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The week's news
Links to selected firefighter workplace, industrial, technology and OHS news stories.
Australia
Vic - Fiskville exposure roundup:
Ryan may consider independent inquiry into Fiskville
 Firefighters are threatening to close a Country Fire Authority (CFA)
training facility west of Melbourne unless there is an independent
inquiry into a suspected cancer cluster there.The United Firefighters
Union has asked the coroner to conduct an investigation.
Union urges firefighters to join push for coronial inquiry
South-west
firefighters have been urged to support a push for a coronial inquiry
into former practices used at Fiskville training centre, which are
alleged to have triggered cancer.There are fears similar carcinogenic
chemicals were also used at other training areas, including Penshurst.
Fiskville fire boss stays silent
The
man who headed the Country Fire Authority when dangerous chemicals were
stored at its training college says he will tell all only to a judicial
inquiry. And the Herald Sun can reveal the CFA's board formally
discussed the storage of dangerous chemicals at Fiskville at a meeting
in 1990.
CFA did nothing about risks at Fiskville
A
secret report has revealed the Country Fire Authority knew about
dangerous chemicals stored at its main training centre more than 20
years ago but did not warn workers of any health dangers. Emergency
Services Minister Peter Ryan said he expected the CFA would respond to
the health concerns of Fiskville workers.
CFA knew of Fiskville dangers
The
Country Fire Authority knew about the toxic chemicals stored at its
Fiskville training centre more than 20 years ago but did not warn its
workers of the dangers, a secret report claims.
Firefighters' critical of man appointed to head CFA probe into Fiskville
The
head of a Country Fire Authority investigation into the use of toxic
chemicals at its Fiskville training college has denied he has a conflict
of interest. Prof Rob Joy and CFA chief executive Mick Bourke worked
together at the Environment Protection Authority.The United Firefighters
Union criticised Prof Joy's appointment because of the pair's
relationship.
WA: WA's firefighting agency restructured
Western
Australia's key firefighting agency will be restructured under a new
post of commissioner,in laws being drafted in the wake of a review into
the Perth Hills bushfire.
Commissioner for FESA after makeover.
Vic: Rural tree change for MFB firefighters
Two
long-standing members of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade have taken a
break from the big smoke to join the smaller, self-sufficient team of
the Mildura-based Country Fire Authority. The year long stint is part of
a secondment program aimed at bringing the two agencies closer
together.
WA: Botched solar panels a fire risk
Thousands
of rooftop solar panels in WA pose a potential fire risk, according to a
report by the State's electricity safety watchdog that highlights
widespread defects in the quality of installations.
International
USA: Congress funds public safety program providing grants to communities to hire firefighters
Struggling
communities will have access to $742.5 million in grants to maintain
and improve public safety in neighborhoods across the country following
approval by Congress of the 2012 Omnibus Appropriations.
UK: Pensions latest position - cost ceilings
The
UK government has now issued a cost ceiling for the proposed
Firefighters pension scheme. FBU officials are currently examining the
government’s position and are preparing a response to the Fire Minister.
NZ: Collective Agreement negotiations
The
Union has received the formal offer from the employer. However, the
offer is significantly different from that the employer was proposing at
the bargaining table. As well, there are many questions, points of
clarification and omissions in the employer’s proposal to substantially
resolve the Relieving Clauses.
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