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‘The members of this union resolve to oppose the expansion of the NSWFB into the field of medical emergencies beyond basic first aid assistance until the following matters are resolved to the satisfaction of the unions rank and file at a subsequent general meeting of members:

i)    The NSW Government agree to amend the Fire Brigades Act to provide for indemnity against claims of medical negligence against firefighters administering medical assistance during operational duties.

ii)    The NSW Government agree to commit to no loss of jobs, wages or conditions for members of the FBEU or any other union as a result of changes to the roles and responsibilities of firefighters as far as emergency medicine is concerned.

iii)    The unions president and secretary meet with the elected representatives of NSW Ambulance Service employees and ensure that this union will not be undermining the industrial interests of those workers during their industrial dispute in recognition of the most fundamental principle of unionism that being that an injury to one is an injury to all,’

be received and noted, but not supported. In resolving this way, this meeting:

a) notes the potential uncertainty of the scope of the term ‘field of medical emergencies beyond basic first aid assistance’;

b) expects that this policy, if adopted, would preclude the placement of automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) on fire appliances, which would in turn present obvious concern for the membership at large given that heart failure is understood to be the largest single killer of firefighters on the fireground;

c) believes that the first nominated requirement of the NSW Government at the motion’s point (i), being the amendment of the FB Act, is unnecessary given the existing provision of Sections 7(1) and 78 of that Act:

Protection from liability
78. A matter or thing done by the Minister, the Commissioner, any member of staff of the Department, any member of a fire brigade or any person acting under the authority of the Commissioner does not, if the matter or thing was done in good faith for the purposes of executing this or any other Act, subject such a person personally, or the Crown, to any action, liability, claim or demand.

General authority to protect persons and property
7(1)    The Commissioner is authorised to take measures anywhere in the State for protecting persons from injury or death and property from damage, whether or not fire or a hazardous material incident is involved.

d) questions the practical worth of the second nominated requirement of the NSW Government at the motion’s point (ii), being its commitment to no loss of jobs or conditions of any union’s members, given the Carr Government’s industrial track record; and

In resolving this way, this meeting accepts that subclause 14.8 in its current form has proven itself to be impractical, if not entirely unworkable, and therefore demands its replacement with the following alternative subclause:

14.8    An occupant of an Operational Support position who had not completed a minimum period of service required by Clause 13 for promotion prior to taking up that position shall not be eligible for promotion until they satisfy the requirements of subclauses 14.8.1 and 14.8.2.

14.8.1    Length of service for the occupants of Operational Support positions shall for the purposes of Clause 13 (only) be determined by firstly calculating the total time spent from the date of an employee’s promotion to their current substantive rank to the present day, secondly deducting the total time spent by the employee in an Operational Support position since that promotion and thirdly, then adding any additional time accrued under subclause 14.8.2.

Prior to the mid 1990s, the Union’s communications strategy was to post notices to stations and to publish a journal which was half editorial / half advertisements. In the latter half of the 1990s, the introduction of fax machines into members’ workplaces allowed the Union to begin faxing out notices. The Union also introduced a comprehensive website to inform members of current developments. The switch to faxing notices gave members information in a much more timely and relevant way. Further, the reproduction of those notices on the website introduced a useful resource for members to track both current and past industrial developments. In 1999 the journal was overhauled in terms of layout and all advertising was removed.

The Union continues to fax out notices and to post same to its website. The journal is still produced, although often with significant lags between issues. With the increasing complexity of modern industrial relations, the lead times and rigidities of fixed publication dates do not provide an effective means of communicating with members in a timely manner on matters of importance. Further, the printing and distribution costs of the journal are significant and with the last issue costing in excess of $30,000.00, pose an annual cost well in excess of $100,000. It is regrettable, but nonetheless true that even after expending such amounts, hundreds of members do not receive the journal because they change addresses without notifying the Union office.

This year saw the completion of the installation of internet computer facilities at all NSWFB stations and workplaces, and a recent ABS survey found that over 50% of all households are also now connected. Given the universal access to computers at members’ workplaces and their increasing availability in members’ homes, this meeting considers that the following changes should be made to the Union’s Communications Strategy:

1)    the printed quarterly journal should be discontinued;

2)    the Union should produce an Annual Report that includes reports from the Union’s officers on the operation and performance of the Union. It shall also report on SCOM decisions, the Union’s finances, member retirements etc and would generally represent a record of the Union’s previous 12 months activities;

3)    the Union’s website should be overhauled to provide:

i)    Members’ Discussion Forums: These should be strictly for the use and benefit of identified Union members (one general Union forum, one forum for each Sub-Branch and one forum for retired Associate members). These forums would enable full and robust interactive discussions on Union policy, activities and industrial concerns amongst members and elected officials. Whilst all members should be permitted to read all forums and contribute to the General Union Forum, only Sub-Branch members could post message to their respective Sub-Branch forum. This meeting considers that it is not only appropriate, but necessary that such forums be moderated in accordance with an explicit FBEU Editorial Policy. The State Secretary, or his/her delegate, should be responsible for the moderation of all forums, provided that this role shall be shared with the relevant Sub-Branch Secretary in the case of Sub-Branch forums.

ii)    NSW Firefighter E-Journal: The current printed journal should be replaced by an evolving and constantly updated e-journal where officials and members may submit timely articles, opinion pieces and the like that do not necessarily fit into the forum format. Such submitted articles should also be subject to moderation by the State Secretary in the context of the Editorial Policy.

iii)    Union Notices: these should continue to be posted up in a dedicated area.

iv)    a member calendar system where all Union meetings, functions and member send offs, etc. could be posted up for use by both current and Associate members etc.

4)    The State Committee of Management should develop and introduce an Editorial Policy in conjunction with the introduction of these other reforms during the first quarter of 2005. This Editorial Policy, which should prescribe what can and cannot be published, and in what form, should then be endorsed, amended or rejected by the membership at the Union’s 2005 Annual General Meeting. Whilst not limiting subsequent deliberations on the matter, it should:

a)    prohibit material that is deemed to be racist, sexist, homophobic, defamatory or otherwise discriminatory;

b)    prohibit the use of the forums and E Journal by members in their capacity as NSWFB management;