Recently the Department rolled out a blanket policy that permanent firefighters in metro operations on alternative duties, for whatever reason, would only be offered work on the back-to-back roster at a zone office. After a dispute in the IRC, the Department has rescinded this direction.
Members are reminded that when it comes to return-to-work on workers compensation, the Department’s statutory obligation is to consult with the worker on their return-to-work plan and to find suitable duties in consultation with them. The worker’s obligation is to make reasonable efforts to return to suitable duties.
If you believe you were affected by the Department’s direction about alternative duties, and your current duties are not suitable due to medical or personal reasons, contact your return-to-work coordinator, and ask that your plan is reviewed, in line with that direction being rescinded. If that doesn’t resolve the matter, contact the Union.
FRNSW has also agreed that the LSVs at the following stations are available for alternative duties on the 24-hour roster:
Metro East – City of Sydney
Metro South – Kogarah & Wollongong
Metro West – Huntingwood
Metro North – Newcastle
THE “DYNAMIC DISPATCH” PROPOSAL
Today, the FBEU met with the Department for an initial consultation meeting over what they have coined the “Dynamic Dispatch Project”. From what can be gleaned at this early stage, the initiative is a mere refurb of a previous project once known as “Swordfish”.
In essence, what is proposed are significant changes to dispatch with a particular focus on mixed stations and other areas where Retained and Permanent stations more closely interact. At a high level these changes include:
Selective pager response at mixed stations for single pump incidents (better known as ‘selective calling’)
“Dynamic allocation” for incidents to include consideration of “mobilisation time” at selective stations (better known as ‘time delays’)
An incident prioritisation system
On the back of the extensive work required by both parties to finalise the IRC decision on our Awards, the timing of this initiative speaks volumes about the Department’s current priorities. On agreement, no further consultation on this project will occur until the Awards are resolved at the end of the month, where the FBEU will be seeking further information, with particulars to be provided to members in due course. Representatives from the Country and Retained Sub-branches will continue to be actively involved in this process.
CHANGE OF START TIME SURVEY RESULTS
Following SitRep 31/2025, the union can report that the SMS survey utilised to determine support for a change to operational roster start times has now closed. The results demonstrate a majority support for the concept, with 55% of participants in support.
This matter remains at a concept stage, with results and next steps to be discussed by the SCOM in the coming month.
