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Monday 29 March 2010
"He who orders the equipment without permission pays for the equipment"
Process for ordering on the fire ground
The RFBAQ was asked by member of a Rural Fire Brigade in the South East Region, “what is the correct process for ordering plant or equipment under all situations on the fire ground?” (Dozers, Graders, Water Trucks ETC)
Currently there is no written formalised processes in place in the Rural Fire Service, although we have been informed in writing from Rural Operations, Kedron, that there is a need for a business rule, and that one is to be developed.
Rural Operations, Kedron suggest that:- “In the interim, brigades are encouraged to work through the Area Office with urgent contact being via Fire Com” as Area office staff may not be available or unreachable at the time.
As there is a level of uncertainty in relation to this process, the RFBAQ has enquired on behalf of a brigade, and here is the process as we understand it.
As the Officer in Charge or Incident Controller, you will have notified FireComm of your incident and the units that are present and that you are the Controller.
If you believe that there is a need for equipment, be it dozer, water truck, grader, ask FireComm to contact your Area Office, or if your Area Office is un-contactable, ask FireComm to contact the Rural Duty Officer.
If the Rural Duty Officer is un-contactable, FireComm will be able to source and order the equipment that is necessary.
Again the old adage, “He who orders the equipment without permission pays for the equipment”, is valid, as an Area Director or delegate will have this expense coming out of their Area or Regional budget. This is why it is critical that you notify FireComm immediately of your presence at an incident, as this will allow for more time in the notification of Area Office / Rural Duty Officer.
Again the RFBAQ would like to stress the necessity of following the process and of creating and maintaining good working relationships with all of the staff in your local Area and Regional Office.
Process Chart for requesting plant / equipment from the fire ground
Emails that have been received by the RFBAQ from Rural Operations in relation to this matter have been logged in the correspondence register of the Association.
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