Recruit Course 102 graduates Winter fire safety campaign Firefighters’ Charity Fund launched New board members welcomed Shelter, shut, listen information sessions
August 2011
FIREMARK
News from the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, Melbourne Australia
From the CEO Also in June, I attended the UFU Gala Ball, in celebration of 100 years of professional firefighting: a significant milestone for our industry. And in July I attended my first MFB graduation ceremonies; Recruit Course 102 and Station Officers Course 47.
Welcome to my first FireMark column as Chief Executive Officer at MFB. I am very pleased to take on this role at the helm of an organisation which is a highperforming leader in the fire and emergency services sector and well-respected by colleagues and communities alike. Since I started at MFB on 6 June, I have been working to visit as many of our stations and worksites as possible, to get to know our organisation from the ground up and personally hear from staff first hand. As a leader, I feel that this understanding and knowledge is vital for informing our strategic goals and objectives and determining the future direction of our organisation. This direction will also involve ongoing collaboration with other emergency service organisations and key stakeholders such as the United Firefighters Union, to provide integrated effective and efficient services for our shared communities. In the past two months I have been privileged to have already been part of a number of significant events. In June, I attended the launch of the Firefighters’ Charity Fund, which has been established by MFB firefighters to build on MFB’s long traditions of supporting charities and those in need. page 2
I am pleased to observe that together with CFA, MFB also continues to drive the Winter Fire Safety Campaign, with the key message “In my home … I am the fire warden”. Statistics for the first two months of winter show that although there has been a decrease in the number of residential fires in the Metropolitan Fire District when compared to winter last year, the number of fires occurring this winter is still averaging around five residential fires every day. Winter is the most dangerous time of year for residential fires and it is important that we all remain vigilant in ensuring fire safety around our homes. I’d also like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Shane Wright for his terrific work as Acting CEO and Chief Officer from December 2010 to June 2011. Shane led the organisation through a difficult time and is commended for his diligent efforts. Shane continues in the key operational leadership role of Chief Fire Officer and forms part of a new Executive Leadership Team, which is now fully in place, ensuring MFB continues to improve on the delivery of its services to Victorian communities. Nick Easy Chief Executive Officer MFB
Recruit Course 102 marches in Thirty new recruit firefighters graduated in an impressive ceremony and firefighting display at the MFB Burnley Complex on 1 July 2011. On a sunny winter morning, the recruits were welcomed into MFB ranks by Craig Ondarchie MP, Member for Northern Metropolitan, MFB Board President Neil Comrie, CEO Nick Easy and Chief Fire Officer Shane Wright together with representatives from fellow emergency services and the recruits’ families and friends. Course honours went to Firefighter Kate Splatt, who was awarded the Ross Leeder Instructor’s Award, while the Frank Churchill Perpetual Trophy went to the Griffiths Syndicate of Firefighters Daniel Sexton, Kate Splatt, John Takac, Doan Vu and Silas Woodrup under Syndicate Leader Station Officer Bruce Simpson. Following the traditional presentations and parade, the recruits put on a spectacular firefighting display, demonstrating their newly acquired skills in high angle rescue, hose drills, road rescue, emergency medical response and a fantastic hot firefighting scenario in the ‘onion shack’, which also highlighted fire dangers around the home.
Above: Recruit Lorne Miller (middle left) is presented with his “Everyone has worked extremely hard, and graduation we are very proud of our newest firefighters certificate by his father, achieving their first career milestone,” said Commander David Miller Acting Senior Station Officer Harris. (middle right), “On behalf of the recruits, I’d like to thank the together dedicated team of instructors, who have put with Craig Ondarchie so much effort into preparing the recruits to MP (left) and CFO Shane become firefighters. Wright “They have spent quite a bit of time away from(right).
graduation ceremony was the culmination of 17 weeks of training by the recruits and their instructors.
home to conduct training at CFA’s Sale and Fiskville training grounds, and we all really appreciate their efforts.” MFB continues to bolster its workforce with Recruit Course 103 already underway and Recruit Course 104 starting this month.
It truly was a day for celebration. Recruit Firefighter Phil Robinson celebrated his birthday on the day and Recruit Firefighter Carl Harvey became a father just hours before the ceremony, with the birth of his son. Course Coordinator Dave Harris said the Above and right: Recruits show off their new skills.
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New station officers graduate at Melbourne Zoo Following the Recruit Graduation in the morning, Station Officer’s Course 47 graduated on the afternoon of 1 July at Melbourne Zoo, with 25 MFB firefighters promoted to the rank of Station Officer. In a step toward greater inter-agency cooperation, 25 MFB Leading Firefighters were joined by a CFA Leading Firefighter in undertaking the promotional training course. The graduation ceremony recognised four months of intensive training, including 15 accredited units towards the Certificate IV in Public Safety – Firefighting Supervision, as well as Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. During the training, the group visited a range of MFB worksites, including the Thornbury workshops and the Burnley Complex. They also travelled to CFA’s Sale and Longford
training grounds to undertake hot fire training command and control exercises. Course Coordinator Senior Station Officer Phil Bencraft said the highlight of course was the community project where the course candidates build a wildlife shelter for injured birds at the Babbajin Wildlife Park in Dixons Creek. “The project really established the group as a team, working together and supporting each other throughout the training,” SSO Bencraft said. Congratulations to each of the course participants and a big thank you to the training delivery team and all Operational Training Staff on a fantastic effort.
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Station Officer Course 47 Graduation at Melbourne Zoo.
New board members welcomed Following the departure of Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board Deputy President Ian Spicer and Board Member Geoff Lake, who were both farewelled at the Board Meeting on 28 June, MFESB has two new Board members; David Purchase OAM LLB and Rear Admiral (ret) John Lord AM. David Purchase returns after a break of six years, having previously served the MFESB from 2002 to 2005. David brings a strong business leadership as the Executive Director of Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce, a role he has held since 1997.
David Purchase.
Rear Admiral (retired) John Lord has had high profile careers in the Australian Navy, the Commonwealth and State public sectors, and private enterprise. In recent years he has provided strategic planning advice and corporate governance to the commercial sector specialising in international relations, government business and the maritime industries.
Rear Admiral (retired) John Lord.
John served with the Royal Australian Navy for over 36 years and retired with the rank of Rear Admiral. He is a former Chief Executive and Director of the Marine Board of Victoria where he initiated several State and National maritime programs, and a member of the Australian Maritime Group and the National Plan Committee for maritime emergency responses around Australia.
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Winter fire safety campaign could be as many as 500 house fires by With winter two-thirds of the way spring. through it appears the Winter Fire Safety messages could be hitting home. The number of winter house fires is averaging about five per day, with the total number of fires (304 from 1 July - 31 July) having dropped by 15 per cent compared to the same period last year. Tragically though, this has included one death and six recorded injuries. Despite this reduction in total fires, MFB Commander Frank Stockton fears that there
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“This is not the situation we wanted, in what is the most dangerous time of the year for residential fires. We all need to be extra vigilant,” he said. “Make sure you have properly maintained and located smoke alarms throughout your house and have talked through your fire escape plan.” The latest statistics reinforce the fire agencies’
warnings to never leave cooking unattended, with almost half of the fires MFB has responded to starting in the kitchen. Kitchens remain the main source of house fires with 43.5 per cent of all house fires this winter starting in the kitchen. For more fire safety tips go to www.homefiresafety.com.au.
Lucky escape for Oakleigh East family A family in Oakleigh East had a lucky escape on 2 July when they were alerted to a fire in an upstairs bedroom of their home by their 8-year-old son. MFB Commander Andrew O’Connell said the boy was up early doing some drawing when he noticed the fire starting in a store-room next to his bedroom. “The boy smelled smoke and quickly alerted his family to get out of the house and call the fire brigade,” said Commander O’Connell. Six MFB crews from Southern District were called to the house fire on Princes Highway at 7.49am. Using breathing apparatus, firefighters were able to make an aggressive internal attack on the fire, containing it to the roof space and part of the young boy’s bedroom. The fire was brought under control in less than 15 minutes. Commander O’Connell said that a smoke alarm wasn’t installed in the upstairs level of the home. “If this young boy had been asleep instead of being up early, we may have had a very different outcome,” he said. “This fire highlights the need to have working smoke alarms on every level of your home, to give early warning. If you only have a smoke alarm on one level, by the time the smoke reaches it, it may be too late to escape.” The fire was found to be caused by an electrical fault in the roof space of the home. Other parts of the home were smoke and water damaged. page 7
Spreading winter fire safety messages to new audiences The skill level may have been questionable at times, but what was not at doubt was the enthusiasm and excitement down at Whitten Oval for the Inter-AMES (Adult Multicultural Education Services) Football Carnival, sponsored by MFB. MFB teamed up with the Western Bulldogs and the Maribyrnong Refugee Week Organising Committee for the fourth annual event, which featured two games – one for the men and one for the women. The carnival is a great way to introduce Australian Rules football to some of Australia’s newest arrivals. And it was also a great way to spread the Winter Fire Safety Campaign messages to multicultural communities. Held in Refugee Week each year, this unique carnival uses the power of football to bring together newly-arrived students from a diverse Below: A wet winter’s day didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the teams, as they ran through the banner for the grand final match.
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Top: Team work was the spirit of the day.
range of backgrounds to learn skills, both on and off the field. Over 100 students from countries all over the world including Vietnam, Burma, Ethiopia, Poland, Columbia, China, India and Sudan took part on the day. MFB Community Education and SmokeBUSter helped communicate the fire safety message to participants and spectators at the ground. And media coverage on SBS TV, local newspapers and The Age helped spread that message further.
MFB gets involved in Refugee Week Awards MFB works with a range of communities across the Metropolitan Fire District, including refugee communities. MFB’s Northern District Command was proud to recently sponsor the Refugee Week Volunteer Awards Ceremony, to acknowledge and raise awareness of refugee achievements within the community. Hosted by the City of Whittlesea in partnership with Whittlesea Community Connections, the event was held on 30 June at the Great Hall in The City of Whittlesea Shire Office, to recognise 23 community members for their volunteer work in refugee communities in the City of Whittlesea. A photographic exhibition also told a brief story of each volunteer and their current role in the local community. An MFB contingent was among the 250 guests in attendance, which included City of Whittlesea Mayor Cr Rex Griffin, local councillors, the Federal Parliament Speaker of the House, the Honourable Harry Jenkins, as well as volunteers’ friends and family.
MFB firefighters received high praise on the night for their involvement in the ceremony, and efforts in reaching out to newly arrived Australians. Fire doesn’t discriminate between which communities it occurs in and as such, MFB provides uniform protection and advice when it comes to promoting fire safety. MFB delivers a range of programs to people in refugee communities to promote fire prevention and preparedness, along with career and employment opportunities. Many of these programmes are delivered by MFB Multicultural Liaison Officers in conjunction with the Adult Migrant Educational Service (AMES), reaching many thousands of refugees each year with MFB services and safety messages. Left: Deputy Chief Fire Paul Stacchino presents the awards with City of Whittlesea Mayor Rex Griffin. Above: Leading Firefighter Steve O’Malley speaks to refugee Yousef Alreemaw about his experience, which was featured in the photographic exhibition.
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Sleeping rough for a cause MFB Deputy Chief Fire Officer Peter Rau joined business and community leaders to experience homelessness first-hand, as part of the Vinnie’s CEO Sleepout on 16 June.
Vinnies and the Brotherhood of St Laurence to ‘fix’ the problem,” said DCO Rau.
Over 170 CEOs and senior people within the private and public sectors took part in the experiential event, sleeping rough for one night at Etihad Stadium, to gain an insight into some of the challenges faced by people who live on the streets.
“Over 105,000 men, women and children sleep out across Australia each night and it is completely false that a large proportion of these people ‘choose to do so’.
DCFO Rau said the event gave him a greater insight into the issue of homelessness in Melbourne. “After listening to the guest speakers, some of whom have been on the street for various reasons and speaking for a few minutes with (former Prime Minister) Kevin Rudd, it was clear to me that this is a societal issue and should not be left only to peak bodies like
“This should not be happening in our society.” Over $3.9 million was raised to support the ongoing provision of Vinnies’ homeless services across the country.
Top: Peter Rau (right) meets Kevin Rudd. Below: CEO’s prepare to sleep out for the night.
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Firefighters charity fund launched Building on MFB’s long traditions of supporting charities and those in need, the Firefighters’ Charity Fund Melbourne was launched in June. The fund supports the community fundraising efforts in the areas of burns, children’s health and cancer and will provide assistance to members of the firefighting community, both uniformed and non-uniformed in times of need. It contributes funds to various major charities (including donations to our core areas of children’s health, burns and cancer) in Victoria, and to FireLegacy - a fund designed
to assist our community and their families when they are put under financial stress due to the costs of serious medical treatment. MFB employees and members of the public can choose to make regular voluntary donations to the charity via a payroll deduction, or make one-off donations on the charity’s website. Developed with the full support of both the MFB and UFU, the fund is administered by an independent board. For more information, please visit the website at: www.firecharity.org.au.
Above: CEO Nick Easy (centre) with MFB firefighters at the launch.
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Scholarship tour investigates rapid extrication overseas Left: QFF van Ek with Seth Armstrong in front of the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue SRT Rescue appliance.
Qualified Firefighter (QFF) Joff van Ek has recently returned from a tour of European emergency services, where he investigated “Rapid extrication of time-critical patients involved in vehicle accidents” as part of a research scholarship awarded by the Emergency Services Foundation. QFF van Ek commenced his tour in Norway where he was hosted by the Norwegian Air Ambulance
Armstrong, who is well known among world rescue organisations, for writing the UK Fire Service manual on rescue operations. QFF van Ek’s final stop was the Netherlands, where he met with Holmatro Asia-Pacific Manager Antoon Burgers. Antoon took QFF van Ek for a tour of the Holmatro factory, discussing New Car Technology (NCT) tools and how the company works as a manufacturer and trainer to meet the changing needs of rescuers around the world.
Above: QFF van Ek with Ian Dunbar in Sarpsborg, Norway.
Now back in Melbourne, QFF van Ek is working
and attended their multi-agency training course in rapid extrication. QFF van Ek complemented this learning by turning out to incidents with both the fire brigade rescue team and air ambulance, to gain a full appreciation of their rescue capabilities. QFF van Ek also attended training sessions with Holmatro (a major supplier of hydraulic rescue
to compile his report and recommendations for Victorian emergency services to move forward and use the latest in road rescue techniques and trauma treatment. QFF van Ek says that the Emergency Service Foundation Scholarship has been a great learning opportunity.
equipment) rescue trainer Ian Dunbar, who shared
“I encourage anyone who has a passion for a
a great deal of knowledge about heavy vehicle
particular area within emergency services to look
rescue and trauma treatment at the scene of an
into applying for a scholarship,” said QFF van Ek.
accident.
“It’s a benefit for not only your own career
Following this, QFF van Ek travelled to the UK,
development and knowledge, but also for the
where he spent time with the Nottinghamshire
development and improvement of the emergency
Fire and Rescue Service, to observe their Special
services we work for and ultimately, the Victorian
Rescue Teams (SRTs). QFF van Ek was lucky
communities we protect.”
enough to spend considerable time with Seth page 12
Behind: Norwegian Air Ambulance on Ulleval University Hospital helipad, Norway.
More information about Emergency Services Foundation scholarships can be found at: www.esf.com.au/scholarships.htm.
Emergency Management Conference explores ‘working together better’ Focussing on how emergency services can work better together, the 11th annual Emergency Management Conference was held at the Sebel in Albert Park from 12-14 July and attracted a record crowd of over 400 delegates. As well as enabling the exchange of valuable
Day two’s keynote speech from Anthony Baxter from Google inspired even the least social media savvy with Google’s crisis response services, taking the audience through the vast amounts of data Google can compile and produce as meaningful information, such as maps and people search tools, to assist those affected by emergencies right around the world.
information gained by emergency services workers
The ever-growing trade exhibition showcased
in the line of duty and in research, the conference
a range of products and services of emergency
was a prime networking opportunity.
service and government agencies. This year
Following the official opening by the Honourable Bill Tilley, MLA, Parliamentary Secretary for
MFB and CFA shared a display to highlight our interoperability and specialist services.
Police and Emergency Services, day one’s
The conference was also the Emergency Services
keynote speech from Jerry Monier, Section
Foundation’s annual fundraiser, to ensure it can
Chief for Planning from the Governor’s Office for
provide support to families of emergency service
Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
workers and scholarships for emergency services
in Louisiana, highlighted the need to partner with
personnel to study relevant topics.
communities during emergencies. His talk also
Below: Commander Colin Bibby and Leading Firefighter Alan Bagshaw at MFB’s display.
highlighted the need for a best practice model for working with business communities during disasters.
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Blast from the past In August 1991 MFB attended one of the most significant fires in Melbourne’s history at Coode Island.
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Shelter-shut-listen Advising people to shelter in their homes during chemical incidents isn’t a new concept. What is new, however, is research to validate this advice for our local conditions and back up our decision-making through an evidencebased study and review of the policy and procedures. The research, conducted last year by MFB and CFA in conjunction with ChemCentre in WA, tested the air exchange rates of a range of housing constructions across Australia, finding that sheltering in homes is a safe alternative to evacuation for many short-term fire and chemical incidents. In June, MFB hosted two shelter-in-place seminars to share the findings of this research with our stakeholders, including other emergency services, government agencies, local councils, and representatives from major hazard facilities. The seminars introduced Shelter-ShutListen, the new guide for shelter-inplace protective action, and took participants through the decision-making process for emergency services in enacting the
precautionary measures. The sessions explained the tools available to support this strategy; including upgraded plume modelling software, which integrates with mapping and Australian Bureau of Statistics data to create a map showing the area of impact, as well as information about the community involved, including the population, type of housing, critical infrastructure and at-risk communities. The seminar also highlighted the importance of agencies using the same terminology and procedures, so that consistent advice and language can be provided to communities. In a cooperative step forward, ShelterShut-Listen has been agreed and endorsed by MFB, CFA, Department of Health, ChemCentre and the Fire Services Commissioner. All attendees received copies of the following booklets: • A Best Practice Approach to Shelter-in-Place for Victoria • Protective Action Decision Guide for Emergency Services during Outdoor Hazardous Atmospheres • Protective Action Guide for Local Government and Industry during Outdoor Hazardous Atmospheres. These publications can be found on the MFB website.
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Spectacular night marks 100 years of professional firefighting It was a night 100 years in the making and the UFU Centenary Ball didn’t disappoint. From fire jugglers to dancers in MFB and CFA turnout jackets, it was a fast-paced, high energy evening. Nearly 1300 firefighters, their families, friends and well-wishers packed Peninsula in Docklands. The red carpet arrival was a feature with everyone being personally greeted by UFU Secretary Peter Marshall. Such were the numbers that it took more than an hour to get everyone into the main hall and seated. But from then on it was action aplenty with dancers moving to a medley of fire-themed tunes – everything from Smoke on the Water to Light my Fire. Clockwise from top right: UFU Secretary Peter Marshall addresses the crowd; firefighters hit the dancefloor; a grand entrance to the venue.
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Emergency management exercise EDUCO tests interoperability Hypothetical: It’s 6pm on Friday 23 December and Melbourne Central Shopping Complex is brimming with last-minute Christmas shoppers, when a large explosion occurs, causing the collapse of the shot tower. Many people are injured and trapped in the rubble.
Metropolitan Fire District and how that control
How to respond was examined during a recent desktop exercise?
response in an urban environment.
Emergency managers, headed by the expert
was a great opportunity to test emergency leaders
panel of MFB Chief Fire Officer Shane Wright, Fire
with a challenging scenario.
Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley, Victoria
“One of the key things for me in these scenarios
Police Assistant Commissioner North West Metro Steve Fontana and Ambulance Victoria Operations Manager Paul Holman, were led through the evolving Exercise EDUCO scenario, by MFB Deputy Chief Fire Officer Keith Adamson. Key personnel from a range of agencies were called on to explain about their role in the response, including an ESTA team leader, MFB Incident Controller, Police Forward Commander, MFB Media, the Melbourne Inner City Management property manager, and the City of Melbourne Municipal Emergency Response Officer.
evolved as the situation developed. As the scenario played out, it was confirmed as a terrorism event, meaning control had to be handed over from MFB to Victoria Police. It also enabled each participant to consider their role and responsibilities as part of a large multi-agency MFB Chief Officer Shane Wright said the exercise
is exploring not just what the response is, but how agencies work together to share information and resources and make the best decisions to help people affected by the incident,” said CO Wright. “In organising this scenario, MFB is taking a lead in ensuring we are all prepared to work together should an incident like this occur.”
Below: (L-R) Chief Fire Officer Shane Wright, Fire Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley, Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Steve Fontana and Ambulance Victoria Operations Manager Paul Holman.
DHS Emergency Management also detailed how to integrate the recovery process into response. The exercise explored the practical application of the arrangements for control of response to a major fire in the
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Saving skins a lifesaver Not only is MFB working to protect members’ skin from exposure every day, but in doing so, firefighters have also helped save a life. MFB was recently recognised in The Skin and Cancer Foundation’s Healthy Skin Awards, taking out the ‘Innovation in Skin Care’ award for our efforts to protect member’s skin from exposure to heat, fire and other outdoor environments through innovations in protective clothing, skin-health related policies and procedures, and checks undertaken through medical monitoring.
Both off-duty and on-duty firefighters were commended for administering CPR and delivering life-saving defibrillation to revive the patient who regained a pulse, was conscious and alert when transported to hospital and is reported to have done well since.
On 4 June, Station Officer Ken Durant and and personnel from MFB’s Health and Safety department were attending the Healthy Skin Awards Ceremony to receive the award, when another attendee at the ceremony suffered a heart attack. SO Durant and Leading Firefighter Wayne Hammond (who was also attending the function) worked with a number of other bystanders to commence CPR until MFB emergency medical responders and paramedics arrived.
Above: (L-R) Nicole Seretis, SO Ken Durant, Chloe Henderson and Cath Polack attended the ceremony to accept MFB’s award.
MFB shows off things that are strong Earlier this year, the rescue crew at Carlton was invited to be a part of Channel Ten’s Saturday morning kid’s science show Scope. This particular episode was themed around “things that are strong” with the MFB segment featuring Leading Firefighter Russell Sim showing off the “jaws of life” hydraulic rescue tools. Special thanks and congratulations to the firefighters involved and particularly to LFF
Sim on a very professional 15 minutes of fame. The episode aired on 16 July, and can be viewed on Channel Ten’s website. Right: LFF Russell Sim and crew film the segment at Carlton Fire Station.
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Queens Birthday honours awarded to Assistant Chief Fire Officer Chris Watt MFB Assistant Chief Fire Officer (ACFO) Christopher Watt was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours on 13 June, for outstanding service and leadership. Chris has been involved in the development and implementation of significant changes in dangerous goods storage, handling and transport, which have greatly enhanced the safety of firefighters and the protection of the community as a whole.
These changes included the prohibition of decanting of LPG by unqualified persons, the “Municipal Footpath Trading” guidelines relative to the safe use of portable gas heaters in public places, the reduction of LPG storage quantities in commercial premises, and the prohibition of bulk transportation of diesel through road tunnels in Australia. In his role as Executive Manager of the Dangerous Goods Department, Chris has demonstrated exceptional leadership by driving change, often against strong external opposition, to achieve a safer outcome for the community. Congratulations to ACO Watt on this significant recognition by his peers.
August 2011
FIREMARK
News from the Metropolitan Fire Bridade, Melbourne Australia
Next edition – October 2011 FireMark is the bi-monthly magazine from the Metropolitan Fire and Emergency Services Board. Editorial enquiries and feedback - firemark@mfb.vic.gov.au Subscribe now: If you would like to subscribe to FireMark, please email your name, position, company and email address to firemark@mfb.vic.gov.au. Please visit www.mfb.vic.gov.au for further information about the Metropolitan Fire Brigade. Your Privacy: Please be assured your details will not be shared for any other purposes. Your email address is safe with us!