Breathing Aparatus Sets

The Union has requested that the Fire Service remove from service immediately the manifolds fitted to the Drager twin pack cylinder sets. On advice received from Drager, the manifolds that have been fitted to these sets were not supplied by them.

Drager obviously is not happy at having another manufacturer’s equipment attached to their sets and cannot guarantee the quality or compatibility.

Further to this request, we have asked that the Fire Service immediately have all other twin pack Breathing Apparatus sets (Sabre) in service inspected and tested. This is due to the failure of “Orings” fitted to these manifolds.

Members should also note previous advice regarding maintenance; no untrained or uncertified members are to carry out any maintenance on the new sets. This note extends to members who are not now certified to carry out any maintenance on Breathing Apparatus cylinders. The only exemption is to those members that are qualified TELARC certified and are being paid the appropriate Telarc payment as per 2.6.14 of the contract.

The National Committee has considered a proposal paper from the Fire Service on minor repairs and maintenance.

Particularly given the contemptible way in which the Fire Service treated B.A. Technicians/B.A. Tutors by the whole process of introduction of the B.A. Replacement Project, management clearly believes the previous processes and persons involved in B.A. maintenance were not up to the job and needed to be replaced by outside so-called expertise, at very significant cost.

But now unfortunately, provided members are prepared to do the work for free, so-called minor repairs/maintenance, is your responsibility. But you are not good enough to undertake major repairs/maintenance.

Like so many things with the whole B.A. Replacement Project, this issue as well is a total shambles. Consequently, the Committee has reaffirmed that as at now and until further notice, no members have any involvement with any B.A. repairs/maintenance (except those who are currently certified TELARC qualified.

Pay Review Working Party

The outcomes of the Review are still slowly working their way through the government bureaucracy. However, the Committee has determined that shortly information meetings will be arranged in Locals to enable a full and comprehensive explanation of the Review’s outcomes.

The Committee was very clear in that there will be two different and separate meetings organized: 

• One for information; and
  
• A separate meeting to consider ratification and a new Collective Agreement.