Slip sliding away - New Zealand Fire Service
Transcription
Slip sliding away - New Zealand Fire Service
September /October 2006 – Issue No. 23 The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine Slip sliding away September/October 2006 Issue No. 23 6 8 11 Fire & Rescue is the flagship publication of the New Zealand Fire Service. It is produced by Media, Promotions and Communications, National Headquarters, Level 9, 80 The Terrace, Wellington. Editor: Iain Butler Front cover: Wellington USAR and firefighters check for live currents, Oriental Bay, August 2006. Story on page 14. Picture: Lance Lawson Back cover: Giborne Fire Safety Officer, Derek Goodwin is photographed for the local paper. Picture: Kerry Marshall Service Family Trees..............................................................................................3 707 years of service from Wanganui Fire Brigade...........4 World of Fire Kiwis chip in for China.......................................................................6 & Rescue The Domino Theory.............................................................................7 London’s got art burn.........................................................................7 Fire & Ice...................................................................................................8 Talking Turkey.......................................................................................10 Bush fires in the land of George W........................................11 Incidents Ditching the manual........................................................................12 Kilbirnie burns......................................................................................13 We all fall down.................................................................................14 Conditions put the wind up rural firefighters....................15 Winter wonderland...........................................................................15 Profile New station a ‘quantum leap’...................................................16 We welcome contributions from Fire Service personnel and their families. Email stories and digital pictures to: [email protected] (Pictures need to be at least 1MB) Post written material and celluloid photos, or photo CDs to: Fire & Rescue magazine, PO Box 2133, Wellington. (These will be returned on request) If you just have an idea or have an upcoming event you would like Fire & Rescue to cover, call Iain Butler on (04) 496 3675. All Personnel The last word (for two years).....................................................18 Survey In the community Doin’ it for the kids............................................................................20 Common cents....................................................................................20 Palmerston North: the ethni-city...............................................21 Keeping cool under fire..................................................................21 Fun & Games Final fling for Martin........................................................................22 On top of the Stack.........................................................................23 Scottie’s Corner “Yellow Nugget”..................................................................................24 IHC Intellectual property.........................................................................24 Gazette Notices............................................................................................26–29 Appointments.............................................................................30–31 Fire & Rescue is on-line at: www.fire.org.nz ISSN: 1176-6670 All material in Fire & Rescue magazine is copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the permission of the editor. 12 15 21 Service Pictures: Dean Treml (below) and inset shot courtesy of Russell Dickson Two firefighting families show that when the service gets in your blood, it stays there. The Dicksons: Auckland fire safety officer Russell Dickson is part of a family celebrating 70 years continuous service to the various fire authorities in the region. ndy) Alan (Sa 937. 1 n Dickso , His father Alan (Sandy) Dickson started the tradition, joining the Onehunga Volunteer Fire Brigade on October 1, 1936. By the time Russell joined, his uncle Alex, brother Bill and cousins Roger, Peter and Grant had all signed up. Having such a family involvement, and living two doors down from the fire station, Russell was never in doubt of becoming a firefighter. “It was just part of the deal. When my father died [in 1966] the chief said ‘Well, when are you going to join?’.” Russell remembers some monumental fires from his childhood, including one where someone covering for his uncle died. But he also remembers fun times associated with the brigade, such as when the station was Russell Dickson used by firefighters and their families as a cinema. Russell’s first fire on joining was the Farmers wool store blaze – “which would be equivalent to a fifth-alarm fire today”. The family connections also produced some comic moments. “When my brother and I both became permanent [career] firefighters and joined City station, they would call out for Senior Firefighter Dickson and both of us would turn up. “The station officer said ‘this won’t do, one of you has got to go’.” In all, 12 members of the extended Dickson family have served as firefighters, with Russell and Pukekohe volunteer Darcy Hart still with the Fire Service. The Thompsons: Hokitika’s fire brigade is among the oldest in New Zealand, and for as long as it has served the West Coast town there has been a Thomspon involved. Retired CFO Wayne Thompson says the family’s history in the brigade goes back “about 120 years” but he is unsure exactly how long. Picture: courtesy of Greg Flaws Wayne’s great-grandfather, grandfather, great-uncle and father have all donned a firefighting helmet. “It’s just always been part of the family – we grew up with it. “When I was about 18 I was informed at an AGM that I was joining the brigade.” The Tho m Wayne psons, 1983. is on the right. The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine Now that Wayne is retired his brother – a rural firefighter – is the last Thompson with a Fire Service connection. September/October 2006 Service Wanganui honours its stayers – including the longest serving career firefighter in New Zealand. Story and picture by Gwenda Prouse 707 years of service from Wanganui Fire Brigade The Wanganui Fire Brigade has held an honours night to award 25-year gold stars to four of its members. In total 707 years of service was recognised, with the presentation of two-year bars to another 23 members, and the fiveyear medal presented to SFF Manu McGregor. The latest four gold stars bring Wanganui’s total number of serving gold star members to 25 – well over half the brigade. service good conduct honours to QFF Cindy Churton (14-year medal), SFF Ross Whetton (second clasp) and SO Ed Buchan (third clasp). CFO Kevin Smith welcomed all the dignitaries and guests, then handed over to brigade secretary Mick Hills who was MC for the evening. Maurice Kelly and Boyd Atkinson then presented the gold stars to the four recipients on behalf of the UFBA. SSO Ken Malcolm was awarded a gold bar for 49 years of service – the longest current service in the country. Labour MP Jill Pettis, long time friend of the Wanganui Brigade, gave a brief address, as did Councillor Rangi Wills, who also has a long history with us. Our congratulations to FF Bob Wills-Rawlings, SSO Craig Gardiner, SSO Bryce Coneybeer and SFF Peter Nicolle, and our thanks for their dedication and service to the NZFS, and in particular the community of Wanganui. AFRC Pat Fitzell awarded long Pictured, left to right are Sandra and Bob, Craig and Brenda, Bryce and Sandy, and Peter and Gwenda. 0 sec Issue No. 23 Brenda, b, Craig and Bo d an ra nd L–R: Sa d Gwenda. ndy, Peter an Br yce and Sa 1:25 sec World of Fire & Rescue World of Fire & Rescue US 6 China 7 Australia 7 A Th e qu i to c to get from y a w Ch t in s e a k Olympic effort: Our own Jim Stuart-Black on China’s efforts to prepare for the worst come Games time. Smoke and mirrors: Victoria becomes the latest state of Crocodilehunterland to make smoke alarms compulsory in all dwellings. United Kingdom Flames among the frames: the London Royal Academy of Arts is hit by fire. 2:42 sec 8 Canada 10 Turkey 11 Running hot and cold: Kiwi firefighter Kevin O’Connor on taking the heat in a Canadian winter. Ankara Me: Nihan Erdogan describes how one of the most earthquake-prone nations on earth revamped its USAR programme. USA Fire in the whole: John Barnes returns from a tour of duty in the NW US taking on monster wildfires. Destroyed Cover story Kiwis chip in for China China boosts its USAR capability following an international exercise in August. The exercise, held in an abandoned zoo in Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province, was done under the auspices of the Asia-Pacific group of INSARAG (the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group). With the Beijing Olympics less than two years away, it also acted as a barometer for China’s readiness in the event a major disaster then. Sixty-five international and more than 100 local USAR personnel took part. Fire Service special operations manager and member of the USAR National Support Team Jim Stuart-Black says the event, while only a ‘desk-top’ exercise, was treated as the real thing by organisers – starting with the arrivals procedure. “All the teams were taken out to the airport, then ‘processed’ back into the country… from a New Zealand point of view it was fine but to make it realistic some people ‘failed’ the entry…and were ‘arrested’ and taken away for questioning.” New Zealand was grouped with Japan and Switzerland for the exercise proper. Jim says the rooms in which they performed the exercise were covered in pictures of ruined buildings, each with notes saying what they contained: a hazardous chemical, for instance, or a school with 300 children missing in the rubble. Teams had to prioritise their work based on hazards, resources and the number of lives to be saved. “It involved some difficult decisions to get to the most number of people in the shortest time.” There were other difficulties to overcome, such as language barriers. “We were given a number of tasks working with the Chinese in these hot rooms with them chain smoking, working through interpreters. “It’s not like saying ‘Hi, how are you’ through interpreters, it’s technical stuff we’re talking about.” Pictures: Jim Stuart-Black For all the challenges, Jim says his preconceptions about China were proven wrong, with people only too happy to help, chat and support their guests. And as for China’s USAR capability, which was nonexistent as recently as 2002, Jim says like all things in the fast-growing nation, it is having resources thrown at it and is improving out of sight. Issue No. 23 Cover story The Domino Theory Story courtesy of AFAC newsletter From May 1 this year, New South Wales (NSW) joined Victoria and South Australia in making smoke alarms a legal requirement in all homes. The legislation came into force after a horrific spate of fire deaths last year in which 13 people died in house fires across the state in a period of just over two weeks. Smoke alarms will be required in all places where people sleep, including houses, apartments, hostels, hotels and hospitals. The new requirements result from legislation developed with assistance from the NSW Fire Brigades and administered by the NSW Department of Planning, the Office of Fair Trading and the NSW Department of Lands. Various initiatives to promote the new law have been undertaken by the NSW Government, and owners have six months to install smoke alarms without penalty. After November 1, 2006 a maximum penalty of A$550 will apply. However, as of May 1, it became an offence to interfere with or remove a smoke alarm. Before the new laws took effect, it was estimated that some 670,000 homes throughout NSW did not have a smoke alarm installed. It is hoped that the legislation, coupled with a concerted educational campaign, will dramatically reduce this figure, leading to a significant drop in the number of home fire injuries and deaths. Picture: Chris Perkins London’s got art burn The fire appears to have started in the roof of the Piccadilly building, though the cause is unknown. Eyewitness Shannon Gordon told the BBC: “All of a sudden I looked up and there were more flames... then the big bang was when the roof collapsed.” Picture: Getty Images The building was empty in preparation for an exhibition of American art. Sixty firefighters battled a blaze in the Royal Academy of Arts building in central London. The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine September/October 2006 World of Fire & Rescue Firefighting in wind chill temperatures as low as -40° was one experience not to forget, says Nelson firefighter Kevin O’Connor. Story and pictures by Kevin O’Connor Fire & Ice For the past year I’ve worked at station one, Edmonton, Canada, which is the busiest station in the city. It was normal to get 10 calls per shift, day and night. Being in downtown Edmonton a high proportion of the calls were medical co-response, which the pump attended, covering a wide range of incidents such as assaults, cardiac arrests, suicides and overdoses. The rescue engine at station one was among the busiest in North America in 2005 and did not have pumping capability. Station one employed aggressive ventilation techniques for firefighting, and the first hand experience gained from being assigned to the ventilation crew on numerous occasions proved its wide-ranging benefits. Station one was also one of two stations specialising in river rescue during summer months and swift water ice rescue during the winter. Committing firefighters to freezing waters was only used when other options were exhausted. Even though I’m never likely to use the internationally recognised qualification in ice rescue again, the experience working in those environmental conditions was very rewarding. Issue No. 23 CANADA World of Fire & Rescue With a population of just over 700,000 the city has 753 firefighters working out of 23 stations. Stations two and three were specialised stations. Station three for the technical rescue team covering high-angle, confined space and trench collapse rescues, and Station two housed the hazmat team. A new hazmat vehicle worth $1 million was commissioned recently which contained $1.2 million of equipment including detection tools for chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. Firefighting in extreme cold is hard on gear and personnel. Run-off water quickly froze as did hose lines if not drained promptly. Blocks of ice formed around BA cylinder valves meaning whole sets had to be changed rather than just cylinders while the frozen sets thawed inside cabs. Wet level 2 gear froze and there were occasions when firefighters have been frozen in various positions due to water spray from fire attack deliveries. The standard turnout to a house fire is two pumps, rescue and aerial appliances, an ambulance and a district chief. Edmonton Fire Department is very proactive with exchange firefighters. They have an exchange committee staffed voluntarily by past, prospective and current exchange firefighters, a management representative and firefighters simply interested in assisting. They assist their own and continually ensure the foreign firefighter and family are happy. The visiting firefighter is moved to areas of interest. For instance, I was assigned to the fire investigators for 12 shifts. The investigators are assigned to platoons and work the same shift pattern as operational firefighters. I’m planning on setting up an exchange committee in New Zealand to better assist firefighters on exchange as well as utilise and manage the programme. Anyone interested can email: kevin.o’[email protected]. The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine See the notice in this Gazette for details about going on a firefighter exchange. September/October 2006 World of Fire & Rescue Talking Turkey Turkish Urban Search and Rescue team member Nihan Erd ogan talks about the realities of working in the USAR task force back home. Then: Now: Turkey is home to one of the most active earthquake faults in the world, so large-scale earthquakes strike the country with regularity. There has been much progress in USAR activit ies and capac ity in Turkey. The one on August 17, 1999 was one of the biggest earthquakes in the last century in Turkey. According to the official numbers mor e than 17,0 00 peo ple died , although it is estimated that the real death toll is more than 30,000. Turkis h Civil Defen ce had units in three cities before 1999, today it has 11. The numb er of staff in each unit has also been increased to 120. Rescue was carried out by Turkish Civ il Def ence , the mili tary, fire service, mine workers, municipalities, and volunteers, both organised and as individuals. This eart hqu ake was the cata lyst for the country’s urban search and rescue (USAR) taskforce. Before this, not many people were aware of the USAR concept. Turkish Civil Defence took control of rescue work from this point, while mos t gov ernm enta l bod ies wer e restructured following lessons learned in the quake. Turkish Civil Defence trains staff at a dedicated college in the capital, Ankara. Pictures: Get ty Images A man embraces a Turkish USAR team member with relief following an earthquake in May, 2003. They also train Civil Defen ce volunteers, of which there are now thousands. the need for these skills in the country. Tur kish team s wor ked at the earthquakes in Greece and Taiwan in 1999, India in 2001, Algeria and Iran in 2003 and Pakistan in 2005. Today there are five voluntary and one official search and rescue teams in Turkey working in close cooperation with Civil Defence. They are United Although there has been some progress Natio ns INSAR AG (Inter nation al in only seven years, there is still room Search and Rescue Advisory Group) to develop. members – proof of the awareness of Com pare d with the syst em in New Zea land , Turk ey is lack ing standards and a tier system for USAR. Each team organises its own training with its own standards. New Zea land ’s USA R tier syst em (introduction, awareness, responder, tech nicia n and man ager ) is wor ldfamous and it is a very good example for many countries. Turkey is on its way to developing these standards. Ano ther area to deve lop is the coo rdin atio n betw een vari ous international, national, regional and local teams in the country. Some of the devastation wrough t by the August, 1999 earthquake that brought abo ut changes in Turkey’s readiness for such a disa ster. 10 Issue No. 23 There is also the need to have more Civil Defence staff, considering the population (around 65 million people) and the earthquake risk. World of Fire & Rescue Pictures: courtesy of John Barnes Bush fires in the land of George W The largest ever deployment of Kiwi firefighters has been toughing it out in the North-Western US dealing with some whopping fires. Paul Devlin (Christ church PRFO) and Trevor Bullock (D oC), Washington 20 06. Everything in America is big: their cars, their portions, their children – so it stands to reason that their bushfires and the response to them is big, too. Christchurch rural fire manager John Barnes recently returned from a month with the US National Interagency Fire Centre and says the scale of these fires is the first challenge a visiting firefighter has to overcome. “We just don’t have fires that big. Some of them have been going since July and are not expected to be under control until October. “And [after bringing it under control] if you have low humidity and dry conditions it can get away again.” New Zealand’s contribution of 29 rural firefighters to the US is its biggest ever deployment since agreements were reached between Australia, New Zealand and the US over wildfire assistance in 2000. John says the managers spend two days in orientation, learning about the fuel types, fire behaviour and terrain specific to the area they are posted in. Helicopter managers get an extra day familiarising themselves with aviation regulations. Then comes the hard work. Two 14-day stretches of fire control, with a two-day break in between. “The first 14 days aren’t that bad; you wake up at 6, attend a briefing, have breakfast, work until night, come back, have a shower and a meal then you are so tired you go straight to your tent and try to get some sleep. for showers and kitchen facilities and all these things are brought in in caravans to support the firefighters.” In fact, even though they have been sleeping in tents, the Australasian firefighters have had the use of an online ‘community’ to send and receive messages, post photos and tell their tales of massive blazes. Only in America. “You’re so busy that you don’t notice the time go by.” The second stint is harder though, as thoughts start turning to home. However, even in the American wilderness teams are well catered for. “They [the interagency response team] have all these national contracts The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine ngton. plex fire, Washi The Tripod Com September/October 2006 11 Incidents Ditching the manual Wi-Richard Tohiariki had been on the job a matter of weeks when he was called with fellow Invercargill firefighter Aaron Ramsey to an unusual rescue. Sandstorm, a 33-year-old Anglo-Arab horse was caught in a ditch and it took three firefighters, one of the owners and an incredible stroke of luck to get him out. “The horse was freezing, so that was a concern. It was found there in the morning so we didn’t know how long it had been there.” With a stream constantly filling the ditch with water, getting the horse out was no straight-forward pushand-pull task. “It needed a lot of improvisation, but 12 the guys I was with were excellent. It was one of those ‘meant-to-be’ situations.” By sheer chance, SO Geoff Timpany, whose property was near-by, had a digger and was able to rope up Sandstorm and start the complicated process of getting him out. “Every now and then we would give it a bit of a pull, but the suction [from the bog] was too much,” says Wi-Richard. “In the end we had to put railway sleepers under the digger because it was starting to sink. So it turned into a digger rescue as well.” For all that, the entire operation from arrival to giving the now-healthy Sandstorm a congratulatory carrot took just 50 minutes. Wi-Richard was among the first group of recruits to graduate from the National Training Centre in June. He says being with Invercargill’s green watch is ideal for him. “They’re quite pro-learning, which is what I need. They’re looking after me really well.” Pictures: Bar Issue No. 23 ry Harcour t Incidents Kilbirnie burns A dozen appliances and support vehicles were needed when two houses in Wellington’s east went up in flames. Chandrika Patel (77) was in the back garden of her Rongotai Rd home when she heard crackling noises and looked up to see the house well alight. By the time fire crews arrived – which wasn’t long as Kilbirnie Fire Station is at the end of the street – exposure to the fire had already caused the neighbouring property to go up. Fire got into the roofs of both properties, making them uninhabitable by the time the fires were out. Chandrika’s son Roger told Fire & Rescue the house and possessions were insured, but his mother would have to live with his family for some time while the house was rebuilt. The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine September/October 2006 13 Incidents We llin n Pictures: Lance Law son We all fall d o w gto The slips were no respecter of status, with a posh Oriental Bay apartment block hit by tonnes of earth and vegetation in one of the many weather-related upheavals. Part of the USAR task force was mobilised for the slip on August 16 due to the possibility that someone was trapped beneath the rubble at the back of the apartment block. Using specialised listening equipment, national special operations manager Jim Stuart-Black and other USAR taskforce members were able to confirm that nothing was moving beneath the dirt. They then used a “hot stick” to check that no electricity was flowing through the slip site before city council engineers, firefighters and others were allowed in. 14 Issue No. 23 Jim says traffic had to be closed to Oriental Parade while the work was done as the listening equipment was so sensitive it was picking up conversations hundreds of metres away. Car noise would have interfered with the process. Elsewhere in Wellington a house in Kelson, Lower Hutt, was destroyed after the infill land beneath it gave way. Others near-by lost their back gardens and are now balanced precariously above the precipice. Residents in Kilbirnie and Aro Valley were woken with unwelcome visitors in the form of mud and debris. Countless roads and even the suburban railway in Johnsonville were closed as sodden hillsides gave in to weeks of winter rain. ng ot a wit bit flat hh ter in A eav ugu yr st, ain bri 20 ngi 0a ng nd bet 30 we 0s en lip st ot he are a. Incidents Conditions put the wind up rural firefighters Strong winds in late August proved worried rural fire officers’ concerns about burn offs were well founded. There were fires in or near DoC reserves at Ruataniwha, Henley, the Catlins and Te Tara in Southland and others in Otago and South Canterbury. DoC firefighters and their rural, Fire Service and private forest counterparts were stretched to the limit and in some cases had to leave fires to do their worst as conditions became too dangerous, with high winds preventing aircraft attacking the fires. Elsewhere the wind was making life miserable for people and pets – not to mention firefighters. Athol, in Southland, was battered with winds that averaged 140km/h, uprooting trees and sending dog kennels flying, while in South Canterbury, a caravan and 4WD were flipped onto their roofs by the wind. Twizel DCFO Dennis Connolly told the Timaru Herald about the trouble they had turning out to assist residents. “We were using the bus as protection, but when you stepped out from behind it, you’d just about end up on the other side of the road.” Picture: courtesy of CFO Richard Davidson Many parts of Otago and Southland had their strongest winds on record as nor’westers raged through the South Island, fanning ill-advised crop burn-offs as they went. Winter wonderland What do you do when the incident you’re called to is on a ski field, and there aren’t any roads? That was the dilemma facing Whakapapa and National Park brigades who turned out to a fire alarm activation at the Otaihape Ski Club on Mt Ruapehu in July. Thankfully, the answer wasn’t to get out the snow shoes. The club lodge is at the ‘Top of the Bruce’ in the Whakapapa village, about 1km from the end of the road and – funnily enough – on a slope. Pictures: Luigi Hotter Mercifully, says Ruapehu fire safety officer John ‘Luigi’ Hotter, a snow mobile appeared and the brigade was promptly whisked up the mountain to do its duty. Fire & Rescue understands there is no truth to the rumour that a bright red “Type 7” snowmobile with hi-vis tape and sirens is speeding its way to Ruapehu District. The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine September/October 2006 15 Profile New station a ‘quantum leap’ Gisborne Fire Service personnel are buzzing about their new station, officially opened by Internal Affairs Minister Rick Barker at the end of August. Gisborne CFO Stuart Law says time had caught up with the old station. “The appliance doors were tiny, so the vehicles had to turn out from the rear. It had an all-concrete interior and was dull and dowdy, and no air conditioning, so it was cold in winter and hot in summer.” The new station is a much better working environment. “It’s modern, with the best of fire protection, the latest BA gear, great lecture rooms – it’s a quantum leap.” DCFO John Haggland is similarly effusive 16 Issue No. 23 in his praise of the new building. “The old [station] was expensive to maintain, whereas we should get few years maintenance free out of this one.” John says lots of little details make the station a nicer place to work, such as a bigger workstation and the absence of stairs, making shifting heavy things around by trolley a much easier job as well as allowing access to wheelchairs and prams. “We’ve put the bedrooms on the side of the building that’s sheltered from the sun; the old ones on the second storey could get up to 40 degrees in summer. “They’ve been through June, July, August in probably the coldest winter for 20 years and had no complaints so it passed that test.” Profile Back where they belong Sitting pretty in Gisborne station’s modern interior are a set of stained glass windows that have seen it all before. The windows, depicting old-style brass helmets and a length of hose, were previously installed at the Fire Service College in Island Bay, We l l i n g t o n , a m o n g other places. However, the letters “GFB” on one window gave a clue to their origin – they were built into the previous Gisborne Fire Station in 1938. DCFO John Haggland says when the station was renovated in the late 1970s the windows were scattered hither and yon. “There were some at the college, there’s some in Hamilton and all over the place. When the Island Bay college was sold in 1999, and subsequently demolished, those windows were put in storage. In the middle of this year they made their way home, where they have pride of place as a part of local history. “We managed to get enough back to do the doors in the station, so that was good.” Also looking back on Gisborne’s firefighting history is a historic bell tower, complete with a bell from 1909. Like the windows, the tower and bells were sold, traded or moved – but crucially, not forgotten – and have now made their way back to where they belong. Pictures: Kerry Marshall The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine September/October 2006 17 2006 All Personnel Survey The last word (for two years) The 2006 All Personnel Survey will be arriving at your station or workplace soon. This year’s survey is your last chance to express your views until 2008, so make the most of the opportunity to tell the organisation as a whole what you think. We want to know how working or volunteering for the Fire Service motivates you, if you get the respect you deserve from your colleagues, and if you feel you have enough resources to do your job, among other things. Of course, your answers are only half the equation – it’s how the Fire Service changes because of them that counts. That’s why I’m pleased to show you some of the changes made in response to previous surveys. Mike Hall Chief Executive/National Commander Here are some of things that are being done in response to the results of the 2005 survey: Fairness and Diversity: Wellbeing: What you said: What you said: Some people thought there was a lack of fairness in the way career opportunities were allocated, and some didn’t understand what equal employment opportunities meant. In the 2005 survey, three of the top four sources of workplace stress involved interpersonal activities (“working with incompetent people”, “having no say in decisions” and “conflict with people”). What we’ve done: Director of human resources Vince Arbuckle says a lot of work has gone into making the recruitment process more transparent and better understood. “The Fire Service is committed to increasing diversity in our workforce to better reflect our community, but this has never come at the expense of fairness.” To ensure this remains the case, the Equal Employment Opportunities group has been replaced by a new Diversity and Fairness group, tasked with keeping the balance right. 18 Issue No. 23 “In response to concerns raised in last year’s survey the entire recruitment process was reviewed, and I can say that recruitment decisions are now based entirely on merit. “With a fair recruitment policy and world class interviewing/testing procedures, we’re confident the right people are being appointed to Fire Service jobs.” In the 2006 survey a new diversity section asks your opinion on diversity and its importance to the Fire Service. What we’ve done: To address “conflict with people”, the 2006 All Personnel Survey will ask questions about inappropriate behaviour in the workplace, and how it is dealt with, in line with a new workplace bullying policy. In the New Year the NZPFU and senior Fire Service management will deliver a road show covering topics around wellbeing and answering questions. 2006 All Personnel Survey Communication: Resources: What you said: What you said: Both volunteer and career operational staff said their most favoured means of communication was face-to-face – at brigade/station meetings. Volunteers especially felt there was a lack of resources available to them. Director of operations and training Paul McGill says while the survey didn’t allow for specifics, the main area of concern appeared to be fleet, which is being worked on. Volunteers also pointed out that email and intranet communications was of limited use to them. What we’ve done: Several regions have begun making greater use of chiefs conferences, workshops and station visits to communicate messages and listen to feedback. New or improved methods of communication have been trialled regionally, such as the Transalpine Express newsletter, which is proving successful. Regions have also instituted their own surveys to continuously improve information about what is and isn’t working in their area. Nationally, remote access via portal. fire.org.nz is up and running with the number of volunteer staff using it increasing all the time. Use of ‘whole of country’ emails has been refined to make it more appropriate to those with workplace access to the email system. Increasingly, the UFBA’s communication channels are assisting the Fire Service in communicating important messages and informing volunteers of the latest developments, particularly around fleet. What we’ve done: This year will see the largest number of new fire appliances provided to volunteer brigades for over 10 years and this will continue. A new type 2 appliance is produced every three weeks and prototype type 1 and light response vehicles are being developed. In addition, new trucks are also being delivered to career stations around the country. Volunteer recognition: What you said: Volunteers said they wanted more recognition for their efforts, and in a follow up question to the 2005 survey identified loss of income as an issue. What we’ve done: Loss of income policy is being reviewed with the UFBA, with the emphasis on the need to address childcare costs and volunteers taking The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine annual leave to attend longer training programmes. A nine-district pilot programme is underway to enhance recognition of employers of volunteers, which includes brigade funding for advertising, signage on trucks to acknowledge local employers and a special brand or logo that employers can use in their and the UFBA are working closely advertising. together to address the needs of Vince says these two initiatives are volunteers in direct response to the examples of where the Fire Service All Personnel Survey. September/October 2006 19 In the community Wellington firefighters spent two mornings answering the tough questions at a national careers event for primary school children. The National Kids conference was held at the Wellington College of Education on August 21 and 22, bringing children from around New Zealand to have an interactive day of careersfocused events ranging from accounting to archery. The Fire Service was represented, and arguably had the toughest task to win over its audience as the combustive nature of its demonstration meant that it (along with the archers, for similar health and safety reasons) was stuck outside for two of the coldest days of the year. The crew demonstrated Level 2s, BA gear and a splash suit and showed the kids around a fire truck and a command unit. Then the kitchen fire demonstrator Common cents came out, eliciting sufficient gasps as the cooking oil erupted in flame. It was followed by an equally impressive sprinkler demonstration. The presentation truly engaged its audience as was shown at question time with queries such as “why did you become a firefighter?” and “how fast do the fire trucks go?”. Five-cent fever gripped Fire Service NHQ last month, but it was all in a good cause. It all started with a collection of five cent pieces, which cease to be legal tender at the end of October. Receptionist Lou Dawson set up a jar and from the pockets, gloveboxes and couches of NHQ staff a mighty pile of small currency grew. Then came the news that 5c pieces from 2004 were worth much more than their weight in nickel alloy. A diligent search of the coin jar revealed no less than three of the prized pieces and they were duly put on Lou’s home Trade Me account, with the first alone netting $110, or 2200 times its face value. Lou Dawson (right) and Eliz abeth Grieve from NHQ demonstrate what $21 9.65 looks like. 20 Issue No. 23 In all Plunket was handed a very heavy $484.55 – consisting of the proceeds from three 2004 5c pieces, money raised from a ‘guess the value of the coins’ contest and no less than 4393 5c coins. In the community Palmerston North: the ethni-city A multi-agency initiative gives the city’s immigrant community a better chance at a safe life. Keeping cool under fire The cool thinking of a 10-year-old Newtown girl meant relieved firefighters were able to assist three injured relatives, rather than retrieving four bodies. When you’re new to a country the little things can be the hardest to adjust to – like who to call in an emergency. With that in mind, and following an inner-city assault where police felt that earlier reporting would have given them a better chance of securing a prosecution, Palmerston North’s city council, police, fire service and St John ambulance put their heads together to produce an emergency services card for recent immigrants. The wallet-sized card gives details of who to call in various types of emergency, as well as listing handy safety tips. At a ceremony at Palmerston North Fire Station members of the city’s large ethnic community, which includes Asian students and Congolese refugees among many others, were presented with packs containing the card, a welcome letter and safety information from all three services represented. Newtown green watch Steve Tooley, Michael Fleming, Grant Haywood and Des Irving with Jesika. Jesika Ramese-Finau was asleep when a fire started next to her bed. She says she was woken by a dream about her dead sister and realised the peril she and her family were in. Jesika woke her cousin and aunty and uncle and they all managed to escape the fire – though the adults suffered from burns and smoke inhalation. Newtown green watch senior station officer Des Irving said there was no doubt that Jesika saved four lives. “If Jesika had not woken up and remained cool and levelheaded we’d be going to funerals,” Des said. Des said even though the house was close to the fire station and firefighters got there quickly the fire was fully involved by the time they arrived. The green watch crew recognised Jesika’s actions at her Houghton Valley School by presenting her with a certificate, some movie vouchers and other goodies. Wellington radio personality Nick Tansley from More FM also joined the ceremony and put a picture of Jesika and her classmates on the station’s website. Principal Barry Schon used the opportunity to thank the crew who helped Jesika, acknowledging firefighters did not always enjoy such a happy ending. “We really appreciate you’re there for us.” The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine September/October 2006 21 Fun & Games Final fling for Martin Picture: Getty Images Auckland firefighter Rochelle Martin played every minute of New Zealand’s third successful Women’s Rugby World Cup in Edmonton, Canada. The Black Ferns triumphed 25-17 in the final over England, a score that flattered the runner-up, who crossed the New Zealand try line only once. Rochelle had a frustrating game, continually pinged by the referee in some unusual calls, but can look back on the tournament with pride after excellent contributions throughout. She was handed the captaincy of the Black Ferns for game two of the campaign, and responded by leading the team to a 50-0 thrashing of Samoa. The 33 year old dotted down for one of the New Zealanders’ eight tries after switching from flanker to number-8 for the game. She was then the stand-out player in the semi-final victory over France, scoring two tries from outstanding support play. Rochelle started in all three pool games – against hosts Canada, Samoa and Scotland – the semi against France and the final, despite coach Jed Rowlands adopting a Graham Henry-style rotation policy in the SPORTS COUNCIL Event Calendar 2006 Och! Rochelle crunches a Scottish player. congested World Cup schedule. Only one other player – Monalisa Codling from Auckland – was retained for all five games. The final was a dour affair until a slick try to Codling at the end of the first half opened things up. England was never in the contest after a second try immediately after the restart saw them trailing 15 – 3. The Black Ferns’ superior handling, speed and – as the game wore on in freezing conditions – fitness saw them dominate, with England only having the edge in the scrums. Rochelle has talked about retiring from the game in the past, but if she does there will still be one piece of unfinished business to attend to: the Auckland NPC team she captains lost its first ever final to Wellington two days before the Cup final. The path of destruction: Pool Games New Zealand 66, Canada 7; New Zealand 50, Samoa 0; New Zealand 21, Scotland 0. Semi Final New Zealand 40, France 10. Final New Zealand 25, England 17 National Golf Tournament 2006 Australasian Fire Brigades Golf Championships Ohakune October 9 – 15, 2006 Email: [email protected] Adelaide, Australia Oct 29 – Nov 3, 2006 Contact Ray Shields, (07) 348 3197 or (07) 347 2252 Email: [email protected] Entry forms and contacts for some events are available online at Firenet or fire.org.nz 22 Issue No. 23 Fun & Games On top of the Stack Fire brigades from around the country sent their drivers to test their mettle on a course that rated their knowledge of driver theory, handling and parking among other tasks. Rex Stack from Akaroa, Banks Peninsula, came out on top – the only competitor to notch up 1000 points. Rex was followed by Pahuiatua’s Simon Windelborn and Craig Millar from Papakura. South Island brigades were narrowly shaded by their North Island rivals, with six of the top ten from above Cook Strait. The winner’s trophy – aptly enough a model truck – was presented by UFBA president Peter Guard. Pictures: Chris Walbran Akaroa’s finest proves his worth at the Fire Service Drivers Challenge at Ruapuna race track in Christchurch. 2006 drivers Challenge top 10 Position 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Driver Rex Stack Simon Windelborn Craig Millar Grant Staples Quentin Inkersell Nathan Algie Tony Belcher Phil Tindle Mark Keenan Ken Lee Brigade Akaroa Pahiatua Papakura Otorohanga Rolleston Havelock North Pahiatua Otorohanga Hokitika Dunsandel Points 1027.2 961.6 950 948 938 937 933 913.8 911.8 910.2 Taranaki Provincial Golf Tournament Wellington West Coast Golf Tournament Men’s and Women’s Softball Tournament National 7-a-side Soccer Tournament Inglewood November 5, 2006 [email protected] Foxton November 12, 2006 [email protected] Palmerston North December 4 – 8, 2006 [email protected] Rotorua, February 9 & 10, 2007 Contact: Tony Kelly, (07) 348 3197 [email protected] To list your sporting event on this space please send details to: [email protected] The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine September/October 2006 23 Intellectual property A memorandum of understanding between the Fire Service and IHC hopes to add another 850 homes to the list of those with the best fire protection around. IHC is New Zealand’s largest property owner outside of government, with its properties housing about 3000 people with intellectual disabilities. The MoU, signed in June, recognised IHC’s excellent in-house fire safety practices and, in a first for New Zealand, agreed to waive the need for Fire Service approval of each property. s and utive Ralph Jone ive ut IHC chief exec ec ex f ander / chie national comm memorandum. the Mike Hall sign 24 Issue No. 23 Picture: Lance Lawson In return, IHC will progressively install sprinklers in its homes. By 2003, IHC had installed sprinklers in seven percent of its homes already, typically where evacuation times at fire drills had exceeded recommendations. By order of the Fire Service Commission Notices pages 26–29 Appointments pages 30–31 Notices for the Fire Service Gazette should be emailed to: [email protected] Fire Service Gazette September/October 2006 25 Notices Notices Notice No 95: International Firefighter Fellowship Exchange Programme 2006–2007 Applications are sought from current firefighters who would like to participate in the International Firefighter Fellowship programme. This programme is coordinated through AFAC by the Metropolitan Fire & Emergency Services Board in Melbourne. Expressions of interest are sought for exchanges to the UK, Ireland, Canada, the USA and Australia and will commence July 2007 (approximately) for periods ranging between six and 12 months. As well as exchanging positions, Fellows may exchange residence for the full period of the fellowship, or the fellow may opt to lease accommodation in the designated country. Fellows may be accompanied by their families and must meet all their own travel and other expenses; that is to say, that neither employer of the participants will incur any expenses. An exception to this would be a part contribution towards insurances in accordance with POLHR 3.5 (see FireNet http://firenet.fire.org.nz/Firenet/ManualsAndForms/ManualGroups/ Policy/HR/TrainingandDevelopment/) Applicants require a minimum of four years’ experience as a paid firefighter within the New Zealand Fire Service. They must also be able to demonstrate the following: • Professional and firefighting skills • Awareness of Fire Service current issues, and global issues • Maturity and self-esteem • Adaptability and initiative • Ability to use the learned skills/experience on return • Capable of representing the NZFS effectively Those applying must complete both the New Zealand Fire Service application form and the AFAC application form. These forms as well as other information are available by logging onto FireNet’s Human Resources section, then by clicking on training and development. These forms and an up to date CV should be addressed to the relevant person for your region (see New Zealand Fire Service Application form). Applications close at noon Friday, November 25, 2006. Vicki Rae HR Administrator Tel: (04) 496 3607 Email: [email protected] 26 Notices Notice No 96: 2006 New Zealand Fire Service Promotional Examinations Pass List Qualified Firefighter continued... Qualified Firefighter Robert Michael Jarad James Bevin Marcel Michael Dhea Bradley Jason Robbie Vincent Glenn Grieg Chris Ryan Stephen Mikal David Michael Carl David Jason Danny Alice Martin Blair John Simon Mark Waka Terry Crawford Nathan Matthew Luke Kris Michael John Glen Derryn John Nicholas Carl APPLETON CANDY COWIE DENCH DICK EDWIN HARRISON HART HARVEY KILKOLLY MCMILLAN MELEISEA METCALFE MOONEY O’DEA PELLETT RITSON SOKOL VAN PAN HUYS VARGA WAREHAM WYNNE WOOD CARMINE DAVEY HASTIE HOMAN SMAILS SMITH FOWLER PETERA COOK MORRIS RENFREE WHYTE BODDINGTON GILMOUR BAILLIE ORMSBY WARETINI DAVIDSON CAMERON EDDY MURPHY Fire Service Gazette Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Christchurch Christchurch Dunedin Dunedin Dunedin Dunedin Hawkes Bay Hawkes Bay Invercargill Invercargill Invercargill Invercargill New Plymouth New Plymouth Palmerston North Palmerston North Palmerston North Rotorua Tauranga Wanganui Wanganui Alan Dylan Xavier Richard Craig Stephen Matthew Kere Hugh Barbara Martin Catherine Sarah COLLETT HIGGISON KENNEDY LARKIN MCDOUGALL MCMULLEN MORRIS NICHOL O’DONNELL OLAH SPARROW TREVATHAN LLOYD Wellington Wellington Wellington Wellington Wellington Wellington Wellington Wellington Wellington Wellington Wellington Wellington Whangarei Senior Firefighter Vikram Chris Chris Shane Stefan Dean Troy Justin Russell Brendon Nicholas Talite Leon Stefan Linda Ivan Barbara Sean Matthew Karl Mike Ian Bryan Vincent Garry Justin Adam James BINDRA BRENNAN BURNS ENGLAND HOWELL IRWIN ISAIA KAMPHUIS LAMPKIN LAWSON LEE LIAVAA MALLARD MCCORD MCHUGH MILLAN NUSTRINI POOLE REID SCHERTENLEIB SILVERMAN TANNER TAYLOR VENIMORE WELLFARE WHITE WRIGHT YOUNG Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Continued over... September/October 2006 27 Notices Senior Firefighter continued... Robert Aaron Simon Tim Robert Phillip Ant George Tim Brett Nicky Malcolm Judd Steve Jodi Jonathan Murray Timothy Mitchell Anthony Wally Seton Tanja Shane Hamish Alex Glen Daniel Kerry David David Jared Dion Clark Scott ILLINGWORTH MCKAY PAYTON PRICE BEVIN DE ROOY O’NEILL CLARKE LISTER GORRINGE BATES MCQUADE THOMPSON ACTON ANDREW DUFFY PIKE SCOTT TAMATI SEALEY LEE BROWN GRUNWALD BROCKLEBANK DALZIELL DITTMER DODD GETHING HIKU HURST MCGIFFORD MCKANE MORGAN TOWNSLEY KITCHEN Christchurch Christchurch Christchurch Christchurch Dunedin Dunedin Dunedin Gisborne Gisborne Hamilton Hawke’s Bay Hawke’s Bay Hawke’s Bay Invercargill Invercargill Invercargill Masterton Masterton New Plymouth Palmerston North Rotorua Wanganui Wanganui Wellington Wellington Wellington Wellington Wellington Wellington Wellington Wellington Wellington Wellington Wellington Whangarei Station Officer – Paper A 28 Nicholas BRACKEN Auckland Jeremy GIBBONS Auckland Alaster JEFFERYS Auckland Andrew KEANE Auckland Grant MARTIN Auckland Rochelle Katherine MARTIN POCOCK Auckland Auckland Station Officer – Paper A continued... Matthew Daniel Bruce Oswald Mark Colin Natasha Warrick Glen Nicholas Deane Troy Paul Paul Geoffrey Gareth Mike Paul SINTON TAKARANGI TAPLIN VAN BEERENDONK WHITTINGTON IRVINE BROWN LE QUESNE VARCOE BARCLAY CHALMERS GEORGE MANUEL ARROWSMITH MOORE HUGHES ROBERTSON WAITE Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Hamilton Hawke’s Bay Hawke’s Bay Hawke’s Bay Invercargill Invercargill New Plymouth New Plymouth Rotorua Wanganui Wellington Wellington Wellington Station Officer – Paper B Stephen Nicholas Philip John Jeremy Alaster Rochelle Matthew Paul Stephen Oswald Mark Colin Natasha Mark Warrick Chris Graham Johnny Gareth Brent Graham Paul BOTTING BRACKEN CROSS ELLINGTON GIBBONS JEFFERYS MARTIN SINTON STITT THUELL VAN BEERENDONK WHITTINGTON IRVINE BROWN CARRUTHERS LE QUESNE FAITHFULL WATSON ANDREWS HUGHES PRITCHARD DAKIN FOSTER Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Hamilton Hawke’s Bay Hawke’s Bay Hawke’s Bay Palmerston North Palmerston North Wellington Wellington Wellington Whangarei Whangarei Notices Senior Station Officer Gary David Nigel Kenneth Bruno Colin Kevin Aaron Richard David Paul Lennard LANE WOON LIDDICOAT COOPER SAATHOF RUSSELL GUNN WATERREUS GALE KEY BALLANTINE SABIN Senior Communicator Auckland Auckland Hamilton Hawke’s Bay Hawke’s Bay Invercargill Palmerston North Rotorua Wellington Wellington Whangarei Whangarei Douglas Leah Charles Paul Daryl Christopher Kevin COOKE DENTON NORRIS RADDEN BALL DALTON DORGAN Auckland Auckland Auckland Auckland Christchurch Wellington Wellington Notice No 97: New Training Materials The following new training resources have been distributed via fire regions to all stations. MVA Technical Manual. This manual replaces the previous “MVA Station Reference Manual” dated December 1999, which is to be destroyed. Drill Book. The new drill book replaces the NZFS Drill Book issued in 1989, which is to be destroyed. Drill Book – Pocket Edition. The Pocket Edition is a new publication for use on the drill ground, containing information condensed from the primary Drill Book. Core Competencies Manual. This manual is a new publication and will be expanded and reviewed in July 2007. The Core Competencies Manual replaces the “Knowledge and Skills Guide” which is to be destroyed. Any station which has not received a copy of these materials by 15 September, should contact regional administration in the first instance. Feedback on any training resource can be made using the “Training Materials Feedback” process accessed on FireNet at “Training/Training Material/Feedback & Suggestions” The PDU wishes to thank all those personnel who contributed to the development, approval and publication of these resources. Notice No 98: New Contractual Motor Vehicle Policy – POLAM4.4 A new policy has been drawn up replacing the previous motor vehicle policy. This policy covers the purchase and guidelines for the use of all Fire Service motor vehicles where there is a mixture of both private usage and business-related usage. The policy in full is available on Firenet in the Manuals and Policy section under Asset Management policies. Fire Service Gazette September/October 2006 29 Appointments Appointments Vacancy Position Filled Person Appointed Proposed Start Date Previous Position Held . Chief Fire Officer, Kawhia Volunteer Fire Brigade Allan Hayes . Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Kawhia Volunteer Fire Brigade . Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Kamo Volunteer Fire Brigade, Northland Colin Thomson . Senior Station Officer, Kamo Volunteer Fire Brigade Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Kawakawa Volunteer Fire Brigade Annette Wynyard . Station Officer, Kawakawa Volunteer Fire Brigade . Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Te Aroha Volunteer Fire Brigade Geoff Edwards . Acting Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Te Aroha Volunteer Fire Brigade . Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Te Puke Volunteer Fire Brigade Dale Lindsay . Station Officer, Te Puke Volunteer Fire Brigade . Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Tirau Volunteer Fire Brigade Geoff Ratcliffe . Acting Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Tirau Volunteer Fire Brigade . Senior Station Officer, Plimmerton Volunteer Fire Brigade David Anderson . Station Officer, Plimmerton Volunteer Fire Brigade 53/2006 - 2032 Partnership Manager, NHQ Scott Sargentina 3 Jul 06 . 56/2006 - 11010 Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Nelson Fire District, Arapawa Fire Region Tim Bennion . Field Trainer, Arapawa Fire Region 67/2006 Administration Support Assistant, Eastern Fire Region Amelda Kruger 15 Aug 06 Previous Position Held 70/2006 Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Bernard Rush Hutt Fire District, Arapawa Fire Region 2 Oct 06 Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management 72/2006 Medical & Vetting Co-ordinator (6 Month Fixed Term), NHQ Caroline Eade 28 Aug 06 Previous Position Held 75/2006 Financial Analyst, NHQ Jeng Viloria 7 Aug 06 Fixed Assets Accountant, NHQ . Chief Fire Officer, Bulls Volunteer Fire Brigade Brian Carter . Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Bulls Volunteer Fire Brigade . Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Bulls Volunteer Fire Brigade Geoff Cobham . Third Officer, Bulls Volunteer Fire Brigade Continued... 30 Appointments Vacancy Position Filled Person Appointed . Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Murupara Volunteer Fire Brigade Laurence Jenner . Senior Station Officer, Murupara Volunteer Fire Brigade . Manager Operational Quality/ Resources / Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Wanganui Fire Brigade, Western Fire Region Dan Coward . Manager Operational Quality/ Resources, Western Fire Region . Risk Management Co-ordinator/ Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Palmerston North Fire Brigade, Western Fire Region Kerry Stewart . Risk Management Co-ordinator, Western Fire Region . Station Officer, Marton Volunteer Fire Brigade William Down . Senior Firefighter, Marton Volunteer Fire Brigade . Station Officer, Tauranga Fire Brigade, Bay/Waikato Fire Region Roger Pickett . Station Officer, Kawerau Fire Brigade, Bay/Waikato Fire Region 73/2006 Training Administrator, Phillipa Hickey National Training Centre, Professional Development Unit (PDU) 2 Oct 06 . 85/2006 Fixed Assets Accountant, NHQ Alison Bonnett 28 Aug 06 Asset Administrator, NHQ 86/2006 Finance Officer Team Leader, NHQ Koleti Vae’au 4 Sep 06 . Fire Service Gazette Proposed Start Date Previous Position Held September/October 2006 31 The New Zealand Fire Service Magazine Published September 2006 By the New Zealand Fire Service Media, Promotions & Communications National Headquarters, Wellington www.fire.org.nz