, and this was due, not

only to the efforts of the people

here in Armidale, but to all who

donated money and goods. We

raised over $100,000 which

should go a long way to help

secure Matthew’s future. On a

personal note, I would also like to

thank the firies from Armidale for

their support of and dedication to

this worthwhile cause.”

Armidale Station OfficerMick Howard

Matthew Wykniet with SuperintendentSteven Pearce, Zone Commander West 5,Station Officer Mick Howard andAssistant Commissioner Murray Kear.

Photos courtesy of the Armidale Express

Matthew Wykniet benefit night

Australia Day SurfboardTri-services Challenge

As part of Australia Daycelebrations, a NSWFB team

of nine firefighters competedagainst NSW Police and NSWAmbulance Service teams to winthe inaugural 2004 Australia DaySurfboard Tri-Service Challenge. The event attracted 1000 competitorsand consisted of a 3.5 kilometresurfboard paddle which began at SydneyOpera House at 8.30 am and finished atBlues Point Reserve at 10 am. Timeswere calculated by dividing the times ofthe top three finishers from each serviceto get an average.

The NSWFB team won with a time of36.31 minutes, closely followed by NSWPolice with 38.68 and the NSWAmbulance Service with 39.06.

The top three finishers from the NSWFBwere Anthony ‘AJ’ Payne from Redfern BPlatoon who completed the course in 29minutes and 28 seconds. This also wonhim first place in the Master Males 36-49 division. Second was Darren Bennettfrom The Rocks A Platoon whose timewas 32 minutes and 54 seconds andthird was Daniel Shaw from City ofSydney D Platoon who finished in 47minutes 12 seconds.

The CEO of the Australia Day CouncilNSW, John Trevillian presented the trophyto representatives of the NSWFB SportsAssociation during a ceremony atGovernor Macquarie Tower, Sydney.

The trophy will be engraved and held bythe NSWFB until next year’s event.

Photo courtesy of the Australia Day Council

Pictured from left to right (back row) - FF Daniel Shaw, Commissioner Mullins, FF Adrian James, FF ScottHenderson, (front row) FF Andrew Barrett and FF Anna Batterham.

SurfboardChallenge

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profile

Originally a computer operator for Telecom, Jeff joined theNSWFB in 1993 after deciding on a change of scenery.Literally. “I worked in an office with no windows – just like

a concrete bunker,” said Jeff. “After spending all day indoors atmy desk, I decided I wanted to work outdoors. I looked for a jobwhich provided a challenge, both mentally and physically.”

As fate would have it, after gaining Rescue as well asLadder/Platform and Hydraulic Platform operator qualifications,Jeff, seeking yet another change of scenery and furtherchallenges, has come fullcircle and spends his dayson a 10/14 shift at theSydney CommunicationCentre (ComCen) – sittingin front of a computer. “Atleast the ComCen haswindows,” he quipped.“Seriously though, I reallyenjoy this type of work. Youcan see what you’ve doneat the end of the day andyou get results. There’sgreat job satisfaction inknowing you’ve helpedsave a life or someone’shome.

“The ComCen is the firstcontact point for anyone trying to contact the NSWFB during anemergency,” said Jeff. “When a 000 call is received, we respondthe appropriate resources given the information supplied by thecaller. Often, ComCen operators need to decipher, interpret, andtranslate information from a distressed caller, and during majorincidents it can get pretty busy. On occasions we have up to 14operators working at the same time in the one room.”

Jeff had been rescue qualified for six years before joining theComCen. “The five week training course was fairly intense, butat the end you’re pretty confident and competent at doing whathas to be done, although it helps if you’ve got a little bit ofcomputer knowledge under your belt.

“I don’t really miss active firefighting or driving a shiny redappliance,” Jeff said, “not at all really. I now get to drive aroundin a shiny red bus (the Incident Control Vehicle)! Besides, I reallyenjoy the challenges, especially the logistics side of majorincidents when we organise move-ups and stand-bys.”

Jeff was a member of a Communications taskforce at theJindabyne bushfires in February 2003, and was subsequently partof the small group who developed Emergency Operations Centrekits (EOCs). The kits contain a FireCAD laptop, a colour

printer/fax/copier,radios, mobile phonesand a full set ofstationery in a ruggedcarrying case. As aresult, senior NSWFBofficers at prolongedincidents will now besupported by ComCenstaff armed withEOCs to manage all oftheir communicationstasks, includingdispatching, incidentlogging, paging andfaxing needs, as wellas accessingFireCAD’s databases.“It’s basically a

mobile communication centre,” said Jeff. “We can control andmonitor the incident at a local level while still having access to allnormal resources available in the ComCen.”

Still looking for the next challenge, Jeff completed the UrbanSearch and Rescue (USAR) Specialist Technicians course in 2003.

Manager Operational Communications Superintendent MarkWhybro believes that, “Jeff’s hard work and dedication hashelped to improve the way Operational Communications meetsthe demanding communication needs of the NSWFB’soperations, and he is typical of the type of people who staff ourComCens.”

Senior Firefighter Jeff WalshSydney Communication Centre

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P r o f i l e

It’s enough to make your bloodboil - the sight of someone

throwing a cigarette butt out of acar window. Every year the NSWFire Brigades (NSWFB) is calledto hundreds of roadside firesbelieved to be caused bydiscarded butts.NSWFB Station Officer Paul Scott, basedat Parramatta Fire Station, has foughtmany fires on busy roads and evenrailway tracks where the most likelycause was a dropped cigarette butt.

This led him and the Community RiskManagement team to develop a proposalfor an awareness campaign for smokersalong the lines of the high profile NSWGovernment anti-littering initiative, “Don’tbe a tosser”. It was a good idea in theorybut the connection between cigarettebutts and roadside fires was still onlysupported by circumstantial evidence.

That was until a recent study by JenniferDainer, a student at the University ofTechnology Sydney (UTS), with help fromthe NSWFB and CSIRO, provided solidproof. The study, which Ms Dainerundertook as her honours project for herdegree in Forensic Science, was co-supervised by Dr Anne Lear from NSWFBCorporate Risk Management and PhilMaynard from UTS.

The studyAs part of the study, called Can cigarettesbutts start (Bush)fires, Ms Dainerconducted outdoor trials, supervised byStation Officer Scott and three firefighterswith a fire engine from Parramatta FireStation. She lit cigarettes and threw theminto grass on the side of a road in theSydney suburb of Prospect where there wasno danger to surrounding property. At thetime the prevailing conditions wererecorded as wind speed of 40km/h, fuel(grass) moisture content approximately12% of oven dry weight and humidity 14%.

“On the day it was around 27°C with anorth westerly wind, and it was prettydry,” Station Officer Scott said.

In three out of the 75 trials, or 4%, thegrass caught alight and started to burn,requiring the firefighters to extinguish theflames.

“The fires would have progressed quitequickly if we hadn’t been there,” saysStation Officer Scott. “It’s no wonderwe’re called to so many fires on busyroads and freeways and by railway lineswhen they can start so easily.”

As well as the outdoor trials, the studyalso involved:

• laboratory trials to show whethercigarette butts could ignite grassy fuel(hay) in a well-controlled environmentand to identify the parameters whichaffect ignition potential; and

• a survey of the number of cigarettebutts on two median strips on a three-lane road in Western Sydney.

The laboratory trials found cigarette buttsignited the hay in 33% of cases. Ignitionsincreased when the wind speed increased,fuel moisture decreased (though wetterfuels could ignite with the application ofwind) and the degree of the contactbetween the fuel bed and combustion areaof the cigarette increased.

During the survey, 426 cigarette buttswere collected in a 60 square metre areaof the median strip of Abbott Road, SevenHills, over a three-week period. The winddraught created by a line of passingtraffic was also recorded and found to besufficient to increase the potential for acigarette butt to start a fire on theroadside even if the prevailing conditionswere calm.

A campaign is bornStation Officer Scott says the studyfinally gives the NSWFB the scientificproof that cigarette butts can causeroadside fires, including bushfires.

“This confirms our view and gives us afirm basis for our new “Don’t be afirebug” campaign,” he said. “It alsoshows the benefits of partnershipsbetween government agencies anduniversities on studies like this.”

Butt out… NSWFB Don’t be a firebug campaign

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The “Don’t be a firebug” campaign, anadapted version of “Don’t be a tosser”,is being run by the NSWFB and the NSWRural Fire Service (RFS) in conjunctionwith the Department of Environment andConservation and the Roads and TrafficAuthority. The Minister for EmergencyServices, Tony Kelly, announced thecampaign in January 2004. Over the nextfew months local firefighters will kick offlocal versions of “Don’t be a firebug” insuburbs and towns around NSW. They’llattach the distinctive red stickers, whichshow a hand dropping a cigarette buttfrom a car, to their appliances andvehicles as a warning to motorists. Thestickers will also be available to thepublic from fire stations.

Station Officer Scott says it’s importantto create greater public awarenessaround the issue.

“As well as the environmental costassociated with littering, there is also thepotential for fires from dropped cigarettebutts, particularly during bushfireseason,” he says. “A careless act by oneperson may have dire consequences forothers, including the firefighters who risktheir lives at fires.”

“Responding to a smoke alarm,executing an evacuation plan,dialling 000 and remainingcalm - we were amazed by theactions of this little boy,” saidCronulla Firefighter GrahamMcMillan.

Fire safety education paid off for aBurraneer family when seven-yearold Michael Demaria rescued hissiblings, and the family pets, from ahouse fire.

Michael was home with his nine-year-old brother and 13-year-old sisterwhen a smoke alarm sounded in anupstairs bedroom. Michael ran to alerthis sister who was showering, but theshower door became jammed. Michaelfreed the door, rescued his sister, andcompleted what Firefighter McMillandescribed as a “textbook evacuation”.The seven-year-old called 000 thencalmly carried out his escape plan.

Michael even remembered the familypets, grabbing the budgie and kitten onthe way out. He assembled the familyat the designated meeting place, andwaited for firefighters to arrive.

“When we arrived it was pouring downrain,” said Firefighter McMillan, “andflames and smoke were billowing fromthe upstairs window. There was a

group of children assembled aroundthe letterbox - holding a box which, welater discovered, contained a budgie.”

The fire was extinguished withinminutes, and the blaze contained toone bedroom. “It was a good save,”said Firefighter McMillan, “broughtabout because that little boy had thepresence of mind to ring 000 andfollow an evacuation plan.”

Michael’s bravery and quick thinkingnot only averted a possible tragedy,but saved the family home. Thishighlights the importance of installingsmoke alarms in the home anddevising an evacuation plan in case ofemergency.

“We are very proud of Michael,” said hismother who arrived home a short timeafter the fire was extinguished. “Thekids are safe, and that’s all thatmatters. We are very lucky Michael washere. He didn’t panic and had thingsunder control. If the NSWFB hadn’tarrived so quickly, we’d have lost thehouse. Those guys were great, and thoseextra minutes make such a difference.

“Thank God for smoke alarms!Everybody should have them. Not onlyhave them, but check them. I neverrealised how those little plastic thingson the ceiling could save our home, andour lives! Fire safety is a definitely agood thing for kids to be aware of.”

Smoke alarms…everybody shouldhave them!”

“

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P r e v e n t i o n

A problem shared…Research indicates that an effectivestrategy for reducing the incidence of firesetting relies on combining the resourcesand ideas of government, industry andthe local community. The CessnockFiresafe Project is the result ofcollaboration between the NSWFB, NSWRural Fire Service, NSW Police, CessnockCouncil and the NSW Department ofEducation and Juvenile Justice.

Strategy DevelopmentAnalysis of Australian Incident ReportingSystem (AIRS) statistics indicated thatCessnock had one of the highestincidents of malicious fire setting inproportion to actual fires in NSW. I raisedthese concerns with Station Officers PaulRandall and Greg Lewis, who, with theassistance of Retained Firefighter RobNicholson, developed a program to tacklethe problem.

The following strategies wereidentified:• To reduce arson vulnerability by

providing residents, businesses andeducational institutions with strategiesto reduce their risk of arson attack.This includes information on securityand the management of wastematerials. For business, it alsoinvolves information on staff training,conducting risk assessments andbusiness continuity planning.

• To remove arson opportunities byforming partnerships and adopting awhole-of-government approach todeal with abandoned vehicles (stolenas well as unregistered), fly tipping(illegal dumping in commercialquantities), rubbish removal andgarbage collection procedures.

• To improve education by working withhigh schools, community youth groupsand juvenile justice agencies, anddelivering education programs thatexplain the consequences of maliciousfire setting.

• To improve security by advertising theCrime Stoppers number, andencouraging neighbourhood programsand community policing.

Community partnershipSeveral project meetings were held withother agency representatives andfeedback was encouraged. The conceptwas enthusiastically received. CessnockCouncil contributed to the cost of printingposters while NSWFB and RFS jointlyfunded the printing costs for the initialrun of printed resources. The Councilreviewed garbage collection procedures,abandoned vehicles removal, illegalrubbish dumping and provided drop offpoints where old vehicles can be left withscrap dealers free of charge. As well, theCouncil offered a $1000 reward toanybody offering evidence that leads tothe conviction of a malicious fire setter.

Implementation and LaunchEducational resources were producedand delivered to NSWFB stations withinthe Cessnock area, and crews wereadvised to contact local schools, youthcommunity groups, local chambers ofcommerce, service clubs, and residentialgroups to arrange a presentation.

On 1 December 2003 the official launchat Mt View High School, Cessnock,generated a great deal of media interest.The attendance of both NSW FireBrigades and Rural Fire Servicepersonnel reinforced the benefits of acooperative approach to a local problem.

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Cessnock Firesafe ProjectBy Inspector Ray Manser Country Inspector North 4

Arson costs the Australiancommunity an estimated$180 million per year. Aswell as the numerous firesset in garbage bins, derelictcars and occupied andabandoned buildings, manyfires on the urban/bushlandinterface also appear to havebeen deliberately lit.

The Cessnock Firesafe Project for Arson Prevention is currentlybeing piloted in an effort to reduce arson in the Cessnock area.

ConclusionSeveral studies of serial fire settersindicate that people who set fires inrubbish, grass, bush and cars,eventually progress to set the fires inbuildings.

The imposition of tougher penalties todeter potential fires setters may preventa small number of incidents. However, itis important to adopt a preventativeapproach by educating the community.This project was designed to ensure thatearly intervention, through education, willgreatly lessen the number of deliberatefires in the Cessnock area.

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P r e v e n t i o n

Congratulations to our newest firefighters whorecently graduated from the NSW Fire BrigadesState Training College at Alexandria

Photos by Kerrie Hudson

Graduations

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G r a d u a t i o n s

Class 6a/2003FIREFIGHTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .STATION . . . . . . . . . . . .PLATOON

Nicholas Leigh . . . . . . . . . . . .Ryde . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .BGavin Lisk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ryde . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CCameron Edward . . . . . . . . . .Beecroft . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CPaul Burke . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ashfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CRobert Cuell . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Ashfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ACraig Strath . . . . . . . . . . . . . .City of Sydney . . . . . . . . .ATodd Amos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .City of Sydney . . . . . . . . .BRalph Smith . . . . . . . . . . . . . .City of Sydney . . . . . . . . .CNaomi Yerbury . . . . . . . . . . . .City of Sydney . . . . . . . . .AJohn Lee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alexandria . . . . . . . . . . . .DJames Manuao . . . . . . . . . . . .Crows Nest . . . . . . . . . . .CDaryn Hyde . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mosman . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CJames Tierney . . . . . . . . . . . .Crows Nest . . . . . . . . . . . .BDavid Nicholson . . . . . . . . . . .Alexandria . . . . . . . . . . . .BSandra Scott . . . . . . . . . . . . .Riverwood . . . . . . . . . . . .CKate McNamara . . . . . . . . . . .Gordon . . . . . . . . . . . . . .DJusten Allport . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lane Cove . . . . . . . . . . . .AChris McNeill . . . . . . . . . . . . .Glebe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .DAndrew Checker . . . . . . . . . . .Crows Nest . . . . . . . . . . . .ADavid Jenkins . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mount Druitt . . . . . . . . . . .C

Class 6b/2003FIREFIGHTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .STATION . . . . . . . . . . .PLATOON

Shane Dallimore . . . . . . . . . .Campsie . . . . . . . . . . . . .BNathan Begley . . . . . . . . . . . .Guildford . . . . . . . . . . . . .BJamie Ridley . . . . . . . . . . . . .Revesby . . . . . . . . . . . . .DPhillip Dowling . . . . . . . . . . . .Fairfield . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CMonty Dayman . . . . . . . . . . . .Darlinghurst . . . . . . . . . . .DChristopher Davies . . . . . . . .St Andrews . . . . . . . . . . .AMatthew Breen . . . . . . . . . . . .Parramatta . . . . . . . . . . . .APaul Hinze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Hornsby . . . . . . . . . . . . . .CJoshua Boughton . . . . . . . . . .Lakemba . . . . . . . . . . . . .BAndrew Abrams . . . . . . . . . . .Alexandria . . . . . . . . . . . .AMark Linsley . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Silverwater . . . . . . . . . . .DRobert Tolhurst . . . . . . . . . . . .St Andrews . . . . . . . . . . .DJason Whitfield . . . . . . . . . . . .Campbelltown . . . . . . . . .CAdam Weeks . . . . . . . . . . . . .Alexandria . . . . . . . . . . . .CKenneth Moore . . . . . . . . . . .Bonnyrigg Heights . . . . . .DJose Caraballo . . . . . . . . . . . .Silverwater . . . . . . . . . . .CDale Gillespie . . . . . . . . . . . . .Parramatta . . . . . . . . . . .DDavid Searle . . . . . . . . . . . . .Kogarah . . . . . . . . . . . . . .AWayne Horrigan . . . . . . . . . . .City of Sydney . . . . . . . . .DRobbie Stephenson . . . . . . . .Hornsby . . . . . . . . . . . . . .A

Class 7/2003FIREFIGHTER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .STATION .........................PLATOON

Timothy Poole . . . . . . . . . . . .Pyrmont..............................BBrett Hogan . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lidcombe ...........................CDaniel Favelle . . . . . . . . . . . .Pyrmont..............................AMatthew Anderson . . . . . . . .City of Sydney ...................DMichael Prince . . . . . . . . . . .Alexandria ..........................BMalcolm Bird . . . . . . . . . . . . .Gladesville .........................BLuke Miles . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Crows Nest ........................BMarc Laird . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rockdale ............................CPaul Frankham . . . . . . . . . . .Neutral Bay ........................CRoger Pauling . . . . . . . . . . . .The Rocks..........................DScott Hanley . . . . . . . . . . . . .The Rocks..........................BMichael Herden . . . . . . . . . .Willoughby .........................AAnthony Picone . . . . . . . .Burwood .........................AMark Davies . . . . . . . . . . .Randwick .......................CAdam Coble . . . . . . . . . . .Concord .........................DPavel Novotny . . . . . . . . .Burwood .........................BNicholas Dale . . . . . . . . . .Revesby .........................BScott Edwards . . . . . . . . .Alexandria ......................CBrendan Edwards . . . . . . .Wentworthville ................AJustin Sullivan . . . . . . . . . .Burwood .........................C

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Tuggerah LakesMardi GrasFestivalLast December, Bernie Cindersvisited the Tuggerah LakesMardi Gras Festival. Bernie andfirefighters from The Entranceseized the opportunity toshowcase the NSWFB andspread the fire safety message.Bernie Cinders and theBushwise Puppet Theatreperformed for a veryenthusiastic audience, and 12NSWFB appliances and sevenvintage fire engines in thestreet parade were loudlycheered by spectators.Throughout the weekend,firefighters, their families andlocal volunteers hosted abarbecue in Memorial Parkraising over $2400 for TheCentral Coast Burns EquipmentFund.

Photos by Chris Wallace

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Where’sBernie?Bernie Cinders has been busy getting outand about spreading the fire safetymessage.

Bernie finds a friendin NBN Television’smascot, Big Dog.

Bernie inspecting Russell Ingall’sV8 supercar.

Bernie trying outhis freestylecapabilities onmotor bike.

KidsKids Day OutBernie was also spotted amongst the 20 000 strong crowd atKids Day Out held at Ourimbah University on the Central Coast.

Last seen hurtling down a slippery slide and clutchingballoons, Bernie Cinders proved very popular with thechildren. Crews from Wyoming Fire Station did a spectacularjob entertaining the crowd, as did firefighters from BerkeleyVale and the hazmat unit.

GosfordBernie attended the Central

Coast Motor Show at Gosfordand had a great day meeting andgreeting the public, as well asinspecting the vehicles.

Photos by Ross Beckley

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ZITTS spread to country fire stationsZone IT Training Programby Garry Warren, Deputy ManagerOperational Information Service

Over the past few months, theNSWFB has been continuing its

IT roll-out with the installation ofcomputers in around 200 countryfire stations across NSW.Planning for this program covered notonly the installation of hardware andsoftware but also delivering training tothousands of retained firefighters withina short period. The NSWFB’s OperationalInformation Service, which designsoperationally focused and driveninformation systems, developed theconcept of using retained firefighters asZone Information Technology Trainers(ZITTs). We felt that the best people totrain retained firefighters were those whoknew their culture best.

This innovative program has provedsuccessful in the field, driven by theproactive attitude and significant skillsets of the ten ZITTs (one for each Zone)who were chosen via a competitiveselection and interview process. It wasalways a big ask and has been far fromeasy, yet all indications to date show theZITTs have done really well, deliveringover 2000 hours of highly-focused ITtraining to approximately 200 stations inless than five months.

Congratulations to all the Zone ITTrainers; you’ve made me proud!

Above: Retained Firefighter JonnoHughes, ZITT S7, delivering a trainingsession to Brad Blay and Chris Gradyat ZITTs Goulburn.

A ZITT’s view By Retained Firefighter Jonno Hughes, Goulburn Fire StationI was pleased to be selected as the Zone IT Trainer for Zone South 7, and was amember of the first group of five Retained Firefighters to be trained for this program.In September last year, I joined Brian Birks from Cobar, John McLean from Narrabri,Peter Smith from Kempsey, and Peter Williams from Goonellabah in Sydney for a weekof training. The intensive course covered computer applications firefighters would betrained to use, and supplied comprehensive instruction on how to develop ourtraining sessions and refine our teaching methods.

SO Garry Warren (the project manager for this program), and the staff from IT Traininggave us invaluable support, encouragement and training.

Once our own training was completed, we returned to our zones to start delivering thetraining. Despite many early technical hurdles, we banded together as a team, andproved that no obstacle was too great to prevent us from effectively delivering the bestpossible quality training to the firefighters.

While travelling from station to station, I found it very satisfying to see how welleveryone responded to the training, and how keen they were. The new computershave already become a valuable addition to the stations. All the Captains I visitedhave commented how much easier it is to run a station, especially with NSWFBapplications such as Station Portal and ESCAT, the electronic Supply Catalogue.

In January this year, the second group of five Zone IT Trainers (Phil Donaldson from WestWyalong, Bruce Engert from Tarro, Brian Farmer from Jindabyne, Barry Fisher fromCulcairn, and Bob Wylie from Nelson Bay) undertook their training, and straightawaywaded into the task. They finished the course on Friday and started delivering trainingon the following Monday! I know that they are meeting the same enthusiasm andsuccess already seen in the stations covered by the first group of trainers.

Above: Back row: Phil Donaldson ZITT W7, Bob Wylie ZITT N4,Bruce Engert ZITT N3, Barry Fisher ZITT S4, Brian Farmer ZITT S5,

Front row: Virginia Way, Workplace Trainer, Garry Warren

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T r a i n i n g

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C h a m p i o n s h i p s

Zone West 3 Championshipsat BathurstWith temperatures at the grounds reaching 39°, it wasn’t just the competitionthat was hot. Local hosts Kelso and Bathurst put in strong performancesdespite being called away to house fires and grass fires throughout the firstday of competition. Photos by Sue Bowen

Overall Winners

1st - Nowra2nd - Scarborough3rd - Canowindra4th - Glen Innes5th - Kelso

Zone West 3Championshipsat Bathurst

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C h a m p i o n s h i p s

Matches were held in Sydney, Gosford,Wollongong, Brisbane, Townsville,

Canberra, Melbourne, Launceston,Adelaide and Perth. The quarter-finalswere staged in Melbourne and Brisbane,with Sydney hosting the openingceremony, semi-finals and final. The keySydney events were all hosted at TelstraStadium at Sydney Olympic Park.

Staging the RWC required extensiveplanning and preparation by urban fireservices in each of these cities and,although each service had autonomy, thearrangements and plans developed andimplemented by the services weresimilar.

NSWFB PreparednessPlanning for NSW events involvedextensive consultation with otheragencies including Australian RugbyUnion and the International Rugby Board,NSW Police Service, other emergencyservices, transport and healthauthorities, venue managers andprecinct landholders, such as SydneyOlympic Park and the Sydney HarbourForeshore Authority.

NSWFB officers participated in multi-agency tabletop exercises for eachprecinct, including the live sites. Thisenabled the local fire commanders tomeet the key people they would beworking with during the events. It alsoensured that venue and precinctmanagers, as well as the representativesof other agencies, had a clearunderstanding of the NSWFB role andcapability of the fire service should anincident occur.

The other key forum where agenciesshared information was the CentralSydney Operations Group (CSOG), alegacy of the Sydney Olympics.Representatives from all agencies whohave a role in major public events held inSydney belong to CSOG, including theNSWFB. The group coordinatesgovernment agency involvement across awide range of special events from theSydney New Year’s Eve celebrations tothe Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras parade.

RWC management plansNSWFB developed a management plandetailing specific response procedures.Of major importance were the riskassessments conducted by NSW Police inrelation to security threats. Australiaremained at a national security alert levelof medium during RWC and the NSWFBmaintained close liaison with the PoliceCounter Terrorism Command during thetournament period.

NSWFB also developed contingencyplans involving the pre-deployment ofspecialist resources to carry out an urbansearch and rescue (USAR) or combat achemical, biological, radiological incident(CBR), including the requirement to dealwith mass casualties anddecontamination.

The management plan providedguidelines for the coordination of fire,rescue and hazmat resources.Operational readiness was based onensuring that NSWFB officers had athorough knowledge of the relevant venueand precinct. Local fire stations updatedtheir pre-incident plans for each matchvenue and made familiarisation visitsbefore the tournament.

Venues protected by theNSWFB• Telstra Stadium seating 83 000

• Aussie Stadium at Moore Parkin Sydney seating 41 000

• Central Coast Stadium inGosford seating 20 000

• WIN Stadium in Wollongongseating 18 500

• Giant screens televising thematches live as well as pre-match entertainment attractedover 30 000 people to theSydney Opera House forecourt,The Rocks and Darling Harbour.

Rugby World Cup - kicking some goalsBy Superintendent Mark Brown, Manager Operational Readiness

Rugby World Cup 2003 (RWC) was staged in Australia from 10 October to 22 November 2003 and attractedover 40 000 international visitors. Twenty national teams played a total of 48 matches, making it the largestsporting event to be held in Australia since the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

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RWC operations centresEach RWC precinct staffed an operationscentre during matches. The NSWFBprovided a liaison officer for thesecentres as well as the GovernmentCoordination Centre (GCC) whichoperated during each NSW match. TheGCC coordinates the activities ofgovernment agencies outside the venueor precinct and monitors events thathave the potential to escalate and impacton the event.

During pre-defined match periodsNSWFB communication centresincreased resources to all incidentswithin RWC precincts. This precautionwas to overcome expected delays inresponse caused by traffic and crowds.In addition, specific alerts wereincorporated into the computer-aideddispatch system.

A positive outcomeHappily, there were no major RWC-related emergencies. The experiencegained from the 2000 Olympic andParalympic Games greatly improved theNSWFB’s ability to plan for and respondto special events. Probably the mostimportant legacy of the 2000 Olympicswas the recognition that governmentagencies including the NSWFB must workclosely together to ensure the success oflarge-scale events, including the safetyof spectators and the public. Thisapproach was used successfully for RWCin 2003 and will be refined as Sydneycontinues to attract major events fromaround the world.

Telstra Stadium is the renamed Stadium Australia. It was the main athletics venuefor the Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Stadium is a large,complex structure. It is 58 metres high at the rear of the main stand, and the roofcovers an area of 30 000 square metres and weighs over 4000 tonnes

The NSWFB’s Fire Safety Division played a significant role in its development, fromdesign through to commissioning. NSWFB officers worked closely with the OlympicCoordination Authority in relation to the performance-based design and testing ofthe fire systems for the stadium.

Features of the fire engineering design included the four unusual spiral egressramps. These are fire-separated from the remainder of the structure andcomputer modelling indicated that a crowd of 110 000 could be evacuated inapproximately eight minutes. All hazardous areas in the stadium are sprinklered,with fast-response heads. Smoke doors were installed to prevent smoke from afire in the back-of-house area from affecting spectators.

Rugby World Cup debrief

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Station Facts:

• Permanent station on 10/14roster with four platoons, eachwith a Station Officer, sixfirefighters, a relievingfirefighter and relieving officer

• Varley Type 3 pumper and anIsuzu Fire Rescue appliance

• Built in 1931; a shed previouslyhoused the appliance

• Underwent extensive extensionsand renovations in 2001,including a new training roomand refurbished kitchen,showers and toilets

• Until 1992 the station had apumper and water tanker; thewater tanker was replaced witha rescue appliance when thestation became primary rescueaccredited in 1992.

Situated on Sydney’s picturesquenorthern beaches with a view of thePacific Ocean, the location might

sound more like a tourist destination thana fire station. But firefighters at the busyrescue station at Narrabeen hardly havetime to take in the view.

“There’s few code calls here - most of ourcall-outs turn out to be working jobs, andit’s mostly rescue,” says Firefighter DarylJohnston, who has been at Narrabeen FireStation for the past six years.

As a primary rescue station, Narrabeencovers a broad area from Manly to PalmBeach and inland to Frenchs Forest,including two busy high speed roads,Wakehurst Parkway and Mona Vale Road.

“We attend a lot of motor vehicleaccidents, including high profile incidentslike the accident at the Roundhouse ChildCare Centre at Fairlight (in December2003),” Firefighter Johnston said.

“A lot of us are family people andincidents that involve young people affectus the most. The Brigades offers supportand counselling. We’re given plenty ofsupport.”

In January, Narrabeen firefighters wereamong crews from 11 stations whoassisted at checkpoints in a walk andpaddle fundraiser for the two young girlsseriously hurt in the accident at theRoundhouse Child Care Centre. Morethan $200,000 was raised.

Narrabeen Fire Station has also beenassisting at cliff rescue incidents since1992 and has been vertical rescueaccredited for the past 12 months.

During 2002/03 Narrabeen fire/rescuecrews attended 662 incidents, including118 fires. The fire district is bordered bythe Garigal National Park to the west andthe ocean to the east and includesNarrabeen Lakes. It protects schools, a

shopping centre, and a residentialpopulation, including the RSL RetirementVillage at Collaroy Plateau with morethan 1000 units, commercial andindustrial areas, and a large area ofbushland.

As well as attending home fires, grassfires and bushfires, the station is alsoinvolved in hazard reduction at theurban/bushland interface in conjunctionwith the National Parks and WildlifeService and the Rural Fire Service.

“During the summer months, we oftenget called to grass or bush alight on theislands in Narrabeen Lake and have toborrow boats from local residents to rowover and extinguish the flames, usingbuckets of water or a Davey pump,”Firefighter Johnston said.

On the preventative front, crews fromNarrabeen Fire Station take the Fire Edprogram to around 10 public and privateprimary schools in the area. They alsopromote the NSWFB Smoke AlarmBattery Replacement for the Elderly(SABRE) program.

“We also have a Community Fire Unit atElanora Heights, and we conduct drillsand hose and hydrant training withthem,” Firefighter Johnston said.

“Some of the residents were there whenthe 1994 bushfires went through, andthey’re extremely passionate about theprogram.”

Firefighter Johnston said he enjoyedworking at Narrabeen as a firefighter.

“The mix of firefighting and rescue workmakes the job very challenging andinteresting,” he said.

And, working out of a station in such anice location does have its perks whenthere’s a moment to take advantage ofthem.

“In the winter months, we often seedolphins and whales through binocularsfrom the training room or the trainingdeck,” Firefighter Johnston said.

Station profile: Narrabeen

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S t a t i o n P r o f i l e

The appliance is very user friendlyChairman of the Fleet Implementation Group,Chief Superintendent Hans Bootsma says, “Thenew Class 3, which is an improvement on theoriginal Type 3 Varley Commander, is a greatpumper. It is one of the best ergonomicallydesigned fire engines in Australia, especially forpassenger comfort and equipment stowage.Development of the vehicle included extensiveconsultation between the NSWFB engineeringsection, firefighters and the manufacturer, whichis evident in the end product. Improved featuresinclude more room inside the cabin due to therelocation of the air-conditioning unit to the roof,and a display-type pump panel at the rear of theappliance which has been designed for easieroperation, similar to the Class 2.”

The main advantage for the NSWFB is theversatility of the pumper’s stowage plan. TheClass 3 Pumper can be fitted out as a standardpumper, secondary rescue or primary rescuepumper. This allows the vehicle to be relocatedat stations with different risk profiles withouthaving to alter the appliance, just the inventory.

There are currently 11 in service with a further10 on order.

VarleyCommander(Class 3)

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Chassis make & model: . . . . .VSV Commander Mk3

Body manufacturer: . . . . . . . .Varley Specialised Vehicles Ltd.

Year(s) of commission: . . . . . .2001 - 2005

Number in service: . . . . . . . . .11 vehicles*

Crew capacity: . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Gross operating mass: . . . . . .13.85 tonne

Dimensions: . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8.04m (L), 3.20m (H), 2.50m (W)

Wheelbase: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4.05m

Turning circle: . . . . . . . . . . . .14.6m (k/k), 16.1m (w/w)

Axle loads: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Front: 4 640kg Rear: 5 360kg (tare)

Axle ratings: . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Front: 6 600kg Rear: 18 100kg

Engine: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cummins ISC275, 8.3 litre (205kW)

Maximum torque: . . . . . . . . . .1085Nm @ 1300rpm

Transmission: . . . . . . . . . . . . .ZF Ecomat HP500, 5 speed automatic

Pump model: . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rosenbauer NH40

Pump capacity: . . . . . . . . . . .3600l/min@ 1000kPa (high volume)400l/min@ 4000kPa (high pressure)

Water capacity: . . . . . . . . . . .1800L

Foam capacity: . . . . . . . . . . .200L (class B), 40L (class A)

*Total number of Varley Commanders in service, including Types 4 and 5, is 52.

The Scientific Support Vehicle is a specialised appliance basedon the Iveco Daily panel van.

The vehicle enables the Brigades Scientific Advisor to conductprofessional scientific analysis and monitoring on site to assistthe Hazmat Controller at hazardous or dangerous incidents,particularly those involving potential chemical, biological orradioactive hazards.

The interior of the vehicle has been specifically modified toaccommodate a range of detection, monitoring and analyticalequipment, located so that each defined operation can becarried out without being impeded by equipment designed forother Hazmat, USAR and firefighting functions.

The Scientific Support Vehicle has a fume cabinet, gas massspectrometer, chemical vacuum cleaner, fresh water-suppliedsink, and a gas powered refrigerator. It also carries equipmentfor atmospheric monitoring of gases and run off, and analysis ofchemical, air, water, soil and other samples.

An Auxiliary Control System control console, Government RadioNetwork radio receiver, road map Global Positioning System,mobile cellular phone and satellite phone hand set are mountedon the dashboard.

The vehicle carries primary safety equipment for the two crewmembers, including a first aid kit, Oxy Viva kit, two sets ofbreathing apparatus and spare air cylinders.

The Scientific Support Vehicle

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Permanent firefighters . . . . . . . Retirement date . . Recognition4077 Senior Firefighter G Staines. . . . . 25 November 2003 . . . National Medal two Clasps

3270 Inspector T Keelty . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 November 2003 . . . National Medal two ClaspsUnit Commendation for Meritorious Service - Frederick St Rockdale

5077 Qualified Firefighter G Drew. . . . . 25 November 2003 . . . National Medal and one Clasp

3963 Station Officer B Richards . . . . . . 25 November 2003 . . . National Medal and two Clasps

4669 Qualified Firefighter G Hehir . . . . 25 November 2003 . . . National Medal and one Clasp

5464 Senior Firefighter D Heuston . . . . 25 November 2003 . . . National Medal and one Clasp

4148 Senior Firefighter M Rafferty . . . . 11 December 2003 . . . National Medal and one Clasp

4255 Station Officer A Smithers. . . . . . 11 December 2003 . . . National Medal and one ClaspIndividual Commendation for Meritorious Service- Hazardous Materials Response Unit

4327 Senior Firefighter K Hall. . . . . . . . 11 December 2003 . . . National Medal and one Clasp

4425 Station Officer T Adams . . . . . . . 11 December 2003 . . . National Medal and one Clasp

4788 Station Officer P Faassen . . . . . . 11 December 2003 . . . National Medal and one Clasp

5213 Superintendent L Beauchamp . . . 8 January 2004 . . . . . . National Medal and one Clasp

3439 Station Officer T Marshall . . . . . . 8 January 2004 . . . . . . National Medal and two ClaspsUnit Commendation for Meritorious Service - ThredboIndividual Commendation for Meritorious Service - Quakers Hill Rd, Quakers Hill

4452 Senior Firefighter A Miles . . . . . . 19 January 2004 . . . . . National Medal and one Clasp

3354 Station Officer G Rice . . . . . . . . . 22 January 2004 . . . . . Australian Fire Service MedalAustralian Sports MedalNational Medal and two clasps

4567 Qualified Firefighter D Rial. . . . . . 22 January 2004 . . . . . National Medal and one clasp

4314 Senior Firefighter A Costin. . . . . . 11 February 2004 . . . . National Medal and one clasp

5030 Station Officer J Woods . . . . . . . . 6 March 2004 . . . . . . . National Medal and one clasp

4805 Station Officer R Cook . . . . . . . . . 6 March 2004 . . . . . . . National Medal and one clasp

4304 Station Officer E Wood. . . . . . . . . 6 March 2004 . . . . . . . National Medal and one clasp

4726 Senior Firefighter A Kingett . . . . . 6 March 2004 . . . . . . . National Medal and one clasp

3371 Station Officer L Roach . . . . . . . . 6 March 2004 . . . . . . . Letter of Appreciation – 42 Orangegrove Road LiverpoolUnit Commendation for Meritorious Service – ThredboNational Medal and two clasps

3454 Station Officer J Bone . . . . . . . . . 16 March 2004 . . . . . . National Medal and two clasps

Retirements

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The NSWFB says a big thank you to the following firefighters for theirunstinting efforts and dedication over the years. They have made a

valuable contribution to the NSWFB’s work in protecting the community.We them all the best in a well-deserved retirement.

retir

emen

ts

Retained firefightersRetained Firefighter S Potts . . . . . . . . . . . . Ulladulla. . . . . . . . 6 November 2003 . . . . National Medal

Retained Firefighter T O’Brien . . . . . . . . . . Wollongong . . . . . . 19 December 2003 . . . National Medal and one Clasp

Retained Firefighter R E Bryant . . . . . . . . . Lismore . . . . . . . . 15 November 2003 . . . National Medal and two Clasps

Retained Firefighter D Fox . . . . . . . . . . . . . Avalon . . . . . . . . . 30 November 2003 . . . National Medal and two Clasps

Retained Firefighter K W Fitzgerald . . . . . . Wallerawang. . . . . 31 December 2003 . . . National Medal and one Clasp

Retained Firefighter W Carroll . . . . . . . . . . Lismore . . . . . . . . 1 August 2003

Retained Firefighter J J Burnes . . . . . . . . . Denman . . . . . . . . 16 October 2003

Retained Firefighter L C L Basset . . . . . . . Grafton . . . . . . . . . 23 October 2003

Retained Firefighter C S Charley . . . . . . . . Saratoga. . . . . . . . 23 October 2003

Retained Firefighter G Armstrong. . . . . . . . Telarah . . . . . . . . . 23 October 2003

Retained Firefighter T Camage . . . . . . . . . Mortdale. . . . . . . . 17 January 2004 . . . . . National Medal

Retained Firefighter R Cook. . . . . . . . . . . . Balgownie. . . . . . . 31 January 2004 . . . . . National Medal and one Clasp

Deputy Captain K W Fitzgerald . . . . . . . . . Wallerawang. . . . . 31 December 2003 . . . National Medal and one Clasp

Retained Firefighter W Hart . . . . . . . . . . . . Kiama. . . . . . . . . . 30 January 2004 . . . . . National Medal and two Clasps

Retained Firefighter R F Ashworth . . . . . . . Lithgow. . . . . . . . . 23 October 2003 . . . . . National Medal

Deputy Captain J M Chase . . . . . . . . . . . . Broken Hill South . 16 December 2003 . . . National Medal and two clasps

Retired Firefighter D Jolliffe . . . . . . . . . . . . Tumut . . . . . . . . . . 31 January 2004 . . . . . National Medal

Retained Firefighter R B Pitman . . . . . . . . Coffs Harbour. . . . 16 October 2003 . . . . . National Medal and one clasp

Retained Firefighter W Carnley . . . . . . . . . Tarro. . . . . . . . . . . 6 November 2003

Code 2These are the names of former NSWFB members who have passed away.

Retained Firefighter Kevin Brown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 2004. . . . . . . . . . Serving

Retained Firefighter Jack Douglas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 2004. . . . . . . . . . Retired

2567 Senior Firefighter Leonard Arthur Graham . . . January 2004. . . . . . . . . . Retired

Deputy Captain Max Murray . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 2004. . . . . . . . . . Retired

2774 Firefighter William John Percy . . . . . . . . . . . . February 2004. . . . . . . . . Retired

Retained Firefighter Wayne Wallace . . . . . . . . . . . . December 2003 . . . . . . . . Retired

Retained Firefighter Norman Wells . . . . . . . . . . . . . January 2004. . . . . . . . . . Retired

F I R E N E W S M a r c h 2 0 0 4 45

R e t i r e m e n t s

To: Station Officer Allan Johnson and CrowsNest C Platoon

Late last year, the car in which I was apassenger was involved in a severe accidentwhen the driver lost control rounding a corner.The car ended up wrapped around a lamp postand as a result I was trapped inside thevehicle with severe injuries

I would like to offer my sincere gratitude andpraise for the professional and caring mannerthat Station Officer Allan Johnson and the crewmembers of C Platoon Crows Nest extended tome while cutting the roof off the car to get meout and their concern about my well beingduring what was an agonising experience.

From: Charles Tucker

To: Zone Commander N1

I was the driver involved in a car accident on31 October 2003 at Gerard Street, Cremorne atapproximately 3.20 pm, when a tree crasheddown on top of my car.

It was a horrendous, frightening experience butI miraculously only had minor injuries. I wouldlike to thank the firefighters who helped andrescued me on that day (Firefighters Laverackand Sinclair of 36B). Words cannot expresshow I feel but, all I can say is thank you. Youwere wonderful and did a great job.

May God bless you.

From: Heather Holgate

To: Captain Keith Ferguson,Springwood

I am taking this opportunity to thank you forrecommending Concord Hospital Burns Unit asthe recipient of a $200 donation from Mr andMrs Frank Taffel of Valley Heights. I understandyour unit attended their home when a largetree fell on their house in recent storms.

The Hospital is most appreciative of youcontinued support. This donation will assist theBurns Unit to maintain the excellent servicescurrently provided.

From: Kerry Russell,A/Executive DirectorConcord Repatriation Hospital

To: Supt Dave Gray,Zone N5, Port Macquarie

Following a serious head on collision on thePacific Highway at Tea Gardens this morning, Ihad arrived on the scene in the RescueHelicopter and found myself working with theTea Gardens Fire Rescue Station.

In forwarding this letter I would like to pass onmy praise and admiration in the way the TeaGardens firefighters conducted the rescue ofseriously injured persons.

It is my pleasure to have worked with themand hope that you will pass this on to theteam.

From: Alan Playford, Flight Paramedic Newcastle

You’ve got mail

F I R E N E W S M a r c h 2 0 0 446

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To: Zone Commander Brian Johnson,Region North

The Department of Environment andConservation wishes to thank the NSW FireBrigades for their support during theprescribed burn undertaken within SydneyHarbour National Park, North Head, onThursday 13 November 2003.

The success of this difficult burn can beattributed to the generous assistance of theNSW Fire Brigades, with special thanks toStation Officer Jim Murphie and his crew.

The Department looks forward to conductingfuture operations with the NSW Fire Brigades.

From: National Parks and Wildlife Service,Harbour North Area

To: Superintendent Keith King,Zone N7 Wyong

On behalf of Central Coast Health, I would liketo thank the NSW Fire Brigades for thegenerous donation of $20 000.

As you know, your donations are used topurchase medical equipment for burns victimswho are taken to our Emergency Department atGosford and Wyong Hospitals.

I understand that the funds were raised in anumber of ways, including sportingcompetitions, a Firefighters Ball, raffles andthrough payroll deductions by your members.

Your staff are to be congratulated, not only forthe jobs they perform so well but also for theircommitment to the health of our community.

In addition, I would also like to acknowledgeand thank you once again for previousdonations made in 2001 and 2002. With thisdonation, we have now received a total of $41000 from your members. That is an excellenteffort. Well done.

From: Dr Vasco de Carvalho Acting CEO Central Coast Health

To: Chief Supt Bob Lewthwaite,Newcastle

Thank you so much for the wonderful donationto the John Hunter Children's Hospital SurgicalWard, from monies raised through the staffpayroll deduction scheme. We are extremelygrateful for the continued commitment of theNSW Fire Brigades and the dedication of eachstaff member in helping raise funds for sickchildren in the Hunter.

As mentioned at the official chequepresentation ceremony, this wonderful donation- combined with previous contributions - willhelp us achieve our goal of installing airconditioning in the childrens’ wards.

Thanks again to you and the guys for bringingthe fire engine, miniature truck and BernieCinders out to the hospital. The presence of theguys is always a welcome sight and one veryspecial little patient still remembers the fun hehad with the hose.

May I take this opportunity to thank you againfor partnering with Kaleidoscope - HunterChildren's Health Network - to help us deliverthe highest quality of care and comfort to ourpatients.

From: Colleen Crowe, Manager Public Relations andFundraisingKaleidoscope-Hunter Childrens HealthNetwork

To: Cardiff Fire Brigade

My name is Elisa and I am writing to thank youfor what you all did around Hillview Crescent,Macquarie Hills on 29 September 2003. Iarrived home at 1 pm on that day to find myhome saved from a fairly nasty looking fire. Ihave no idea about what it is like to do whatyou guys do each day, but I do know howafraid I was after the event on that Monday.

I really appreciate that you risk yourselvesregularly to defend other people and theirproperty. My thanks probably means very littlehowever, I really wanted to recognise yourefforts.

We are grateful that we still have a homebecause you protected it!!

From: Elisa Milligan

To: NSWFB

Thank you for the excellent support you gaveus for our Jack and Jill Pre School fete, by onceagain having the fire station open day on thesame day. It is really popular with our familiesand a great opportunity for the two services tocollaborate. It adds to the festival atmospherewhich we also strive to create on the day.

Thanks also for once again generously allowingus the use of your power for the jumping castle.

The day was a great success both financiallyand socially. We made over $4500 which wasa huge effort. As this is one of our majorfundraisers, for the year, we are very pleasedwith the result.

Please accept my very belated thanks forcoming and doing the fire safety talk here lastmonth. I'm sorry that I haven't had a chance tothank you before. As usual, the childrenthoroughly enjoyed it and got a great deal out ofit. We really appreciate your ongoing support.

From: Dianne MooreDirector Jack & Jill Pre-SchoolAssociation,Lithgow

During the Port Kembla incident the ladies fromConiston Fish and Chips showed their appreciation bybringing food to the hard working firefighters.

To: Commissioner NSWFB

Last week a possum became stuck in the pipe that goes from the exhaust fan above my stove, out on to the roof.

I contacted a plumber who told me there was nothing he could do about it. I contacted WIRES, who said thatthey could not help me, because they did not do any work that involved climbing on roofs.

What was I to do? A neighbour suggested that I call the Fire Brigade. I did and within ten minutes, fourfighters from D Platoon at Gordon Fire Station had arrived at my house. In a very short space of time, they gotthe possum out of the pipe and put him in a possum catcher.

I am writing to you, because I want you to know how kind and helpful these men were to me. It was not aneasy job, climbing about on a roof and reaching down a pipe trying to remove a scratching, frightened possumbut not one of them complained about it.

I wanted to give them a cup of tea or a cool drink but they said they would not have time, as they needed toget back to their station.

Being a firefighter is a dangerous occupation in our modern day society, firefighters do not get the recognitionthey deserve for the wonderful work they do. I wanted to make sure that in this particular instance at least,they did get the recognition they so richly deserved.

From: Margaret Matthews. St Ives

To: Officer in Charge,Wellington Fire Station

St Marys Central School Biennial Fete

Well, the St Marys Central School fete is over for another two years and what a great success it was! Itwas a great day, enjoyed by all.

Over $15 000 was raised through the event and this is an outstanding contribution towards therefurbishment of our school's science laboratory which will enhance our childrens' learningenvironment immensely.

On behalf of St Marys Parents and Friends Association, I take this opportunity to acknowledge yoursupport and to express my sincere thanks for your contribution to our major fundraiser. "BernieCinders" was a big hit with the kids! Without your support, major fundraisers such as our Biennial Fetewould not be the success they are.

Once again, many thanks!

From: St Marys Parents & Friends Association

To: Senior Officer Charles Begley,Narrabeen Fire Station

I wish to thank two of your officers,Jason Kaul and Philip O'Sullivan forremoving a snake from our car parktoday. WIRES was not able to send asnake handler but thankfully the FireBrigade was able to help. Once again,the NSWFB has come to our rescue.

From: Principal Louise YeomansSt Ives High School

To: The Unsung Heroes

On Wednesday my house was set on fireby a random arsonist. I lost everything Iown and my mother lost 1/3 of her houseand most of her possessions also.

But thanks to you guys, we didn't losethe whole house. So we have some hope.Your quick response and hard work savedus from losing everything. I cannot thankyou enough for all that you have done,risking your lives for something you allmay see as just another building, but ismy home.

You've all been so wonderful, it's hard toknow how to begin to say thanks. Pleaseknow that your kindness will always beremembered.

From: Alexandra Roy and Kay Parker

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letters

To: Station CommanderTweed Heads Fire Brigade

We are establishing an action committee withinour village to be ready for any emergency. Ingetting this committee going we have askedthe Tweed Heads Fire Brigade staff to comeand give us a talk on what to do until theproper authority arrives.

Andrew Hassell came to speak to us and hewas very helpful. We appreciate his help verymuch. He pointed out many things re the firehoses and also touched on various mattersrelating to emergencies which we wereunaware of.

We must also commend Chris Perrin and hiscrew from A Platoon 486 Station. They havebeen checking smoke alarms in our village andif need be, installing them for our residents,many of whom are elderly. They also havebeen changing batteries for them as theyneeded doing.

You should be very proud of the men fromTweed Heads Fire Station, they are awonderful, polite and helpful bunch of men andwe thank them very much. Their assistance inthese matters has been invaluable.

From: Mary KellyChairpersonPalms Village Liaison Committee Tweed Heads South

To: Station Commander,Belmont Fire Station

I am writing this note to express my gratitude for services performed by your Brigade. I returned to myhome unit at Belmont Towers to find the unit block evacuated. The Belmont Fire Brigade was alreadyin attendance and thankfully because of the professional services rendered, damage and injury wereminimised and avoided. It is frightening to think of the potential consequences of this fire thatoriginated from my home unit, had it not been for the quick effective action of the Fire Brigade.

Undoubtedly, this is a situation that most individuals never confront but you deal with on a dailybasis. Unfortunately, it takes a bad experience of this kind to fully appreciate the service.

You probably have long since closed this case, but I would ask that you accept my thanks, albeitbelatedly

From: Allan MacRae

To: Officer in Charge,Wellington Fire Station

St Marys Central School Biennial Fete

Well, the St Marys Central School fete is overfor another two years and what a greatsuccess it was! It was a great day, enjoyed byall.

Over $15 000 was raised through the eventand this is an outstanding contribution towardsthe refurbishment of our school's sciencelaboratory which will enhance our childrens'learning environment immensely.

On behalf of St Marys Parents and FriendsAssociation, I take this opportunity toacknowledge your support and to express mysincere thanks for your contribution to ourmajor fundraiser. “Bernie Cinders” was a bighit with the kids! Without your support, majorfundraisers such as our Biennial Fete wouldnot be the success they are.

Once again, many thanks!

From: St Marys Parents & Friends Association

To: Region North Office,Artarmon

On behalf of myself and my husband, I wouldlike to sincerely thank the fire units thatattended our house fire.

We express our gratitude for their efforts infighting the fire and also the compassionshown to us and our family on that night. Iwould also like to extend a special thanks tothe officer (regretfully name unknown) whothe following day, delivered back to me ourdigital camera with all its attachments whichhe had saved from the floor of the building.

Fortunately we are insured so for us the re-building has begun. The experience of the firewas most disturbing and the memory sodifficult to forget but with time I'm sure thingswill improve.

Once again, our sincere thanks.

From: Bev and Bob Grigg

To: Hornsby Fire Station

I am writing in appreciation of the excellent jobyour crew did for me on Saturday 13 December2003. I had heard thumping and scratchingnoises in the flue over my kitchen stove lastnight and no noises at all this morning, so Iwas left to presume that whatever the creaturewas, it had either died or escaped. I need toknow one way or the other. Not being able todo the job myself, I rang Hornsby Fire Stationjust to ask if they could help, and if not, who Ishould call for assistance. About 30 minuteslater the crew was at my home and with theutmost courtesy and efficiency were able tolocate and extract the very much alive possum.It was nearly as pleased as I was to have beenreleased, as its death would have been certainhad it stayed there too much longer. I thinkthat the NSW Fire Brigades, like many similarindustries these days, is not given enoughcredit for the work they do, and I hope is somesmall way that my letter will convey howvalued the firefighters are in the community.

My heartfelt thanks

From: Denise Williams

To: Fire News

The Management Board, Staff and residents ofJemalong Retirement Village would like toextend a very big thank you to all theemergency personnel staff who attended thesmall fire we had in our nursing home onChristmas night.

The Fire Brigade, Police, Ambulance and SESwere just fantastic. There was not one word ofcomplaint from any of them about being calledout over Christmas and they were all preparedto stay there until such time as they were nolonger needed.

They made the task of relocating the residentsand then returning them to their rooms veryeasy for all the staff. The people of Forbes areindeed fortunate to have people such as thesewho are available at all times for allemergencies.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to all of thosewho attended.

From: Judy KerrDirector of Care Graeme MillerChairman of Management Board

To: The Station Officer

I am writing on behalf of KU Chatswood WestPreschool to commend Platoon B on their tworecent visits to our preschool. All members ofthe Platoon participated in making the visitsfun and educational. The children loved thequestion and answer time, learning basic firesafety and sitting in the fire truck. It was aninvaluable time for each of them.

Thank you for providing this important serviceto our community it is certainly veryworthwhile.

From: Chantelle Withford-CaveKU Childrens' ServicesChatswood West

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To: Fire News

Further to discussions about the “birdbath”, the following article appearedin our newsletter some time ago.

At one stage at Headquarters there were fifty odd men on shift at any onetime. The place was crawling with firemen, stairs north and south werecontinually being pounded by size ten boots at all hours of the day andnight.

It was, for all practicable purposes, pretty nearly impossible, to have adecent five minutes kip.

All this energy must have brought about rather sweaty conditions and thehierarchy, in their wisdom, decided to build a large ablution facility acrossthe yard alongside the drying room.

It was circular in shape and with anything up to a dozen firies surroundingit, stripped to the waist, it was not long before it was christened the ‘birdbath’. To operate it, one had to depress a large chrome ring that ran aroundthe perimeter just above ground level.

One Kevin Brady, an inveterate practical joker, would be having a washwhen a couple of firefighters would come in, take off their shirts then lean

over to have a wash. Off would come Kev’s foot till the water graduallyslowed to a trickle and then would shut right off.

“You are not leaning at the right angle,” he would say. “Let medemonstrate.” He would execute a smart downward bend, down would comethe foot and on would come the water.

Sometimes he would have them go to the watchroom and ask Matt Davis topress the master switch. Matt would give them a blast and they would comeback in a mild panic. They were good old days and little incidents like theseadded another small page to the multitude of stories surroundingHeadquarters.

I do not know what happened to the thing, it could be in the zoo or longsince melted down at Simm’s but whatever its fate, the room where it stoodis still affectionately known as the ‘bird bath’.

From: Tony HaymanPresidentNSWFB Retired Members and Wives Association

To: Mark Wilmott,C Platoon Wollongong Fire Brigade

Thank you for allowing us to come and visit your station. We had such a lovely timethere and are very thankful that you and your crew made us feel very welcome.

The children have not stopped talking about the whole experience. The excursionclearly has sparked up an interest in all of them. We have even made a Power Pointslide show with the digital photos so that the children can revisit their experience. Weare also hoping to work towards making a class book about the excursion as ourchildren have created some beautiful drawings using the computer.

Thank you again for making it such a positive experience.

From: Maree, Beth and Marlene and the children at South Coast School for Childrenwith Autism

To: Officer in Charge,Wollongong Fire Station

Following the windstorms which occurred in the Kiama Municipality in August, Councilwas informed of the damage which occurred in the Municipality and more specifically,the work undertaken by Council staff, the NSW Fire Brigades and volunteers from theSWS and Rural Fire Service in cleaning up. The report highlighted the long hoursworked by staff and volunteers in often dangerous conditions.

Council resolved to extend in writing its thanks to all organisations for the assistanceprovided during the event. Could you please pass on Council's appreciation for thededication and cooperation shown by members of your agency.

From: Peter StuckeyA/Director of Engineering & WorksCouncil of the Municipality of Kiama

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