News

6 August COVID Update

August 6, 2021

UPGRADED FRNSW RESPONSE – GREATER SYDNEY, NEWCASTLE AND HUNTER REGIONS

FRNSW COVID restrictions level 3, plus:

1. No visitors allowed at any stations/work locations. Only on-duty/on-call personnel, essential staff and existing contractors are permitted entry.
2. All non-emergency related, face-to-face external community engagements are to be suspended (noting that online arrangements should continue).
3. Duty Commanders, Senior and Executive Officers should reconsider the need to visit stations unless critical to operational needs, safety, or organisational priorities.
4. If an urgent issue (such as provision of first aid) requires a visitor to enter the stations/work locations, practice physical distancing wherever possible and as a precaution, disinfect the area and any utilised equipment afterwards.
5. Renovations and station maintenance programs to be suspended unless critical to maintain service.
6. Limitation of movements of staff across the organisation:
   – Relieving and out-duty firefighters attached to Metropolitan Commands are only to work within the designated NSW Health Order declared areas.
   – E-recalls are minimised with distance limitations imposed, and
   – Alternative staffing arrangements to ensure operational capability is maintained.
7. Movements of appliances and staff are to be limited to those essential to maintain operational capability.
8. Secondary employment to be reviewed and risk assessed on a case-by-case basis. Secondary employment that causes potential high risk to FRNSW operations may need to cease. For staff who have secondary or other employment that is high-risk, (e.g. working at a quarantine hotel, COVID-19 PCR testing nurse), you must inform your Duty Commander who will assess the risk to the station and determine suitability to continue normal response. Any issues or concerns should be discussed and clarified with the COVID-19 IMT.
9. Recruitment Physical Aptitude Tests (PAT) and medical assessments at head office for permanent firefighter recruitment are suspended.
10. On-call firefighter recruitment Physical Aptitude Tests (PAT) are to be suspended. Medical assessments for on-call firefighters represent a matter for the applicant and their GP to discuss and may proceed at the discretion of the individual’s doctor.
11. CFU initial and skills maintenance training to be suspended.

THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES ARE APPLICABLE FOR RETAINED FIREFIGHTERS:

State-wide:

1. Service NSW QR code is to be scanned every single time anyone visits the station, including for a fire call.
2. Masks must be worn inside the station, inside any appliance with more than one person on board, and in any indoor setting with people outside your household.
3. Anyone with COVID-19  symptoms must not attend the station or any FRNSW site, and must immediately inform their station commander, and avoid any contact with any FRNSW personnel.
4. Clean appliances and common touch points after use.
5. Maintain social/physical distancing between staff where possible.
6. Maximum of four firefighters on an appliance; maximum of two staff per car if following on.

Retained in the Greater Sydney Region, Newcastle and Hunter regions:

1. Drills are capped at six staff per drill session. This number will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
2. Once adequate firefighters are at the station to staff all responding appliances, subsequent staff are to remain inside their personal vehicles unless following on or required by the OIC. They must remain on site until dismissed by the OIC.
3. If you have other employment that is deemed high-risk, (e.g. working at a quarantine hotel, COVID-19 PCR testing nurse), then you must inform your Duty Commander who will assess the risk to the station and determine suitability to continue normal response.

All other areas are under Level two restrictions.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact the office or your SCOM rep.