Senior Citizens Targeted in Fire Safety Program

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Seniors across the Hunter and the state are encouraged to book a free home visit with Fire and Rescue NSW. 

It comes after new data revealed citizens over 65 have accounted for 50% of all fire-related deaths over the past five years. 

Firefighters are now offering to visit local homes as part of FRNSW's Safety Visit Program, to discuss evacuation plans and safety measures, and perform essential smoke detector tests. 

Visits can be booked on the Fire and Rescue NSW website. 

Newcastle apartments evacuated after smoke alarm

BY DAKOTA TAIT

More than 200 people were evacuated from a Newcastle apartment complex after reports of smoke early Tuesday morning.

Two trucks were called to the Chifley Apartments on Honeysuckle Drive around 2am to an automatic fire alarm.

The fourth level was smokelogged and the building evacuated as a precaution, although no one was treated for any injuries.

Firefighters traced the source of the smoke to a faulty electrical switch within a unit, which fortunately had not escalated to a fire.

Fire crews left the scene around 3:40am.

Woman taken to hospital after Maryland garage fire

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A woman's been treated for smoke inhalation and a broken leg after escaping a fire at a garage at a Maryland home on Sunday night.

About 9:30pm, crews from Wallsend and Minmi were called to an address in Sandycroft Street after reports of a building fire. 

Crews managed to contain the fire before it could spread to the neighbouring residential properties.

Two firefighters made their way to the rear of the property and attacked the fire from within and externally to prevent fire extension to the neighbouring home. 

The fire was extinguished after a few minutes.

It's believed to have been caused by an unattended candle. 

The resident was taken to hospital by paramedics.

Singleton firefighters calling for changeroom after a century

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A NSW MP has made the case in the State's Upper House after Singleton firefighters raised the alarm on a lack of changeroom facilities. 

The Singleton fire station was built in 1915, but more than 100 years later, still lacks a simple changeroom, as well as separate toilets and showers for male and female officers. 

One Nation MP Rod Roberts says it's disappointing and concerning.

"They talk about an inclusive and diverse workforce," he said. "What woman wants to go and work somewhere where she's forced - she has no option, but she's forced - to strip down to her underwear in front of her work colleagues?"

"Apart from that, they're also in full view of members of the public that were walking down John Street or using any of the buildings that surround the fire station, and in this day and age in 2022, that is just not acceptable."

A pair of dance schools are located near the fire station, as well as a number of other premises around the Singleton CBD.

Mr Roberts says there are legal issues just waiting to happen.

"That's why the firefighters at Singleton raised it with me," he said. "They're not deliberately going around willfully exposing themselves to members of the public, but it's only going to take one member of the public that walks past, who takes some form of offence to this, and these firefighters and their employers could be open to some form of legal action."

Fire and Rescue NSW was allocated $50 million in the State Government's latest budget to upgrade female amenities over the next ten years, but couldn't be pressed on the situation at Singleton.

Deputy Commissioner Megan Stiffler says they're still in the early stages when it comes to spending the funding.

"FRNSW is currently assessing the priority of fire stations based on the condition of facilities and the current distribution of female firefighters," she said.

"Priority projects will be scoped to determine both the extent of works and the costs involved. Works are estimated to commence on the identified projects in November."

But Mr Roberts says the station isn't asking for much, and it should be a priority today.

"The professional men and women at Singleton Fire Station are very practical people," he said.

"They've said to me, 'Rod, we don't need a whole new fire station, we don't need go to that extent.'"

"All we're asking for is a demountable building to be placed in the rear courtyard of the fire station, that can be converted into separate male and female toilets and showers and changing facilities."

Cessnock MP Says Firefighter Compensation Scheme Hasn't "Met His Expectations"

BY DAKOTA TAIT

State Member for Cessnock, Clayton Barr, has encouraged local firefighters to apply for financial assistance through the Volunteer Firefighter Payment Scheme, but admits the government's support hasn't met his expectations.

Although the scheme was announced in late December, volunteers with the RFS and SES have only been able to apply for financial aid from mid-January, with Mr Barr suggesting the scheme has come a month too late and is attached to too much complicated paperwork.

Mr Barr says the scheme may also leave many fireys shortchanged, and claims the $6,000 cap on compensation will only reimburse about 20 days of lost income for volunteers who may have been fighting fires for months.

Mr Barr says any firefighters in the Cessnock electorate who have been told they are ineligible for compensation should get in touch with his office.

"Firefighters have been so heavily relied on and called upon in our community over recent months, and we need them to recover financially, as well as emotionally and physically," Mr Barr said.

Volunteer firefighters can apply for assistance and access more information regarding the Volunteer Firefighter Payment Scheme here.

Cessnock MP, Clayton Barr

Hunter Valley RFS Have Twice The Reason To Celebrate

BY CATHERINE ALLEN

The NSW Rural Fire Service Hunter Valley Team acknowledged the achievements of long-serving volunteers at the official opening of Mangoola station over the weekend.

NSW RFS Senior Assistant Commissioner Bruce McDonald AFSM presented long-service medals to 43 volunteers and officially opened the new station.

The medals were awarded to members of the Hunter Valley Team in recognition of their dedication, commitment and service to the local area.

Senior Assistant Commissioner McDonald said the recipients accumulated a total of 966 years of service between them and recognised the exceptional level of commitment given by all the volunteers.

"I also thank the family, friends and colleagues of these and all volunteers. We know it takes their support and patience to help Rural Fire Service members do what they do."

Senior Assistant Commissioner McDonald said the new facility would provide enhanced support to the volunteers and the communities they protect.

"This new station encompasses three tanker bays, meeting rooms, a kitchen and storeroom," Senior Assistant Commissioner McDonald said. 

"The NSW RFS remains committed to providing our volunteer firefighters with the equipment and resources they need to protect their local communities". 

The Royal Fire Service - Hunter Valley Team

Firefighter Cancer Compensation to be Simpler: Labor

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

NSW firefighters diagnosed with cancer will no longer need to prove they contracted the disease as a direct result of their work, under a plan by the state opposition.

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp and Charlestown MP Jodie Harrison visited Cooks Hill Fire Station to make the announcement today, vowing to slash red tape for firefighters seeking compensation.

The Fire Brigade Employees Union and the Rural Fire Services Association have long been campaigning for presumptive cancer legislation, with numerous studies concluding firefighters are at a greater risk of developing certain types of cancers than those in other professions, due to their frequent exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Labor will introduce a Bill to NSW Parliament, which, if passed, will see cancer diagnoses presumed to be caused by occupational hazards - as long as the sick firefighter has been in the profession for a minimum period.

Those periods differ by variation of the disease, for example, Leukaemia and Brain Cancer 5 years; Testicular Cancer 10 years; Non Hodkin's Lymphoma 15 years and Oesophageal Cancer 25 years.

Sub Branch Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, Jason Morgan believes the legislation will make a real difference for local firies, saying about 1 in 5 Newcastle firefighters have been touched by some form of cancer in their lives.

Tim Crakanthorp said it's about time the scheme was introduced.

"NSW Labor has worked for over a year consulting with stakeholders on this legislation," he explained, "we're the last state to do it after the Federal Government announced legislation to allow it in 2011."

Jodie Harrison agreed the current system must be overhauled.

"Our firefighters put their lives at risk with every fire that they fight...it's important we don't put their lives further at risk by making them jump through hoops for workers compensation."