IN ORDERS
29 September 2006 2006/22
Current national security alert level: Medium
LEGISLATION……………………………………………………………………… 2
Charges for attending hazardous material incidents and false alarms, and for the
provision of other services by the NSW Fire Brigades……………………………… 2
POLICY……………………………………………………………………………… 6
Transfer review guidelines - permanent firefighters…………………………………. 6
AWARDS…………………………………………………………………………….. 7
Superability of extended leave at double pay………………………………………… 7
PERMANENT FIREFIGHTERS NOTICES………………………………………… 8
Vacancies……………………………………………………………………………... 8
Manager Counter Terrorism and Aviation……………………………………………. 8
Station Commander, East Maitland…………………………………………………… 8
Station Commander, Queanbeyan…………………………………………………….. 9
Appointments…………………………………………………………………………. 9
Promotions……………………………………………………………………………. 10
Retirements…………………………………………………………………………… 11
RETAINED FIREFIGHTERS NOTICES……………………………………………. 12
New members appointed to Brigades…………………………………………………. 12
Relinquishment of ranks………………………………………………………………. 12
Appointed to Engine Keeper’s positions……………………………………………… 12
Transfers………………………………………………………………………………. 12
Terminations…………………………………………………………………………... 12
Resignations…………………………………………………………………………… 13
Retirements……………………………………………………………………………. 13
Transferred to Honorary List………………………………………………………….. 13
LEGISLATION
Charges for attending hazardous material incidents and false alarms, and for the provision of other services by the NSW Fire Brigades
The following instruction rescinds In Orders 2000/19, Fire Brigades (Charges) Regulation 2000.
1. Changes to legislation
The Fire Brigades (Charges) Regulation 2000 was repealed on 1 September 2006. It has been replaced by amendments to the Fire Brigades (General) Regulation 2003 which came into force on 1 September 2006.
The Fire Brigades (General) Amendment (Charges) Regulation 2006:
* changed the name of the Fire Brigades (General) Regulation 2003 to the Fire Brigades
Regulation 2003, and
* amended the Fire Brigades Regulation 2003 to incorporate the prescribed charges as provided by
sections 40 (Charges for attending fires or hazardous material incidents) and 42 (Charges for other services including false alarms) of the Fire Brigades Act 1989 by the addition of Part 6, Charges, Clauses 52 and 53, and Schedules 1 and 2.
2. Charges for hazardous materials incidents
The new charges for responses to hazmat incidents are set out in Schedule 1 to the Fire Brigades Regulation 2003. The charges for providing hazmat response services have been simplified and made more transparent. These charges have been recalculated on the basis of the hourly running cost of appliances and include an hourly salary component for NSWFB personnel, and the hourly cost of providing other NSWFB equipment. Provision has also been made for the recovery of the cost of all consumables used by the NSWFB during such incidents.
One half of the charges specified for hazmat incidents is prescribed in respect of each half hour, or part of a half hour, during which the equipment is used (or made available for use) at the site of the incident.
However, if any fully encapsulated gas suit or spillage suit is damaged or contaminated at the site to the extent that it cannot be reused, the prescribed charge in respect of the suit concerned is the cost of replacing the suit.
3. Charges for other services
The charges prescribed for the performance of a service specified in section 42 (1) (a)*(d) and (f) of the Act by a member of a fire brigade are set out in Schedule 2 to the Fire Brigades Regulation 2003. These charges are the charges per hour specified in Column 2 of that Schedule opposite the rank concerned. Provision has also been made for the recovery of the cost of all consumables used by the NSWFB during the performance of such service.
4. Charges for false alarms
The charge for false alarms as specified in section 42 (1) (d) of the Act remains unchanged.
5. The amendments to the Fire Brigades Regulation 2003
The text of the Fire Brigades (General) Amendment (Charges) Regulation 2006 is given below. The full revised text of the Fire Brigades Regulation 2003 is available on the NSW Government Legislation and Austlii websites.
Fire Brigades (General) Amendment (Charges) Regulation 2006 under the Fire Brigades Act 1989
1 Name of Regulation
This Regulation is the Fire Brigades (General) Amendment (Charges) Regulation 2006.
2 Commencement
This Regulation commenced on 1 September 2006.
3 Amendment of Fire Brigades (General) Regulation 2003
The Fire Brigades (General) Regulation 2003 is amended as set out in Schedule 1.
Schedule 1 Amendments
(Clause 3)
[1] Clause 1 Name of Regulation
Omit “(General)”.
[2] Part 6 and Schedules 1 and 2
Insert after Part 5:
Part 6 Charges
52 Maximum charges for rendering services in respect of hazardous material incidents: section 40
(4A)
(1) The charges prescribed for services rendered at the site of a hazardous material incident as described in section 40 (4A) of the Act are, in relation to each item of equipment listed in Column 1 of Schedule 1 that is used (or made available for use) at the site, the charges per hour specified in Column 2 of that Schedule opposite the item of equipment concerned, together with the charge for consumables prescribed by that Schedule.
(2) One half of the charges specified is prescribed in respect of each half hour, or part of a half hour, during which the equipment is used (or made available for use) at the site of the incident.
(3) However, if any fully encapsulated gas suit or spillage suit is damaged or contaminated at the site to the extent that it cannot be reused, the prescribed charge in respect of the suit concerned is the cost of replacing the suit.
53 Charges for rendering other services: section 42
(1) The charges prescribed for the performance of a service specified in section 42 (1) (a)*(d) of the Act by a member of a fire brigade of a rank specified in Column 1 of Schedule 2 are the charges per hour specified in Column 2 of that Schedule opposite the rank concerned, together with the charge for consumables prescribed by that Schedule.
(2) The amount of $250 is prescribed for the performance of the service specified in section 42 (1) (e) of the Act (that is, the service of responding to an alarm that is afterwards discovered to have been a false alarm) if:
(a) the false alarm resulted from any activation of the alarm except in the course of a test of which prior notice was given to a fire brigade officer and that the Commissioner is satisfied was properly carried out, and
(b) it is the second or subsequent occasion of any such false alarm by the alarm during any period of 60 days.
Schedule 1 Charges for rendering services in relation to hazardous material incidents (Clause 52 (1))
Column 1 Column 2
Item of equipment Amount per hour per item
Each standard pumper $423
Each hazmat pumper $423
Each hazmat vehicle other than a hazmat pumper $286
Each hazmat delta decontamination shelter $286
Each special operations response vehicle $286
Each boat (including a trailer and vehicle to tow it) $286
Each helicopter $3,300
Each incident command vehicle $275
Each hose $55
Each fully encapsulated gas suit $275
Each spillage suit $55
Each self-contained breathing apparatus $55
Each standard gas detector $55
Each unit of specialised detection equipment $110
Consumables Amount
Consumables Such amount as is certified by the Commissioner to be the cost to the Commissioner of the consumables, plus 10% for handling costs.
Schedule 2 Charges for rendering a service referred to in section 42 (1) (a)*(d) of the Act
(Clause 53 (1))
Column 1 Column 2
Rank of member of fire brigade Amount per hour per member
Chief superintendent or above $132
Other superintendent $121
Inspector $99
Station commander or captain $83
Firefighter $66
Consumables Amount
Consumables Such amount as is certified by the Commissioner to be the cost to the Commissioner of the consumables, plus 10% for handling costs.
Contact Officer: David Bailey, Director Finance and Administration, (02) 9265 2925
File Reference: CHO/00144
POLICY
Transfer review guidelines - permanent firefighters
1. Introduction
A permanent firefighter who perceives a transfer decision to be harmful, unfair or unreasonable may submit a transfer review application to the Transfer Review Committee (TRC).
2. Transfer Review Committee
The TRC will consist of the following:
* the Human Resources Manager of the Area Command in which the firefighter concerned currently works
* the Area Commander of an adjoining Area Command, and
* an independent person from outside the Area Command.
3. Review process
The review application must be lodged to the TRC within 48 hours following notification of a transfer. An application for a transfer review should be lodged on a transfer review form (available on Station Portal).
The TRC is responsible for deciding what action will be taken on the matter and will commence proceedings within three working days of receipt of the complaint. Unless exceptional circumstances exist all proceedings should be completed within 10 working days.
Transfers will not be operative until the review process has been finalised.
The TRC will:
* acknowledge in writing to the firefighter concerned that a complaint has been received
* consider all written evidence presented to the TRC
* investigate the complaint (if necessary the TRC may nominate an independent person to undertake the investigative proceedings)
* document its findings, and
* make a decision.
The TRC is responsible for ensuring the thorough investigation of the matter. In doing so, it may contact people who may have an interest in the review and may seek any information it considers relevant.
The TRC will ensure that:
* all TRC decisions are made in the presence of all TRC members, and
* all information placed before the TRC is kept confidential.
The decision made by the TRC will be final and no further action will be taken by the NSW Fire Brigades.
Contact Officer: Superintendent Marcus Baker, Manager Operational Personnel, (02) 9265 2830
File Reference: CHO/01550
AWARDS
Superability of extended leave at double pay
On 17 December 2004 the Premier’s Department issued Circular 2004-45, which in part advised of new provisions whereby employees could take extended leave at double pay.
Corresponding provisions were incorporating into various Awards including:
Crown Employees (NSW Fire Brigades Firefighting Staff) Award 2005
Crown Employees (NSW Fire Brigades Retained Firefighting Staff) Award 2005
Crown Employees (Public Service Conditions of Employment) Award
That part of the payment which represents the double payment is referred to as the ‘additional payment’. Further, the additional payment is described as being a non-superable taxable allowance.
However, the Premier’s Department has advised (Circular 2005-33) that it has ‘now received detailed legal advice which indicates that the double payment is superable for employees covered by the First State Superannuation Act 1992 only. These employees are members of First State Super or another complying fund of their choice.’
Contact Officer: Barry Larkins, Acting Industrial Officer, (02) 9265 2958
File Reference: CHO/00383v2
PERMANENT FIREFIGHTERS NOTICES
Vacancies
Manager Counter Terrorism and Aviation
Applications are invited from operational personnel for the position of Manager Counter Terrorism and Aviation, Operational Support Level 4, at Alexandria.
An information package should be obtained before submitting an application. Applications must address all the selection criteria.
Inquiries: Chief Superintendent Jim Hamilton, Assistant Director Specialised Operations, (02) 9318 4872
Information packages: Rocio Cedres, Administration Officer, (02) 9318 4351
Applications to: Human Resources Manager Alexandria, NSW Fire Brigades,189 Wyndham Street, ALEXANDRIA NSW 2015
Closing date: 10 November 2006
File reference: CHO/03132
Station Commander, East Maitland
Applications are invited from officers holding the rank of Station Officer to apply for the position of Station Commander at 373 East Maitland, Metropolitan North 3, working the 10/14 roster.
An information package should be obtained before submitting an application. Applications must address all the selection criteria.
The successful applicant may make application for conditions contained in Clause 29 of the Crown Employees (NSW Fire Brigades Firefighting Staff) Award 2005. Inquiries regarding the Award conditions and any entitlements should be directed to the Manager Operational Personnel on (02) 9265 2830.
Inquiries: Acting Superintendent Brett Crotty, Zone Commander Metropolitan North 3, (02) 4933 6197
Information packages: Angela Villanti, (02) 9901 2430
Applications to: Human Resources Manager. NSW Fire Brigades, 55-57 Dickson Ave, ARTARMON NSW 2064
Closing date: 10 November 2006
File reference: STN/00373C
Station Commander, Queanbeyan
Applications are invited from officers holding the rank of Station Officer for the position of Station Commander, at 428 Queanbeyan, Zone Regional South 1, working the back to back roster.
An information package should be obtained before submitting an application. Applications must address all the selection criteria.
The successful applicant may apply for the conditions in Clause 29 of the Crown Employees (NSW Fire Brigades Firefighting Staff) Award 2005. Contact the Manager Operational Personnel for enquiries on Award conditions and any entitlement.
Inquiries: Superintendent Wayne Roberts, Zone Commander Regional
South 1, (02) 4472 3042.
Information packages: Administrative Services Officer, (02) 9742 7300
Applications to: Regional Human Resource Manager, NSW Fire Brigades, Region Office, Locked Bag 13, GREENACRE NSW 2190
Closing date: 10 November 2006
File reference: STS/00428
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Appointments
The following appointments are subject to the provisions of the Government and Related Employees Appeal Tribunal Act 1980. In some cases the maximum salary of the position may exceed the limit under which an appeal may be made to GREAT. The 21 day period for appeal commences on the date of this In Order.
Position No. Name Date of Decision
Roster Officer, OS2 8431 J Kirkegard 14 September 2006
Station Commander Armidale 6518 W Zikan 11 September 2006
Fleet Officer, OS3 5968 G Breen 12 September 2006
Workplace Assessor Region South 7771 Z Mehanna 20 September 2006
Recruit Firefighters
The following Recruit Firefighters were appointed to the NSW Fire Brigades on 29 September 2006:
9115 D Dennis
9116 D Knapp
9117 R King
9118 G Herrera
9119 J McPherson
9120 D Phelps
9121 J Oriel
9122 P Bellini
9123 M Nichols
9124 G Bowes
9125 T Breakspear
9126 D Miller
9127 G Brady
9128 D Phillippe
9129 S Parkhouse
9130 G Bruce
9131 I Battersby
9132 T Cruden
9133 M O’Farrell
9134 K Iskov
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Promotions
Station Officer Level 1 to Station Officer Level 2 17 September 2006