OVER past weeks there has been much debate devoted to negotiations around a new enterprise bargaining agreement between CFA and our career staff firefighters.
There has also been misinformation that needs to be corrected.
The current EBA log of claims submitted by the United Firefighters Union contains a clause in relation to seven firefighters on the fire ground.
The clause clearly states:
“The CFA will meet its duty of care by ensuring seven firefighters to fireground incidents before commencement of safe firefighting operations.”
This is not recognised as best practice by other jurisdictions outside Victoria, nor is it supported by peak body Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities
Council.
The most recent reviews conducted in the UK recognise this as an outdated worst-case scenario approach, rather than a contemporary risk based service delivery model.
This requirement will impact on CFA operational response involving volunteers in the sense that professional firefighters will not begin firefighting work until seven paid firefighters are present — regardless of the number of volunteers present.
This clause would
impact not just career CFA firefighters but takes away the rights of the Chief Officer in responding to incidents.
Unfortunately, there are many other clauses the union is seeking that will adversely impact on volunteers and CFA’s ability to run the organisation in a way that will best serve all
Victorians.
It’s fair to say that while the parties have different perspectives and positions of the clauses, what we can agree on is that it’s in everyone’s interests for negotiations to be concluded quickly and for us to all get on with the job.
But any agreement must meet the needs not just of our career staff, but also volunteers and, most importantly, the Victorian community.
It must deliver real value to the community while preserving the
highest levels of service to the 3.5 million Victorians we protect.
The current proposal fails this fundamental test.
CFA has a generous offer
to its career staff on the table — a 19 per cent pay increase as well as new provisions in line with State Government election commitments.
It recognises the exceptional job done by the CFA’s career staff firefighters — without them the CFA would not be able to protect life and property as effectively as it
does.
The integrated model, with staff and volunteer firefighters working shoulder to shoulder, is as effective as it is unique.
As custodians
of this incredible organisation, it is incumbent on all of us — staff and volunteers — to ensure any agreement will continue to put the safety of Victorians front and centre for decades to come.
Joe Buffone is CFA Chief Fire Officer
