Last Friday the FBEU, FRNSW and other emergency services stakeholders met with key decision makers at Sydney Metro to further discussions concerning capability on Metro lines. As previously identified, Metro have failed to provide FRNSW with an equivalent capability to that of the Rail Fire & Emergency Unit (RFE), a small but important unit within Sydney Trains. As part of the recent rail accreditation process, managed by the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR), rail operator MTS has undertaken to provide FRNSW with an equivalent ‘fit-for-purpose’ solution to this capability gap – noted as a ‘Specialist Emergency Response Capability’. Last week’s initial meeting established the ground-rules for such arrangements, with a business case to be developed in consultation with the FBEU and provided to Treasury by the end of the year. In the meantime, MTS have entered into a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the RFE to provide ongoing support to FRNSW in both open Sydney Metro lines.
It is imperative that the resources of professional firefighters grow concurrently with state significant infrastructure, such as the Sydney Metro. The Union will be working closely with key sections of the membership to ensure a suitable resolution to this matter and will endeavour to keep all members updated as the process progresses.
Public Accounts Committee Inquiry into RFS Assets
As noted at SitRep 39, the Union has recently made a submission to the ‘assets, premises and funding of the NSW Rural Fire Service’ inquiry. Members can find the inquiry terms of reference here and FBEU submission here.
As further scrutiny continues to bare down on the number of active RFS volunteers and the agency’s capacity, it is crucial that the FBEU continue to advocate for the things which professional firefighters need to get the job done, including for a wholescale review of funding to the NSW emergency services sector. The Union will be giving evidence to the inquiry committee on Monday 16 September.
Award Arbitration Survey
A reminder to all members who have not done so to complete the FBEU’s award arbitration survey – found here. The results of the survey will provide an important data set for the upcoming arbitration before the IRC and complement a suite of other work which continues to progress this week, including the development of subject matter expert evidence derived from key sections of the FBEU membership.
State Committee will meet and discuss these matters next week. In the meantime, members are strongly encouraged to participate in the above process to ensure equal representation across FBEU sub-branches.
