❓ Question regarding the relocation of the Bassendean Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service to Forrestfield, focusing on accommodation, volunteer safety, response times, funding, and consultation. The answer provides justifications and outlines ongoing planning.
AnsweredQoN 1079Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the decision to relocate the Bassendean Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service to Forrestfield , and I ask: (a) why has the Department made the decision to house volunteers in a demountable classroom and an old sea container at Forrestfield when adequate accommodation exists in 24/7 stations; (b) did the Department consider the potential risk to Volunteers who now have to drive longer distances home after fighting fires; (c) did the Department consider the longer response times of Volunteers attending fires when they now have to drive to Forrestfield, particularly during peak hour traffic; (d) what funding has Department of Fire Emergency Services allocated for new facilities and equipment at Forrestfield; and (e) what consultation took place with the Bassendean Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service volunteers prior to this decision being made?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
15 October 2013
Responded by
Minister for Emergency Services
Response time
35 days
(a) Interim accommodation arrangements for the volunteers include the use of a demountable classroom for Brigade meetings and training sessions. The sea container is solely for the storage of brigade equipment. These arrangements are comparable to those currently in place for career Brigades who are also transitioning through changes to accommodation/station facilities.
(b) Yes. DFES always considers the fatigue risk to all firefighters and emergency responders driving post incident hence has in place fatigue management protocols which take into account not just the welfare of fire fighters during an incident but also travelling from an incident. Consequently, locally managed strategies are put in place by onsite Incident Management Teams and monitored by Regional Operations Centres.
(c) The new Brigade is not categorised as a 'first response brigade'. They are to be used to support campaign fires and protracted incidents anywhere in the metropolitan area and will be provided adequate notification of the need to respond.
(d) Initial planning towards a new facility has commenced and will include consultation with members of the new Brigade to determine future facility requirements and requisite funding.
(e) Consultation with Brigade officers has been ongoing since 2008 which has include regular face to face meetings with the Brigade Members and senior DFES officers, and the formation of committees made up of Brigade Members and DFES Operational Officers and staff.
(b) Yes. DFES always considers the fatigue risk to all firefighters and emergency responders driving post incident hence has in place fatigue management protocols which take into account not just the welfare of fire fighters during an incident but also travelling from an incident. Consequently, locally managed strategies are put in place by onsite Incident Management Teams and monitored by Regional Operations Centres.
(c) The new Brigade is not categorised as a 'first response brigade'. They are to be used to support campaign fires and protracted incidents anywhere in the metropolitan area and will be provided adequate notification of the need to respond.
(d) Initial planning towards a new facility has commenced and will include consultation with members of the new Brigade to determine future facility requirements and requisite funding.
(e) Consultation with Brigade officers has been ongoing since 2008 which has include regular face to face meetings with the Brigade Members and senior DFES officers, and the formation of committees made up of Brigade Members and DFES Operational Officers and staff.
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