Phil Storms Up Front But Hori's Still Boss
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday May 7, 1999
The director-general of the State Emergency Service, Major-General Hori Howard, is still in charge of Sydney's hailstorm operation, according to the State Government, despite not being sighted publicly for two weeks.
General Howard is said to have been spending his time at SES headquarters in Bankstown and Wollongong, co-ordinating the crisis operation, since the Rural Fire Service Commissioner, Mr Phil Koperberg, was made chief of "on-the-ground operations" on April 22.
The Emergency Services Minister, Mr Debus, denies that Mr Koperberg's appointment is contrary to the State Government's Disaster Plan (DISPLAN), which states that the State emergency operations controller for a disaster should be the police (Deputy Police Commissioner Jeff Jarratt) or, in the case of storm or tempest, it can be the head of the SES.
A spokeswoman for Mr Debus insisted the plan had been followed, as General Howard is still in overall command of the operation, and giving "directions" to Mr Koperberg.
Mr Debus's office says General Howard had not appeared at press conferences for the past two weeks because he was at SES headquarters. Mr Koperberg was chairing the conferences because he was in the city.
Yesterday, a spokesman for General Howard said he was not prepared to be interviewed. "He's said all he wants to say publicly at this stage."
Randwick's SES controller, Ms Gaye Cameron, and her deputy, Mr Stephen Flanagan, alleged in the Herald on Wednesday that there had been bureaucratic delays and morale problems caused by the transfer of power to the Rural Fire Service and that "power games" had developed between organisations.
In another development yesterday, a fast-track apprentice program was announced by the State Government so 120 trainees could help with the clean-up.
The Minister for Education, Mr Aquilina, announced the scheme, in conjunction with the Master Roof Tilers, the Master Builders Association, the CFMEU and TAFE NSW.
The trainees are to be paid at first-year apprentice rates and the apprenticeships will boost their job prospects.
© 1999 Sydney Morning Herald