News

PRESUMPTIVE CANCER BILL DEBATED As covered in Sitrep 25/2025, the NSW Opposition recently tabled a bill in the NSW Parliament in support of expanding the existing list of occupational firefighter cancers covered by NSW presumptive cancer legislation. Members can find […]

CODE RED – Media Room Several months ago, the Department “found” $265,374.86 left over in its properties budget and decided, rather than fund improvements to frontline fire stations, to convert operational space in Sydney Communications into a “media room”. This […]

IRC AWARD ARBITRATION DECISION – UPDATE As previously discussed, a large body of work continues to progress as both the FBEU and the Department continue to work through the IRC’s recent Award decision. All elements of this work, from the […]

CODE RED – Metro North Reliever Transfers Metro North Command has been forcing Firefighters at Leading ranks into Relieving positions in breach of their own Mobility policy and SitRep 3/2015. Despite efforts to ensure compliance, members continue to be transferred […]

IRC AWARD ARBITRATION DECISION – UPDATE Following Sitrep 27/2025, the FBEU has this week continued to meet with FRNSW to review the implications and practical application of various aspects of the IRC’s Award decision. These meetings will continue regularly as […]

IRC AWARD ARBITRATION DECISION – FURTHER STEPS Further to yesterday’s Sitrep we continue to review and consider the impact of the decision issued yesterday by the IRC. For those who have taken the time to read it in full, as […]

IRC AWARD ARBITRATION DECISION This morning the IRC handed down its decision in our Award Arbitration for all three Awards after five months of deliberation. Respect, Protect, Value your firefighters was the message members took the NSW Government. Our Log […]

PRESUMPTIVE CANCER BILL IN THE NSW PARLIAMENT Earlier this week, the NSW Opposition tabled a bill in support of expanding the existing list of occupational cancers covered by NSW presumptive cancer legislation. On Wednesday, Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, The […]

SAFE WORK NSW ISSUE PIN ON FRNSW SAFETY FAILURES As noted in Sitrep 23/2025, the FBEU recently engaged Safe Work NSW on matters relating to FRNSW’s failure to coordinate meetings of the State Health & Safety Committee (SHSC), depriving members […]

ATTENDANCE MANAGEMENT POLICY (AMP) CODE RED Permanent Firefighters are reminded that the February 2024 CODE RED concerning the FRNSW AMP remains in place. Effective immediately, all Permanent Firefighters are instructed to not engage in any AMP processes until otherwise instructed […]

Published 18 July 2025 QFD PROSECUTION OVER FIREFIGHTER FATALITY   Members will recall from SitRep 24/2023 the tragic loss of Queensland Comrade and First Class Firefighter Izzy Nash, who was killed while attending a factory fire at Slacks Creek. The passing of […]

FRNSW’S ‘TANKER STRATEGY’ FRNSW’s ‘tanker strategy’ – discussed here in Sitrep 20/2025 – has continued to bewilder union officials this week as FRNSW blundered their way through yet another consultation meeting. From what the FBEU can decipher, FRNSW is seeking […]