News

SitRep 20/2025

July 4, 2025

FRNSW’S ‘TANKER STRATEGY’

Members will be aware that in the Commissioner’s Updates from 27 June, FRNSW published the article ‘Selected on-call stations transitioning to tankers’. The ‘tanker strategy’, as it’s being referred to internally, is the latest in a series of rushed initiatives being progressed by the ELT at the expense of acknowledging the larger problems in the Department.

The FBEU acknowledges those larger problems, and we approach these discussions in good faith. However, solutions put forward by the Union are being constantly overlooked by Department bureaucrats.

The Union has, for several months, been seeking more information from FRNSW about the initiative—attempting to understand the proposal, its implications on firefighter safety, safe crewing, and community response standards. Basic information required for the Union to participate in meaningful discussion on this matter has not been forthcoming.

In SitRep 15/2025, we made it clear—those under the Commissioner need to front up to the challenges or get out of the way. Unfortunately, with only a handful of consultation meetings on the ‘tanker strategy’ to date, the initiative is likely indicative of the ELT’s continued desire to stay in the way. 

FRNSW will not be implementing the initiative at this stage. Members are nonetheless encouraged to familiarise yourselves with the 27 June article.

More to come on the matter as discussions progress.

 

In Unity,

Leighton Drury
State Secretary

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