❓ A parliamentary question regarding the use of slip-on units and light tankers for firefighting in rural areas, focusing on safety concerns and government support for farmers.
AnsweredQoN 659Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to my question without notice 644 of Tuesday, 24 August. (1) Does the minister accept that slip-on units are an essential element in country firefighting; and if not, what alternative does the Government propose? (2) Does the Government accept that any purpose-built light tanker is unacceptable to farmers because it is more expensive and it cannot be kept in a state of readiness on the farm? (3) If not, what answer does the Government give to these concerns of farmers? (4) If the Government accepts either of these propositions in questions (1) and (2), will the minister now direct the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia to concentrate its efforts on the design of - (a) slip-on units that meet safety requirements; and (b) adaptations for current units to bring them up to those standards? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Police and Emergency Services provides the following response - (1)-(3) The Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia advises that slip-on units are one appliance option available for use in country firefighting. Private owners, such as farmers, are free to use the appliances if they so wish, and FESA recognises that local governments and farmers utilise slip-on units. However, as stated in response to question without notice 644, in the interests of the volunteer firefighters, FESA has concerns about their design. FESA further advises that it provides purpose-built community-owned firefighting appliances to local governments for use by the local governments’ volunteer bush fire brigades to protect the whole community, not just farms. These are provided on a basis of matching resources to risk and are strategically located in local government areas. Light tankers are one of the vehicle types provided in these circumstances. (4) FESA advises that although it does not have responsibility for farmers’ privately owned firefighting equipment, it does have concerns about safety issues related to slip-on units. Unfortunately there are numerous models of slip-on units, including homemade models. Again, as stated in answer to question without notice 644, FESA has alerted local governments about safety issues and will continue to work to find acceptable designs and support programs for use by the farming community in its response to bushfires.
(1) Does the minister accept that slip-on units are an essential element in country firefighting; and if not, what alternative does the Government propose? (2) Does the Government accept that any purpose-built light tanker is unacceptable to farmers because it is more expensive and it cannot be kept in a state of readiness on the farm? (3) If not, what answer does the Government give to these concerns of farmers? (4) If the Government accepts either of these propositions in questions (1) and (2), will the minister now direct the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia to concentrate its efforts on the design of - (a) slip-on units that meet safety requirements; and (b) adaptations for current units to bring them up to those standards? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Police and Emergency Services provides the following response - (1)-(3) The Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia advises that slip-on units are one appliance option available for use in country firefighting. Private owners, such as farmers, are free to use the appliances if they so wish, and FESA recognises that local governments and farmers utilise slip-on units. However, as stated in response to question without notice 644, in the interests of the volunteer firefighters, FESA has concerns about their design. FESA further advises that it provides purpose-built community-owned firefighting appliances to local governments for use by the local governments’ volunteer bush fire brigades to protect the whole community, not just farms. These are provided on a basis of matching resources to risk and are strategically located in local government areas. Light tankers are one of the vehicle types provided in these circumstances. (4) FESA advises that although it does not have responsibility for farmers’ privately owned firefighting equipment, it does have concerns about safety issues related to slip-on units. Unfortunately there are numerous models of slip-on units, including homemade models. Again, as stated in answer to question without notice 644, FESA has alerted local governments about safety issues and will continue to work to find acceptable designs and support programs for use by the farming community in its response to bushfires.
(2) Does the Government accept that any purpose-built light tanker is unacceptable to farmers because it is more expensive and it cannot be kept in a state of readiness on the farm? (3) If not, what answer does the Government give to these concerns of farmers? (4) If the Government accepts either of these propositions in questions (1) and (2), will the minister now direct the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia to concentrate its efforts on the design of - (a) slip-on units that meet safety requirements; and (b) adaptations for current units to bring them up to those standards? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Police and Emergency Services provides the following response - (1)-(3) The Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia advises that slip-on units are one appliance option available for use in country firefighting. Private owners, such as farmers, are free to use the appliances if they so wish, and FESA recognises that local governments and farmers utilise slip-on units. However, as stated in response to question without notice 644, in the interests of the volunteer firefighters, FESA has concerns about their design. FESA further advises that it provides purpose-built community-owned firefighting appliances to local governments for use by the local governments’ volunteer bush fire brigades to protect the whole community, not just farms. These are provided on a basis of matching resources to risk and are strategically located in local government areas. Light tankers are one of the vehicle types provided in these circumstances. (4) FESA advises that although it does not have responsibility for farmers’ privately owned firefighting equipment, it does have concerns about safety issues related to slip-on units. Unfortunately there are numerous models of slip-on units, including homemade models. Again, as stated in answer to question without notice 644, FESA has alerted local governments about safety issues and will continue to work to find acceptable designs and support programs for use by the farming community in its response to bushfires.
(3) If not, what answer does the Government give to these concerns of farmers? (4) If the Government accepts either of these propositions in questions (1) and (2), will the minister now direct the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia to concentrate its efforts on the design of - (a) slip-on units that meet safety requirements; and (b) adaptations for current units to bring them up to those standards? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Police and Emergency Services provides the following response - (1)-(3) The Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia advises that slip-on units are one appliance option available for use in country firefighting. Private owners, such as farmers, are free to use the appliances if they so wish, and FESA recognises that local governments and farmers utilise slip-on units. However, as stated in response to question without notice 644, in the interests of the volunteer firefighters, FESA has concerns about their design. FESA further advises that it provides purpose-built community-owned firefighting appliances to local governments for use by the local governments’ volunteer bush fire brigades to protect the whole community, not just farms. These are provided on a basis of matching resources to risk and are strategically located in local government areas. Light tankers are one of the vehicle types provided in these circumstances. (4) FESA advises that although it does not have responsibility for farmers’ privately owned firefighting equipment, it does have concerns about safety issues related to slip-on units. Unfortunately there are numerous models of slip-on units, including homemade models. Again, as stated in answer to question without notice 644, FESA has alerted local governments about safety issues and will continue to work to find acceptable designs and support programs for use by the farming community in its response to bushfires.
(4) If the Government accepts either of these propositions in questions (1) and (2), will the minister now direct the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia to concentrate its efforts on the design of - (a) slip-on units that meet safety requirements; and (b) adaptations for current units to bring them up to those standards? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Police and Emergency Services provides the following response - (1)-(3) The Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia advises that slip-on units are one appliance option available for use in country firefighting. Private owners, such as farmers, are free to use the appliances if they so wish, and FESA recognises that local governments and farmers utilise slip-on units. However, as stated in response to question without notice 644, in the interests of the volunteer firefighters, FESA has concerns about their design. FESA further advises that it provides purpose-built community-owned firefighting appliances to local governments for use by the local governments’ volunteer bush fire brigades to protect the whole community, not just farms. These are provided on a basis of matching resources to risk and are strategically located in local government areas. Light tankers are one of the vehicle types provided in these circumstances. (4) FESA advises that although it does not have responsibility for farmers’ privately owned firefighting equipment, it does have concerns about safety issues related to slip-on units. Unfortunately there are numerous models of slip-on units, including homemade models. Again, as stated in answer to question without notice 644, FESA has alerted local governments about safety issues and will continue to work to find acceptable designs and support programs for use by the farming community in its response to bushfires.
(b) adaptations for current units to bring them up to those standards?
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Police and Emergency Services provides the following response - (1)-(3) The Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia advises that slip-on units are one appliance option available for use in country firefighting. Private owners, such as farmers, are free to use the appliances if they so wish, and FESA recognises that local governments and farmers utilise slip-on units. However, as stated in response to question without notice 644, in the interests of the volunteer firefighters, FESA has concerns about their design. FESA further advises that it provides purpose-built community-owned firefighting appliances to local governments for use by the local governments’ volunteer bush fire brigades to protect the whole community, not just farms. These are provided on a basis of matching resources to risk and are strategically located in local government areas. Light tankers are one of the vehicle types provided in these circumstances. (4) FESA advises that although it does not have responsibility for farmers’ privately owned firefighting equipment, it does have concerns about safety issues related to slip-on units. Unfortunately there are numerous models of slip-on units, including homemade models. Again, as stated in answer to question without notice 644, FESA has alerted local governments about safety issues and will continue to work to find acceptable designs and support programs for use by the farming community in its response to bushfires.
(1)-(3) The Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia advises that slip-on units are one appliance option available for use in country firefighting. Private owners, such as farmers, are free to use the appliances if they so wish, and FESA recognises that local governments and farmers utilise slip-on units. However, as stated in response to question without notice 644, in the interests of the volunteer firefighters, FESA has concerns about their design. FESA further advises that it provides purpose-built community-owned firefighting appliances to local governments for use by the local governments’ volunteer bush fire brigades to protect the whole community, not just farms. These are provided on a basis of matching resources to risk and are strategically located in local government areas. Light tankers are one of the vehicle types provided in these circumstances. (4) FESA advises that although it does not have responsibility for farmers’ privately owned firefighting equipment, it does have concerns about safety issues related to slip-on units. Unfortunately there are numerous models of slip-on units, including homemade models. Again, as stated in answer to question without notice 644, FESA has alerted local governments about safety issues and will continue to work to find acceptable designs and support programs for use by the farming community in its response to bushfires.
(4) FESA advises that although it does not have responsibility for farmers’ privately owned firefighting equipment, it does have concerns about safety issues related to slip-on units. Unfortunately there are numerous models of slip-on units, including homemade models. Again, as stated in answer to question without notice 644, FESA has alerted local governments about safety issues and will continue to work to find acceptable designs and support programs for use by the farming community in its response to bushfires.
(1) Does the minister accept that slip-on units are an essential element in country firefighting; and if not, what alternative does the Government propose? (2) Does the Government accept that any purpose-built light tanker is unacceptable to farmers because it is more expensive and it cannot be kept in a state of readiness on the farm? (3) If not, what answer does the Government give to these concerns of farmers? (4) If the Government accepts either of these propositions in questions (1) and (2), will the minister now direct the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia to concentrate its efforts on the design of - (a) slip-on units that meet safety requirements; and (b) adaptations for current units to bring them up to those standards? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Police and Emergency Services provides the following response - (1)-(3) The Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia advises that slip-on units are one appliance option available for use in country firefighting. Private owners, such as farmers, are free to use the appliances if they so wish, and FESA recognises that local governments and farmers utilise slip-on units. However, as stated in response to question without notice 644, in the interests of the volunteer firefighters, FESA has concerns about their design. FESA further advises that it provides purpose-built community-owned firefighting appliances to local governments for use by the local governments’ volunteer bush fire brigades to protect the whole community, not just farms. These are provided on a basis of matching resources to risk and are strategically located in local government areas. Light tankers are one of the vehicle types provided in these circumstances. (4) FESA advises that although it does not have responsibility for farmers’ privately owned firefighting equipment, it does have concerns about safety issues related to slip-on units. Unfortunately there are numerous models of slip-on units, including homemade models. Again, as stated in answer to question without notice 644, FESA has alerted local governments about safety issues and will continue to work to find acceptable designs and support programs for use by the farming community in its response to bushfires.
(2) Does the Government accept that any purpose-built light tanker is unacceptable to farmers because it is more expensive and it cannot be kept in a state of readiness on the farm? (3) If not, what answer does the Government give to these concerns of farmers? (4) If the Government accepts either of these propositions in questions (1) and (2), will the minister now direct the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia to concentrate its efforts on the design of - (a) slip-on units that meet safety requirements; and (b) adaptations for current units to bring them up to those standards? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Police and Emergency Services provides the following response - (1)-(3) The Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia advises that slip-on units are one appliance option available for use in country firefighting. Private owners, such as farmers, are free to use the appliances if they so wish, and FESA recognises that local governments and farmers utilise slip-on units. However, as stated in response to question without notice 644, in the interests of the volunteer firefighters, FESA has concerns about their design. FESA further advises that it provides purpose-built community-owned firefighting appliances to local governments for use by the local governments’ volunteer bush fire brigades to protect the whole community, not just farms. These are provided on a basis of matching resources to risk and are strategically located in local government areas. Light tankers are one of the vehicle types provided in these circumstances. (4) FESA advises that although it does not have responsibility for farmers’ privately owned firefighting equipment, it does have concerns about safety issues related to slip-on units. Unfortunately there are numerous models of slip-on units, including homemade models. Again, as stated in answer to question without notice 644, FESA has alerted local governments about safety issues and will continue to work to find acceptable designs and support programs for use by the farming community in its response to bushfires.
(3) If not, what answer does the Government give to these concerns of farmers? (4) If the Government accepts either of these propositions in questions (1) and (2), will the minister now direct the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia to concentrate its efforts on the design of - (a) slip-on units that meet safety requirements; and (b) adaptations for current units to bring them up to those standards? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Police and Emergency Services provides the following response - (1)-(3) The Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia advises that slip-on units are one appliance option available for use in country firefighting. Private owners, such as farmers, are free to use the appliances if they so wish, and FESA recognises that local governments and farmers utilise slip-on units. However, as stated in response to question without notice 644, in the interests of the volunteer firefighters, FESA has concerns about their design. FESA further advises that it provides purpose-built community-owned firefighting appliances to local governments for use by the local governments’ volunteer bush fire brigades to protect the whole community, not just farms. These are provided on a basis of matching resources to risk and are strategically located in local government areas. Light tankers are one of the vehicle types provided in these circumstances. (4) FESA advises that although it does not have responsibility for farmers’ privately owned firefighting equipment, it does have concerns about safety issues related to slip-on units. Unfortunately there are numerous models of slip-on units, including homemade models. Again, as stated in answer to question without notice 644, FESA has alerted local governments about safety issues and will continue to work to find acceptable designs and support programs for use by the farming community in its response to bushfires.
(4) If the Government accepts either of these propositions in questions (1) and (2), will the minister now direct the Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia to concentrate its efforts on the design of - (a) slip-on units that meet safety requirements; and (b) adaptations for current units to bring them up to those standards? Hon NICK GRIFFITHS replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Police and Emergency Services provides the following response - (1)-(3) The Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia advises that slip-on units are one appliance option available for use in country firefighting. Private owners, such as farmers, are free to use the appliances if they so wish, and FESA recognises that local governments and farmers utilise slip-on units. However, as stated in response to question without notice 644, in the interests of the volunteer firefighters, FESA has concerns about their design. FESA further advises that it provides purpose-built community-owned firefighting appliances to local governments for use by the local governments’ volunteer bush fire brigades to protect the whole community, not just farms. These are provided on a basis of matching resources to risk and are strategically located in local government areas. Light tankers are one of the vehicle types provided in these circumstances. (4) FESA advises that although it does not have responsibility for farmers’ privately owned firefighting equipment, it does have concerns about safety issues related to slip-on units. Unfortunately there are numerous models of slip-on units, including homemade models. Again, as stated in answer to question without notice 644, FESA has alerted local governments about safety issues and will continue to work to find acceptable designs and support programs for use by the farming community in its response to bushfires.
(b) adaptations for current units to bring them up to those standards?
I thank the member for some notice of this question. The Minister for Police and Emergency Services provides the following response - (1)-(3) The Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia advises that slip-on units are one appliance option available for use in country firefighting. Private owners, such as farmers, are free to use the appliances if they so wish, and FESA recognises that local governments and farmers utilise slip-on units. However, as stated in response to question without notice 644, in the interests of the volunteer firefighters, FESA has concerns about their design. FESA further advises that it provides purpose-built community-owned firefighting appliances to local governments for use by the local governments’ volunteer bush fire brigades to protect the whole community, not just farms. These are provided on a basis of matching resources to risk and are strategically located in local government areas. Light tankers are one of the vehicle types provided in these circumstances. (4) FESA advises that although it does not have responsibility for farmers’ privately owned firefighting equipment, it does have concerns about safety issues related to slip-on units. Unfortunately there are numerous models of slip-on units, including homemade models. Again, as stated in answer to question without notice 644, FESA has alerted local governments about safety issues and will continue to work to find acceptable designs and support programs for use by the farming community in its response to bushfires.
(1)-(3) The Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia advises that slip-on units are one appliance option available for use in country firefighting. Private owners, such as farmers, are free to use the appliances if they so wish, and FESA recognises that local governments and farmers utilise slip-on units. However, as stated in response to question without notice 644, in the interests of the volunteer firefighters, FESA has concerns about their design. FESA further advises that it provides purpose-built community-owned firefighting appliances to local governments for use by the local governments’ volunteer bush fire brigades to protect the whole community, not just farms. These are provided on a basis of matching resources to risk and are strategically located in local government areas. Light tankers are one of the vehicle types provided in these circumstances. (4) FESA advises that although it does not have responsibility for farmers’ privately owned firefighting equipment, it does have concerns about safety issues related to slip-on units. Unfortunately there are numerous models of slip-on units, including homemade models. Again, as stated in answer to question without notice 644, FESA has alerted local governments about safety issues and will continue to work to find acceptable designs and support programs for use by the farming community in its response to bushfires.
(4) FESA advises that although it does not have responsibility for farmers’ privately owned firefighting equipment, it does have concerns about safety issues related to slip-on units. Unfortunately there are numerous models of slip-on units, including homemade models. Again, as stated in answer to question without notice 644, FESA has alerted local governments about safety issues and will continue to work to find acceptable designs and support programs for use by the farming community in its response to bushfires.
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