The Canberra Times of 11 June 2018 reports that according to government briefings from December 2017 "toxic fire fighting foams could have left a legacy of contamination at nine fire stations across the ACT as well as defence department and police facilities". The news article states that potentially-harmful polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which were "present in aqueous … [Read more...]
Ainslie Fire Station Dispute referred to Fair Work Commission
Following failed attempts to resolve UFU concerns about Ainslie Fire Station, the dispute has been referred to the Fair Work Commission. A conciliation conference has been scheduled for 25 July. Members are advised that: • Ainslie Fire Station is subject to a safety dispute; • Pending resolution of the dispute, the status quo provision of the enterprise agreement applies. … [Read more...]
Safety concerns over ambulance parked at Ainslie fire station following floods
Concerns expressed by UFU about potential problems with safety and an ambulance stationed at Ainslie fire station as reported in the Canberra Time on 3 March 2018. … [Read more...]
UFU ‘firefighter shortage’ claims
ACT United Firefighters Union branch secretary, Greg McConville, was in the news again in this piece in the Canberra Times on Thursday, 22 March 2018 questioning the capacity of the Emergency Services Agency to deal with a potential emergency because of a shortage of firefighters in ACT Fire & Rescue. … [Read more...]
Firefighters union calls for $25 million package from ACT government this budget
Report in The Canberra Times on 25 January 2018 states: "The ACT's firefighting union has called for an almost $25 million package to boost fire and rescue staff and resources, claiming the service is almost 40 people below its required staffing level. The union says it was promised a boost to staffing and resources for ACT Fire and Rescue before the last election, but … [Read more...]