Page 3381 - Week 09 - Thursday, 24 August 2017
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emergency services personnel as part of a package of commitments in the 2016 election.The successful applicant for the position of manager, welfare programs, ESA, commenced on 13 February this year. The position was initially funded through existing resources. The 2017-18 budget provided for an extra $821,000 over four years, fully offset, to provide improved mental health services for front-line ESA staff to better protect the wellbeing of our first responders The manager of welfare programs is supporting the delivery of emergency services to the ACT community by ensuring that ESA staff and volunteers have access to coordinated, high quality welfare-related services. The manager of welfare programs is also coordinating the delivery of welfare programs under the ACT Ambulance Service’s blueprint for change. A peer support program is being funded within existing ESA resources. The manager of welfare will be responsible for developing, implementing and coordinating the peer support program.
The 2017-18 ACT budget includes a $100 annual subsidy for ACT Rural Fire Service volunteers for fitness programs and gym memberships. This initiative will provide a positive impact on the cost of living for firefighting volunteers by reducing their out-of-pocket expenses for fitness-related activities. ACT RFS require all active volunteers to undertake an annual standardised fitness test to ascertain their fitness for duty. In line with the 2016 election commitment, this announcement is a tangible means by which the ACT government will encourage more support volunteers to maintain the required fitness standard to perform their important role.Significant works will be undertaken at the Ainslie Fire & Rescue station to allow a second crew to be based at the station. This includes the refurbishment of bathroom and locker areas in line with the women in emergency services strategy; a refit of the recline area and office area, including two additional desktop PCs; and the installation of additional racking in the engine bay area for additional crew to house their personal protective equipment. This initiative supports the ESA comm cen reform initiative, which allows for firefighters to return to front-line duties and for the WIES, which actively supports the recruitment and advancement of women firefighters.
Under the Emergencies Act 2004 the ESA requires a business continuity emergency 000 communication centre in the event that primary comm centre, ESA headquarters in Fairbairn, is not operational. The E000 comm cen handles 000 calls for ambulance and fire response and provides overflow capacity for police 000 calls as required. This initiative will provide fit-for-purpose facilities to ensure that the ESA can continue to meet its obligations under the Emergencies Act 2004. The government will relocate the existing backup comm centre from Curtin. The government will also relocate the ACT Ambulance Service’s non-emergency patient transport service from its current location at Curtin to another location.
I thank all the staff and volunteers who work across each of the services within the ESA. The announcements in the 2017-18 ACT budget provide further government support that will assist them in their efforts to protect and care for the ACT community.
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