Hon Martin Aldridge asks about technician shortages (mechanical, radio, auto electrician) within DFES, inquiring about vacant positions, retention incentives, and reliance on interstate technicians. The Minister acknowledges the question, states recruitment is ongoing, the incentive has ceased but a pay increase occurred, and DFES is exploring other options to boost local capacity.

AnsweredQoN 957Legislative Council
Asked
30 August 2023
Portfolio
Emergency Services

QuestionView source ↗

DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES —
TECHNICIAN POSITIONS
957. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Minister for Emergency Services:
I refer to staff shortages of
technicians within the Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
(1) For each of these positions,
how many remain vacant by FTE —
(a) mechanical technician;
(b) radio technician; and
(c) auto electrician?
(2) Is the
attraction and retention incentive payment still in place for the
above-mentioned technicians; and, if so, what is the value and when does it
expire?
(3) Is DFES
continuing to rely on interstate technicians to boost capacity locally; and, if
not, when did such an arrangement cease?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1)–(3) The
Department of Fire and Emergency Services continues to recruit technicians and
the number can change from week to week. The attraction and retention incentive—ARI—has
ceased; however, a work value review was completed in November 2022 and
resulted in a pay increase of 15 per cent to all classifications. DFES is
looking at other options to boost capacity locally.

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