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Friday 3 December 2010
Amendments and required changes to 2010 Brigade Manual.
The RFBAQ has received numerous queries and complaints regarding the contents of the recently released 2010 Brigade Manual. The Association took these items to the Consultative Meeting held with the Rural Operations on the 20th November 2010. Below is a list of the required changes or amendments to the manual.
Rural Operations, in rewriting the new manual did not consult with Volunteers or the Association before releasing some fundamental changes to the way that Volunteer Brigades operate, and the result of this is that some sections of the new manual are at best confusing, and in a couple of instances some of the amended sections will heavily impact on Brigades both financially and in the way that they protect their communities.
The 2010 Brigade Manual does have some positive outcomes for Brigades, such as the two following sections:-
C 4.3 First Aid Training, ‘QFRS will pay for two members per brigade to be trained in first aid.’
D 5.3.1Communications Equipment, ‘QFRS provides radios at no cost to brigades… Brigades that are financially capable may be asked to purchase their own radios…
The current replacement program and supply of radios is aimed at addressing the current five (5) priorities;
Ensure there are two (2) portable radios per appliance and 1 for the First Officer;
Replace all 100 channel VHF mobile radios with 1000 channel radios;
Dual fit UHF and VHF radios in all appliances;
Replace all 100 channel portables with 1000 channel portable radios;
One (1) UHF portable to all Brigades.
While the RFBAQ see the above as positives introduced in the 2010 Brigade Manual, below are the sections that Volunteers and the Association require amendment or change:-
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2007 Brigade Manual
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2010 Brigade Manual
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Required change / clarification
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D7.24 Protection from Liability 2007 Brigade Manual
QFRS or its insurers will provide legal representation.
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D1.3.1 Protection from Liability 2010 Brigade Manual
Director General of the Department of Community Safety (DCS) has the capacity to provide an indemnity and /or legal assistance to a volunteer who acts under the direction of the State.
The Government will not provide legal assistance and/or indemnity to a volunteer:
If the Government has commenced a Ø Civil Proceeding against the volunteer that arises out of the circumstances of the application for Legal Assistance and/or Indemnity
To defend a charge of a criminal Ø offence, unless:
The charge is made pursuant to a private complaint or prosecution arising out of the carrying out of the volunteers duties or functions and is vexatious or otherwise baseless;
Approval in writing has first been gained from the Attorney General; or
In relation to an investigation by a police service or other entity with responsibility for investigating offences, in relation to the commission of an offence.
Carrying out a hazard reduction burn on your own property is not a bona fide Brigade activity and therefore:
WorkCover does not cover any injuries incurred during the burn;
QFRS does not cover any equipment that may be damaged or destroyed during the burn;
QFRS does not provide any Public Liability protection.
A Brigade can not be activated to undertake a hazard reduction burn on a member’s property, unless there are clearly defined public safety benefits resulting from the burn.
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D1.3.1 Protection from Liability
This section needs to be rewritten and supplied in every day English. If this is not legally possibly an additional and complete written explanation must be provided.
For immediate correction
Hazard Reduction and Bona Fide Brigade Activity
The wording relating to “Carrying out a hazard reduction burn” in this section is not appropriate and must be changed as it currently clearly states that no protection is afforded to volunteers if injured while carrying out a hazard reduction burn co-jointly with a Rural Fire Brigade on their own property. This is not acceptable – This lack of cover should only apply if the burn is carried out while acting as a private citizen and without brigade involvement. This need to be deleted or re written with the explanation that there is coverage while conducting a burn-off on your own property when a legitimate brigade activity.
Same application as above
Same application as above
This must be deleted it is discriminatory. Every prescribed burn that reduces excessive fuel loads has clearly defined public safety benefits
For immediate correction
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D8.7 Appliances 2007 Brigade Manual
The funds realised from the sale. of a decommissioned appliance will remain the property of the brigade
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D5.2 Appliances 2010 Brigade Manual
The funds realised from the sale of a decommissioned appliance are the property of QFRS.
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The funds realised from the sale of a decommissioned appliance will remain the property of the brigade and to be specifically used towards the cost of replacement of an approved fire fighting appliance.
Change wording to the above
For immediate correction
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No mention in 2007 Brigade Manual
Survey by RFBAQ
Determination of Supply
Following advice from Rural Operations of a review into the cost and supply of Slip-on Units to brigades; a telephone survey was held by the Rural Fire Brigades Association. This survey across all Rural Fire Service and Rural Operation areas affected by this review, revealed the unanimous support that slip-on units and speed loaders should return to a 50% payment subsidy, with future allocations on the basis of area of coverage, risk and existing appliances. This allocation would be decided by the Area Director and the brigade/landholders and subject to a determined number allocated per Rural Operations area - per annum.
This recommendation was rejected by Queensland Fire And Rescue
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D5.3.2 Apply for Slip-On Allocation 2010 Brigade Manual
Slip-ons provided through this process will be at no cost to Brigades.
. If unsuccessful the Brigade will be given the option to apply again in the next round or to go ahead with the acquisition at full cost to the Brigade. The Brigade will be provided with information on other ways of accessing funding to support this through the various funding grants and sponsorship opportunities available to Rural Fire Brigades
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Supply of Slip-on Units and Speed Loaders
Slip-on units and speed loaders should return to a 50% payment subsidy with future allocation on the basis of area of coverage, risk and existing appliances. This allocation would be decided by the Area Director and the brigade/landholders and subject to a determined number allocated per Rural Operations area per annum.
To be implemented immediately to enable additional units to be supplied prior to the 2011 fire season
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C4.16 Rural Fire Brigades Association Queensland 2007 Brigade Manual The Rural Fire Brigades Association of Queensland Inc. (RFBAQ) is the representative body for volunteer rural fire fighters and Fire Wardens in Queensland.
The RFBAQ provides to volunteers….
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D8.1 Rural Fire Brigades Association of Queensland Inc. 2010 Brigade Manual
The RFBAQ is the representative body for Rural Fire Brigades in Queensland.
The RFBAQ represents Rural Fire Brigades on volunteer issues…
QLD Inc. P.O. Box 3952, South Brisbane BC Qld 4101
Phone: 61 7 5484 6405
Facsimile: 61 7 5484 6404
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Incorrect and divisive information designed to undermine the credibility of the Association in its representative role. Contrary to government approved documents (Volunteer Charter, Foundations of Queensland Fire and Rescue)
This needs to be reversed to the 2007 wording
Show correct address and contact details.
Immediate correction reprint to be supplied February 28th 2011
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D7.21 Insurance of Private Equipment (Other than Vehicles) 2007 Brigade Manual
The only personal item that QFRS Rural Operations will cover is spectacles that are lost or damaged by a registered brigade member during a bona fide brigade activity
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D4.5 Insurance of Private Equipment (Other than Vehicles) 2010 Brigade Manual
The only personal item that QFRS Rural Operations will cover is spectacles that are lost or damaged by a registered Brigade member during a bona fide Brigade activity
Carrying out a hazard reduction· burn on your own property is not a bona fide Brigade activity and therefore:
WorkCovers does not cover any injuries incurred during the burn;
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Loss or damage of personal equipment
The Association recommends that Hearing Aids and Mobile Telephones should be added to the insurable items list; covered for replacement if lost or damaged while participating in or at a bone fide brigade activity.
Implemented before August 2011
For immediate correction. Refer above to D1.3.1 the same wording correction and recommendation applies
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D7.27 Brigade Constitution 2007 Brigade Manual
quorum is five members.
(e) The brigade must elect a First Officer and a Second Officer.
(f) The brigade may have up to eight Officers with the third to eighth Officer positions being optional.
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D1.4 Brigade Management Rules 2010 Brigade Manual
The quorum for any General Meeting shall be seven (7) for all Brigade classifications, except Primary Producer Brigades which shall be five (5).
a) The Brigade must elect a First Officer to meet the requirements of the Act.
(b) The Brigade may have up to eight (8) Officers with the Second to Eighth Officer positions being optional. This is a hierarchy for filling of the First Officer role when the First Officer is absent.
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A Quorum
The Association recommends;
A Quorum for a Brigade Meeting shall remain at five(5) members
For immediate correction
Explanation required as to why the 2nd Officer has been deleted. It is understood that it is only the 1st Officer that is in the Act, but the 2nd Officer has always been deemed as the next most skilled and senior officer to take charge in the absence of the 1st Officer
Response required by 31st January 2011
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A1.2 Hazard Reduction Programs 2007 Brigade Manual
Complete and submit incident report (RF14).
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A1.2 Hazard Reduction Programs 2010 Brigade Manual
Complete and submit the Prescribed Burn Form and the Incident Report (RF14).
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Excessive amount of required paperwork.
Association will provide a simplified version
31st March 2011
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No mention in 2007 Brigade Manual
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C6.2 Reimbursement of Out of Pocket Expenses 2010 Brigade Manual
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Reimbursement for strike team out of area / overnight deployment as standard practice at current QFRS rate.
To be implemented by August 2011
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D7.3 Brigade Classifications 2007 Brigade Manual
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D1.1 Brigade Classifications 2010 Brigade Manual
Rural classified Brigade members do not participate in out of area strike teams or deployments
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Revisit the rewriting of the brigade classification
In conjunction with the RFBAQ and to be in keeping with the realities of a Volunteer Organisation
RFBAQ to provide recommendations to be workshopped by 31st March 2011
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D7.20 Insurance Of Privately Owned Vehicles 2007 Brigade Manual
Where a private insurance policy is held, the owner is required to claim under that policy in the first place
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D4.4 Insurance of Privately Owned Vehicles 2010 Brigade Manual
Where a private insurance policy is held, the owner is required to claim under that policy in the first instance.
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Not all insurers underwrite Volunteers using their own vehicles, insert section advising Volunteers to contact their insurer for advice on their individual level of cover.
For immediate correction and notice to be forwarded to Brigade Secretaries
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The Association is aware that there is a Primary Producer Manual, Group Manual and Fire Warden Manual currently under construction. The RFBAQ requires direct involvement and input of Volunteers and the Association in the creation of these manuals. This will ensure all documentation produced delivers the best outcomes for Rural Fire Brigade Volunteers and the Community.
Should members of your brigade have additional concerns relating to these or other sections in the 2010 Brigade Manual, please contact the Association.
FIRE LINE is an update on what directly affects the 34,000 +Volunteer fire-fighters and support members and over 2,600 fire wardens in Queensland.
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