❓ Question regarding restrictions on volunteer fire brigades publicising new appliances and attending promotional events. The answer clarifies DFES policy on photography and explains the rationale behind joint regional handover events, emphasising volunteer choice and risk assessment.
AnsweredQoN 1484Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to question without notice 634 in relation to the delivery of new fire and emergency appliances, and I ask: (a) has the Minister, Fire and Emergency Services (FES) Commissioner or, a delegate of either person instructed any volunteer Brigade, Group or, Unit (BGU) in receipt of a new fire and emergency appliance to refrain from photographing or publicising the new vehicle until such time as authorised; (b) if yes to (a), why are volunteer BGU's being gagged in such a way; (c) has the Minister, FES Commissioner or a delegate of either person instructed or requested any volunteer BGU in receipt of a new fire and emergency appliance to travel outside of their primary response district to attend a media or promotional event; and (d) if yes to (c), has any concern been raised by BGU's in relation to the time commitment for travel to such events and the risk associated with taking resources outside or primary response districts?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
8 August 2023
Responded by
Minister for Emergency Services
Response time
8 days
(a) The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) advises that volunteers can take photographs of newly arrived appliances. Posting content on social media in a professional capacity requires consultation with the DFES. Content can be in the form of text, imagery, video, or even links to newly developed or existing information.
(b) – (c)
Official appliance handover events provide an important engagement opportunity for volunteers and key stakeholders involved with delivering an appliance and acknowledges & celebrates the important contributions that volunteers make. Joint regional handover events occasionally occur if neighbouring BGUs receive new appliances in similar timeframes. This allows volunteers from across the region who may routinely respond to incidents alongside each other to get together and celebrate. It also provides an opportunity to highlight the increased regional capability through new appliances and the government’s commitment to community safety.
DFES takes a common-sense approach in offering a single event for volunteers from different BGUs to come together on occasions when multiple appliances are being presented. Regionally based events offer local volunteers the opportunity to celebrate together along with being able to strengthen established relationships with other BGUs they may respond with and support at incidents.
(d) DFES does not mandate volunteer attendance. Full consideration of operational risks associated with a temporary reduction in response arrangements is undertaken before any event that DFES arranges proceeds.
(b) – (c)
Official appliance handover events provide an important engagement opportunity for volunteers and key stakeholders involved with delivering an appliance and acknowledges & celebrates the important contributions that volunteers make. Joint regional handover events occasionally occur if neighbouring BGUs receive new appliances in similar timeframes. This allows volunteers from across the region who may routinely respond to incidents alongside each other to get together and celebrate. It also provides an opportunity to highlight the increased regional capability through new appliances and the government’s commitment to community safety.
DFES takes a common-sense approach in offering a single event for volunteers from different BGUs to come together on occasions when multiple appliances are being presented. Regionally based events offer local volunteers the opportunity to celebrate together along with being able to strengthen established relationships with other BGUs they may respond with and support at incidents.
(d) DFES does not mandate volunteer attendance. Full consideration of operational risks associated with a temporary reduction in response arrangements is undertaken before any event that DFES arranges proceeds.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.