the sydney 2000 olympic and paralympic games - Australian Sports ...

PART FOUR : NSW GOVERNMENT AGENCIES GAMES SUPPORT SERVICES
• NSWFB Superintendents and other officers shared the 24-hour positions of Liaison Officer in the
Police Olympic Precinct and Regional Operations Centre and the Common Domain Operations Centre
during the Games. Officers also attended the Olympic Transport Operations Centre.
• NSWFB had the ability to activate its Major Incident Co-ordination Centre at Alexandria if a major
incident occurred.
• NSWFB leased electric carts to act as Rapid Intervention Vehicles (RIV) for fire crews to get into and
around congested areas in the Stadium and the International Broadcast Centre.
• Other supporting vehicles included a prototype four wheel drive RIV, purchased during the lead up
to the Games and used at the RAS Fire Station, leased petrol driven Combo vans used throughout
the Homebush Olympic site and a new Type 4 Urban Pumper trialed at Olympic venues during
the Games.
Venue Protection
In conjunction with OSCC, NSWFB developed extensive plans, policies and procedures to ensure safety,
and adopted the following strategies:
• The Fire Safety Division ensured that venues complied with the Building Code of Australia.
• Regular inspections of Olympic facilities and venues were conducted before and during the Games.
• Prior to the Games an extensive inspection regime was established for Backpackers Hostels and
other city and suburban accommodation.
• Sufficient resources were strategically located for each venue.
During the Games there were three levels of NSWFB response resources for Sydney Olympic Park (SOP).
These were resources within venues, the surrounding precinct and outside the Olympic area. Seven
temporary fire stations were constructed and fitted out within SOP, Darling Harbour and the Media and
Athletes' Villages.
Road events such as the Torch Relay and marathons were serviced by deployment of resources at
strategic locations along the route. Other venues were supplemented by dedicated external resources to
support venue staff during competition hours. The Urban Domain was supported by increasing staff on
duty and providing additional standby equipment. NSWFB worked closely with the Rural Fire Service
(RFS) in matters concerning Western venues located in RFS fire districts.
Chemical, Biological and Radiological Response
To address the risk of terrorism, including a possible chemical, biological or radiological (CBR)
incident, the Olympic Security Working Committee brought together relevant Commonwealth and
State organisations.
The following key CBR initiatives were established:
• A CBR awareness training program was provided to NSWFB, Police and Australian Defence
Force personnel.
• Specialised equipment was purchased to enhance NSWFB’s CBR capability, including chemical
detectors, protective clothing, mass decontamination shelter, bulk storage module for protective
clothing and supplies, pharmaceuticals and victim identification kits.
• A sampling kit was developed to ensure that substance samples could be taken as soon as possible
after an incident.
• The Hazardous Materials Emergency Sub-Plan (“Hazmat Plan”), which details special arrangements
for all NSW hazardous materials emergencies, was revised to cover CBR. The reissued Hazmat Plan
became the overarching plan for the State.
• Fire Stations carried out decontamination drills in conjunction with hospitals.
• Nine hospitals throughout Sydney were equipped with permanent decontamination facilities.
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