contents - Queensland Fire and Emergency Services

Transcription

Emergency is published monthly by the Queensland Department
of Emergency Services Public Affairs and Communications Unit.
Articles, photographs and feedback from emergency services
personnel and volunteers are welcome. Editorial staff reserve
the right to edit any contributions.
Address:
Emergency magazine
Public Affairs and Communications Unit
Department of Emergency Services
GPO Box 1425
Brisbane Qld 4001
Editor:
Dianne Bye
Phone:
07 3247 8320
Email:
[email protected]
Facsimile:
07 3247 8779
Web:
www.emergency.qld.gov.au/publications
Editorial:
Nicola Mitchell, Hayley Gillespie, Jonathon Hall,
Andy Christie, Jane Dargaville, Gemma Marks,
Ben Creagh and Andrew Berkman.
Graphic Design:
Kristina Allam
Cover:
Firefi ghtersfrom the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service
near Innisfail on the Bike for Burns marathon cycling
event which raised funds for the Royal #HILDRENS Hospital
Burns Centre.
$POUFOUT
14
@#ODEÍ2EDÍFORÍ0ORTÍOFÍ"RISBANE ...................................... 5
2ECORDÍBUDGETÍFORÍ%MERGENCYÍ3ERVICESÍ ......................... 6
17
%MERGENCYÍ3ERVICEÍ5NITSÍlÍTHEÍUNITEDÍAPPROACH...........13
The Kaz II ghost yacht mystery ......................................14
Emergency deployment to Dili docks ............................17
20
Paramedics and Palm Island kids team up ..................20
2ETIREDÍ&IREjGHTERSÍSTILLÍTURNINGÍOUT .............................. 23
25
!MBULANCEÍ/FjCERSÍ@-OSTÍ4RUSTEDÍAGAIN..................... 25
Graduation day for recruit Firies................................... 29
2ECORDSÍBROKENÍATÍ7ORLDÍ'AMES .................................. 36
www.emergency.qld.gov.au
28
EMERGENCY June 2007
3
From the Minister
named !USTRALIAS most trusted
professionals by a 2EADERS Digest
poll. This is the fi fthyear in a row
THEYVE won this prestigious award.
It also gives me great pleasure to
say our Firefi ghtersplaced second
in the same poll, a wonderful
refl ectionon the WORK both services
provide.
I
t has been a very busy and productive
month since the last issue of
Emergency.
The Department has once again
received a record budget that includes
record levels of funding across all
areas of Emergency Services. The QAS
in particular has received a signifi cant
boost that will help combat the
demand on the service being placed
by 1UEENSLANDS growing and ageing
population.
I also had the chance to publicly
acknowledge our Ambos after they were
In late May I had the pleasure of
attending the Queensland Local
Ambulance Committee conference
in Roma. ,!#S across the state
provide an invaluable amount of
support to the QAS and once again
)D LIKE to THANK them for their input.
It was incredible to meet with a
group of people who have the best
interests of the QAS at heart, and
I look forward to working with the
,!#S in the future.
)TS also a very important time
for our Firies who are on alert
during the Winter fi reperiod.
)TS unfortunate to have to remind
people that 95% of all jRERELATED
deaths happen between May and
September.
I recently joined with my colleague,
Fair Trading Minister Margaret
Keech, to launch the Winter Fire
Safety campaign and I urge all
homeowners to take advantage
of the Safehome program, where
Firefi ghtersconduct a home safety
inspection and give advice on
eliminating hazards.
This MONTHS edition of Emergency
features an article on the
mystery of the Kaz II off the North
Queensland coast. )D LIKE to
commend the Emergency Services
response to this tragedy, and
while this time we were unable
to resolve the situation, I know
that no stone was left unturned
during the search. My heartfelt
commiserations go the families of
the men who remain missing.
Pat Purcell
)URPWKH'LUHFWRU*HQHUDO
communications and scaleable
emergency and disaster management
for the complex incidents we face today
and in the future.
I
am pleased to say DES will benefi t
from record funding in the recently
ANNOUNCEDÍÍ3TATEÍ"UDGETÍÍ
Growth in demand for ambulance
services, particularly acute cases,
will be met through the biggest single
injection of additional Ambulance
Offi cers(250) on the ground in any year.
A record $206.9 million has been
allocated for capital expenditure.
Funding of $70.4 million over two years
FORÍAÍNEWÍSTATEOFTHEARTÍINTEGRATEDÍ
Communications and State Emergency
Operations Centre marks the largest
budget commitment to any single
project in the history of Emergency
Services. This facility will provide a
WORLDCLASSÍCAPABILITYÍINÍEMERGENCYÍ
4
EMERGENCY June 2007
The Budget also provides extra funding
FORÍENHANCEDÍAEROMEDICALÍCAPABILITYÍ
in the Torres Strait and to progress
jVEYEAR service level agreements with
COMMUNITYBASEDÍHELICOPTERÍPROVIDERSÍ
with a strengthened focus on an
improved safety governance regime.
Training and equipment for the SES and
Rural Fire volunteers also continues to
be a budget priority.
I was delighted to attend the State Road
Accident Rescue Challenge recently and
wish to commend all the regional teams
and organising committee for a jRSTRATE
event. Our performance has improved
markedly over the years and we are
represented at the highest levels in this
fi eld. Support from sponsors reinforces
the total professionalism of our people
and their commitment to improving our
road accident rescue capability.
I recently had the pleasure of attending
part of the biannual Queensland Local
Ambulance Committee Conference in
Roma and meeting many Committee
members from across the State. I wish
to thank each of the Committees for the
invaluable support they provide to the
Queensland Ambulance Service and for
their commitment to the safety, health
ANDÍWELLBEINGÍOFÍTHEIRÍLOCALÍCOMMUNITYÍÍ
I would also like to thank and
commend all the QFRS staff who
participated in the @"IKE for "URNS
ride to 2OCKHAMPTON which raised
$28,000 for research by the Royal
#HILDRENS Hospital "URNS Unit. What an
outstanding effort.
I would like to express my gratitude
to the Assistant Commissioners and
Regional Directors for their ongoing
work in progressing the Zero Harm
Workplace Health and Safety Policy
and commend to you Ian -ITCHELLS
article on "RISBANE 2EGIONS WORK in this
edition of Emergency.
Finally, I encourage you to nominate
for the -INISTERS Awards for Excellence
which are judged by an independent
panel and are a forerunner to the
0REMIERS Awards later in the year.
Fiona McKersie ESM
Photos by Matt Hayes
Code Red –
#SJTCBOFTOVDMFBSQMBOTQVUUPUIFUFTU
by Jonathon Hall
the Nuclear Powered Warship Visits
Committee and Brisbane Port Safety
Organisation.
2EPRESENTATIVESÍFROMÍ%-1Í0OLICEÍ
1UEENSLANDÍ&IREÍANDÍ2ESCUEÍ3ERVICEÍ
1&23Í1UEENSLANDÍ!MBULANCEÍ3ERVICEÍ
Queensland Health, the Australian
Navy, Port of Brisbane Corporation,
Queensland Maritime Safety and the
Australian Nuclear Technology and
Science Organisation were present.
A
round 2 am on a cool May morning,
an alarm pierces the night at the
0ORTÍOFÍ"RISBANEÍ)TSÍTHEÍjRSTÍSIGNALÍOFÍ
an incident aboard a nuclear powered
warship berthed at the Port. Initial
signs suggest a radiation leak from the
VESSELSÍREACTORÍlÍAÍ#ODEÍ2ED
That was the scenario faced by
emergency services last month as they
put the Port Safety Plan for Visits of
Nuclear Powered Warships to Brisbane
TOÍTHEÍTESTÍDURINGÍ@%XERCISEÍ&ISHERMAN
4HEÍEXERCISEÍCENTREDÍONÍTHEÍjCTIONALÍVISITÍ
of the nuclear powered warship USS
Courtney, an attack submarine berthed
at the Grain Wharf on Fishermans Island.
@%XERCISEÍ&ISHERMANÍBEGANÍWHENÍ
a steam valve failed on the reactor
aboard the Courtney, triggering a
radiation alarm.
Within minutes the call for help went out
to emergency services.
/NEÍOFÍTHEÍjRSTÍPEOPLEÍNOTIjEDÍWASÍ
Emergency Management Queensland
%-1Í!CTINGÍ$EPUTYÍ%XECUTIVEÍ$IRECTORÍ
Mike Shapland.
The major incident room was activated
ATÍ"RISBANESÍ0OLICEÍ(EADQUARTERSÍ
where Mike joined representatives from
As Brisbane is one of only two
Queensland ports which allow visits by
nuclear warships, Mike notes how vital
it is to test the Port Safety Plan.
f7EÍNEEDÍTOÍTESTÍTHESEÍPLANSÍTOÍSEEÍIFÍWEÍ
can strengthen them in any way and this
WASÍTHEÍjRSTÍTIMEÍTHEÍPLANÍFORÍAÍNUCLEARÍ
powered warship visit was tested in full.
f)TSÍAÍ#OMMONWEALTHÍREQUIREMENTÍTHATÍ
we do an exercise every year and every
TWOÍYEARSÍTHATÍMUSTÍBEÍAÍjELDÍEXERCISEÍ
4HISÍYEARÍFORÍTHEÍjRSTÍTIMEÍWEÍCOMBINEDÍ
the two and ran the major incident
room at Police headquarters at the same
time as the full deployment exercise at
THEÍWHARFt
Mike said with so many agencies
working together there were some
challenges.
f4HISÍWASÍAÍCOMPLEXÍANDÍMULTILEVELÍ
government operation which required a
huge amount of cooperation. We learnt
a lot about how we can communicate
BETTERÍASÍAÍRESULTÍOFÍTHEÍEXERCISEt
3ENIORÍ%-1Í0ROJECTÍ/FjCERÍ)ANÍ
McCulloch was one of the 70 people
involved in the exercise at the Port.
f)TÍWASÍVERYÍREALISTICÍBECAUSEÍITÍRANÍINÍ
real time. All response units activated as
they would for a real event so that gave
USÍAÍGOODÍIDEAÍOFÍTHEÍTIMINGÍINVOLVEDtÍ
Ian said.
f7EÍHADÍMASSÍSCREENINGÍOFÍPOSSIBLEÍ
contaminated persons, evacuations,
decontamination and the deployment
of mobile radiation monitoring teams all
GOINGÍONt
The exercise provided EMQ an
opportunity to test new technology.
f7EÍTRIALLEDÍTHEÍRADIATIONÍPORTALÍWHICHÍ
is similar to metal detectors you walk
THROUGHÍATÍAIRPORTStÍ)ANÍSAIDÍ
f7EÍHADÍPEOPLEÍWALKÍTHROUGHÍWITHÍQUITEÍ
low-level radiation sources hidden in
their clothing. It was remarkable how
ACCURATEÍTHEÍMACHINEÍWASÍÍITÍDETECTEDÍ
WHEREÍTHEÍRADIATIONÍWASÍONÍYOURÍBODYtÍ
Volunteer victims were processed by
1&23ÍDECONTAMINATIONÍUNITSÍATÍAÍSTAGINGÍ
area at Whyte Island.
1&23Í!CTINGÍ!REAÍ$IRECTORÍ+EVINÍ7HITEÍ
responded in the early hours.
f4HEÍSPECIALÍOPERATIONSÍTEAMÍROLLEDÍOUTÍ
from Cannon Hill so we had a lot of large
EQUIPMENTÍDOWNÍTHEREt
Due to water restrictions the
DECONTAMINATIONÍSHOWERSÍDIDNTÍUSEÍ
water but volunteers simulated washing
their hair and scrubbing under their
nails to remove any potential radiation.
f7EVEÍTESTEDÍTHEÍDECONTAMINATIONÍ
units and train with them regularly so
it worked quite well and we had no
CONCERNSÍTHEREtÍ+EVINÍSAIDÍ
Overall Mike Shapland deemed the
event a success.
f)TÍPROVEDÍWEÍHAVEÍAÍROBUSTÍPLANÍWHICHÍ
would have met the demands of the
SITUATIONÍANDÍTHATÍBODESÍWELLÍIFÍWEREÍ
ever required to respond to such an
INCIDENTÍFORÍREALt
EMERGENCY June 2007
5
6
EMERGENCY June 2007
8
EMERGENCY June 2007
EMERGENCY June 2007
9
3FDPSECVEHFUGPS2"4
population, maintain emergency
response times and improve
services to rural, isolated and
remote communities, this Budget
provides for an additional 250
AMBULANCEÍOFjCERSÍINÍÍ
including:
A
record $404.5 million has been
allocated to the Queensland
!MBULANCEÍ3ERVICEÍ1!3ÍTOÍ
boost staff numbers, improve
infrastructure and provide new
vehicles as part of the 2007-08
State Budget.
This funding boost, which is an
increase of $48.7 million on last
year, ensures we can continue to
deliver world-class patient care to
ALLÍ1UEENSLANDERSÍASÍTHEÍ3TATESÍ
population continues to increase
at almost twice the national rate.
To manage demand for services
driven by a growing and ageing
10
EMERGENCY June 2007
qÍ Í0ARAMEDICSÍ#OMMUNICATIONSÍ
/FjCERSÍCLINICALÍANDÍSUPPORTÍ
staff to assist managing demand
for services driven by a growing
and ageing population and the
COMMUNITYSÍINCREASINGÍUSEÍOFÍ
emergency health services; and
qÍ Í0ARAMEDICSÍTOÍCOMPLETEÍTHEÍ
recruitment of 144 Ambulance
/FjCERSÍFORÍTHEÍIMPLEMENTATIONÍ
of the 38 hour week.
The $65.4 million capital budget for
2007-08 provides essential funds
for three new and 17 replacement/
redeveloped stations and will
ENABLEÍTHEÍDEjBRILLATORÍREPLACEMENTÍ
strategy to be accelerated.
The capital budget also
includes $15.7 million for over
140 replacement ambulance
vehicles to ensure we continue to
OPERATEÍAÍMODERNÍANDÍRELIABLEÍkEETÍ
and to provide additional vehicles
FORÍTHEÍEXTRAÍ!MBULANCEÍ/FjCERSÍ
commencing service, and $6.8 million
will be invested towards continued
improvement of operational and
communications equipment across
the State.
Funding has also been allocated to
community education and awareness
initiatives, which are vital to creating
safer Queensland communities.
Before closing, I would like to
congratulate all of our Ambulance
/FjCERSÍWHOÍWEREÍLASTÍMONTHÍVOTEDÍ
!USTRALIASÍMOSTÍTRUSTEDÍPROFESSIONÍ
FORÍTHEÍjFTHÍYEARÍINÍAÍROWÍINÍAÍ2EADERSÍ
Digest poll.
This accolade is richly deserved
and recognises the professionalism
ANDÍDEDICATIONÍOFÍOFjCERSÍWHOÍAREÍ
committed to helping others and
making their communities safer and
HEALTHIERÍlÍWELLÍDONE
+JN)JHHJOT"4.
2"4$PNNJTTJPOFS
4XHHQVODQG¶VQHZHVW)LUH¿JKWHUVGHPRQVWUDWHWKHLUVNLOOVRQJUDGXDWLRQGD\DWWKH
4XHHQVODQG&RPELQHG(PHUJHQF\6HUYLFHV$FDGHP\
#VEHFUCPPTUGPS2'34
AÍNEWÍjREÍSTATIONÍATÍ"URPENGARYÍÍÍ
Construction will also commence on
THEÍ!LEXANDRAÍ(ILLSÍANDÍ2EDLANDÍ"AYÍ
stations in 2007-08. Fire stations at
Malanda and Yungaburra, Tin Can Bay,
,OWOODÍ'OONDIWINDIÍ(IGHjELDSÍANDÍ
Bollon will also be replaced at a cost of
$3.3 million. Funding has also been
provided for redevelopment of stations
at Eatons Hill, Southport, Hollywell and
at Kitchener Street, Toowoomba.
T
he 2007-08 State Budget maintains
THEÍMOMENTUMÍOFÍ1&23ÍINÍDELIVERINGÍ
AÍWORLDCLASSÍ&IREÍANDÍ2ESCUEÍ3ERVICEÍTOÍ
the people of Queensland.
Our allocation of $360.1 million will
continue to strengthen crucial frontline
operational capability and on-going
community education and threat
mitigation throughout Queensland.
)MÍDELIGHTEDÍTHATÍTHEÍINCREASEÍOFÍ
$36.1 million will ensure we continue
to upgrade infrastructure, provide new
vehicles and continue to develop staff.
Of particular note is the $12.3 million
for the construction, redevelopment
ANDÍREFURBISHMENTÍOFÍjREÍSTATIONSÍ
including $2.3 million to commence
4HISÍ"UDGETÍWILLÍFUNDÍÍNEWÍURBANÍjREÍ
appliances and ten support vehicles
as part of the State-wide urban vehicle
replacement/upgrade program and 36
APPLIANCESÍANDÍjVEÍTRAILERSÍASÍPARTÍOFÍTHEÍ
rural appliance modernisation program.
1&23ÍWILLÍBEÍAÍMAJORÍBENEjCIARYÍOFÍ
the $22.3 million to be spent on the
Queensland Combined Emergency
3ERVICESÍ!CADEMYÍ1#%3!ÍATÍ"RISBANESÍ
Whyte Island. Existing facilities have
already been upgraded, however,
the new practical training facility and
scenario streetscape construction,
due for completion in April 2008, will
MAKEÍTHISÍTHEÍjNESTÍFACILITYÍOFÍITSÍKINDÍINÍ
Australia.
The budget will also add to the
important work over the past 12 months
INÍTHEÍAREAÍOFÍ2URALÍ/PERATIONSÍ
ANDÍSUPPORTÍFORÍRURALÍ&IREjGHTERSÍ
ÍMILLIONÍOVERÍjVEÍYEARSÍWILLÍBEÍPUTÍ
toward a Department-wide program
to boost volunteer preparedness and
response capability through increased
training, equipment and strengthening
existing radio communications
infrastructure.
Communication continues to be the
lifeblood of the organisation and
funding has been provided to roll out
the Emergency Services Computer Aided
Dispatch system to all FireCom Centres.
ÍMILLIONÍASÍPARTÍOFÍAÍÍMILLIONÍ
ALLOCATIONÍOVERÍTWOÍYEARSÍWILLÍSEEÍTHEÍ
construction of a new state-of-theart Communications and Emergency
Disaster Coordination Centre to replace
the existing Fire and Ambulance
Communication facilities in Brisbane and
the South Eastern region.
The budget also provides for on-going
work to improve our response capability
to chemical, biological and radiological
incidents, and developing the Fire
Incident Management System.
-FF"+PIOTPO"'4..*'JSF&
2'34$PNNJTTJPOFS
EMERGENCY June 2007
11
&.2CVEHFUGPSCBTFMFWFMJNQSPWFNFOUT
while continuing to develop our
infrastructure.
As most of you would be aware, the
UPGRADEÍOFÍTHEÍ%-1Í2ESCUEÍCHOPPERÍkEETÍ
is progressing, and this budget allocates
ÍMILLIONÍÍMILLIONÍOVERÍTHREEÍ
YEARSÍTOÍUPGRADEÍTHEÍ%-1ÍHELICOPTERÍ
kEETÍWITHÍTHREEÍSTATEOFTHEARTÍ
AgustaWestland AW 139 helicopters.
T
he 2007-08 State Budget will place
in a strong position to capitalise on the
ground work put in place over the past
12 months.
%-1SÍÍMILLIONÍALLOCATIONÍWILLÍGOÍ
a long way toward ensuring Queensland
communities remain safe and secure
through frontline operational service
delivery, disaster prevention and
mitigation and community education.
This is a budget that will allow us to
continue to develop our staff and provide
them with upgraded and safe equipment
12
EMERGENCY June 2007
This is an important budget for SES
VOLUNTEERSÍANDÍ)MÍDELIGHTEDÍWITHÍ
the provision made to continue to
develop our volunteers. In line with the
$EPARTMENTSÍ:EROÍ(ARMÍPOLICYÍOUTLINEDÍ
INÍLASTÍMONTHSÍ%MERGENCYÍMAGAZINEÍTHISÍ
budget will provide $17 million over the
NEXTÍjVEÍYEARSÍTOÍSUPPLYÍOURÍVOLUNTEERSÍ
with protective equipment and enhanced
radio communication capability.
The Budget also allocates $3.3 million
ASÍPARTÍOFÍÍMILLIONÍOVERÍjVEÍYEARSÍ
to provide for crucial training, such as
ENSURINGÍALLÍ3%3ÍPERSONNELÍAREÍQUALIjEDÍ
INÍjRSTÍAIDÍANDÍFORÍREMOTEÍLEARNINGÍ
THROUGHÍONLINEÍMODULESÍlÍTHISÍWILLÍ
PROVIDEÍAÍSIGNIjCANTÍBOOSTÍTOÍIMPROVEDÍ
volunteer training.
The budget will fund the introduction
of a single co-ordinated national
132 500 SES telephone number from
next month. Funding of $514,000 this
YEARÍASÍPARTÍOFÍAÍÍMILLIONÍjVEYEARÍ
project will continue to strengthen
the link between the SES and those
INÍNEEDÍINÍTIMESÍOFÍkOODÍANDÍSTORMÍ
emergencies.
)MÍALSOÍPLEASEDÍTOÍSEEÍCONTINUEDÍ
strong support for some of our key
programs including the Emergency
Service Cadets, community education
and awareness for potential disasters
and for the continued development
of key initiatives to indigenous
communities and remote areas of
Queensland.
I look forward to outlining the progress
of these programs and initiatives in the
up-coming year.
'SBOL1BHBOP"'4.
&YFDVUJWF%JSFDUPS
&NFSHFODZ.BOBHFNFOU2VFFOTMBOE
The new uniform and badge for
Emergency Service Unit personnel.
ESUs will undertake the functions
previously provided by the individual
DES volunteer response organisations
within their area.
They will utilise the appropriate
equipment and vehicles supplied by
the different agencies to deliver these
functions.
&NFSHFODZ4FSWJDF6OJUT
"OFXBQQSPBDIUPTFSWJDFEFMJWFSZ
I
n many rural, remote and isolated
communities across Queensland
volunteers are responsible for
delivering emergency services.
In small communities, one volunteer
can often be a member of the State
%MERGENCYÍ3ERVICEÍ3%3ÍTHEÍ2URALÍ&IREÍ
3ERVICEÍ2&3ÍANDÍALSOÍTHEÍ1UEENSLANDÍ
!MBULANCEÍ3ERVICEÍ1!3Í&IRSTÍ
2ESPONDERÍPROGRAMÍÍ
There are more than 60 examples
in rural and remote Queensland
COMMUNITIESÍWHEREÍTHEÍ3%3ÍANDÍ2&3Í
share premises and volunteers.
This has implications for administration,
activation, resourcing and training.
Volunteers can be operating under
three different sets of administrative
arrangements and report to three
DIFFERENTÍOFjCESÍ
The activation process for emergency
incidents can vary.
Until recently the resources and training
for volunteers were being supplied
separately by the three operational
divisions within the Department of
Emergency Services.
Volunteers and Local Governments
operating under these three systems
support the introduction of an
integrated approach to service delivery.
To address these needs DES has
instigated a range of measures
including the establishment of
%MERGENCYÍ3ERVICEÍ5NITSÍ%35ÍTHATÍ
deliver a range of volunteer emergency
services from within a single unit.
The ESUs are established under the
Disaster Management Act 2003 and
the legislation ensures they can only
be established in those rural or remote
LOCATIONSÍWHEREÍTHEYÍWILLÍBENEjTÍ
the community and are able to be
supported by the local community.
EMQ has responsibility for establishing
and maintaining the ongoing operation
of these units in collaboration with
1&23ÍANDÍ1!3ÍÍ
4HEYÍWILLÍBEÍREADILYÍIDENTIjABLEÍ
with their own badge and uniform.
The badge incorporates elements of
the three divisions whose functions
they perform.
The uniform is a combination of yellow
pants and a navy and yellow shirt,
an ESU cap and boots.
This uniform is suitable for undertaking
most of the functions performed by SES
ANDÍ1!3Í&IRSTÍ2ESPONDERSÍANDÍWHENÍ
COMBINEDÍWITHÍEXTRAÍ00%ÍPERSONALÍ
PROTECTIVEÍEQUIPMENTÍTHEÍUNIFORMÍISÍ
ALSOÍSUITABLEÍFORÍ2&3ÍDUTIES
There are two pilot ESUs already
established, one in Talwood, one hour
west of Goondiwindi, and a second
in St. Pauls on Moa Island in the
Torres Strait.
From within the single unit, both
groups undertake functions normally
PERFORMEDÍBYÍ3%3Í2&3ÍANDÍ1!3Í&IRSTÍ
2ESPONDERÍPROGRAMÍÍ
More ESUs are being established and
ASÍTHEÍBENEjTSÍOFÍTHEÍCONCEPTÍBECOMEÍ
widely known, it is anticipated that
many more communities will nominate
to become an ESU.
For all enquiries regarding ESUs please
contact the Senior Advisor, Emergency
Service Units on 07 3247 8494.
EMERGENCY June 2007
13
The mystery of the Kaz II
By Andy Christie
I
t started like any other job. Pilot
!LEXÍ7RIGHTÍkEWÍTHEÍ4OWNSVILLEÍ%-1Í
2ESCUEÍHELICOPTERÍOUTÍTOÍCHECKÍUPÍONÍAÍ
catamaran apparently drifting at sea.
On board the helicopter were crewman
Corrie Benson, winch operator Garry
Wybenga, two members of the Water
0OLICEÍANDÍAÍCAMERAMANÍjLMINGÍANÍ
%-1Í2ESCUEÍHELICOPTERÍDOCUMENTARYÍFORÍ
the ABC.
Í7HENÍTHEÍCATAMARANSÍWIRESÍPREVENTEDÍ
lowering a crew man on to the deck,
Corrie was lowered into the sea and
SWAMÍTHEÍjNALÍÍMETRESÍTOÍTHEÍCRAFTÍ
In the process he became temporarily
ENTANGLEDÍINÍAÍjSHINGÍLINEÍRUNNINGÍOUTÍ
the back of the boat.
Once on board Corrie was wary.
f4HEÍENGINEÍWASÍSTILLÍRUNNINGÍITÍHADÍ
a real eerie feel. The door was wide
open and I could see downstairs, so
I cautiously walked down there not
KNOWINGÍWHATÍTOÍEXPECTÍlÍNOTÍKNOWINGÍ
whether somebody was injured or
whether something sinister had
HAPPENEDt
f3ITTINGÍONÍTHEÍTABLEÍWEREÍTWOÍLAPTOPSÍ
that were both on, a Sunday paper, a
video camera, cameras, mobile phones,
wallets, watches, and the beds had
been slept in. There was medication
ANDÍCLOTHESÍlÍNOTHINGÍWASÍOUTÍOFÍPLACEÍ
EVERYTHINGÍWASÍSOÍNEATt
Back on board the helicopter, Corrie
recounted his observations and the
MYSTERYÍOFÍTHEÍ+AZÍ))Í@GHOSTÍYACHTÍ
was born.
Cameraman Tony Gordon was busy
CAPTURINGÍTHEÍEVENTSÍONÍjLMÍ
f)ÍHADÍAÍFAIRÍINKLINGÍTHISÍCOULDÍBEÍAÍ
ground breaking story that would go
international, in fact I later rang my
BOSSÍATÍTWOÍOCLOCKÍINÍTHEÍMORNINGÍTOÍLETÍ
HIMÍKNOWtÍ4ONYÍSAID
f7EÍREALISEDÍWEÍCOULDNTÍREADÍTHEÍYACHTSÍ
port of origin or registration number, so I
took photos which the Police used later
THATÍDAYÍTOÍIDENTIFYÍTHEÍOWNERStÍ
!LLÍOFÍ!USTRALIASÍMAINÍNEWSÍSTATIONSÍ
CARRIEDÍ4ONYSÍFOOTAGEÍTHEÍNEXTÍDAYÍ
and the story captivated national and
international audiences.
The drama had begun innocently
enough six days earlier on Sunday
15 April when brothers Peter and Jim
Tunstead and their mate Derek Batten
set sail from Airlie Beach, on their way
home to Western Australia.
They placed a routine radio call through
TOÍ6OLUNTEERÍ-ARINEÍ2ESCUEÍLATERÍTHATÍ
afternoon. That was the last contact
ever made with the Kaz II crew.
On board the EMQ helicopter, winch operator Garry Wybenga surveys the
MYSTERYÍ@GHOSTÍYACHTÍ+AZÍ))ÍÍ0HOTOÍBYÍ!"#ÍCAMERAMANÍ4ONYÍ'ORDON
14
EMERGENCY June 2007
A Coastwatch spotter plane later saw
the vessel at sea with sail set but
apparently not actively sailing. No crew
CAMEÍTOÍTHEÍDECKÍWHENÍTHEYÍkEWÍAÍLOWÍ
pass over the yacht.
They realised something was untoward
when the Kaz II was spotted in a
similar location the following day and
Coastwatch set in motion a chain of
events that saw the Townsville EMQ
helicopter activated on Thursday
19 April.
By Friday the search had been scaled
up to include helicopters from Cairns
and Mackay and many of the SES units
along the coast between Airlie Beach
and Townsville.
Local Controller from the
4OWNSVILLEÍlÍ4HURINGOWAÍ5NITÍ&REDÍ
Parker was contacted at midnight and
asked to arrange 15 air observers for the
Friday search.
f)TÍWASÍAÍBITÍDIFjCULTÍTOÍGETÍPEOPLEÍ
to commit until they contacted their
supervisors at work and midnight
,";**
/2
One of the KAZ II photos taken by an ABC
CAMERAMANÍONÍTHEÍ%-1ÍHELICOPTERÍlÍ
police used the images to check the
CATAMARANSÍREGISTRATIONÍNUMBERÍANDÍ
formally identify her owners.
PROBABLYÍISNTÍTHEÍBESTÍTIMEÍTOÍDOÍTHATtÍ
said Fred.
f7EÍSEARCHEDÍTHEÍAREAÍWHEREÍTHEÍ
yacht had been found and south,
backtracking along the way they
thought the yacht had drifted.
f)TÍISÍEXTREMELYÍDIFjCULTÍTOÍSPOTÍAÍPERSONÍ
INÍTHEÍWATERÍlÍTOÍDOÍTHATÍPLANESÍHAVEÍTOÍ
kYÍATÍÍMETRESÍORÍLOWERÍANDÍATÍTHATÍ
altitude the water is moving past much
more quickly. Fortunately the seas
WERENTÍTOOÍROUGH
f/URÍAIRÍOBSERVERÍTRAININGÍCOVERSÍ
WHATÍTOÍLOOKÍFORÍANDÍHOWÍTOÍLOOKÍlÍ
all the techniques to make sure we are
consciously observing rather than just
LOOKINGÍOUTÍTHEÍWINDOWt
The Townsville EMQ helicopter
returned to the Kaz II on Friday to uplift
equipment to be used by Police to
determine how long the yacht had
been drifting.
After analysis, Police judged the crew
HADNTÍBEENÍONÍBOARDÍSINCEÍ3UNDAYÍANDÍ
the focus of the search shifted south.
Media interest remained intense,
much to the surprise of Whitsunday
SES Local Controller Mark Connors.
He was bombarded with media
requests about a planned training
exercise by SES Prosperine in the
original area of interest nearly a week
AFTERÍTHEÍOFjCIALÍSEARCHÍHADÍBEENÍ
called off.
When Emergency spoke to Glenn
Meredith, son-in-law of missing crew
member Peter Tunstead, he took the
opportunity to thank all the searchers.
f/NÍBEHALFÍOFÍTHEÍFAMILYÍFROMÍTHEÍ
bottom of our hearts we want to thank
ALLÍOFÍTHEÍ3%3ÍANDÍANYONEÍTHATSÍBEENÍ
involved in the search. We know you
guys are volunteers and to give up
your own time is certainly very
GREATLYÍAPPRECIATEDt
f7EÍWEREÍSHOWNÍAÍMAPÍOFÍTHEÍWHOLEÍ
area and there were overlays of who
searched what. I was absolutely
astounded by the area that was covered
by everyone, so I certainly do thank you.
)ÍKNEWÍTHEREDÍBEENÍAÍMASSIVEÍSEARCHÍ
DONEÍBUTÍ)ÍJUSTÍDIDNTÍREALISEÍHOWÍMUCHÍ
ground was actually covered. It was very
PLEASINGÍTOÍSEEÍTHATtÍÍ
1IPUPTCZ5POZ(PSEPO
EMERGENCY June 2007
15
f)TÍHADÍAÍREALÍ
EERIEÍFEELÍlÍTHEÍ
engine was still
running, the door
was wide open,
nothing was out
OFÍPLACEt
EMQ helicopter crewman Corrie
"ENSONÍlÍTHEÍjRSTÍPERSONÍTOÍBOARDÍTHEÍ
abandoned Kaz II catamaran, pictured
here with Queensland Water Police prior
TOÍGOINGÍONÍBOARDÍTHEÍ@GHOSTÍYACHT
Intense media interest in ‘ghost yacht’ mystery
T
he story of the Kaz II proved
irresistible for a mystery-hungry
world media.
4ALESÍOFÍANÍ@!USTRALIANÍGHOSTÍSHIPÍ
circulated around the globe within
HOURSÍOFÍTHEÍjRSTÍREPORTS
While the story dominated national
television, radio and newspaper
coverage, it also quickly found a
home on the internet.
Nationally, the usual media online
outlets covered the story - AAP,
ABC, News.com, Ninemsn, Yahoo7
and countless newspaper websites
including the Courier Mail, Brisbane
Times, the Gold Coast Bulletin,
Sydney Morning Herald,
The Age, The Australian and the
West Australian.
Internationally, a quick Google
search revealed just how far the
story had spread.
The major American news networks
CNN, CBS, NBC and ABC, Fox News
and the Washington Post covered
the story as well as the CBC
in Canada.
Once the story was picked up by
2EUTERSÍITÍSPREADÍEVENÍFASTERÍTOÍBEÍ
picked up by the BBC, and by online
versions of UK papers including The
Sun, the Guardian, the Mirror, the
Times and the Telegraph
In Asia, the Kaz II mystery was
reported in the China Daily, the
Khaleej Times online in India and a
Hong Kong radio station requested a
live interview.
Numerous African news websites
and the online Sabah newspaper in
Turkey devoted space to the mystery.
In the following week queries
continued to roll in from countries as
diverse as Brazil and Norway.
Seven News journalist Kathy Weis interviews EMQ helicopter pilot Mike Toms about the Kaz II
16
EMERGENCY June 2007
Within hours the story had spread
from Queensland to the four corners
of the globe, highlighting how
quickly interest is aroused and
information is spread when such a
spellbinding tale hits the internet.
1&23Í/FjCERSÍ'EOFFÍ4UNNEYÍANDÍ*OHNÍ$ODDÍINSPECTÍTHEÍCONTAINERÍLEAKINGÍHYDROCHLORICÍACIDÍONÍTHEÍ$ILIÍDOCK
Queensland chemical experts called to Dili
#Z"OESFX#FSLNBO
HEÍHISTORYÍOFÍ1&23ÍPERSONNELÍTAKINGÍ
ONÍDIFjCULTÍDEPLOYMENTSÍCONTINUEDÍ
in April when there was a potentially
hazardous chemical spill at the Dili Port
in East Timor.
T
options, liaising with a multitude of
agencies including the East Timorese
government, international defence force
and United Nations personnel and even
the local media.
assess the incident. We also had to
formulate a plan for the Government to
consider and measure how much was
REMAININGÍlÍUSINGÍTHEÍTRIEDÍANDÍTRUEÍ
method of a stick.
A large shipping container leaking
hydrochloric acid was sitting on the
docks in Dili, and the situation posed
a risk to surrounding residents and the
environment.
f4HEÍINITIALÍINFORMATIONÍWEÍHADÍWASÍTHATÍ
a 20,000 litre container of hydrochloric
acid started to leak while at sea and
was now leaking at the Port in the
MIDDLEÍOFÍ$ILItÍ-IKEÍSAID
The East Timorese government
requested assistance from Australia.
The Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade activated the Australian
Government Overseas Disaster
!SSISTANCEÍ0LANÍ!53!33)340,!.Í
which provides for Emergency
-ANAGEMENTÍ!USTRALIAÍ%-!ÍWITHINÍ
THEÍ!TTORNEY'ENERALSÍ$EPARTMENTÍTOÍ
COORDINATEÍ!USTRALIASÍRESPONSE
f4HEÍ!USTRALIANÍ$EFENCEÍ&ORCEÍWASÍABLEÍ
to repair and contain some leaks but
the container was in such a condition
that further leaks kept appearing. The
leaks also caused an acid vapour cloud
to form and there was the potential for
a much bigger spill which threatened to
IMPACTÍTHEÍLOCALÍCOMMUNITYt
f)NÍ!USTRALIAÍWEÍMIGHTÍTRANSFERÍTHEÍ
product or neutralise the acid using
soda ash, lime, soda bicarbonate or
coral rock, but all we had available
in Timor was cement dust or coral to
neutralise the acid. The Government
accepted the recommended approach
to resolve the incident using the
available resources.
1&23ÍWASÍASKEDÍTOÍASSESSÍTHEÍSITUATIONÍ
and provide options for the Government
to consider in order to resolve the
emergency.
/NÍÍ!PRILÍ1&23Í3CIENTIjCÍ5NITÍ
Manager, Dr Michael Logan and Special
/PERATIONSÍ3TATIONÍ/FjCERSÍ'EOFFÍ
Tunney and John Dodd arrived in Dili.
!LONGÍWITHÍ%-!ÍOFjCIALÍ-ALCOLMÍ0URCELLÍ
they began the process of assessing
the incident, developing mitigation
4HEÍ1&23ÍTEAMÍWASÍALSOÍUNDERÍPRESSUREÍ
from local authorities to complete the
job swiftly.
An exclusion zone set up by local
authorities included a large camp
of almost 2,000 people who were
reluctant to move. Closing off the docks
also restricted in-coming shipments,
including a large arrival of rice.
f/PERATIONALLYÍITÍWASÍAÍCHALLENGINGÍ
ENVIRONMENTtÍ'EOFFÍSAIDÍ
f7HENÍWEÍARRIVEDÍWEÍWOREÍSPLASHÍSUITSÍ
to test around the exclusion zone and
f4HEÍ!$&ÍWASÍABLEÍTOÍORGANISEÍONEAND
a-half tonnes from around the city and
then it was a matter of getting approval
from the Government, building a bund
and containing what was left of the
substance.
f4HEÍ!$&ÍWASÍAÍGREATÍHELPÍANDÍASSISTEDÍ
by providing two teams from their
)NCIDENTÍ2EGIMENTÍ2ESPONSEt
The docks were progressively re-opened
as the emergency was resolved and the
container, including the neutralised
cement deposited, was removed.
!LLÍTHREEÍMEMBERSÍOFÍTHEÍ1&23Í
deployment were awarded
commendations from EMA DirectorGeneral Tony Pearce.
EMERGENCY June 2007
17
5$&(DJDLQVWWHUURU
By Jane Dargaville
T
he QFRS is contributing to the
national collaborative effort to fi ght
the threat of terrorism through work
being done by the Scientifi cUnit.
Dr Michael Logan, Manager of the QFRS
Scientifi cUnit
f4HE expertise
of the Unit goes
beyond a simple
understanding of
the behaviour and
relationships of
CHEMICALSvt
18
EMERGENCY June 2007
The Scientifi c5NITS role is to provide
advice about the safe management of
hazardous materials in emergencies
l advice which ranges from identifying
materials and their hazards to devising
and implementing strategies to
mitigate spills.
Manager of the Scientifi cUnit, Dr
Michael Logan was the only Queensland
representative within a specialist team
of Australian forensic scientists and
members drawn from police and fi re
AGENCIESÍATÍAÍFOURNATIONÍCAPABILITYÍ
exercise in Great Britain last September.
5+ÍBYÍAÍPOLICEÍSPECIALISTÍANTI
terrorist unit.
The purpose of the exercise was to
enable the four countries to compare,
contrast and share information
about the forensic investigation of
chemical, biological and radiological
#"2 incidents.
Each national team was tasked to
conduct its own investigation of a
clandestine laboratory where chemical
agents were being manufactured for
potential use on a mass scale.
-IKES role included participating as
a member of the initial entry team to
assess the scene, identify the chemical
agent and provide advice to make the
scene safe for further investigation.
The team members from the United
States, Canada and the United Kingdom
were all experienced working at the
FOREFRONTÍOFÍINVESTIGATIONSÍINTOÍTERRORISTÍ
related activities.
Despite the serious nature of the
incident, Mike told Emergency that
his role in the capability exercise
demanded really no more than what he
DOESÍINÍHISÍDAYTODAYÍJOB
The US was represented by members
of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Hazardous Materials Response Unit,
Canada by an elite team from the
Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the
With a Doctorate in physical chemistry,
-IKE is no mere boffi nbut a HANDSON
TEAMÍLEADERÍOFÍSEVENÍFULLTIMEÍANDÍÍ
volunteer scientists who form the QFRS
FRONTLINEÍOFFENSIVEÍTOÍTHEÍEVERGROWINGÍ
4HEÍOTHERÍMAJORÍSERVICEÍTHEÍ3CIENTIjCÍ
Unit delivers is education to both
internal and external clients.
f&UNDAMENTALLYÍWHATÍWEÍAREÍISÍAÍ
LEARNINGÍORGANISATIONÍlÍWEREÍABOUTÍ
possessing wisdom and sharing it,
WEREÍNOTÍABOUTÍCOLLECTINGÍINFORMATIONÍ
ANDÍHOLDINGÍITtÍ-IKEÍSAID
4HEÍUNITÍEDUCATESÍ&IREjGHTERSÍTOÍ
safely manage hazardous materials
incidents and educate Police to manage
contaminated crime scenes.
Mike says the fundamentals to
MANAGINGÍANÍINCIDENTÍDONTÍCHANGEÍ
whether the incident is an accident
or an act of terrorism. However, a
terrorism-related incident would evoke
other considerations including political,
mass casualty and crime scene
implications.
Photo by Matt Hayes
risk posed by chemical and other
hazardous materials.
He told Emergency that in south-east
1UEENSLANDÍTHEÍ2ESPONSEÍ!DVICEÍINÍ
#HEMICALÍ%MERGENCIESÍlÍORÍ2!#%Í
SERVICEÍlÍISÍPROVIDEDÍBYÍ1&23Í
collaboratively with Queensland
(EALTHÍ3CIENTIjCÍ3ERVICES
f9OUÍCANTÍMANAGEÍANÍINCIDENTÍ
EFFECTIVELYÍANDÍEFjCIENTLYÍIFÍYOUÍDONTÍ
know what the material is.
f"UTÍIFÍYOUÍDOÍKNOWÍWHATÍAÍMATERIALÍISÍ
its hazards and the situation, then you
KNOWÍHOWÍITSÍGOINGÍTOÍHURTÍYOUÍHOWÍTOÍ
protect yourself and what to do to make
THEÍSITUATIONÍSAFEt
/NÍAVERAGEÍTHEÍ3CIENTIjCÍ5NITÍ
attends more than 300 incidents
around the State each year, with the
number growing at a rate of about
nine percent annually.
According to Mike, members of the
3CIENTIjCÍ5NITÍAREÍNOTÍ&IREjGHTERSÍBUTÍ
they contribute by knowing something
ABOUTÍTHEÍHAZARDSÍCREATEDÍBYÍAÍjREÍANDÍ
HOWÍTHEÍjREÍMIGHTÍBEHAVEÍ
4HEÍ1&23Í3CIENTIjCÍ5NITÍHASÍTWOÍPEOPLEÍ
permanently on call to provide advice
about managing incidents.
f7EÍCANÍUSEÍTHISÍKNOWLEDGEÍTOÍASSESSÍ
the quality of the air where
THEÍ&IREjGHTERSÍAREÍWORKINGÍANDÍ
within the broader community and
this important information feeds into
the bigger picture of managing the
SITUATIONtÍHEÍSAID
Mike said the expertise of the Unit
goes beyond a simple understanding
of the behaviour and relationships
of chemicals, containers and the
environment.
f4HEÍKNOWLEDGEÍANDÍEXPERTISEÍWEÍHAVEÍ
enables us to work within contaminated
areas to undertake certain activities, for
example, to take samples and detect
and identify hazardous materials and
ADVISEÍONÍHOWÍTHEYÍCANÍBEÍMANAGEDtÍ
he said.
f!ÍQUESTIONÍTOÍALWAYSÍCONSIDERÍISÍHOWÍ
to prevent an incident happening in
the future. We need this information to
ENSUREÍTHEÍ1&23ÍISÍPREPAREDÍWITHÍTHEÍ
right people, processes and technology
INÍTHEÍRIGHTÍPLACESÍlÍITSÍANÍAREAÍWHEREÍ
WEREÍBECOMINGÍBETTERt
f!ÍLOTÍOFÍITÍISÍHOWÍYOUÍRESPONDtÍ
Mike said.
-IKEÍSAYSÍTHEÍ3CIENTIjCÍ5NITÍENJOYSÍ
AÍfUNIQUEÍINTERFACEtÍBECAUSEÍOFÍITSÍ
relationships and links with other
TECHNICALÍANDÍSCIENTIjCÍORGANISATIONSÍ
and the operational focus of its
role, providing frontline support to
&IREjGHTERSÍ!MBULANCEÍANDÍ0OLICEÍ
/FjCERS
In 2005, $13 million was provided to
the Department of Emergency Services
SPECIjCALLYÍTOÍDEALÍWITHÍTHEÍTERRORÍ
threat. The money has been applied
across the Department for education
ANDÍEQUIPMENTÍANDÍTHEÍ3CIENTIjCÍ5NITÍ
HASÍBENEjTED
f7EÍHAVEÍAÍSTRUCTUREÍAÍVERYÍCLEARÍ
approach and people are picking up
ANDÍSHARINGÍOURÍIDEAStÍ-IKEÍSAID
What lessons was he able to bring
home from the UK exercise?
f4HEÍKEYÍMESSAGEÍWASÍTHATÍHEREÍ
AREÍTHESEÍELITEÍUNITSÍWITHÍSIGNIjCANTÍ
operational experience and every team
learnt from observing the other teams
and appreciating the approaches
adopted by each nation. The Australian
approach is innovative and the team
demonstrated the expertise that exists
in this country to an international
AUDIENCEtÍ
EMERGENCY June 2007
19
3DOP,VODQGDERULJLQHVDWWKH4$6\RXWKFDPS
Palm Island Paramedic
works with local youth
#Z/JDPMB.JUDIFMM
f/NEÍOFÍTHEÍMAINÍAIMSÍOFÍTHEÍCAMPSÍISÍ
to encourage young people to think
about how they are living their lives
ANDÍWHATÍTHEYÍWANTÍFORÍTHEIRÍFUTURESt
20
EMERGENCY June 2007
A
Queensland Paramedic is using
an unusual method to encourage
young Palm Islanders to turn their
lives around.
)ANÍ$AYÍISÍTHEÍ/FjCERIN#HARGEÍONÍ
0ALMÍ)SLANDÍANDÍHESÍBEENÍRUNNINGÍ
youth camps since January 2006 with
great success.
f)NITIALLYÍWEÍSPENTÍAÍBITÍOFÍMONEYÍTOÍ
get the necessary equipment like
TENTSÍBUTÍSINCEÍTHENÍALLÍWEVEÍHADÍ
to buy really is boat fuel and a bit of
FOODtÍ)ANÍSAID
f%VENÍTHOSEÍAREÍMINIMALÍCOSTSÍBECAUSEÍ
we hunt and gather our food ourselves.
The whole idea of these motivational
A young participant at the camp masters the art of spear making, taught to him by Aboriginal elders
f4HEÍCAMPSÍAREÍVERYÍLAIDBACKÍlÍTHEYREÍ
BASICALLYÍRUNÍAROUNDÍAÍCAMPjREÍ4HESEÍ
kids are pretty hard-headed but if you
SITÍTHEMÍAROUNDÍAÍCAMPjREÍTHEYÍOPENÍ
up and talk about stuff.
camps is to get the kids out of the
European way of doing things - going
to KFC and all that - and get them to go
back to the old cultural ways of hunting
for our food and living off the land and
THATSÍWORKEDÍREALLYÍWELLÍ7EVEÍALWAYSÍ
BEENÍWELLÍFEDÍONÍTHEÍCAMPSt
different backgrounds come to talk to
THEMtÍ)ANÍSAID
Four youth camps have been run on
Palm Island so far, and there are plenty
of young people putting their hands
up to be involved in the two camps
this month.
f%VERYÍCAMPÍHASÍAÍREPRESENTATIVEÍ
from Sexual Health who also talks
about health and well-being in general
ANDÍTHENÍOFÍCOURSEÍ)ÍDOÍALLÍTHEÍjRSTÍ
AIDÍLECTURESt
f)TSÍVERYÍPRODUCTIVEÍ4HEYÍCOMEÍ
back to Palm Island full of knowledge.
The camps are held on other islands
in the Palm Island group because
WEÍDIDNTÍWANTÍTHEMÍTOÍHAVEÍTHEÍ
option of running home if it got
a bit hard.
f!LLÍTHEÍCAMPSÍSOÍFARÍHAVEÍBEENÍ
attended by elders. A big part of camp
is talking about culture and the old days
and then we have different people from
One of the main aims of the camps is to
encourage young people to think about
how they are living their lives and what
they want for their futures.
f7EÍALSOÍDONTÍWANTÍOTHERÍPEOPLEÍTOÍ
COMEÍALONGÍTOÍTHEÍCAMPSÍWHOÍARENTÍ
invited. All the other islands are
UNINHABITEDÍSOÍITSÍJUSTÍUStÍÍ
f&ORÍEXAMPLEÍATÍTHEÍjRSTÍCAMPÍAÍGUYÍ
from Community Corrections came
to speak about prisons and a male
counsellor spoke about social issues
and that sort of thing.
EMERGENCY June 2007
21
A camp-goer gets involved in artwork at the Palm Island camp.
Ian Day said giving the teenagers time
WITHÍTHEÍ)SLANDSÍELDERSÍISÍCRUCIAL
f4HEÍELDERSÍTEACHÍTHEMÍABOUTÍHUNTINGÍ
and things like that. Most adults who
come to the camps are Aboriginal or
Islander, so they can help with the
cultural aspect. Last time the elders
taught kids to make spears and then
THEYÍWENTÍANDÍUSEDÍTHEMÍTOÍCATCHÍjSH
f4HEÍKIDSÍWHOÍWEVEÍTAKENÍONÍCAMPSÍ
are referred to us by the Department of
9OUTHÍ*USTICEÍÍÍ4HEYREÍTHEÍONESÍWEREÍ
AIMINGÍATÍlÍKIDSÍWHOÍAREÍGETTINGÍINTOÍ
trouble all the time.
f7EREÍTRYINGÍTOÍGETÍTHEMÍOUTÍOFÍAÍLIFEÍ
of crime. We have seven or eight kids
ATÍEACHÍCAMPt
Ian is hoping to continue receiving
funds to keep the camps going
and to possibly bring them to a
wider audience.
22
EMERGENCY June 2007
f7EÍMIGHTÍGOÍTOÍTHEÍSCHOOLSÍ3OMEÍOFÍ
them have their own programs to try
to minimise truancy. So if a child has a
good attendance record at school, they
are taken on a camp.
f7EÍAREÍCONSIDERINGÍJUMPINGÍINÍONÍ
that program and taking kids on the
camps who have been good, but at
THEÍMOMENTÍWEVEÍBEENÍAIMINGÍATÍTHEÍ
WAYWARDt
f+IDSÍGETÍVERYÍBOREDÍVERYÍQUICKLYÍ
on Palm Island, so we need to keep
them occupied.
f)ÍLOVEÍDOINGÍTHEÍCAMPSÍ4HISÍISÍMYÍ
seventh year on Palm, so most of
these kids know me and call me Uncle
anyway. That was one of the reasons for
DOINGÍTHISÍlÍTOÍGETÍSOMEÍRESPECTÍANDÍ
rapport with the young people.
f!FTERWARDSÍTHEÍKIDSÍKEEPÍASKINGÍMEÍ
when the next camp is. They want to go
CAMPINGÍAGAINÍ4HEYREÍLININGÍUPÍTOÍGETÍ
ONÍTHEÍNEXTÍONEtÍ)ANÍ$AYÍSAID
f)TÍWASÍQUITEÍVIOLENTÍWHENÍ)ÍjRSTÍGOTÍ
HEREÍBUTÍNOWÍTHATÍ)VEÍBEENÍHEREÍSOÍ
LONGÍWEVEÍGOTÍTHATÍRESPECTÍANDÍTHESEÍ
camps have helped because a lot of
THESEÍKIDSÍAREÍTHEÍBADÍKIDSÍANDÍTHEYVEÍ
changed their ideas about what we do
on the Island.
f)MÍPROUDÍTOÍSAYÍFROMÍTHEÍjRSTÍCAMPÍ
that we did, none of the kids who
went along re-offended in the year
afterwards. We had really good
outcomes from that camp.
f4EENAGEÍSUICIDEÍANDÍSUBSTANCEÍABUSEÍ
also dropped quite considerably after
the camps. We get them thinking and
talking about these issues and give
THEMÍSOMEONEÍTOÍCONjDEÍINtÍÍ
4HEÍ1!3Í0ARAMEDICÍSAYSÍTHERESÍNOÍ
problem attracting participants.
9LWDOUROHIRUUHWLUHG)LULHV
By Gemma Marks
Members of the RFAQ assist at QFRS Commemoration Service in 2006.
Recruit Graduation services.
Today the RFAQ has almost 500
members from all over Queensland
and ITS actively striving to expand its
membership from Coolangatta to
Cape York, Bribie Island to Bedourie
and beyond.
W
ith most QFRS staff turnover
attributed to retirement,
organisations LIKE the Retired
Firefi ghtersAssociation of Queensland
(RFAQ) are invaluable.
Their role is vital in capturing the
knowledge and experience of the 50
to 60 FULLTIME Firefi ghterswho retire
each year.
The RFAQ was formed in the late
S to foster ongoing fellowship
and support for retired Fire Service
personnel and to develop a continuing
bond between members, as well as
serving Fire Service staff through
social activities.
The organisation was instrumental in
instigating and developing the 3ENIORS
Fire Ed Program an important QFRS
community education tool where retired
Firefi ghtersvolunteer their time and
expertise to present the fi resafety
message to senior citizens.
Two events the association is proud
to be involved with are the annual
QFRS Commemorative Service where
members take part in a procession and
lay a wreath, and the presentation of
the Dan Campbell Memorial Shield at
23
EMERGENCY June 2007
Although full membership is available
only to those who have retired or
resigned with honourable discharge,
the Association welcomes all serving
personnel and their partners as
associate members. It is open to all
who have served in the Fire Service
whether urban, rural or auxiliary,
fi refi ghteror support staff,
!USTRALIAWIDE
The group also supports the Fire Service
community by visiting sick or bereaved
comrades and being involved, when
invited, with funeral arrangements.
It is also active by attending retirement
functions, station openings, appliance
commissionings and the type of
gatherings where members can
support, render assistance and interact
with the serving force.
Dogs Association of Queensland to
HELPÍEDUCATEÍTHEÍVISUALLYÍANDÍHEARING
impaired and to train guide dogs.
Following on from this the Committee
wants to begin a project to provide
specialised smoke alarms at a
subsidised cost to those in need
throughout Queensland.
Funding is currently being sought
and an application has been lodged
with the Queensland 'OVERNMENTS
Gambling Community Grant SScheme.
Ideas for other community education or
assistance projects are on the drawing
board and suggestions for future
ventures are always encouraged.
The RFAQ produces a quarterly
newsletter, The Afterburner, and
maintains a website www.rfaq.org.au to
keep members informed. Submissions
for both are keenly sought.
If you would like to join the Association,
contact Secretary, Blair Burchard at 7
Hume Street, Drewvale, Qld, 4116 or by
email to [email protected].
RFAQ President Ron Smith
Through the Association, members
can access the Fire Service Chaplain
and former United Firefi ghtersUnion
members can continue to call upon the
union for legal assistance and use the
Union Shopper and DEFCOM facilities.
The RFAQ is KEEN to preserve the
history of the Fire Service and to uphold
the tradition of community service.
In 2006, the Association donated a
@6IBRALARM SMOKE alarm to the Guide
2QFHD)LUHÀJKWHU
DOZD\VD)LUHÀJKWHU
F
T
hat retirement means idleness
is not an idea readily accepted
AMONGÍ1UEENSLANDSÍ&IREjGHTERS
4HROUGHÍTHEÍ1&23Í3ENIORSÍ&IREÍ
Education Program, retired
&IREjGHTERSÍAREÍSTILLÍTURNINGÍOUTÍ
to seniors groups and retirement
VILLAGESÍEDUCATINGÍTHEIRÍPEERSÍONÍjREÍ
prevention and safety.
The program was developed with the
SUPPORTÍOFÍTHEÍ2ETIREDÍ&IREjGHTERSÍ
!SSOCIATIONÍOFÍ1UEENSLANDÍ2&!1Í
after an independent study showed
people over the age of 60 were at the
highest risk of losing their lives in
HOUSEÍjRESÍ
2ETIREDÍ)PSWICHÍ&IREjGHTERÍANDÍ2&!1Í
0RESIDENTÍ2ONÍ3MITHÍHASÍBEENÍONEÍ
OFÍTHEÍ0ROGRAMSÍMANYÍDEVOTEDÍ
VOLUNTEERSÍSINCEÍTHEÍjRSTÍTRIALSÍINÍ
1999.
f3ENIORSÍAREÍESPECIALLYÍIMPORTANTÍTOÍ
REACHÍASÍTHEYÍAREÍAÍHIGHÍRISKÍGROUPtÍ
2ONÍSAID
f4HEYÍMAYÍHAVEÍMOBILITYÍPROBLEMSÍ
THEIRÍSENSESÍANDÍMEMORIESÍARENTÍASÍ
GOODÍASÍTHEYÍONCEÍWEREt
As well as targeting the elderly, the
Program is also relevant for the
increasing number of baby-boomers
who are rapidly retiring into resortstyle living and early retirement.
24 EMERGENCY June 2007
The Program uses a presentation and
AÍjLMÍANDÍCOVERSÍBASICÍAREASÍLIKEÍ
jREÍSAFETYÍSMOKEÍALARMSÍANDÍHOMEÍ
EVACUATIONÍIFÍAÍjREÍSHOULDÍOCCUR
2ONÍISÍCLEARÍONÍWHATÍMOTIVATESÍHIM
f7HENÍYOUVEÍBEENÍAÍ&IREjGHTERÍFORÍAÍ
long time, you see a lot of injury and
DISASTERÍÍ!LTHOUGHÍWEREÍRETIREDÍWITHÍ
our training we still have the ability to
go out and educate seniors on how to
make their homes safer. At the end of
THEÍDAYÍITÍISÍALLÍABOUTÍSAVINGÍLIVESt
Toowoomba-based presenter Les
2OBINSONÍBELIEVESÍTHEÍGREATÍBENEjTÍ
of the Program is that it makes use of
FORMERÍ&IREjGHTERS
f4HEYÍWILLÍLISTENÍTOÍRETIREDÍPEOPLEÍ
MOREÍSOÍTHANÍYOUNGERÍPEOPLEÍÍ7EREÍ
on the same wavelength and they can
RELATEÍTOÍUStÍ,ESÍSAID
And the feedback is positive.
f)TÍISÍVERYÍREWARDINGÍWHENÍPEOPLEÍ
come up to you after a presentation
ANDÍSAYÍ@GOSHÍ)ÍDIDÍNOTÍKNOWÍTHATÍ)MÍ
REALLYÍGLADÍYOUÍTOLDÍMEt
Bill Hazel, Manager of Dreyton
Villages in Toowoomba, has hosted
annual Seniors Fire Education
PRESENTATIONSÍFORÍjVEÍYEARS
f4HEYÍAREÍVERYÍWELLÍPRESENTEDÍANDÍ
our residents learn a lot. I think
2ETIREDÍ&IREjGHTERÍ,ESÍ2OBINSONÍDELIVERSÍ
THEÍ1&23Í3ENIORSÍ&IREÍ%DUCATIONÍ0ROGRAMÍ
from Toowoomba.
every institution like ours should take
ADVANTAGEÍOFÍTHISÍ0ROGRAMtÍ"ILLÍSAID
His patrons seem to agree. Dreyton
Villages resident Bill Shaw has watched
,ESSÍPRESENTATIONÍFOURÍTIMESÍANDÍTHINKSÍ
it works as a healthy reminder that is
very well received among the seniors.
f3OMETIMESÍTHEREÍAREÍPEOPLEÍHEREÍWHOÍ
want to attend the presentation, but
AREÍAWAYÍATÍTHATÍTIMEÍSOÍTHEYÍMISSÍITtÍ
he said.
f"UTÍTHEYÍJUSTÍTALKÍTOÍUSÍANDÍWEÍTELLÍ
them what they missed out on, so
gradually the information goes around
TOÍEVERYONEt
EMERGENCY June 2007 24
Ambulance Officers
YRWHGPRVWWUXVWHGDJDLQ
QAS Paramedics celebrate being named the Most Trusted Profession for the fi fthconsecutive year l from left to right John Hammond, Anthony
Preston, Phil Payne, Matt MacGregor and Teresa Powell.
A
ustralians have voted Ambulance
Offi cersthe most trusted profession
for the fi fthyear in a row, with
Firefi ghtersTAKING a close second place.
QAS Commissioner Jim Higgins has
welcomed the result of the national
2EADERS Digest poll, saying the
accolades for both Paramedics and
Firefi ghtersare richly deserved.
f%MERGENCY services personnel are
always there when the community
needs them MOSTt Commissioner
Higgins said.
f"Y their very nature Ambulance
Offi cersare compassionate,
PROFESSIONALÍANDÍHIGHLYSKILLEDÍPEOPLEÍ
who have dedicated their working lives
to making the community a safer and
healthier place.
f4HEY are there for people when
they fi ndthemselves in medical
emergencies and, to put it simply, they
are a really committed bunch of men
and WOMENt the Commissioner said.
OFÍFULLTIMEÍPARTTIMEÍANDÍVOLUNTEERÍ
Firefi ghterswho are all responsible for
saving countless lives and millions of
dollars worth of property across the
State.
f4HEY truly deserve recognition for
the job they do and for being voted as
the second most trusted PROFESSIONt
Commissioner Johnson said.
QFRS Commissioner Lee Johnson said
Queensland fi refi ghtersare made up
6(6GRQV.HYODUKHOPHWV
Q
ueensland SES crews will not only
be safer on the job following the
roll out of the new Kevlar helmet, they
will also be more comfortable and look
smarter if comments from members are
on the mark.
Minister for Emergency Services Pat
Purcell attended the handout of the
helmets at the Brisbane Eastern Group
in Morningside.
The Minister took the opportunity to
remind SES members of the Emergency
3ERVICES Zero Harm 7ORKPLACE Health
and Safety initiative and championed
the value and safety of the new helmets.
f4HE decision to go with Kevlar helmets
is based on safety, durability and the
quality of the helmet. They will provide
BETTERÍPROTECTIONÍASÍTHEYÍHAVEÍAÍFOUR
point harness and are more likely to
provide safety support during a FALLt
Mr Purcell said.
Local SES member David Tong who has
used the Kevlar helmets said they are
comfortable, light and more practical
than the older helmets.
4HEÍ+EVLARÍROLLÍOUTÍÍPARTÍOFÍAÍÍ
election commitment to enhance SES
VOLUNTEERÍEQUIPMENTÍÍISÍONGOING
SES Local Controller for the Brisbane Group,
John Butler with Queensland Minister for
Emergency Services Pat Purcell at the
handout of new Kevlar helmets.
EMERGENCY June 2007
25
A
regular exhibit at the Australian Workers Heritage Centre, the 1957 Dennis Fire
Appliance was part of this YEARS May Day street parade in "ARCALDINE
1DWLRQDOQXPEHUIRU6(6
N
ext month the National 132 500 SES
telephone number will be introduced
into Queensland.
Delivering 132 500 is a result of the
Safeguarding Cyclone Communities
project announced after Tropical Cyclone
Larry and it was also a key election
promise from 2006.
The single national phone number for the
SES will eliminate the need to search for
local contact numbers during a disaster.
Operationally nothing will change for SES
groups across Queensland. The 132 500
phone number will be promoted to the
general public as the only number they
need to call for help during storms and
fl oods.
Executive Director Frank Pagano said the
introduction of the 132 500 number is
an important step in enhancing service
delivery.
f(AVING a single common number
means you only have to remember
26
EMERGENCY June 2007
this one number no matter where you
are. Previously a person who needed
assistance from the SES had to try and
locate their local GROUPS telephone
number. The 132 500 system will
simplify that PROCESSt &RANK said.
SES Director Eddie Bennet has overseen
MUCHÍOFÍTHEÍBEHINDTHESCENESÍWORKÍTOÍ
ensure Queensland is ready to join the
national scheme.
f4HIS number has been progressively
introduced across Australia and the
Queensland SES is proud to join the
national FRAMEWORKt Eddie said.
f7HEN people call 132 500 they will be
answered by the State Government call
centre, Smart Services Queensland,
which will operate 24 hours. Their call
will be directed to the appropriate
SES group during fl oodand storm
EMERGENCIESt
Testing is underway and 132 500 is due
to begin operating in Queensland in
early July.
From SES cadet to award winner
T
rinity Beach SES member Kristy
Jensen was recognised at the
recent 2007 Queensland Young
Volunteer Awards for her outstanding
volunteering efforts.
Youth Minister Warren Pitt said the
awards were a wonderful way to
recognise and reward the positive
difference young volunteers make in
their communities.
Kristy was surprised by the
award which followed her efforts
during Cyclone Larry and fund
raising activities.
f)ÍGOTÍAÍPHONEÍCALLÍONEÍAFTERNOONÍ
SAYINGÍ)DÍRECEIVEDÍTHISÍAWARDÍANDÍ)ÍWASÍ
JUSTÍCOMPLETELYÍSTUNNEDÍ)ÍDIDNTÍEVENÍ
KNOWÍ)ÍWASÍNOMINATEDtÍSHEÍSAID
The award carries a $2,000 prize which
Kristy is going to put to good use.
f7HILEÍ)MÍSTUDYINGÍATÍUNIVERSITYÍ
and being involved with the SES and
FUNDRAISINGÍ)ÍCANTÍREALLYÍWORKÍAÍLOTÍSOÍ
the prizemoney will help out with uni
FEESÍANDÍBOOKSt
Kristy Jensen from Trinity Beach SES receives
outstanding young volunteer award from
Queensland Minister for Youth Warren Pitt.
.ORTHERNÍ2EGIONÍ3%3Í$IRECTORÍ
Wayne Coutts is especially proud
OFÍ+RISTYSÍEFFORTS
f+RISTYÍHASÍDONEÍAÍGREATÍJOBÍANDÍ)Í
would like to highlight the fact that
‘Bike for Burns’ – marathon charity ride
new Workplace Health and Safety
7(3ÍPOLICYÍ@:EROÍ(ARMÍlÍ!LLÍ)NJURIESÍ
AREÍ0REVENTABLE
F
IFTYÍjREÍjGHTERSÍFROMÍ1&23ÍSWAPPEDÍ
THEIRÍjREPROOFÍTOGSÍFORÍLYCRAÍINÍ-AYÍ
to take part in a marathon bike ride
between Cairns and the Gold Coast.
4HEÍ@"IKEÍFORÍ"URNSÍRIDEÍRAISEDÍMONEYÍ
to help support research being done
WITHINÍTHEÍ"URNSÍ5NITÍATÍ"RISBANESÍ
2OYALÍ#HILDRENSÍ(OSPITAL
The marathon also aimed to highlight
THEÍ$EPARTMENTÍOFÍ%MERGENCYÍ3ERVICESÍ
she was an Emergency Services Cadet
ANDÍISÍNOWÍAÍVALUABLEÍ3%3Í6OLUNTEERtÍ
Wayne said.
Kristy joined the Cadets when she was
in Grade nine as part of obtaining her
Duke of Edinburgh award.
f)ÍJOINEDÍUPÍANDÍTHATÍWASÍITÍ)ÍGOTÍ
HOOKEDtÍ+RISTYÍSAID
f)TÍWASÍSOMETHINGÍDIFFERENTÍYOUÍ
were learning practical things, you
were learning knots, lashings, radio
work, bush techniques like survival
techniques, going hiking, going
CAMPINGÍÍ)DÍDONEÍAÍLOTÍOFÍTHATÍLIVINGÍ
out in the bush so it was something I
enjoyed and I still use the skills.
f)ÍJUSTÍTHINKÍTHEÍCADETSÍAREÍAÍGREATÍ
start for anybody. It gives you so many
life skills and teaches you so many
DIFFERENTÍTHINGSÍTHATÍYOUÍWOULDNTÍEVENÍ
think of that help you out throughout
YOURÍLIFEÍEVENÍIFÍYOUÍDONTÍGOÍONÍTOÍ3%3Í
)TÍGIVESÍYOUÍCONjDENCEÍANDÍKNOWLEDGEÍ
WHICHÍHELPSÍYOUÍWITHÍANYTHINGÍYOUÍDOt
Kristy remains busy with her fundraising
EFFORTSÍlÍORGANIZINGÍ2ELAYÍFORÍ,IFEÍMOVIEÍ
NIGHTSÍPIEÍDRIVESÍANDÍRAFkES
)TSÍAÍROLEÍSHEÍENJOYSÍBECAUSEÍSHEÍSAYSÍ
it gets her out meeting new people and
developing new relationships.
Two packs of cyclists took part in the
marathon with 32 riders travelling 790
kilometres north from the Gold Coast
and another 12 riders travelling 1,200
kilometres south from Cairns to meet at
2OCKHAMPTONÍONÍÍ-AYÍ
The new policy jointly launched by the
Minister for Emergency Services Pat
Purcell and DES Director General Fiona
McKersie in April, aims to eliminate all
workplace accidents, injuries
and illnesses.
1&23Í#OMMISSIONERÍ,EEÍ*OHNSONÍWASÍATÍ
THEÍjNISHÍTOÍGREETÍTHEÍMARATHONÍRIDERSÍ
who were tired but delighted at their
achievement.
$%3ÍISÍONEÍOFÍTHEÍjRSTÍ'OVERNMENTÍ
Department in Queensland to adopt this
innovative approach to employee health
and safety.
1&23Í7ELLNESSÍ#OORDINATORÍ)ANÍ
Ogborne, who was one of the cyclists,
SAIDÍTHEÍMARATHONÍWASÍNOTÍAÍRACEÍlÍ
the emphasis was on participation.
4HEÍNEWÍ7(3ÍPOLICYÍISÍSUPPORTEDÍ
by a Wellness Program coordinated
within the Department which
encourages all employees to achieve
OPTIMUMÍHEALTHÍANDÍjTNESSÍATÍWORKÍ
and away from work.
f4HEÍRIDEÍHASÍBEENÍAÍLIFECHANGINGÍ
EVENTÍFORÍEVERYONEÍINVOLVEDtÍ)ANÍSAID
The Bike for Burns event demonstrated
how DES employees are ready
and capable of embracing the
wellness philosophy.
Throughout the marathon, the riders
maintained an average speed of 25
kilometres per hour.
4HEÍEVENTÍRAISEDÍÍFORÍTHEÍ2OYALÍ
#HILDRENSÍ(OSPITALÍ"URNSÍ5NIT
f4HEÍGROUPÍENJOYEDÍAÍTREMENDOUSÍ
feeling of camaraderie throughout their
adventure and the riders showed an
IMPRESSIVEÍLEVELÍOFÍjTNESSt
EMERGENCY June 2007
27
5RFNOHDEOD]H
T
he solemnity of Anzac Day evening
was shrilly BROKEN when fi recrews
from the Brisbane South West Command
Area and beyond answered the call to a
major warehouse fi reat 2OCKLEA
Brisbane FireComm took multiple Triple
zero (000) calls and when crews arrived
at &RANKLIN Street within fi veminutes, the
warehouse fi lledwith mattresses was
well alight.
Firefi ghtersapplied two lines of case one
hose and one line of case three
hose directly on the fi rebut the structure
was soon totally engulfed in fl ames.
A timber yard next to the warehouse was
quickly protected, however asbestos in
the warehouse caused Police to advise
residents within one kilometre to stay
indoors with their windows closed.
Firefi ghtersnot wearing breathing
apparatus wore level two respirators
and the crews minimised the risk of the
asbestos becoming airborne by attacking
the fi refrom the ground and above.
Subsequent measurements taken
by the Scientifi cUnit in 2OCKLEA and
suburbs under the drift of the smoke
plume showed readings below exposure
standards.
All QFRS personnel, equipment and
appliances were decontaminated before
leaving the site.
The fi recaused more than $2 million
damage.
Quick thinking makes the difference
T
ed Ranson is living proof of the
importance of ringing Triple zero (000)
when suffering from chest pains.
Advanced Care Paramedic Matt Johnson
and student Paramedic Colin Barrass were
CALLEDÍTOÍTHEÍÍYEAROLDÍ"RISBANEÍMANÍ
who was suffering chest pains.
Ted had no known cardiac history and
when the crew arrived he was speaking to
them as they walked up to the front door.
f7HEN I was about fi vemetres away, he
ARRESTEDt Matt said.
f(E was SPEAKING and then he clutched
his chest and collapsed. It was
amazing TIMINGt
Mr Ranson had gone into cardiac arrest.
f4HERE was no pulse and he had agonal
resps. He is the fi rstcardiac arrest I
have attended since the new guidelines
were introduced as part of my new ISCEP
qualifi cationUPGRADEt Matt said.
f#OLIN began 30:2 compressions and we
started putting the monitor ONt
Under the new Australian Resuscitation
Council guidelines the rate of
compressions has changed.
28
EMERGENCY June 2007
There is also a new differentiation
between the actions that should be
taken when a patient arrests in front of a
Paramedic or before the arrival of QAS.
If witnessed by Paramedics, they deliver
three shocks straight away. If not
witnessed, CPR is performed for two
minutes before a single shock is delivered
followed by a further two minutes of CPR.
f)N Mr 2ANSONS case, Colin started
performing single offi cerCPR immediately
while I started to get the pads on. Before I
could do that, he vomited a large amount
and totally occluded his airway.
f4HE patient then started inhaling the
vomitus into his lungs so we changed our
course of action to suction the vomitus
and clear his airway which took a minute
or so. Meanwhile, we continued CPR
to keep his already oxygenated blood
circulating.
f/NCE the airway was under control and
we where able to fi nishputting the pads
on, he was in VF and I was able to
shock him.
f)T was all about using the new guidelines
but being able to think on our feet.
f#OLIN continued single offi cerCPR and
the backup crew arrived a few minutes
later. We were then able to do TWOOFjCER
CPR and gain )6 access. We DIDNT need
to administer adrenaline, but all up we
shocked him three times.
f!FTER the fi nalSHOCK he went into
asystole. We continued CPR for a further
few minutes as the Intensive Care
Paramedics )#0S arrived. They went to
intubate him but he gagged on the tube.
We quickly reassessed him and at this
point he had a pulse and was in rapid AF.
f$URING the trip to hospital, his GCS
increased and he was showing signs of
combativeness and irritation.
ICP James Thompson was also onboard
and gave the patient fi vemg of morphine
to calm and relax him. He was ventilating
by himself and all his vitals were stable.
f!S we got to the hospital emergency
room, he was talking. His GCS was 13 by
the time we had fi nishedthe PAPERWORKt
)LUHÀJKWHUVJUDGXDWH
T
foundation for a highly rewarding and
extremely exciting career that would
give them considerable satisfaction as
they protect and serve Queenslanders.
he Queensland Combined
Emergency Services Academy
1#%3!Í3CHOOLÍOFÍ&IREÍANDÍ2ESCUEÍ
Service Training graduated recruits from
ITSÍTHÍjREjGHTERÍCOURSEÍLASTÍMONTH
THEÍPARADEÍTOÍTHEÍSOUNDÍOFÍTHEÍ1&23Í
Pipe Band.
Julianne Wolfe sang the national anthem
before Commissioner Johnson conducted
a dress inspection of the recruits.
4HEÍ#OMMISSIONERSÍ!WARDÍFORÍTHEÍ$UXÍ
OFÍ2ECRUITÍ#OURSEÍWENTÍTOÍÍYEAROLDÍ
Daniel Marsh from Mount Isa.
With 32 recruits, the 66th class was one
of the biggest groups to have graduated
from the Academy for some time.
The recruits then performed a
DEMONSTRATIONÍOFÍTHEIRÍjREjGHTINGÍANDÍ
rescue skills before they assembled
formally with their course instructors.
32 year-old Paul Veach from
2OCKHAMPTONÍRECEIVEDÍ4HEÍ#ALTEXÍ
Award for the most outstanding
PRACTICALÍRECRUITÍjREjGHTER
1&23Í#HAPLAINÍ0ASTORÍ,ESÍ3HAWÍ
SAIDÍ4HEÍ&IREjGHTERSÍ0RAYERÍANDÍTHEÍ
RECRUITSÍRECITEDÍ4HEÍ&IREjGHTERSÍ#ODEÍ
of Ethics before the gathering was
addressed by Minister Purcell and
Commissioner Johnson.
Nathaniel Dolgner, aged 27, from
2OCKHAMPTONÍRECEIVEDÍTHEÍ2ETIREDÍ
&IREjGHTERSÍ$ANÍ#AMPBELLÍ-EMORIALÍ
Shield for the most improved
PERFORMANCEÍINÍPRACTICALÍjREjGHTINGÍ
competency.
A graduation ceremony was held at the
QCESA complex on 1 May attended by
the Minister for Emergency Services
Pat Purcell, DES Director-General
&IONAÍ-C+ERSIEÍ1&23Í#OMMISSIONERÍ
,EEÍ*OHNSONÍANDÍ1&23Í$EPUTYÍ
Commissioner Iain MacKenzie.
The ceremony was also attended by
a large crowd of family and friends of
the recruits.
4HEÍ-ANAGERÍOFÍ&IREjGHTERÍ4RAININGÍ
)NSPECTORÍ!SHLEYÍ2OWEÍWELCOMEDÍTHEÍ
guests before the recruits marched onto
Three awards were presented.
Congratulating the recruits, the Minister
said the people of Queensland would
be depending on them to protect
their safety.
Commissioner Johnson said the training
the recruits had received laid the
&IREjGHTERÍRECRUITSÍFROMÍCOURSEÍNUMBERÍÍATÍTHEIRÍGRADUATIONÍPARADE
3FDSVJUkSJFTUSBJO
XJUIIFBMUIXPSLFST
T
here was a touch of realism when
RECRUITSÍONÍTHEÍCURRENTÍ1&23Í
jREjGHTERÍTRAININGÍCOURSEÍTRAINEDÍINÍ
road accident rescue.
A multi vehicle accident complete
WITHÍ@LIVEÍCASUALTIESÍWASÍSIMULATEDÍATÍ
night with assistance from Queensland
Health staff including doctors and
NURSESÍFROMÍ2OYALÍ"RISBANEÍ(OSPITALSÍ
$ISASTERÍ4EAMÍ2EDLANDSÍ(OSPITALÍ
nurses and the Queensland Emergency
Medical Service.
Participants appreciated the realistic
training environment and the
opportunity to train for a major incident
alongside highly-skilled medical staff.
&IREjGHTERÍRECRUITSÍTRAINÍWITHÍMEDICOSÍATÍ
simulated road crash.
EMERGENCY June 2007
29
"MMIBOETPOEFDL
T
he Brisbane EMQ helicopter was called
OUTÍTOÍASSISTÍjREÍANDÍAMBULANCEÍCREWSÍ
at the scene of a car accident on the
Warrego Highway near Gatton on Sunday
13 May.
The single occupant of the vehicle was
trapped for an hour and a half after her
car crashed down an embankment into
a drain.
All lanes of the dual carriageway were
CLOSEDÍTOÍTRAFjCÍALLOWINGÍTHEÍ%-1Í
helicopter to land on the road.
Seven SES volunteers from Gatton
ASSISTEDÍWITHÍTRAFjCÍCONTROLÍWHILEÍjREÍ
crews from Toowoomba, Gatton and
Forest Hill worked to free the driver.
Three police cars and four ambulances
were also sent to the scene.
%¦K®WVGPSDIPQQFSDSFX
T
WOÍRECENTÍRESCUESÍBYÍ"RISBANESÍ
%-1Í2ESCUEÍHELICOPTERÍHADÍSUCHÍ
close similarities the crew could be
forgiven for having a sense of déjà vu.
On 29 April the helicopter was called to
Mt Mee to winch an injured bushwalker
off the mountain. The 55 year-old man,
who had been walking friends, had
fallen three metres crushing his leg and
fracturing his arm.
A week later another rescue in the same
area at Mt Byron saw the crew rescuing
a 37 year-old man who crashed his trail
bike, injuring his leg.
Dayboro while Mt Byron is 16 nautical
miles north-west of Dayboro.
Friends of the patients moved to higher
ground in both incidents and used
MOBILEÍPHONESÍTOÍCALLÍ4RIPLEÍZEROÍÍ
before guiding the helicopter crew to
the sites.
At Mt Byron the bushwalkers used a
silver space blanket to attract attention,
while at Mt Mee the bike riders used a
GPS unit to direct the chopper.
At each site the helicopter was unable
to land due to steep terrain and trees.
In both cases the patient had fractured
a major limb.
A rescue crewman and paramedic were
winched 30 metres to the ground in
each case before the patients were
carried on stretcher to open areas to be
winched onboard the helicopter.
%ACHÍCALLOUTÍWASÍINÍTHEÍSAMEÍVICINITY
Mt Mee is 14 nautical miles north of
The two patients were both taken to
2OYALÍ"RISBANEÍ(OSPITAL
Both case reports throw up striking
similarities in each rescue.
30
EMERGENCY June 2007
It was a delicate rescue operation as
the dashboard of the car had collapsed
ONTOÍTHEÍDRIVERSÍLEGSÍANDÍTHEÍENGINEÍ
had been pushed back by the force of
the impact.
After being released the woman was
stabilised on scene by the Flight
Intensive Care Paramedic and Doctor
BEFOREÍBEINGÍkOWNÍTOÍTHEÍ0RINCESSÍ
Alexandra Hospital suffering from leg
and head injuries.
The same pilot, air crewman and rescue
crewman were aboard the chopper for
both jobs.
Déjà vu or not, EMQ crew members
agreed it was unusual to attend two
similar incidents so close together in
time and location.
Chopper saves men
from their machines
C
ontinuing the déjà vu theme,
"RISBANESÍ%-1Í2ESCUEÍ
helicopter crew attended six rescues
involving motorcycle accidents in
just one seven-day period in May.
Five trail bike riders aged from 11 to
37 years and a 29 year-old riding a
ROADÍBIKEÍALLÍHAVEÍ%-1Í2ESCUEÍTOÍ
thank for their journeys to hospital.
(14USBJOJOH
S
ES members from Boyne Tannum,
Gladstone, Mt Larcom and
2OCKHAMPTONÍ!REAÍ/FjCEÍRECENTLYÍ
joined forces with the Queensland
Police Service and Queensland
Ambulance Service to hone their Global
0OSITIONINGÍ3YSTEMÍ'03ÍSKILLS
The training weekend in May included
an introduction to GPS, practical
sessions on using, plotting and
recording locations, as well as entering
tracks and following planned routes
from a GPS system.
The SES members also learnt how to
use data in a digital format collected
from mapping programs to assist with
future planning in major searches
with Police.
5FDIOJDJBOTQMBZBWJUBMSPMF
T
ECHNOLOGYÍ3UPPORTÍ3ERVICESÍ433Í
had a successful deployment to the
.ARRABRIÍBUSHjRESÍINÍ.EWÍ3OUTHÍ7ALESÍ
in December.
TSS Senior Communications Technicians
2ICHARDÍ"AKERÍANDÍ0ETERÍ'OODALLÍWEREÍ
part of the DES Taskforce contingent.
They supplied and maintained
emergency radio communications
INFRASTRUCTUREÍFORÍjREGROUNDÍOPERATIONSÍ
and supported Communications
/FjCERSÍWITHINÍ1&23Í4ÍSUPPORTÍ
COMMANDÍVEHICLEÍANDÍ.37Í2URALÍ&IREÍ
Command Centre.
Senior Communications Technician
Peter Harrison and Trades Assistant
Phil Barber also deployed to assist
WITHÍSERVICEÍRESTORATIONÍTOÍFAULTYÍjELDÍ
communications equipment.
14.1SPHSBN
(SBEVBUJPO
A communications trailer, manpack
portable two-way radio repeater
equipment, and caches of portable
hand-held two-way radio units were
despatched. Emergency radio coverage
was established by commissioning a
number of portable repeater sites.
Taskforce Leader Wayne Waltisbuhl
praised the work of TSS personnel.
Pictured at the Public Sector Management
Program graduation are Professor Michael
0OWELLÍFROMÍ'RIFjTHÍ5NIVERSITYÍANDÍ$%3Í
Strategic Management Unit Acting Manager
!NGELAÍ(ARRISONÍTHIRDÍFROMÍRIGHTÍWITHÍ$%3Í
GRADUATESÍ"ILLÍ3PIERSÍ2UTHÍ-C#ABEÍ*ANEÍ
Kyle, Lyn Tobin, Andrew McLean, Charlene
Berndt, Verity Ney, Bruce McCoist.
M
anagers from the Department
of Emergency Services were
among graduates at the Public Sector
-ANAGEMENTÍ0ROGRAMÍ03-Í0ROGRAMÍ
annual graduation ceremony in
Queensland on 2 April.
The PSM Program is a national
education program for middle and
senior managers and is a joint venture
between the Commonwealth, State and
Territory Governments.
Graduates were awarded a Graduate
#ERTIjCATEÍFROMÍTHEÍFOURÍACCREDITINGÍ
universities.
$EPLOYEDÍTOÍTHEÍ.EWÍ3OUTHÍ7ALESÍBUSHjRESÍÍFROMÍLEFTÍ433Í#OMMUNICATIONSÍ4ECHNICIANÍ0ETERÍ
Harrison, Senior Communications Technician Peter Goodall, Trades Assistant Phil Barber, and
3ENIORÍ#OMMUNICATIONSÍ4ECHNICIANÍ2ICHARDÍ"AKER
Since 1991, more than 2100
participants have commenced the PSM
Program in Queensland.
EMERGENCY June 2007
31
Intensive training
Exercise Ouzel
S
A
tudents learning to become
Intensive Care Paramedics (ICPs)
have undergone a week of training
in Brisbane.
It was a chance for the 20 students
to develop newly acquired skills.
QAS Clinical Education Manager
Tony (UCKER said the QFRS,
Queensland Rescue and Police
Special Operations were also
involved in the exercises.
f%VERY ICP student participated in
every scenario, playing a different
ROLEt Tony said.
f%ACH student was the primary
Patient Care Offi cerfor at least three
scenarios and then they had an
opportunity to review their fellow
students and to ASSISTt
The focus of the week is on
good debriefi ng,with students
encouraged to refl ecton their
performance after each scenario.
ICP students being put through their paces.
large explosion ripped through the Cairns
Convention Centre just after 8.00 am on
Tuesday 24 April, causing the annex to collapse.
Early calls to Triple zero (000) reported mass
casualties trapped under rubble.
Adding to the carnage, a meeting of the Asia
Pacifi cEconomic Cooperation (APEC) was
underway in the Convention Centre and foreign
dignitaries and Ministers were expected to be
among the casualties.
Welcome to Exercise Ouzel 07 l a mass casualty
exercise run in Cairns over two days.
Exercise Coordinator "RUCE (ANKINSON %-1S
Senior Operations Offi cer(Counter Terrorism)
said the exercise focused on the response and
evacuation procedures for a mass casualty at a
tactical and operational level.
Up to 40 fi rstresponders were challenged with
nearly 100 casualties, 50 of them on stretchers.
Just when things seemed to be under control
an unknown person released a chemical which
required some casualties to be decontaminated.
Bruce said Exercise Ouzel was a great
opportunity to test the #AIRNS fi rstresponders
and he was pleased with the way participants
achieved their directives.
$PEXODQFHYROXQWHHUVPHHWLQ5RPD
to implement in their own AREASt
Mr Higgins said.
LAC representatives came from as far
away as Thursday Island in the Torres
Strait to participate in the conference.
They had the chance to participate in
forums about the latest CPR techniques,
rural and remote service delivery and
fundraising ideas.
DES Director General Fiona McKersie
said the gathering was a valuable
experience for all involved.
f) welcomed the opportunity that this
conference gave us to share information
about what the Ambulance Service is
doing and I was in awe of the personal
commitment and the contribution LAC
members MAKEt Ms McKersie said.
Paramedics demonstrate an emergency scenario for delegates at the LAC conference.
M
embers of 1UEENSLANDS Local
Ambulance Committees ,!#S
have met in Roma to share ideas at
THEIRÍ3TATEWIDEÍCONFERENCE
,!#S promote awareness of ambulance
services and fundraise to buy
equipment for their local stations,
complimenting 1!3 comprehensive
replacement schedule.
32
EMERGENCY June 2007
QAS Commissioner Jim Higgins said
the conference themed @0ARTNERSHIP
across the MILES gave more than
300 delegates the opportunity to
discuss issues, share ideas and build
partnerships.
f4HE agenda was informative and
interactive. )M sure every LAC member
who attended took something away
LAC Committee Member Linley MacLeod
said the conference was a good chance
to share ideas and discuss regional
issues and initiatives.
f4HIS year we focussed on forming
PARTNERSHIPSÍ3TATEWIDEÍANDÍWITHINÍ
our own regions, particularly with
community safety initiatives and to
strengthen our existing FOUNDATIONSt
Mrs MacLeod said.
4USJWJOHGPS
CVTJOFTT
FYDFMMFODF
F
or the second time, a whole-ofDepartment Organisational Self
!SSESSMENTÍ/3!ÍISÍBEINGÍCONDUCTEDÍ
over coming months to determine how
the DES is tracking.
The Department as a whole, as well
ASÍALLÍjVEÍDIVISIONSÍWILLÍPARTICIPATEÍ
in the OSA which aims to identify
how the organisation is going. The
ASSESSMENTÍUSESÍAÍjRSTCLASSÍLEADERSHIPÍ
and management model known as
the Australian Business Excellence
&RAMEWORKÍ"%&ÍÍÍ
said the Department has been using the
BEF as the primary means of engaging
in continuous quality improvement in its
quest for business excellence.
f)ÍAMÍVERYÍPLEASEDÍTOÍSPONSORÍTHEÍLATESTÍ
OSA because I know the results will be
immensely valuable in helping to inform
FUTUREÍPLANNINGtÍ-SÍ-C+ERSIEÍSAID
f3ELFÍASSESSMENTÍATÍAÍ$EPARTMENTALÍLEVELÍ
was conducted in 2005, building on the
jRSTÍ/3!ÍINITIATEDÍBYÍ1!3ÍINÍ
f!ÍRANGEÍOFÍOPPORTUNITIESÍFORÍIMPROVEMENTÍ
were selected and acted upon and now,
two years later, it is timely to again assess
HOWÍWEÍAREÍGOINGÍATÍTHATÍLEVELt
The new Departmental Business
Excellence Team will orchestrate this
YEARSÍ/3!ÍINHOUSEÍINÍCONJUNCTIONÍWITHÍ
the Quality Business Improvement Team
1")4ÍAÍNETWORKÍOFÍPEOPLEÍINÍALLÍjVEÍ
DIVISIONSÍWHOÍALSOÍWORKÍINÍTHISÍjELDÍ
All staff and volunteers will have the
CHANCEÍTOÍHAVEÍAÍSAYÍPROVIDINGÍTHEÍjRSTÍ
ever opportunity for everyone involved
in the delivery of emergency services to
take part.
The OSA is believed to be the largest ever
conducted in Australia and the greater the
involvement, the more comprehensive
and accurate the results will be.
Electronic and paper-based surveys will
be made available to enable important
perspectives on how the Department is
tracking, to be collected from staff and
volunteer personnel.
Focus groups, interviews and the
analysis of performance information will
complement the survey, resulting in a
report in time for the annual planning
cycle that leads to the 2008-2012
Corporate Plan.
f%ACHÍTIMEÍWEÍCONDUCTÍANÍ/3!Í
we identify our strengths and our
OPPORTUNITIESÍFORÍIMPROVEMENTtÍ
Ms McKersie said.
THEÍjRSTÍTOÍCOMPLETEÍTHEÍSURVEYÍANDÍTHEÍ
Executive Management Team and I look
forward to further involvement as this
LATESTÍ/3!ÍGETSÍUNDERWAYt
f7EÍTHENÍPRIORITISEÍTHEÍIMPROVEMENTSÍ
we can make and focus on where we
can best put our efforts as we strive for
business excellence.
Enquiries about the 2007 Departmental
OSA can be directed to the following
QBIT representatives,
f7ITHÍSEVENÍ!USTRALIANÍ"USINESSÍ
Excellence Awards to our credit already,
the BEF is a proven method of achieving
success in our progress towards
business excellence.
f4HEÍjNDINGSÍOFÍTHEÍ/3!ÍWILLÍFORMÍ
an important basis in our next round
of improvements and I strongly urge
everyone to take part. I will be among
41&4Í 6ERAÍ*ENSENÍ
ÍÍÍÍ
#44Í $AVIDÍ-OONEYÍ
ÍÍ
&.2Í 3HANEÍ3TEELEÍ
ÍÍ
2"4Í 4ERRYÍ"EITZÍ
ÍÍ
2'34Í$RÍ#AROLYNÍ3PENCERÍÍÍ
or contact the Project Team Leader,
2USSELLÍ,INWOODÍ!3-ÍONÍ
ÍÍÍ
EMERGENCY June 2007
33
Photo by Ray Lawrence
7RRZRRPEDWRSWHDPDJDLQ
for us because we have
to constantly develop and
work with newer and better
EQUIPMENTt Peter said.
Teams of QFRS permanent,
auxiliary and volunteer
Firefi ghtersand QAS
Paramedics contested the
RARC State fi nal.
Minister for Emergency
Services Pat Purcell, DES
Director General Fiona
McKersie and QFRS
Commissioner Lee Johnson
who is President of the
Australian Road Rescue
Organisation were special
guests at the fi nal.
A
team from Toowoomba will
represent Queensland in the
National Road Accident Rescue
competition l Western Challenge 2007
l in Perth in late June.
Toowoomba secured the place by
winning its second consecutive State
fi nalof the Road Accident Rescue
Challenge (RARC) in Townsville in April.
The Toowoomba team includes QFRS
Senior Firefi ghterPeter "RADOW
(team leader), QAS Paramedic Helen
#RITTENDEN'ODLEY Senior Firefi ghters
Matthew Kendall and Shane 2ANKINE
and Firefi ghters-ARK Haddow and Iain
Cockburn.
The Challenges test the road accident
rescue skills of emergency services
personnel, including Firefi ghters
and Paramedics.
Apart from winning previous State and
national titles, the Toowoomba team
has also competed in international RAR
competitions in New Zealand in 2005
and in South Africa in 2007.
Rescue Senior Firefi ghterPeter "RADOW
said the events are important for
developing the TEAMS SKILLS and
encouraging camaraderie.
f-OTOR vehicle manufacturers are
always trying to improve vehicle
safety and that creates challenges
Lee said the RARC was an
important exercise for road
accident rescue personnel
WHOÍMUSTÍSTAYÍUPTODATEÍ
with the latest motor vehicle
technology and developments in rescue
techniques.
f2ESCUERS from QFRS attended 15,930
road crashes between January last year
and March this year and extricated 924
people trapped in VEHICLESt Lee said.
f)TS stressful, diffi cultWORK that
we would rather not do but for
which, unfortunately, the demand is
INCREASINGt
Ford Australia donated nine new motor
vehicles for the RAR teams to cut up at
the Townsville event, which was open to
the public.
DES committed to saving water
changed by reducing the number of
backwashing cycles, using evaporation
BLANKETS and for the fi rsttime, the pool
has been closed for winter.
A
s a @WATERWISE Department, DES
has implemented a number of water
effi cientpractices in line with level fi ve
water restrictions which took effect in
South East Queensland on 10 April.
The Property Management, Facilities
Management Branch is coordinating
the $EPARTMENTS adherence to water
restrictions in consultation with regional
34
EMERGENCY June 2007
offi ces,the Department of Public 7ORKS
and the Queensland Water Commission.
At the Kedron Park Complex, all taps
and shower roses have been RETROjTTED
with water effi cientfi xtures,all toilets
are dual fl ush,urinals are waterless and
planning is underway to buy and instal
several rain water tanks.
Swimming pool maintenance has been
All other DES properties within the
affected areas are being audited
for level fi vecompliance and will
be RETROjTTED with water effi cient
fi xturesregardless of whether
water consumption exceeds current
restrictions. Leased properties
occupied by DES are not exempt and
audits are currently underway.
All DES staff play a signifi cantrole
in the amount of water that can be
saved on a daily basis. Although your
contribution may seem small, by being
conscious of our water usage, together
we can make a big difference.
Zero Harm for SIOPP
T
he roll out of the $EPARTMENTS
Workplace Health and Safety
3TRATEGYÍÍWILLÍCONTINUEÍINÍ
QFRS over the coming WEEKS when
"RISBANE Region begins piloting a
progress review program of the Total
Station Workload model.
QFRS "RISBANE Region Assistant
Commissioner Ian Mitchell said
the review and education work will
take place as part of the Business
Management Portfolio, one of the four
portfolios which make up the Statewide
Integrated Operational Planning
Process (SIOPP).
f7ERE currently WORKING with the
REGIONS Area Directors and the Union
and I hope to have the pilot up and
running next MONTHt Ian said.
f7E are targeting the regional
Workplace Health and Safety Strategy
promotional event to announce how we
will implement the Strategy and the new
WH&S Policy and give it the impetus
to ensure it becomes a natural part of
our thinking.
f! Station Offi cerwill be assigned to
assist every Area Director and work with
EACHÍOFÍTHEÍONSHIFTÍPORTFOLIOÍ-ANAGERSÍ
to go through all Workplace Health and
Safety aspects of SIOPP to ensure the
things that should be done are being
done and how we can continue to make
progress in this AREAt
The mission statement @:ERO Harm
l All injuries are 0REVENTABLE aims
to change any current culture of
acceptance about incidents and
injuries, to a culture where it is never
acceptable for people to be injured.
Since it was announced at the QFRS
Operations Excellence Conference in
March, the concept has led to healthy
debate in many areas of the Fire Service
and questions about whether the
concept could ever become reality,
given the nature of the work undertaken
by frontline Firefi ghters.
f)TS about doing the best we can to
MAKEÍSUREÍNOONEÍISÍINJUREDÍÍÍ)NÍTERMSÍ
of fi refi ghtingit may not be achievable
to prevent all injuries forever, but I
believe all injuries are preventable in
HINDSIGHTt Ian said.
f7E now have mechanisms in place to
look back at all injuries and ask how we
could have prevented them and we will
build that into future planning. That will
allow us to get injuries down to the very
lowest level POSSIBLEt
QFRS "RISBANE Region has already been
PROACTIVEÍINÍTHISÍAREAÍPROVIDINGÍHANDS
on education about the importance of
QAS team works wonders
T
he TEAMWORK of two Central Region
ambulance crews produced an
outstanding result for an asthmatic
patient in 2OCKHAMPTON recently.
f#REW members were confronted with
an unconscious female, displaying
with minimal respiratory FUNCTIONt
Brad said.
The offi cerswere called to a 20 YEAROLD
female in severe respiratory distress.
f3HE was presenting as an imminent
cardiac arrest with underlying asthmatic
pathology. Nasal pharyngeal airways
were inserted to facilitate an airway,
with intermittent positive pressure
ventilations administered as well as
ÍMICROGRAMSÍOFÍADRENALINEÍINTRA
muscularly, followed by incremental
doses of intravenous adrenaline and
salbutamol at 50mcg and 250 mcg per
minute RESPECTIVELYt
She was a diagnosed asthmatic but had
only experienced mild bouts of bronco
spasm in the past.
However, this time she was suffering
a severe, sudden attack with no relief
from her inhaler.
By the time her mother arrived to
her DAUGHTERS residence, she was
cyanosed around the lips, then
collapsed to the fl oorand experienced
a gran mal seizure.
The PATIENTS mother rang Triple zero
(000) and a "RAVO crew responded with
!LPHAÍBACKUP
f4HIS desirable outcome was made
possible by the excellent teamwork of
all the paramedics involved. We have
a close KNIT team and )M very proud of
all of THEMt
The /FjCERIN#HARGE of the North
2OCKHAMPTON Station "RAD Miers said
the case demonstrated the importance
OFÍTRAININGÍANDÍTEAMWORKÍINÍTHEÍPRE
hospital emergency fi eld.
A doctor from the 2OCKHAMPTON
(OSPITALS Emergency Department
personally phoned the Medical Director
to praise the professionalism of the
QAS offi cersinvolved in the case.
SUITABLEÍANDÍWELLMAINTAINEDÍPERSONALÍ
protective equipment.
f7E felt there were some gaps so WEVE
looked into equipment and inventories
to MAKE sure that they are CORRECTt
Ian said.
f)TS at a base level but WEVE gone
through the Workplace Health and
Safety manuals and made sure we are
up to date.
f7EVE even LOOKED at little things
like replacing jackets when they get
holes or gloves when they are dirty or
torn. )TS such an easy thing to correct
but ITS something that WEVE got to
involve everybody in, right across the
$EPARTMENTt
In Reserve
Q
FRS was recently awarded a
Certifi cateof Appreciation by the
No. 23 Squadron and the Defence
Reserves Support Council for
supporting the Royal Australian Air
Force (RAAF) and its reservists. Pictured
at the presentation are QFRS Deputy
Commissioner Iain MacKenzie with QFRS
personnel and RAAF reservists David
Caughley, Nick Hese and Graham Quinn.
EMERGENCY June 2007
35
Distance no barrier in far West
Longreach to Yaraka to Windorah to
Jundah to Stonehenge.
Longreach Paramedic Brian Masters
said Primesafe also regularly visits
students at Ilfracombe, Isisford and
Muttaburra and this year, they even
plan to drive to Eversham School which
has just seven students.
f4HENÍTHEREÍISÍTHEÍ,ONGREACHÍ3CHOOLÍOFÍ
Distance which covers 400,000 square
KILOMETRESÍANDÍTEACHESÍÍKIDStÍ
Brian said.
f4HERESÍEVENÍAÍLITTLEÍBOYÍFROMÍ-ALAYSIAÍ
who we teach through the School of
Distance Education.
Longreach Paramedic Brian Masters delivers the PrimeSafe Program to children at
Ilfracombe School.
6
50 kilometres is a long way to travel
FORÍWORKÍlÍBUTÍTHATÍDOESNTÍDETERÍTHEÍ
Paramedics in Western Queensland.
They routinely cover hundreds of
kilometres to deliver the PrimeSafe
Program to schools in their region.
The QAS Program has been developed
to teach students from Prep to Year
Three how to identify, prevent and
respond to a medical emergency.
The longest trip to date happened
LASTÍMONTHÍlÍAÍÍKMÍTREKÍFROMÍ
f7EÍHAVEÍTOÍDOÍAÍCOUPLEÍOFÍSCHOOLSÍ
each day because of the distances
involved, so each school gets a couple
of hours.
f7EÍTRYÍTOÍGOÍTOÍEACHÍSCHOOLÍONCEÍAÍYEARÍ
and the Primesafe Program also covers
vehicle familiarisation so the kids get
rid of the boogie man factor.
f4HEÍKIDSÍHAVEÍAÍBALLÍ4HEYÍABSOLUTELYÍ
love it. We give them stickers, tattoos
ANDÍBOOKLETSt
World records set at Games
Q
&23ÍENTRANTSÍHADÍGREATÍSUCCESSÍATÍ
the World Police and Fire Games in
Adelaide.
&IREjGHTERSÍFROMÍACROSSÍ1UEENSLANDÍ
including from the Aviation Fire and
2ESCUEÍ3ERVICEÍCOMPETEDÍATÍTHEÍ
biennial event which brought together
10,000 emergency service workers from
60 countries.
!MONGÍTHEÍMOSTÍSUCCESSFULÍlÍ3TATIONÍ
/FjCERÍ$ARRYLÍ(URLYÍFROMÍTHEÍ(OLLYWELLÍ
&IREÍ3TATIONÍlÍWHOÍWONÍNINEÍSWIMMINGÍ
GOLDÍMEDALSÍjNISHINGÍjRSTÍINÍALLÍHISÍ
events, and setting two world records
with the relay team in the 50-60 year
age group.
Others to fair well in the pool were
!VIATIONÍ&IREjGHTERSÍ0ETERÍ-ELLORÍANDÍ
Bob Beveridge who won six gold, six
silver and one bronze medal between
them. Peter also won a silver medal in
the 3.2 kilometre open water swim.
4OOWOOMBAÍjREjGHTERÍ-ICHAELÍ
Williamson placed in the top ten in
indoor rowing, as did Luke Scadden in
the 3.2 kilometre open water swim and
INÍTHEÍ4OUGHESTÍ&IREjGHTERÍEVENTÍ
Brett Martin and Scott Mills from
the South East region took silver in
THEÍSURjNGÍANDÍBRONZEÍINÍTHEÍTENPINÍ
bowling events, respectively.
4HEÍ&IREjGHTERSÍUSEÍTHEÍ'AMESÍASÍ
motivation to maintain a high level of
jTNESSÍANDÍTOÍRENEWÍFRIENDSHIPSÍWITHÍ
colleagues from across the world.
Vancouver will host the next World
Police and Fire Games in 2009.
50 year-old Darryl has trained hard
for the past year, swimming up to 30
kilometres a week in preparation for the
Games.
2ETIREDÍ3TATIONÍ/FjCERÍ0ETERÍ
MacMonagle from Toowoomba also
DIDÍSPECTACULARLYÍWELLÍWINNINGÍjVEÍ
individual gold medals and three
team golds.
Another member of the world-beating
relay swimming team, Superintendent
Bruce Smith also won a silver and
bronze medal.
36
EMERGENCY June 2007
/URÍSWIMMINGÍRELAYÍWORLDRECORDÍBREAKERSÍ"RUCEÍ3MITHÍANDÍ0ETERÍ-C-ONAGLEÍBACKÍROWÍ
"RENDANÍ-C'LACKINÍANDÍ$ARRYLÍ(URLEYÍFRONTÍROW
5JUBOJDSBGUT
All hands were on deck when the Calliope Group SES assisted with the annual Harbour Festival raft race at Gladstone during Easter.
2ESIDENTSÍANDÍBUSINESSÍLEADERSÍBUILTÍANDÍRACEDÍTHEIRÍOWNÍRAFTSÍANDÍWEREÍINÍTHEÍRUNNINGÍFORÍTHEÍNOTSOCOVETEDÍ@4ITANICÍAWARD
The SES was on standby to help crews whose rafts were in danger of sinking, as well as assisting with wayward craft.
#ALLIOPEÍ3%3Í'ROUPÍ,EADERÍ"RIANÍ0ITTÍSAIDÍSOMEÍOFÍTHEÍRAFTSÍDEVELOPEDÍSIGNIjCANTÍNAVIGATIONÍPROBLEMSÍlÍPROBABLYÍSOMETHINGÍTOÍDOÍ
WITHÍTHEÍWATERÍBOMBSÍANDÍkOURÍBEINGÍTHROWNÍATÍTHEÍTIME
$FSUJkDBUJPOUIFkSTUJO"VTUSBMJB
A
SÍ&IREjGHTERÍTRAININGÍBECOMESÍMOREÍ
diverse due to requirements to work
in specialist areas, it seems training
is becoming more standardised across
the world.
Nobody is more aware of the need for
international standards than Capalaba
3ENIORÍ3TATIONÍ/FjCERÍ3HANÍ2AFFEL
(EÍISÍTHEÍjRSTÍ!USTRALIANÍTOÍRECEIVEÍTHEÍ
%NGINEERINGÍ4ECHNICIANÍQUALIjCATIONÍ
through the Institution of Fire
Engineers.
f)ÍBELIEVEÍTHISÍWILLÍOPENÍUPÍTHEÍROUTEÍFORÍ
a lot of other people in our organisation
and I think they will be interested in
PURSUINGÍTHIStÍ3HANÍSAID
3HANÍALSOÍRECENTLYÍBECAMEÍTHEÍjRSTÍ
!USTRALIANÍ3TATIONÍ/FjCERÍTOÍPARTICIPATEÍ
in the International Fire Service
4RAININGÍ!SSOCIATIONÍ)&34!Í6ALIDATIONÍ
Committee.
His application to serve on the IFSTA
Fireground Support Operations working
committee was successful and as a
result he will be attending the 74th
Annual Validation Conference in the
United States in July.
f!SÍWELLÍASÍATTENDINGÍTHEÍCONFERENCEÍ
I am committed to reviewing the
entire manual and to add comments,
SUGGESTIONSÍANDÍCORRECTIONStÍ
Shan said.
Shan has been involved in the
1UEENSLANDÍ&IREÍANDÍ2ESCUEÍ3ERVICEÍ
since 1983 and in 1997 submitted a
proposal to study the latest methods of
TEACHINGÍ&IREjGHTERSÍHOWÍTOÍRECOGNISEÍ
ANDÍDEALÍSAFELYÍWITHÍkASHOVERÍBACKÍ
DRAFTÍANDÍOTHERÍjREÍPHENOMENON
He has studied and lectured on the
topic in Sweden, the United Kingdom,
Germany, Norway, Singapore, Malaysia,
the US and South Africa.
After studying realistic teaching
methods and training facilities in
%UROPEÍHEÍWORKEDÍWITHÍVARIOUSÍjREÍ
services around Australia to develop
their own realistic training programs.
He also led the development of
Compartment Fire Behaviour Training
#&"4ÍFACILITIESÍFORÍTHEÍ1&23Í,IVEÍ
Fire Training Facility, and authored a
nationally-recognised Compartment
&IREjGHTINGÍ4RAININGÍ#OURSEÍ
3HANÍ2AFFEL
German, Spanish, Croatian, Malaysian
and Chinese.
f)NÍÍ)ÍCOAUTHOREDÍAÍTECHNICALÍ
manual that is published by the
International Fire Service Training
!SSOCIATIONt
3HANÍSPEAKSÍPASSIONATELYÍABOUTÍjREÍ
and rescue tactics and is Australian
President of the Institution of Fire
Engineers and represents Australia on
the International General Assembly.
Several of his written works have been
translated and are circulating in French,
For more information on IFSTA, contact
www.ifsta.org.
EMERGENCY June 2007
37
2"4TIBSFTLOPXMFEHFXJUI$IJOB
(OSTINGÍTHEÍDELEGATIONÍFROMÍ#HINAÍlÍPICTUREDÍLEFTÍTOÍRIGHTÍAREÍ1!3Í3ENIORÍ%DUCATORÍ3HEREEÍ#ANNINGÍ0ROJECTÍ-ANAGERÍ2ICHARDÍ'ALEANOÍ$%3Í$IRECTORÍ
General Fiona McKersie, Chinese Director of Communications Ms Pei and Emergency Services Minister Pat Purcell.
The QAS continues to export its
extensive knowledge to China.
In brief
-JPOTPOQSPXMBU.JTTJPO#FBDI
The Mission Beach Lions Club has put
in new gardens and pavers for their
local ambulance station.
The club is also donating a
camera that will be installed
into the ambulance to allow the
driver to observe patients during
transportation.
/FXEFkCTGPS#BMNPSBM
The Balmoral Ambulance Station
has been given two new Lifepak 12
DEjBRILLATORS
The Local Ambulance Committee and
the QAS provided the $30,000 for
the machines.
7BOVBUVFYDIBOHF
A student paramedic from Vanuatu
has spent a month working at the
Chermside Ambulance Station.
Julie Willie observed and helped QAS
OFjCERSÍÍTOÍBROADENÍHERÍSKILLSÍBASE
QAS hosted the Chinese Director of
Communications Ms Pei from the
Tianjin Emergency Centre for two
weeks in May.
said she was pleased to hear of
THEÍ#HINESEÍDELEGATIONSÍABSOLUTEÍ
satisfaction with the work QAS
is doing to help them with
communications delivery.
4IANJINÍlÍAÍCITYÍOFÍAROUNDÍTENÍMILLIONÍ
PEOPLEÍÍjELDSÍÍCALLSÍFORÍ
assistance every day through its
emergency 120 number.
f)ÍCOMMENDÍ1!3Í3ENIORÍ%DUCATORÍ
Sheree Canning and the rest of the
ambulance team which has been
progressing very successfully with this
WORKtÍ-SÍ-C+ERSIEÍSAID
Ms Pei has been exploring QAS
communications systems, education
and practices, with a view to the QAS
helping to develop a new approach to
ambulance communications service
delivery in China.
More work needs to be completed and
the Director of the Tianjin Emergency
Service will be extending an invitation
for a QAS representative to visit China
in late June and early July to help
jNALISEÍTHEÍCOURSE
#FBVEFTFSU4&4SFNFNCFST
M
embers of the SES Beaudesert
Unit remembered ANZAC day by
marching in the local parade.
Beaudesert SES Local Controller
"RENDANÍ'UYÍSAIDÍTHEÍUNITSÍTHREEÍ
groups were represented in the
main parade.
f)TÍWASÍGREATÍTOÍSEEÍANDÍTHEÍMEMBERSÍ
PRESENTEDÍTHEMSELVESÍEXCEPTIONALLYtÍ
Brendan said.
rehearsal to cover basic movements the
NIGHTÍBEFOREt
All members enjoyed the experience
and are keen to do it again next year.
Some SES members had a direct
connection with the military or had
family and friends who served in the
PASTÍSOÍITÍWASÍjTTINGÍTOÍMARCHÍANDÍ
represent the unit for the ANZACS.
f7ELLÍOVERÍAÍTHOUSANDÍPEOPLEÍATTENDEDÍ
the parade, so it was good to have a
38
EMERGENCY June 2007
UIJOHTZPVEJEOULOPXBCPVUw
WVXQDPL
1
Tsunami is a Japanese word which
means @HARBOUR WAVE in English.
2 Tsunamis have also been called
@TIDAL WAVES and @SEISMIC sea
WAVES Neither term is correct.
Tsunamis are not tidal and they are
not always caused by
seismic activity.
3 Tsunamis can be caused by an
underwater earthquake, landslide
or volcanic eruption or even a
meteor impacting with the ocean.
4
A tsunami is a series of waves,
not a single wave. The fi rstwave
is not necessarily the most
destructive. The waves can be up
to an hour apart.
5 Although the tsunami on Boxing Day
2004 occurred in the Indian Ocean,
they are relatively rare in that region.
Every ocean can be affected but
they are most common in
the Pacifi c.
6 Tsunami waves can cross an entire
ocean without any great loss of
energy. The Boxing Day tsunami
travelled up to 5,000 kilometres and
still had the energy to kill people
and destroy property.
7 The wave is usually barely
noticeable in the open ocean.
Its destructive potential is
unleashed upon reaching shallow
water near the coast. The wave is
slowed down but the top of the
wave moves faster than the bottom,
causing the sea to rise dramatically.
8 Waves can be less than
30 centimetres high in the
open ocean but vary from a few
centimetres to 30 metres high on
reaching land. Most tsunamis
cause the sea to rise no more than
three metres.
The Boxing Day tsunami was up
to nine metres in some areas.
9 Tsunamis travel on the ocean
surface at speeds of up to 800
KILOMETRES per hour KPH and can
approach the shore at up to
160 kph.
The largest tsunami is
believed to have occurred
3.5 billion years ago. Traces
have been found of an asteroid
collision event that would
have created a giant tsunami
which swept around the earth
several times, inundating all
land except the mountains.
Almost all life on land was
exterminated.
For more information check out
www.bom.gov.au/info/tsunami/
tsunami_info.html
From Warnings to
Response and Recovery
In a fi rstfor "RISBANE this year the
city will host the Australasian Natural
Hazards Management Conference.
The Conference will concentrate on
topics including developing effective
warning systems, improved response
and recovery form events, creating
resilient communities by integrating
science into practice and applying
hazard information to best practice
planning.
Running from July 2007, with
optional workshops on 1 July and 4 July,
the Conference brings together local,
national and international speakers.
For further information visit
WWWHAZARDSEDUCATIONORGAHM
EMERGENCY June 2007
39
Clinical challenge
By ACP Greg Brill
Y
ou are called to a 60-year-old
MALEÍlÍHESÍONÍTHEÍjRSTÍkOORÍOFÍAÍ
high-rise building. 15 minutes after
the patient had a hot shower, he is
experiencing the onset of pain to his
right posterior shoulder, extending to
his left anterior and posterior chest.
There is no back-up available so you
press on to the scene and gather
oxygen, a heart start monitor, radio and
treating kit. You are greeted by security
and escorted to level one where you
introduce yourself to the patient and
his wife
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!
!Í
!
Extrication issue of level apartments
Danger: Nil,
GCS 15,
Airway Clear,
Breathing: Spontaneous and able
to speak in almost full sentences
DISTRACTEDÍBYÍPAIN
Circulation: Good palpable pulse
Oxygenation on room air was SpO2
98%.
Pulse rate 94b/min
Very pale/grey in colour,
Diaphoretic++
Nauseated, with a ¼ bucket full
vomit.
NIBP 136mmHg Palp.
ECG I,II,III NAD.
BSL 6mmols.
Pain Score 10/10
Investigations and Treatment that
was immediately instigated:
! .2"Í-ASKÍWITHÍLÍkOWÍOFÍ
100% Oxygen
! 0ULSEÍ/XIMETRYÍÍ2OOMÍ!IR
! ECG I,II,III
! NIBP 136Palp
! BSL.
! 4%-0Í#Í4YMPANIC
! CN 2-12 assessed NAD
History revealed that 13 years ago
PATIENTÍHADÍ!ORTICÍ2EPAIRÍANDÍ-ITRALÍ
6ALVEÍ2EPLACEMENTÍ0AINÍWASÍSIMILARÍ
Nil Allergies, Has had morphine with
no adverse reaction.
Patient takes Marevan 3mg and
1.5mg.
!302).Í#ONSIDEREDÍBUTÍHELDÍOFFÍ
pro-term until better Hx obtained.
GTN 400mcg S/L given
40
EMERGENCY June 2007
!Í 0ORTABLEÍ3IT2EPÍTOÍ3%#/--Íf.OÍ
AVAILABLEÍBACKÍ#ONjRMEDÍ.OÍ
"ACKUPÍREQUIREDÍ2ELAYEDt
! Intravenous Access was obtained
VIAÍANÍ'ÍINÍTHEÍ$ORSUMÍÍ2IGHTÍ
FOREHANDÍDISTALÍ$ORSUMÍ
! Stretcher was sent for and
positioned to be in a receiving
POSITIONÍONEÍSTEPÍFROMÍTHEÍPATIENTÍ
!Í 4HEÍPATIENTÍSTATEDÍTHATÍHEÍISÍfUNABLEÍ
TOÍSTANDÍCANNOTÍMOVEÍMYÍLEGSt
! A Gross motor function was assessed
with complete parathesia to his
lower limbs/unable to feel sensation
to umbilical area. Upper grips 5/5,
CN Assessment again NAD.
! Palpation of good bilateral DP/PT
pulses, pink and warm toes.
! The patient was supported by three
other bystanders and positioned on
the stretcher.
! Transportation to the vehicle was
with Oxygen insitu, Cardiac monitor
insitu, pulse oximeter insitu.
! Depart Scene Short Code 2.
! Examination of Abdomen NAD.
! Examination of Dermatones showed
delineation at about T5, T6 to -L3
loss of Sensation. Nil Motor to legs
but could wiggle toes normal deep
TENDONÍREkEXÍONÍPATELLAR
! 2.5mg IV Morphine given due to
pain still sever 8/10.
! Vitals remain consistent for the
remainder of transport to hospital.
4HEÍPATIENTSÍPAINÍLEVELÍISÍDESCRIBEDÍ
as slightly abating but is still
consistent. Further 5mg Morphine
given.
! Short Code 2 back to hospital.
Last month’s answer
1. What is the probable aetiology
and pathophysiology of the
PATIENTSÍPRESENTATION
Aetiology
The patient has suffered an
iatrogenic cardiac arrest due
to toxic effects of Marcaine or
Bupivacaine which rapidly entered
THEÍPATIENTSÍSYSTEMICÍCIRCULATIONÍ
due to a failed regional block. The
preferred drug for Intravenous
REGIONALÍANAESTHESIAÍ)62!ÍISÍ
prilocaine. It is the least toxic
and has the largest therapeutic
index. Lignocaine is an acceptable
alternative.
Pathophysiology
Bupivacaine, like other local
anaesthetics, causes a reversible
blockade of impulse propagation
ALONGÍNERVEÍjBRESÍBYÍPREVENTINGÍ
the inward movement of sodium
ions through the nerve membrane.
Local anaesthetics act within the
sodium channels of the nerve
membrane.
2. What are your management
priorities and treatment options in
ACCORDANCEÍWITHÍ#0-ÍÍ)3#%0ÍÍ
2007?
qÍ %STABLISHÍANDÍMAINTAINÍAÍPATENTÍ
airway
qÍ %STABLISHÍANDÍMAINTAINÍ
adequate ventilation
qÍ %STABLISHÍANDÍMAINTAINÍ
cardiovascular perfusion
qÍ 3YMPTOMATICÍMANAGEMENT
qÍ )#ÍBACKUP
qÍ 2APIDÍTRANSPORTÍTOÍTERTIARYÍ
facility with ICU
Questions:
1.
3.
What is your Differential
Diagnosis?
What further examination could
be performed to decrease or
increase Differential Diagnosis?
!IEÍ.EUROÍ2ESPÍ#ARDIOÍ
Abdo.
Should Asprin be given?
Why is the patient on Warfrin?
qÍ &REQUENTÍREASSESSMENTÍANDÍPRE
ARRIVALÍNOTIjCATION
3. What drugs contained within our
CURRENTÍ$40SÍCOULDÍPOTENTIATEÍAÍ
similar presentation and why?
Lignocaine Hydrochloride is a local
anaesthetic and antiarrhythmic in
the same family as Bupivacaine
and causes a reversible blockade
of impulse propagation along
NERVEÍjBRESÍVIAÍBLOCKADEÍOFÍ
sodium channels.
station SURÀOH
%VSBDL'JSF4UBUJPO
O
FjCIALLYÍOPENEDÍINÍEARLYÍ-AYÍTHEÍ
NEWÍ$URACKÍ&IREÍANDÍ2ESCUEÍ3TATIONÍ
replaces the old Oxley Fire Station
which served the community for more
than 50 years.
Oxley Station was decommissioned
earlier this year because the ageing
facility could not meet the demands
OFÍAÍSTÍCENTURYÍjREÍSERVICE
A striking three-dimensional image of
AÍWORKINGÍ&IREjGHTERÍWHICHÍILLUMINATESÍ
at night, stands at the entrance of the
new, ultra-modern station.
Brisbane artist Kim Demuth says his
ARTWORKÍTITLEDÍ@/UTÍOFÍTHEÍ3MOKEÍISÍAÍ
visual reminder to passers-by of the
many tasks, services and sheer courage
OFÍ&IREjGHTERS
!TÍTHEÍ&IREÍ3TATIONSÍOPENINGÍAÍ
delighted Area Commander, Acting
3UPERINTENDENTÍ2OBÍ/#ONNORÍTOLDÍ
Emergency that the new building has
made a world of difference.
f)TSÍAÍGREATÍENVIRONMENTÍWEREÍVERYÍ
HAPPYÍWITHÍITÍITÍWORKSÍWELLtÍ2OBÍSAID
The building has spacious
ADMINISTRATIONÍOFjCESÍAÍGYMNASIUMÍ
and reclined area as well as the
appliance garages, work and
training areas.
Designed and built during times of
drought, the station features two
23,000 litre water tanks fed from run-off
from the roof.
range of community safety programs
such as Safehome visits and the schoolBASEDÍ&IREÍ%DUCATIONÍANDÍ2OADÍ!CCIDENTÍ
Awareness Program.
2OBÍSAIDÍTHATÍALLÍTHEÍWATERÍCAPTUREDÍINÍ
the tanks is recycled and used in the
toilets, the underground drip system for
the garden and the outside taps.
The station houses 27 staff, including
FOURÍSIXMEMBERÍjREjGHTINGÍCREWSÍ
the Area Director, an administrative
ASSISTANTÍANDÍANÍAREAÍTRAININGÍOFjCER
,OCATEDÍONÍ"LUNDERÍ2OADÍWHICHÍLINKSÍ
the busy Ipswich Highway and Logan
Motorway, the Durack Station is
very busy.
There are two appliances including a
T series Scania Pumper and an Aerial
0LATFORMÍORÍ@"RONTO
4HEÍSTATIONSÍCREWSÍHAVEÍRESPONDEDÍTOÍ
more than 1,000 incidents since July
last year, including attending more than
150 serious motor vehicle accidents.
The South West Command Area takes
in the Brisbane industrial suburbs of
#AROLEÍ0ARKÍ2OCKLEAÍ$ARRAÍ/XLEYÍANDÍ
!CACIAÍ2IDGE
Crews from Durack have attended
SOMEÍOFÍ"RISBANESÍMOREÍSERIOUSÍ
INCIDENTSÍINCLUDINGÍCHEMICALÍjRESÍ
ANDÍFURNITUREÍFACTORYÍjRESÍATÍ#AROLEÍ
Park and, more recently, blazes at a
MATTRESSÍWAREHOUSEÍATÍ2OCKLEAÍANDÍTHEÍ
3UNNYBANKÍ3HOPPINGÍ#ENTREÍjRE
4HEÍSTATIONSÍ&IREjGHTERSÍALSOÍDOÍ
building inspections and deliver a
EMERGENCY June 2007
41
5PXOTWJMMF5IVSJOHPXB
4OWNSVILLE4HURINGOWAÍ3%3ÍTEAMÍHEADINGÍTOÍ4ROPICALÍ#YCLONEÍ,ARRY
T
he Townsville region is home to
160,000 people and is widely
regarded as the capital of North
Queensland.
f7EVE got a really good mix. We have a
NUMBERÍOFÍÍANDÍÍYEAROLDSÍWHOÍHAVEÍ
just joined up, right through to our older
MEMBERSt
It has a rich history. The area was
home for the Wulgurukaba, Warunga
Warakamai peoples and several tribes.
The unit covers a vast area of 3,735
square kilometres which includes
Townsville and Thuringowa. Training
facilities are also located at Bluewater,
Cungulla, Magnetic Island, Mt Spec and
Rollingstone.
In 1770 Captain #OOK made the fi rst
European record of the area.
The land along the "URDEKIN River
was settled in 1861 and the Port of
Townsville was established.
During the Second World War,
Townsville became a major Pacifi c
base, accommodating up to 100,000
allied soldiers. Townsville remains an
important defence centre with Garbutt
Royal Australian Air Force base and
Lavarack Army Barracks based there.
The military history of the region is
also refl ectedin the local SES unit
which is housed in a World War II
bunker originally used for signals and
communications.
The local unit was originally formed in
1968 as a civil defence unit and became
part of the SES when the service was
established in 1975.
The unit is now the combined
4OWNSVILLEÍÍ4HURINGOWAÍ3%3ÍUNIT
Local Controller Fred Parker said they
currently have 300 members.
42 42EMERGENCY
MayJune
20072007
EMERGENCY
f/UR unit has a large number of
trained air observers. We provided 15
volunteers to act as observers during
the search for the missing crew of the
Kaz II off Townsville in !PRILt Fred said.
The Kaz II is not the only mystery the
unit has been called on to investigate.
f7E have had several major searches
which went on for weeks with no sign of
the missing people.
f4HE SES assisted police to evacuate fi ve
communities the night before Cyclone
Larry hit last year.
f/NE of our biggest CALLOUTS involved
the heavy rain and fl oodingaround
Townsville in January 1998 when we had
widespread fl oodingand people living in
evacuation centres for up to two WEEKSt
Each year the unit receives regular calls
for help during storm season.
Fred said in quieter times the unit
enjoys getting involved with the local
community.
f7E TAKE part in a lot of community
activities from the River Festival in
Thuringowa to major events on the
Strand in Townsville. We get quite a high
profi lein the community as a RESULTt
f4HE Mt Spec area is very heavily
forested mountainous area and WEVE
had a number of missing person
searches up there. In the past there
were a lot of tin mines in the area which
have left open shafts in the rainforest.
Some people wander off walking tracks
and DISAPPEARt
With a growing population and thriving
tourist industry the region has seen
several major operations in recent
years.
The old World War II bunker originally used
for signalling now houses the local SES unit.
Awards
open
T
:LQD:KLWVXQGD\*HWDZD\
here is still time to nominate
for the -INISTERS Awards for
Excellence 2007.
Designed to recognise
outstanding achievements by
DES teams, units and volunteers,
award entries close on Friday
22 June.
Further information is available
on the DES Portal or by contacting
!WARDSÍ#OORDINATORÍ*OANNEÍ
Mitchell on 07 3109 7232 or email
[email protected].
Nominations are also being
sought for the 2007 Safer
Communities Awards.
The Awards, which cover
all aspects of community
safety within the emergency
management sector, recognise
best practice and innovation.
Entries close on Friday 3 August.
For more information visit
www.ema.gov.au or contact
Joanne Mitchell on the numbers
listed above.
7ZRPLQXWHVZLWK«
Ramola Christian
Photo courtesy of AAP
Emergency Magazine, in conjunction
with the Queensland Police Credit Union
is giving away two holidays as part of
our Reader Competition.
All you have to do is send us your
best stories WORD limit) and
photographs and YOULL be in with
a chance to win.
Post entries to:
Emergency Magazine
DES Public Affairs and
Communications Unit
GPO Box 1425
Brisbane 4001, or email:
[email protected]
Job title
Administration Offi cerl QFRS Reception
Location
Executive Support and Correspondence, Kedron
Years of service
19 Years
Best part of your job
As the dedicated Receptionist for QFRS, I enjoy the interaction from
people on the phone, especially Firefi ghters,who are LIKE family.
When I hand out the WEEKLY payslips, PEOPLES smiles are infectious,
as it is with reimbursing petty cash too. I enjoy sending the daily
media monitors information around the State as people enjoy
RECEIVINGÍTHEÍUPTODATEÍNEWSÍANDÍ)ÍFEELÍMYÍJOBÍISÍVARIEDÍANDÍVERYÍ
rewarding.
Most interesting incident
Finding out 30 years later that a friend, who shared a room with me
BACK in 1965, named her daughter after me. Anne wrote to @7OMENS
7EEKLY Where Are 4HEY I received many phone calls telling me
about the article, then travelled down to New South Wales and
stayed with the family. It was a memorable time, and I still keep in
contact with Romola, who has just become the proud Mum of a little
boy. The lasting impression I left with this family is very special.
Last book you read
@*ESSICA by "RYCE Courtney
Favourite movie
@#ASINO 2OYALE l I watched it with my twin brother on our 60th
birthday. I think Sean Connery is the best 007.
Favourite music
Classical FM driving to WORK S music Roy Orbison and Gene
Pitney, Country and Western, Slim Dusty and John $ENVERS Wildlife
Concert Album.
Your ideal weekend
Worshipping on Sundays with my family and grandchildren, then
quality time with them at nice eating places, enjoying their company
and friendship in general.
EMERGENCY June 2007
43

contents - Queensland Fire and Emergency Services

Transcription

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