The Canberra Times of 17 March 2019 reports of rising concerns that "frontline firefighters are yet to receive practical training to deal with light rail incidents", yet they are already responding to emergencies. UFU Branch Secretary, Greg McConville, expressed concern over the level of training provided to date, noting that "the number of people hit by light rail vehicles … [Read more...]
Light rail rescue response plan slammed by UFU
The Canberra Times of 3 March 2019 reports that "firefighters' union has slammed authorities' plan to respond to light rail incidents, saying firefighters will be left waiting for key pieces of rescue equipment that could be "the difference between life and death" in emergencies." … [Read more...]
Budget allocates $2.3m for protective firefighter gear
United Firefighters Union ACT Branch Secretary, Greg McConville, has welcomed the ACT Government's budget decision to allocate $2.3 million for new protective outerwear firefighting garments. A story on this item appeared in the Canberra Times on 23 January 2019. The clothing will consist of an outer tunic and over pants, in addition to the funding for new flamepoof, … [Read more...]
Fire safety worries grow re high-rises and apartments built in Canberra
More reports are starting to emerge about the fire safety risks posed by the growth in high-rise apartments, as well as sub-standard design and construction practices in apartment buildings, in Canberra. In a report from The Canberra Times on 3 February 2019, an expert warns that "sloppy commissioning and maintenance of fire prevention systems could put lives at risk" as … [Read more...]
Fire station renovations: ‘A litany of disasters’
A story in the Canberra Times on 3 February 2019 sums up a range of concerns about the construction and renovation of Canberra's fire stations identified by the UFU: "Rooftop solar panels that haven't been activated for nearly four years, slippery floors that had to be repainted twice and CCTV cameras that could have captured footage of criminals if only they'd been switched … [Read more...]