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Directorate ensures integrated operations The issues dealt with by the Queensland Fire and Rescue Service’s State Operations Directorate are at the heart of the day-to-day operations of every firefighter. Providing greater structure and management for operational firefighters is the key concern for this relatively new unit. As operational management moves forward with new initiatives in professional conduct and a wide range of materials to assist staff, AD John Cawcutt and his team record and publish procedures and doctrines to ensure operational staff are successful and the community are safe. It’s a team focused on offering firefighters practical solutions for all problems – big and small. Having evolved from the Project Management Unit in June 2005, the State Operations Directorate approaches issues from an operations, business, training and community safety perspective to ensure that QFRS operational management is contemporary and integrated. The unit represents a unique, multifaceted division based around operations including policy, the State Operations Coordination Centre, Air Operations, Operational Research and Operational Capabilities including iZone. “This unit has been designed to allow us to recognise and address wide ranging issues from inconsistencies in training or management down to problems with incident forms and worksheets,” John said. “By recognising the importance of considering all areas of operations, business, training and community safety for every issue we address, we are developing policies and procedures that are going to directly benefit everyone. “Our work ensures there will be directives that are supported with training and safety measures and that they will also be delivered across the State – with everyone on the same page.” John said that prior to the establishment of the State Operations Directorate, there had been issues with materials being developed without the consideration of training, equipment available or policy surrounding use. Similarly, he said new equipment had been added to trucks in the past without clear instruction on when or how the equipment should be used. “We have been absolutely overwhelmed Overseeing the roll-out…Bruce Budge and John Cawcutt. by the unprecedented response to our initiatives,” John said. “Our Field Incident Guide (FIG) has gone into reprint after reprint and our on-theground staff are coming forward to thank us for recognising the need for change.” The Field Incident Guide is just one of a number of tangible initiatives designed by the directorate to assist firefighters in the field with simple guidance for wideranging scenarios. South Eastern Region Area Training Support Officer Anthony Wood said the guide had been an extremely useful tool in training and development. “It’s really good to see that we’ve got initiatives like the FIG coming out of the service that recognise the need for an easy-to-use guide that offers advice and check lists for the wide ranging scenarios we are presented with every day,” Anthony said. “What really is a simple tool in many ways offers an outstanding resource for all staff whether they are on the ground or sitting in an Incident Management Team trying to complete paperwork. “As a part of the training I conduct, the FIG and indeed the directorate as a whole, is something that I always draw attention to and encourage all staff to consult during times of need, ” he said. John Cawcutt said while the directorate’s initiatives were designed to provide a standard and straightforward guide for incident management, it still left room for managing incidents subject to experience and circumstance. “Our main commitment will always be to the firefighters and we certainly respect their knowledge and need for decisions at the scene of an incident,” he said. “What we do hope to do though is to provide the support and standards that will make their job a little safer and easier in recognition of their needs on the fire ground.” The State Operations Directorate team, made up of 13 dedicated and skilled staff, is looking forward to further developing the unit and the subsequent initiatives that come directly from staff feedback. John said the unit was proud to receive national recognition as a cutting edge leader in operational standards and innovation with numerous States acknowledging its work. “Just as we look to gain the support and reception from our interstate counterparts, we are very open to the opinions and feedback from those we hope to serve – QFRS staff.” For more information contact Kim Morris on kmorris@emergency.qld.gov.au. – Femke Mason www.emergency.qld.gov.au EMERGENCY October 2006 2
New QAS first aid manual launched The Queensland Ambulance Service has unveiled its new First Aid Manual in line with updated emergency resuscitation procedures. A greater emphasis has been placed on chest compressions, with the ratio being changed from 15:2 or 5:1 to 30:2. The QAS’s first fully owned manual was launched in Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall at the end of August. QAS Commissioner Jim Higgins said the launch aimed to highlight the importance of knowing first aid. “All our programs and products have now been thoroughly revised to reflect today’s current climate and industry trends and to include the recent Australian Resuscitation Council’s cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) changes,” Commissioner Higgins said. “Courses have been revised to include upto-date teaching methodologies and allow for more flexible modes of learning.” The Commissioner said the changes and the new manual were a very important milestone in ambulance service’s development and a significant step forward in making Queensland a safer state. “I can also assure the Queensland community QAS first aid education will continue to lead the way as its products evolve to meet advances in first aid and education practice,” he said. Other recent business achievements include: revised training deliverables – pre-course and course book materials; updates to all first aid training materials to include the new Australian Resuscitation Council’s CPR changes; and online booking enquiry capability. Manuals can be purchased by phoning 1300 369 003 during business hours. Ambos association news The Retired and Serving Ambulance Officers Association of Queensland held its Annual General Meeting in Stanthorpe recently. President Greg Linnett said several changes were made to the association’s committee. “I would like to welcome the new committee members and thank them for taking up these positions. The motivation and support of the association will only help to keep us strong,” Greg said. “I would also like to thank the outgoing committee members for their support and friendship during their time on the committee. “I am also happy to report that our current sponsors have agreed to come on board with us again. We are very grateful for their financial and moral support.” The new committee is: president – Greg Linnett, senior vice president – Frank Thompson, secretary – Michael Morton, treasurer – John Brady, committee members – Greg Hardy, Brian Wisley, Dough Madsen, Chris Neave, Wendy Aiken, Ron Watts, Wendy Ardrey. For more information about the association, contact Greg Linnett on 07 4661 4457 or 0418 755 142. 2 EMERGENCY October 2006 www.emergency.qld.gov.au
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Page 3 and 4: From the Minister After the recent
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Page 11 and 12: Ambulance Week 2006 Ambulance Week
Page 13 and 14: Make-up a serious business for Nick
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Page 25 and 26: Directive to streamline recruitment
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Page 29 and 30: In brief Variety Bash Firefighters
Page 31 and 32: Maroochydore farewells John Hall In
Page 33 and 34: 10 things you didn’t know about
Page 35 and 36: Clinical challenge By Drew Hebbron,
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