News

SitRep 25/2026

July 31, 2026

SYDNEY METRO RESPONSE CAPABILITY – UPDATE

Work continues on the development of a dedicated Sydney Metro response capability – last discussed at SitRep 19/2026. The Department is progressing the rollout in phases, with the current objective of having 8 of 20 uplift stations trained in nationally recognised rail qualification modules designed to facilitate operations within the rail corridor by the end of the year. Four stations have completed this training to date, and we are awaiting confirmation of the location of the remaining stations identified for the rollout.

Over the past weeks, the FBEU and HSRs have remained actively involved in discussions regarding doctrine, incident safety and the review of training arrangements. While improvements to these arrangements are still required, all parties have committed to ongoing review through formal consultation processes as the capability develops. We also understand that Senior Officers will receive training and form part of the rollout.

State Committee met and discussed this matter yesterday. In the interim, a weekly allowance of $28.62 will be paid to members who have completed the training and who are attached to a Metro Response station. We understand that the allowance will be backdated to the date training was completed. These arrangements also form part of the recently endorsed Log of Claims and will be subject to further discussions, with the long-term intention of establishing Metro Response as a standalone capability.

 

PERMANENT MEAL ALLOWANCES ON OVERTIME – UPDATE

Following the recent Special General Meeting (SGM), members have rejected the Department’s offer to settle this dispute.

Further conciliation between the parties took place before the IRC this week, during which the Union communicated the position of members. The matter has now been listed for further conciliation. Members will be kept informed of any significant developments.

 

2027 AWARD BARGAINING – UPDATE

This week, the Department and the FBEU exchanged correspondence to formally commence negotiations for the 2027 Awards.

Consistent with the outcomes of the Special General Meetings, the FBEU has provided the Department with the Union’s Log of Claims. The Log outlines the key priorities identified by members and is intended to form the basis for negotiations. It does not represent fixed or predetermined positions, with further detail and any proposed outcomes to be referred back to members for endorsement.

The parties intend to commence discussions as soon as possible. Members will continue to receive regular updates as negotiations progress, with sufficient notice provided ahead of any decisions requiring member consideration.

 

CODE RED AMBULANCE ASSISTANCE – UPDATE

Further to our previous notice temporarily suspending our Code Red on Ambulance Assist calls, State Committee met yesterday for further discussions on this matter.

We have resolved to continue our temporary suspension on the Ambulance Assist Code Red until 5pm on Monday 3 August while we await the outcome of further discussions with the Department on this matter.

The FBEU is seeking that the Department commit to significant and full consultation and consideration of ambulance assist incidents and ensure appropriate parameters are in place to define these incident types and ensure that appropriate doctrine applies to these calls. We are also insisting that the parties agree to a cooperative work value assessment of this work, and most importantly that safety for members is a priority and measures are put in place to protect members when attending these calls.

We will communicate further to members on Monday regarding this matter.

 

REGIONAL FIREFIGHTER CHAMPIONSHIPS – GOULBURN

We will be at the Regional Firefighting Championships in Goulburn this weekend. If you’re attending, feel free to stop by our stand, say hello, and have a chat with the team.

We look forward to seeing you there.

In Unity,

Leighton Drury
State Secretary

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