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SITREP No. 16/2009

October 15, 2009

Fire TruckInside this issue:

  • Motor drivers get the final word
  • No cap on Retained kilometres when responding from home
  • Claiming SOPP entitlements
  • New website up and running

Members at Broken Hill Fire station were this week directed to ‘make do’ with an appliance that had been damaged in an accident. The members took to appliance offline on the basis that it was not safe to restow. The Union has a long-standing policy of defending the right of motor drivers to refuse to accept an appliance if it is considered unsafe or otherwise unserviceable. If you’re not happy with the appliance then put it off the road and provided your reasoning is not ridiculous or unreasonable, then the Union will back you 110%. A safe and functional appliance is a right, not a privilege.
No cap on Retained kilometres when responding from home
The Union receives many calls from retained members who have been underpaid as a result of a misperception that kilometres are capped at three kilometres when responding or travelling to the station from their home. To be clear, there is no cap on kilometres when members are attending the station for an incident or other duties (inc. Authorised duties).
A cap only applies where a member responds from a location other than their home and the distance to and from that location exceeds the distance between their home and the station. In this instance the entitlement to kilometres is limited to the actual distance between their home and the station. Further, if the alternative location is closer to the station than their home then retained members may only claim the kilometres actually travelled. For example:
1) A retained member who lives 10 kilometres from the station and who responds from their home is entitled to claim 10 kilometres return;
2) This same member who responds from their primary employment, which is 20 kilometres each way from the station, is entitled to claim 10 kilometres return;
3) This same member who responds from the local shopping centre, which is 2 kilometres each way from the station, is entitled to claim 4 kilometres return – or if they return home after the incident, 2 kilometres for the forward journey and 10 kilometres for the return.
Claiming SOPP entitlements
Members who sat the most recent SOPP pre-entry received information about award entitlements from the Department This is not an agreed document and members should refer to SITREP No.10/2009 and the award when making claims. If you are still unsure check with the Union.
New website up and running
Members are reminded that the Union’s new website has been launched. Check it out and let us know what you think.

Motor drivers get the final word

Members at Broken Hill Fire station were this week directed to ‘make do’ with an appliance that had been damaged in an accident. The members took the appliance offline on the basis that it was not safe to restow. The Union has a long-standing policy of defending the right of motor drivers to refuse to accept an appliance if it is considered unsafe or otherwise unserviceable. If you’re not happy with the appliance then put it off the road and provided your reasoning is not ridiculous or unreasonable, then the Union will back you. A safe and functional appliance is a right, not a privilege.

No cap on Retained kilometres when responding from home

The Union receives many calls from retained members who have been underpaid as a result of a misperception that kilometres are capped at three kilometres when responding or travelling to the station from their home. To be clear, there is no cap on kilometres when members are attending the station for an incident or other duties (inc. Authorised duties).

A cap only applies where a member responds from a location other than their home and the distance to and from that location exceeds the distance between their home and the station. In this instance the entitlement to kilometres is limited to the actual distance between their home and the station. Further, if the alternative location is closer to the station than their home then retained members may only claim the kilometres actually travelled. For example:

  1. A retained member who lives 10 kilometres from the station and who responds from their home is entitled to claim 10 kilometres return;
  2. This same member who responds from their primary employment, which is 20 kilometres each way from the station, is entitled to claim 10 kilometres return;
  3. This same member who responds from the local shopping centre, which is 2 kilometres each way from the station, is entitled to claim 4 kilometres return – or if they return home after the incident, 2 kilometres for the forward journey and 10 kilometres for the return.

Claiming SOPP entitlements

Members who sat the most recent SOPP pre-entry received information about award entitlements from the Department This is not an agreed document and members should refer to SITREP No.10/2009 and the award when making claims. If you are still unsure check with the Union.

New website up and running

Members are reminded that the Union’s new website has been launched. Check it out and let us know what you think.


Jim Casey
State Secretary
16 October 2009

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