EmergencyWardens -E - news
Emergency Wardens e-news: Feb 2012
1
Editor’s Note
Editor’s Note
Silver Award for
Excellence
Chemical Spill in
School Lab
How Should you
R.E.A.C.T™ to
Chemical Spills?
Meet some of our
new recruits
New Product
Offerings for 2013
Customer Satisfaction
Survey 2012
Big turnout at
Mackay Corporate
Triathlon
What do our Clients
say about our
services?
In this 6th
Edition Our Mission
First 5 Minutes is Australia’s leading provider of Emergency
Management Solutions through training and consultancy. For more
than 25 years, our commitment to customer service, quality and deep
technical and commercial expertise has resulted in a proven track
record of successfully delivering valuable solutions that make a positive
difference to our clients.
Our primary focus is to provide peace of mind to our client
organisations by minimizing their risks and maximizing life safety in their
facilities.
Through our R.E.A.C.T™ methodology, we enable our clients to train
their staff to higher level of competencies when dealing with
emergencies. We provide wardens with a simple yet effective
approach which is in line with Australian Standards as well as various
health and safety regulations nationwide.
Our expert solutions, emergency plans, manuals and training programs
are utilised by clients of all sizes, including multi-national organisations,
government agencies, universities, commercial property managers,
facilities managers and building owners.
Our offices and consultants are located throughout Australia and our
local knowledge of rules and regulations sets us apart from our
competitors.
Late 2012 we launched our new self-paced online training system
(SPOT) and introduced the first SPOT skills training module, designed to
supplement our industry leading F5M face to face Emergency Control
Organisation training. This innovation has been provided to all existing
F5M contract clients at no charge.
In 2013, we will continue innovating and creating new solutions to
provide more peace of mind to our existing and new clients in an ever
changing business world.
Together, let us make this year the best ever when it comes to safety
and emergency management on your premises.
Talk to us to see how.
Jay Ramanah, January 2013
2 Emergency Wardens Australia: January 2013
Loretta
Currey wins
Award for
Excellence
Reduce stress and builds an
environment where people
are encouraged to explore
innovative approaches to
their work.
For the second quarter of 2012
– 2013, Loretta Currey, the
Administration Manager for our
Queensland Business Unit is the
recipient of the Silver Award.
Loretta received the award for
Excellence on the back of
continued commitment to
customer service as well as
exceptional work carried out to
support the implementation of
the CMARS project.
She is well respected by her
colleagues and is often know to
be the first one in the office
every morning and last one out
every evening.
Loretta Currey– Administration
Manager, Qld receiving her prize from
Alex de Waal, MD of First 5 Minutes
First 5 Minutes seek to reward
exceptional performance that
supports its values, strategic goals
and vision.
A Reward and Recognition
program was developed to assist
supervisors and managers to build
a culture of Performance by
incorporating reward and
recognition activities into their
management practices as they:
Positively reinforce excellence in
behaviours and performance,
Help build staff engagement,
and therefore increases job
satisfaction,
Lead to higher retention rates of
key staff
“Loretta
always has
time for all
staff and
customers.
She puts
herself second
to help others
even on a
national level.
Her
dedication to
F5M is visible
in her work
and manner.”
Kristin Hughes, Customer Service Team
member , QLD
One of her team members said
“Loretta plays an important role
in the success of the QLD
business unit. She deserves the
award”
When asked about the key
indicators of excellent
performance by Loretta, her
manager Martin Dunn pointed to
the following 3 main areas where
Loretta made a difference:
Successful
implementation of
CMARS in the QLD
business unit
Management of BCC
account
Driving the F5M
compliance review in
QLD
Unfortunately there can only be
one Silver Award for Excellence
winner per quarter for the whole
of First 5 Minutes.
However the following
employees were recognized for
their outstanding performance in
their respective business units.
Lynda Volk (Corporate)
Sam Thornton (SA)
Daniel McMillan (WA)
Nathan Benson (Design & IT)
Louise Powell (VIC/TAS)
3 Emergency Wardens Australia: January 2013
"We've isolated the
substance so it cannot
vaporise any further," Acting
Superintendent Turner said.
He said it appeared a
substance had vaporised
during the science
experiment, causing
breathing problems for some
of the students.
Source: Ambulance NSW
spokeswoman, Fire and
Rescue NSW spokeswoman
R- Response to a raised
alarm / Raise an alarm
Remain calm.
Raise the alarm and inform
people that they should
stay in place and not
move out.
Dial 000 and inform about
the HAZMAT incident.
E- Examine
Identify the type and
location.
Identify a HAZMAT incident
How should
you
R.E.A.C.T™ to
chemical
Spills?
If possible, identify the type of
gas being releases (Toxic,
Flammable?)
A – Assess
Identify risks to life safety.
Identify source of gas leak and
direction of wind.
Is anyone in danger of a
medical emergency (Gas
inhalation)?
Who on site is competent to
deal with medical
emergencies while waiting for
ambulance to arrive? (CPR,
First Aid etc…)
Where are the AED kits and
First Aid kits in case they need
to be used?
Assess building doors and
windows in case we have to
shelter in place
Assess fume propagation
regularly.
C – Control
If time is limited which is most
likely going to be the case,
latest research recommends
Shelter- in – Place (SIP) as the
safest course of action.
Close doors and windows and
air vents tightly.
Move people away from
doors, windows and any air
vents where gas could enter.
Re-assess fume propagation
regularly and allow
emergency services to assess
quality of air from time to time.
Instruct occupants to end SIP
when given the green light by
emergency services.
T- Talk
Keep all wardens informed of
all decisions being taken
Keep informed of the situation
by liaising with Police and Fire
Services.
Keep occupants informed of
the situation at all times.
Chemical
Spill in School
Lab causes
Health
Scare.
Thirteen students and two
teachers from the school were
rushed to hospital after
dangerous fumes were
released during a year seven
science experiment.
Paramedics were called to
Bangalow Avenue in Chipping
Norton after reports of exposure
to sulphur dioxide.
A paramedic said they had
treated 24 patients but there
appeared to be no major
injuries, with most suffering
minor inhalation injuries or
vomiting.
A Department of Education
spokesman said the students
and teachers had been
affected by fumes during a
year seven science experiment.
"The school is investigating the
cause of the fumes," he said.
"The school moved very quickly
to call emergency services and
to alert the parents of the 26
students in the classroom at the
time of the experiment."
Acting Superintendent Josh
Turner from Fire and Rescue
NSW said atmospheric
monitoring tests showed the air
at the site of the accident was
now safe.
4 Emergency Wardens Australia: January 2013
Meet some of
our new
recruits.
It is rewarding to know that we
are in a key position to help our
clients by servicing the
administration and financial
requirements of our front line
staff. My responsibilities include
making sure that our creditors
are paid on time so that they
continue to deliver services to
us. We also have to ensure that
our staff and trainers get their
expenses paid to them, which is
something that has a
permanent place on my to-do
list.
Having a freshly brewed cup of
coffee delivered to my desk
each morning is also a pleasant
bonus.
What are your main challenges
for the year ahead?
Since moving to Australia, I
have predominately used
stand-alone accounting
packages, so the move to an
enterprise level application
comes with a learning curve
that I want to get over as
quickly as possible.
I am also conscious that we
need to make sure that our
internal back end processes
can develop and grow in line
with the company’s growth.
How do you like to spend your
free time?
I have a busy life at home with
the family. We have 3 young
boys (including twins) who are
into sport and making lots of
noise at unreasonable times of
the day. We also foster rescue
dogs from time to time, so we
are kept on our toes.
The majority of our free time is
spent enjoying the benefits of
an outdoor life, which we
cannot get enough
of. However, when I am not
being buried in sand up to my
neck at the beach, I enjoy
learning to play the guitar and
learning to speak Spanish
Kevin Webster Trainer – QLD
My name is Kevin Webster and I
was born in Mississippi USA. I grew
up on a working farm with 13
brothers and 7 sisters. At 18 I
moved to Pasadena California
we I pursued my dreams of
becoming a Fire-fighter/EMT. I
attended University in the Fire
Science field and worked as a
volunteer for two years. At age
30 I was employed with the City
of Alhambra Fire Department
where I spent the next 15 years.
In 2009 I moved to Brisbane with
my wife and son, and since being
in Brisbane my wife and I have
twins. I worked for the Princess
Alexandra Hospital as a Fire and
Security Officer the past 3 years.
My skills having worked in the
emergency medical field and fire
fighting I hope will add great
experience to the dynamics of
First 5 Minutes.
I look forward to growing my
experience as a trainer and using
the skills I have attained through
study and life experiences.
Mark Thomas Accounts Supervisor – Corporate
What do you like about your job at
F5M?
I have found F5M to be a
welcoming and friendly place. We
have a great team here in
Corporate and I am fortunate to
have a varied routine with plenty
of scope to develop my role.
Emergency Wardens e-news: Feb 2012
5
New
Product
Offerings
For 2013
In June 2012, First 5 Minutes
acquired 100 % shares in Sharp
Mining Industry Training Ltd.
Sharp Training is a Registered
Training Organisation based in
Mackay which specialises in the
delivery of accredited training
for the mining, heavy industry
and construction industry.
With this acquisition, First 5
Minutes is now in a position to
increase its product offering to
its existing as well as new
clients.
In 2013, 2 brand new courses
will be available through the
first 5 minutes/ Sharp Training
partnership:
Working Safely at
Heights
Enter and Work in
Confined Spaces
Working
Safely at
Heights
The hazards of working at heights
in the construction, mining and
other industries are often
underestimated. Falls from below
7 metres in height, account for a
large percentage of Work Cover
claims.
The potential for serious injury or
death from this extremely
hazardous activity cannot be
overstated. The suspension
resulting from a fall from height
via a harness is as life threatening
as the fall itself.
A plan for prompt retrieval of
personnel in the event of a fall
being arrested is paramount due
to the onset of suspension
trauma.
Depending on the susceptibility
of the individual, this may lead to
loss of consciousness, renal failure
and eventually death.
This program will enable students
to not only understand and
instigate safe working at heights
procedures, but also to
participate in a rescue from
heights and perform a self-
rescue.
Topics covered in this program
are:
Identify work requirements
Prepare for work
Access and install equipment
Perform work at heights
Equipment inspections
Perform Rescue
Risk Assessment Recognise anchor points
This nationally recognised
training program provides
participants with the unit of
competency required to
achieve a Statement of
Attainment which forms part of
RII20209 Certificate II in Surface
Extraction Operations
Competency Unit:
RIIOHS204A Work safely at
heights
Contact your local First
5 Minutes office or call
us on 1300321120 to
learn more about
these new products!!
6 Emergency Wardens Australia: January 2013
Enter and
Work in
Confined
Spaces
The repercussions of working in a
hazardous confined space could
cause a tragedy. People's lives
are being taken due to lack of
training and understanding.
Entering confined space is
potentially the most dangerous
environment workers may
encounter on any work site.
These encompass hazardous
activities such as excavation,
electrical, hot work, work at
heights, also water and
sandblasting operations. The
possibility of contaminates, such
as Methane, Hydrogen Sulphate
and other gases within the
confined space is a real and
constant threat. This can lead to
serious illness and or death if not
correctly investigated and
controlled.
On successful completion of this
training program, participants will
have acquired the skills and
knowledge to enable them to
control entry (stand-by persons)
to confined spaces for
maintenance, servicing of vessels
or other necessary reasons. Work
in/entry to confined spaces shall
conform to relevant legislation
and Australian Standard, or its
authorised update or
replacement.
Topics covered in this program are:
Assess confined space for entry
Use safety equipment and clothing
Control confined space entry (stand-by persons)
Conclude confined space operations
Perform CPR
This nationally recognised training program incorporates the
requirements of HLTCPR201A Perform CPR. Participants who
successfully complete this program will achieve a Statement of
Attainment which forms part of RII20209 Certificate II in Surface
Extraction Operations and HLT21107 Certificate II in Emergency
Medical Service First Response
Competency Units:
RIIOHS202A - Enter and work in confined spaces
HLTCPR201B Perform CPR
7 Emergency Wardens Australia: January 2013
First 5 Minutes carries out a
customer satisfaction survey each
year to gauge the pulse of its
thousands of clients across
Australia.
We believe that feedback from our
clients is a crucial aspect of
developing a successful business.
It allows us to ensure that our
products, services, and customer
support are all on the right track.
Without your feedback, we make
sure that we listen to you and we
are servicing your needs better.
This year again, the number of
responses have been
overwhelming. The quality of
responses has also provided us with
a lot of insights into our customers’
perception of us.
There is plenty of positive feedback
as well as good scope for
improvement.
November 4th 2012 launched Mackay’s first inaugural
corporate team triathlon and is set to become an annual
event for both for the Mackay Triathlon Club and for Sharp
Training. Gregg, Susan and Tegan competed against
another 64 teams in the sweltering 34 degree heat at
Mackay Harbour.
The swim started at the break wall and was 500m along the
beach back to Mackay Surf Club, travelling with the
current. The cycle was a reasonable flat 18km journey to
Slade Point and back, which left the run to be a lovely 5km
scenic route out along the break wall and around the
marina.
Close to 200 people in total competed in the Queensland
Country Health Fund sponsored event and 1st place went
to BMA Hay Point Team who won in a time of 1:05:01. We
placed 15th with a time of 1:16:42. We received great
support from our fellow co-workers and had a cheer squad
on the day. It was a great, morning and our team put in
an exceptional effort.
Gregg Jones (Center), Susan Viero (Right) and Tegan
Maszak (Left) are all colleagues from Sharp Training in
Mackay who participated in the Mackay Corporate
Triathlon 2012.
Customer
Satisfaction
survey 2012
Big Turnout at Mackay
Corporate Team
Triathlon.
8 Emergency Wardens Australia: January 2013
What do our clients
say about our
services?
Continue with
what you are
doing as it is
extremely
effective!
Mindy Rafton
Mahoney Lawyers
We have been very happy with
your services Leanne Kingston, RACQ Insurance
I have received training from first
5 for eight years and have been
very happy with the service.
Helen Radford, Olympus Australia, Victoria
We are very happy the
way you provide our
training i can't think of
anything else to
improve what you are
doing, thank you
Jonathan Cauldwell
Tattersall's Club Brisbane
Queensland
9 Emergency Wardens Australia: January 2013
We welcome your feedback and contribution to this newsletter.
Write to: Jay Ramanah, General Manager (People, Culture and Training) E: [email protected]
T: 07 33552855
Top Related