New South Wales Fire Brigades
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New South Wales Fire Brigades
The NSW Fire Brigades (NSWFB) is the NSW government agency responsible for managing fire emergencies in the major cities, metropolitan areas and towns across rural and regional NSW. Under the Fire Brigades Act 1989 NSWFB also protect the State from hazardous material (HAZMAT) incidents and by extension of this capability, the consequences of terrorism. NSWFB also provide a rescue capability across the State.
The NSW Fire Brigades emblem
The NSW Fire Brigades emblem includes the NSW State emblem with the State motto 'Orta Recens Quam Pura Nites', which is Latin for 'Newly Risen How Brightly You Shine'.
History
The New South Wales Fire Brigades (NSWFB)was established on 14 February 1884 replacing the Metropolitan Fire Brigade in Sydney.
Commissioner
Greg Mullins AFSM
The NSW Fire Brigades (NSWFB) is the seventh largest urban fire service in the world, with more than 6400 firefighters serving at 338 fire stations throughout the state, 300 support staff, and 3500 Community Fire Unit volunteers. Greg Mullins was appointed as Commissioner of the NSW Fire Brigades on 4 July 2003. He is the first person in the history of the NSWFB to be appointed as both Chief Fire Officer / CEO, and to have come from the Brigades’ ranks.
Commissioner Mullins joined the NSWFB in 1978 after serving for six years as a volunteer firefighter with the NSW Bushfire Service. He rose steadily through the ranks serving in operational and specialist positions, becoming a Station Officer in 1990, a District Officer (Inspector) in 1992, a Superintendent in 1995, and an Assistant Commissioner in 1996. In 2000 he was appointed as Director State Operations. He has represented Australian fire services nationally and internationally on issues concerning emergency management, managing the consequences of terrorist attacks, and urban search and rescue.
Organization
- Permanent Stations
Each fire station is part of a Zone containing between nine and 27 fire stations and headed by a Zone Commander. These Zones are then grouped in Regions (North, South and West) headed by a Regional Commander.
- Retained Stations
- Community fire unit volunteers
Area of service in New South Wales
The NSW Fire Brigades has 338 fire stations across NSW protecting 90% of the State's population.
- Rescue
- Hazardous materials (HAZMAT)
All fire stations are equipped with trained personnel and resources for dealing with hazmat incidents. Each fire station receives hazardous materials awareness training and equipment to combat minor spills of hydrocarbons, gas leaks and emergency decontamination procedures. The NSW Fire Brigades has three specialist Hazardous Materials Response Units operating from Sydney (Greenacre), Newcastle and Shellharbour. They have advanced capabilities in detection of toxic industrial chemicals, volatile substances and chemical warfare agents.
Intermediate hazardous materials response is delivered by 14 strategically located units, including six with a waterways response capability. Each unit is equipped with detection equipment and has the capability to access chemical databases with information on chemical, biological, radiological and toxic industrial chemical substances.
- Bushfire/Natural Hazards
The NSWFB Counter-terrorism and Aviation Unit was established in March 2003 to manage the planning, development and implementation of the counter-terrorism and aviation capability.
The NSW Fire Brigades jointly funds and operates a BK 117 helicopter in partnership with the NSW Police Aviation Support Branch. The helicopter's primary role is response during the crisis and consequence management phases of a terrorist event. It also provides general air transport of both equipment and personnel for complex and/or protracted hazardous materials or rescue incidents and firefighting operations.
- Fire investigation and research
Fire Engines (Appliances)
All NSW Fire Brigades fire engines are custom designed. The specialised equipment to be carried on fire vehicles (called appliances) is drawn from a standardised listing which forms a managed inventory and is specific to each appliance type and model. Standardisation of inventory is extremely important as this ensures equipment is stowed in an approved and ergonomic manner. It is also ensures the appliance is not overloaded and is within its legal load carrying capacity.
Pumpers
- Tanker Class 1 (4x4)
- Pumper Class 2
- Pumper Class 3
- PumperClass 4 (Scania P94D)
- Pumper Class 4 (Varley Commander)
- Pumper Class 5
Aerials
- Aerial Pumper
- Turntable Ladder
- Aerial Ladder Platform 37m (Mercedes/Bronto)
- Aerial Ladder Platform 37m (Scania/Bronto)
- Aerial Ladder Platform 27m (Scania/Bronto)
Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT)
- BA Training Trailer
- Heavy HazMat
- C02
- HazMat Van
Rescue
- Heavy Rescue
- City of Sydney Varley Rescue Pumper
- Rescue Van
- Modular (Pod) Transport System
- USAR 1
- FireAir 1
- Incident Control Vehicle
Uniform
As well as the obvious dangers of heat, firefighters are exposed to toxic fumes, sharp objects, uneven ground, slippery surfaces, biological fluids, spilt chemicals and electricity. Because of this firefighting uniforms need to provide the best protection possible for firefighters. Firefighting ensembles are known as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and generally consist of the following items: The tunic, Flash hoods, Boots, Helmet, Gloves, Breathing Apparatus (CABA), Overtrousers and other assorted items such as Bushfire jackets, High visibility safety vests, Cold and extreme climate clothing and Wet weather clothing.
See also
- New South Wales
- New South Wales Rural Fire Service
- Firefighting
- Country Fire Service (South Australia)
- Country Fire Authority (Victoria)
External links
- NSW Fire Brigades official website[link]
- NSW Rural Fire Service Website [link]
- Museum of Fire [link]
- NSW Fire Brigade Employees Union [link]
- Unofficial NSW Fire Brigades "HAZMAT" page [link]
- Station 86 (Penrith) homepage [link]
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