Fire and Rescue NSW

Fire and Rescue NSW
Orta Recens Quam Pura Nites
(Newly Risen, How Brightly We Shine)
Operational area
Country Australia
State New South Wales
Address 1 Amarina Ave, Greenacre, New South Wales, Australia
Agency overview
Established February 1884 (1884-02)
Annual calls 165,350 (2015-16)
Employees
  • 3,530 permanent firefighters
  • 3,327 retained firefighters
  • 6,812 Community Fire Unit volunteers
Staffing 446 administrative and trades staff
Commissioner Paul Baxter
Facilities and equipment
Stations 337
Engines 652
Ladders 2
Rescues 33
HAZMAT 32
Aerial Pumpers 15
Aerial Ladder Platforms 14
Website
Official website

Fire and Rescue NSW (previously known as New South Wales Fire Brigades), an agency of the Government of New South Wales, Australia, is responsible for firefighting, rescue and hazmat services in the major cities, metropolitan areas and towns across rural and regional New South Wales. Fire and Rescue NSW is the seventh largest urban fire service in the world, with over 6,800 firefighters serving at 339 fire stations throughout the state, 400 support staff, and 7,200 community fire unit volunteers.[1] FRNSW attended over 194,000 incidents and undertook 57,000 community activities in 2011/12.[2] FRNSW also works closely with the NSW Rural Fire Service in regional areas.

The agency operates pursuant to powers set out in the Fire Brigades Act 1989 (NSW) and was initially formed in 1910 as the New South Wales Fire Brigades, with its origins going back to 1884 as the Metropolitan Fire Brigade.

The agency is led by the Commissioner of Fire and Rescue NSW, currently Paul Baxter NZIM, who reports to the Minister for Emergency Services. The minister is ultimately responsible to the Parliament of New South Wales.

History

Fire and Rescue NSW in action. Paddington/Sydney, July 2012

The New South Wales Fire Brigades (NSWFB) was established in September 1909, replacing the Sydney-based Metropolitan Fire Brigade, which formed in February 1884.[3] Prior to its formation, Fire Brigade Boards also ran rudimentary fire services in various New South Wales country towns. On 1 January 2011 the agency was renamed to Fire and Rescue NSW to better reflect the agency's expanding responsibilities.[4]

Emblem

The Fire and Rescue NSW emblem includes the NSW state emblem with the State motto Orta Recens Quam Pura Nites, which is Latin for 'Newly Risen How Brightly We Shine'.

A flag based on the British Blue Ensign with FRNSW emblem is also used.

Commissioner

The Commissioner's official vehicle bears New South Wales number plate 10, which has been on continuous issue to the head of the fire department in NSW from the Roads and Maritime Services since 1910.[5][6]

Paul Baxter QSO was appointed Commissioner of Fire & Rescue NSW on 16 January 2017. He was previously National Commander of the New Zealand Fire Service and the National Rural Fire Authority.[7]

Name Title Term start Term end Time in office
Greg Mullins AFSM Commissioner

(Chief Fire Officer)

 4 July 2003 16 January 2017 13 years, 6 months, 12 days
Paul Baxter QSO 16 January 2017 incumbent

Organisation

Permanent stations

A permanent firefighter is a full-time firefighter. Permanent firefighters work in a fire station as part of a platoon. Each fire station has four platoons on rotating shifts each containing at least 3 firefighters of various ranks, plus a Station Officer. The number depends on the size and nature of the fire station. Each platoon is supervised by a Station Officer. 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 (metropolitan, regional north, regional south, and regional west) headed by a Regional Commander.

Retained stations

A retained station is a part-time station where retained firefighters work. Even though these firefighters work part-time, these members of the community (who often have other full-time employment) are professional firefighters who have undergone training so they can attend the same jobs as permanent firefighters.[8] The retained station is not a permanently staffed station, meaning the firefighters are on-call from home or work rather than on duty at the station. However, retained stations respond to emergencies 24 hours a day. Retained firefighters use the same vehicles, equipment and uniforms as their permanent counterparts, the only visible differences being their shoulder and helmet ranks which are red as opposed to white/black.

In mid–2012, the NSW Government announced that AU$64 M in employee–expense savings over four year will be cut from the budget of Fire & Rescue NSW; with resultant temporary closures of some smaller fire stations across metropolitan Sydney. The Fire Brigade Employees' Union lodged a dispute in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission,[9] with union claims that the station closures will put lives at risk.[10][11]

Mixed stations

Some stations employ a mixture of Permanent and Retained Firefighters. This arrangement is common in larger country towns such as Bathurst and Orange where the nearest backup would otherwise be some distance away. The station would typically have one appliance manned by permanent staff as first response, with additional vehicles being manned by retained staff as required. The station may have Permanent day and night shifts or be day shift only, with retained staff manning all appliances at night when they are less hampered by work or other commitments.

Community fire unit volunteers

Community fire units (CFUs) are volunteer teams of local residents trained to safeguard their homes during a bushfire, until the fire brigades can get there, or to 'mop up' after a fire has passed so fire units can be released to attend more urgent incidents. CFU members are not firefighters.[12] The aim of the CFU program is to reduce the impact of bushfires on the community and to protect life and property from bushfires. A typical team is made up of six to 12 members. Recruitment is within the local community. Local fire stations conduct regular training sessions with volunteers. The training focus is on bushfire education, prevention and preparation.

Area of service in New South Wales

Fire and Rescue NSW has 339 stations across NSW protecting 90% of the State's population from fire, and 100% of the population from hazardous materials incidents.[2][13]

Rescue

HAZMAT and Rescue vehicles

As the largest rescue provider in NSW, FRNSW responds to rescue calls throughout the State, assisting people involved in domestic, industrial and transport incidents, including road accidents. In addition, specially trained teams carry out swift water, alpine and vertical rescues, and help is also given at animal rescues. FRNSW is the lead agency for the State’s USAR capability, which deals with building collapse and other complex rescues. FRNSW USAR capability is internationally accredited and has responded to disasters such as the 2011 New Zealand earthquake and Japanese tsunami.[1]

FRNSW also works in conjunction with other government agencies including the NSW Police Force, Ambulance Service of NSW, the Rural Fire Service and the State Emergency Service.

Hazardous materials (HAZMAT)

Fire and Rescue NSW is the sole responsible agency for protecting New South Wales against hazardous materials (hazmat) incidents. The agency has the authority to attend, combat and render safe any land-based or inland waterway spillage of hazardous materials within the State. 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. Fire and Rescue NSW have six specialist "Heavy Hazmat" Response Units operating from strategic positions throughout the state. 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.[1]

Additional capability is provided by a Hazmat Advisory Response Team (HART), who carry additional equipment including Raman and Infra-red spectrometers for identifying unknown solids and liquids. The HART also deploys for specialist waterway spill response and incidents requiring mass decontamination. Two Scientific Advisors also provide detailed technical assistance at incidents if required and operate a van equipped with further detection and analysis capability including gas chromatograph mass spectroscopy.

Bushfire and natural hazards

Fire and Rescue NSW supports the NSW Rural Fire Service during and after bushfires. FRNSW also conduct Hazard Reduction burns to reduce fuel loads prior to the bushfire season. The states Bushfire Incident Command Centre co-ordinates/activates the CFU units in the state and prepares training and equipment for the units and volunteers.

Counter terrorism

FRNSW participates in whole-of-government counter-terrorism planning and training activities to prepare for possible terrorist attacks. In the event of an attack, our role is to respond to fires, chemical, biological or radiological releases, building collapse and other rescue situations.[1]

Fire and Rescue NSW previously jointly funded and operated a BK 117 helicopter in partnership with the NSW Police Force Aviation Support Branch.[14] The helicopter's primary role was response during the crisis and consequence management phases of a terrorist event. It also provided general air transport of both equipment and personnel for complex and/or protracted hazardous materials or rescue incidents and firefighting operations. As of November 2014 the BK 117 helicopter was retired and replaced with a new Bell 412,[15] used for counter-terrorism and rescue purposes and now solely operated by the NSW Police Force with no joint funding or operational capacity with Fire & Rescue NSW.[16]

Fire investigation and research

FRNSW’s Fire Investigation and Research Unit (FIRU) provides a range of investigative and research services to both internal and external customers including research into human and structural behaviour during fire, and the associated impacts for performance based building design. FIRU assists with determining fire causes and liaises closely with the NSW Police Force.

Fire engines (Appliances)

Isuzu FTR700 Class 1 Pumper
Isuzu FTR800 Class 2 Pumper

All FRNSW appliances (fire engines) are custom designed. The specialised equipment to be carried on 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 also ensures the appliance is not overloaded and is within its legal load carrying capacity.

Water tankers

FRNSW has a total of 118 4x4 water tanker appliances:[17]

Class Chassis make and model Body manufacturer Commissioned Number Crew
capacity
Tanker Class 1 (4x4)Isuzu FTS750Mills-Tui2004 – 201158 vehicles4
Tanker Class 1 (4x4)Isuzu FTSAFC1996 – 199753 vehicles6

Pumpers

Class 3 Pumper in new NSWFB livery, Queanbeyan Australia

FRNSW has a total of 419 pumping appliances:

Class
(Previous class)		 Chassis make and model Body manufacturer Commissioned Number Crew
capacity
Pumper Class 2
(Pumper Type 2)		Isuzu FTR800Skilled Equipment Manufacturing2000 – 200454 estimated6
Pumper Class 2 (Isuzu)Isuzu FTR900Skilled Equipment Manufacturing2009 – 2010120 vehicles6
Pumper Class 2 (Isuzu)Isuzu FTR900Kuipers Engineering2013 – 2014unknown6
Pumper Class 2 (Mercedes)Mercedes Atego 4x2Kuipers Engineering2014 – 201875+ vehicles6
Pumper Class 3 (Varley Commander)
(Pumper Type 3)		VSV Commander Mk3Varley Specialised Vehicles2000 – 200553 vehicles6
Pumper Class 3 (Scania 94)
(Pumper Type 4)		Scania P94Alexander Perrie & Co2000 – 200112 vehicles5
Pumper Class 3 (Scania)Scania P320/P310Skilled Equipment Manufacturing2007 – 201187 vehicles5
Pumper Class 3 (Scania)Scania P320Kuipers Engineering2017-201816 vehicles5

In recent years (2016-present) FRNSW has been receiving RFS (village) specification tankers in rural stations, some of which are 4x4 capable such as the Category 1 tankers. These replaced Isuzu Class 2 pumpers which were 4x2 only - not as capable offroad, unable to fight fast moving grass fires and did not have any crew protection systems like the rest of the FRNSW specification fleet. Currently FRNSW only has RFS (village) Category 1 heavy tanker (Isuzu FTS900) in a crewcab configuration as well as RFS Category 6 (Isuzu FTR900) bulk water/heavy tankers which also have a remotely operated monitor mounted on the bullbar which enables it to have effective secondary firefighting capabilities in addition to its primary role of supplying water to other tankers and pumpers.

In 2008 the then NSWFB changed the way it designated its pumping appliances. Prior to the change, there were:

  • Tankers (4x4 Ind pumper). Isuzu 4x4 FRS, FTS & FTS750.
  • Type 1 (4x2 Ind pumper). Isuzu FTR800.
  • Type 2 (4x2 Pto medium pumper), Isuzu FTR800 & FTR900.
  • Type 3 (4x2 Pto Medium / Urban pumper), Inter 1810 & 2250, Austral Firepac, Scania 93M, Varley Commander II, Mercedes 1625, Volvo F17
  • Type 4 (4x2 Pto Urban pumper) Scania 94D, Varley Commander I
  • Type 5 (4x2 Pto Super Pumper). Varley Commander I SP.

Any type of appliance could be further specialised with rescue or hazmat equipment.

Due to the differences between several types being only minor, and the 4x2 Type 1 being withdrawn and rebuilt as rescue appliances, the system was simplified into 3 basic classes

  • Class 1 - 4x4 Tankers (standard, Rescue & Hazmat variants), Isuzu 4x4 FRS, FTS & FTS750.
  • Class 2 - 4x2 Medium Pumper (standard & Rescue), Isuzu FTR800, Inter 1810
  • Class 3 - 4x2 Urban Pumper (The old types 3, 4 & 5, in standard, rescue and Hazmat variants). Inter 2250, Austral Firepac, Scania 93M, 94D & P310, Varley Commander I & II, Mercedes 1625, Volvo F17

In 2014, Fire and Rescue NSW signed a contract with Kuipers Engineering to recycle fibreglass bodies from retiring appliances onto new Mercedes Atego 4x2 chassis[18]. To date, at least 75 vehicles have been "recycled".

Aerials

FRNSW has a total of 29 aerial appliances:[19]

Scania P94/Telesqurt Aerial Pumper
Class Chassis / aerial make and model Body manufacturer Commissioned Number Crew
capacity
Aerial PumperScania P340 TelesqurtAlexander Perrie & Co2010 - 2012Up to 3 vehicles
currently in production		5
Aerial PumperScania P310 TelesqurtMills-Tui1999 – 200012 vehicles5
Turntable LadderIveco TT LaddersIveco Magirus / Varley Specialist Vehicles20022 vehicles2
Aerial Ladder Platform 37m (Mercedes)Mercedes K2437 BrontoAlexander Perrie & Co1996 – 20006 vehicles2
Aerial Ladder Platform 37m (Scania)Scania Bronto F37-HDTAlexander Perrie & Co2003 – 20083 vehicles2
Aerial Ladder Platform 27m (Scania)Scania Bronto F27-RLHAlexander Perrie & Co2005 – 20074 vehicles2
Aerial Ladder Platform 44m (Scania)Scania Bronto 44-RLHAlexander Perrie & Co20101 vehicle2

Hazardous materials (HAZMAT)

FRNSW has a total of 32 HazMat appliances[19]

HAZMAT Unit van
Class Chassis make and model Body/trailer manufacturer Commissioned Number Crew
capacity
BA Training TrailerMercedes-Benz Actros 2648 (6x4)Maxicube Trailers19991 vehicle2
HazMat VanMercedes-Benz SprinterMills-Tui2000 – 200614 vehicles2
Heavy HazMat (International)International 1850G LPVMills-Tui1999 – 20003 vehicles3
Heavy HazMat (Isuzu)Isuzu 950 LongVarley Specialised Vehicles2007 – 20086 vehicles2
C02Isuzu/MitsubishiMills-Tui1985/952 vehicles3
Service/Support VehicleMercedes Benz SprinterCaddy Storage Systems19993 vehicles2

Rescue

FRNSW has a total of 38 rescue appliances:[19]

Class Chassis make and model Body manufacturer Commissioned Number Crew
capacity
Heavy Rescue (Isuzu)Isuzu FVD1000Mills Tui20096 vehicles2
Heavy Rescue (Isuzu)Isuzu FVD950 Heavy DutyMills Tui2000 – 20018 vehicles2
Heavy Rescue (Austral)Austral Firepac 3500Austral Specialised Vehicles19951 vehicle2
Technical Rescue (Scania) Scania P320 Varley Specialised Vehicles 2017[20] 2 vehicles 2
SalvageVSV Commander Mk2Varley Specialised Vehicles20011 vehicle6
Rescue VanMercedes Benz SprinterCaddy Storage Systems1999 – 20014 vehicles2
Modular (Pod) Transport SystemInternational 2350GCommercial Engineering & Technology / Cooks Body Works19992 vehicles3
USAR 1Mercedes-Benz Actros 2653 (6x4)Peki Transport Equipment20031 vehicle2
Reconnaissance VehicleChevrolet SilveradoCaddy Storage Systems20081 Vehicle4
FireAir 1Kawasaki BK 117 helicopter
Jointly owned by Fire & Rescue NSW and NSW Police Force and used for the rapid
deployment of specialist resources for tactical operations, forensic services,
bomb disposal, chemical, biological, and radiological detection/decontamination,
and urban search and rescue		7 December ____1 vehiclePilot, Co pilot and crew
Incident Command VehicleMAN 11.160 HOCLPMC Australia, Fitted out by Fire & Rescue NSW19972 vehicles3

Uniform

As well as the obvious danger of heat, firefighters are exposed to toxic fumes, sharp objects, uneven ground, slippery surfaces, biological fluids, spilt chemicals and electricity.[21] Due to these hazards, firefighting uniforms need to provide the best possible protection. Firefighting ensembles are known as Personal Protective Clothing (PPC) and generally consists of tunic, flash hoods, boots, helmet, gloves, breathing apparatus, overtrousers and other assorted items such as bushfire jackets, high-visibility safety vests, cold and extreme climate clothing, and wet weather clothing.[21] In mid-2013, FRNSW issued new firefighting PPC ensembles to bring the organisation in line with the Australian Standard. This new PPC features a Nomex and Kevlar blend called Titan for the outer layer, and a moisture barrier to prevent steam burns.[22]

Community engagement

Fire and Rescue NSW engages in a variety of community training and education activities, and has partnered with GIO General[23] to promote fire risk awareness and safety. Events such as Fire Prevention Week[24] are organised by FRNSW during the year.

In 2011 FRNSW and GIO General created an advertising campaign to highlight the serious ramifications of fire in the domestic environment and to encourage people to use the free home fire safety audit tool - the advertising campaign was accompanied by a harrowing video[25] telling the story of Linda, who not only suffered a brain injury in a domestic fire, causing her to have to learn to walk and talk again, but she also lost her sister to the blaze. Additionally FRNSW worked with GIO to create a tranche of informational fire safety videos.[26]

As well as providing hands-on community support, FRNSW utilises their Twitter profile and Facebook page to engage with the wider NSW community.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Overview" (PDF). Fire and Rescue NSW. Government of New South Wales. 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Reported responses" (PDF). Fire and Rescue NSW. Government of New South Wales. 2012. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  3. ↑ "History of City of Sydney Fire Station". Fire and Rescue NSW. Government of New South Wales. 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  4. ↑ "NSW firies get a new name". Herald Sun. 17 December 2010. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
  5. ↑ http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/heritageapp/visit/ViewAttractionDetail.aspx?ID=5051488
  6. ↑ http://www.numberplates.com.au/plates/nsw/n10/
  7. ↑ NSW, Fire and Rescue. "New FRNSW Commissioner welcomed in Sydney". www.fire.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 2017-04-30.
  8. ↑ "Retained Firefighters". Fire and Rescue NSW. Government of New South Wales. 10 October 2011. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  9. ↑ Tovey, Josephine (30 July 2012). "Firefighters target Coalition seats for bans over budget cuts". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  10. ↑ Marcus, Caroline (29 July 2012). "Budget cuts force Sydney fire stations to shut doors". The Sunday Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  11. ↑ "Closing firestations risk to community". The Australian. AAP. 2 August 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2012.
  12. ↑ "Community Fire Units". Fire and Rescue NSW. Government of New South Wales. 29 October 2008. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
  13. ↑ "Areas of Service in NSW". Fire and Rescue NSW. Fire and Rescue NSW. Archived from the original on 15 September 2011. Retrieved 26 November 2011.
  14. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-04-25. Retrieved 2013-02-05.
  15. ↑ http://australianaviation.com.au/2014/12/nsw-police-aviation-branch-adds-two-aircraft/
  16. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-10-16. Retrieved 2014-10-21.
  17. ↑ "Fleet Profile" (PDF). Fire and Rescue NSW. Government of New South Wales. 2013. Retrieved 15 January 2014.
  18. ↑ Fire and Rescue NSW (March 2015). "FRNSW News March 2015" (PDF). Fire and Rescue NSW. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  19. 1 2 3 "Appendix 21: Type and distribution of fire appliances" (PDF). NSW Fire Brigades annual report 2010/11. Fire and Rescue NSW. 2011. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
  20. ↑ "New rescue vehicles for firefighters". NSW Government. Retrieved 2018-06-05.
  21. 1 2 "Vehicles, equipment and technology: Uniforms and equipment". Fire and Rescue NSW. Government of New South Wales. 26 April 2007. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  22. ↑ "New PPC Measures Up" (PDF). Fire and Rescue NSW. Government of New South Wales. September 2012. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  23. ↑ "GIO Principle Partner". Fire and Rescue NSW & GIO. Government of New South Wales. September 2011. Archived from the original on 6 July 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  24. ↑ "How GIO works with FRNSW". GIO.com.au. GIO. October 2011. Archived from the original on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  25. ↑ "Linda's story fire safety video". GIO & FRNSW. Fire and Rescue NSW. 5 May 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  26. ↑ "Fire Safety Videos". GIO & FRNSW. FRNSW. 1 May 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
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