2 January 2002

Volunteers during Fire Emergency

Your attention is drawn to the new provision at clause 11.17 in the Enterprise Agreement for paid leave for volunteers during emergencies.

As the fires began during the break, the documentation need only be completed when the staff who have been called out have been stood down (hopefully, that will be soon). In addition, the provisions in clause 11.11 for the taking of concessional days at a later time should be available to staff called out on those days; staff on emergency duty on the public holidays should also be given replacement leave at a future date; and staff on annual leave will be able to have the leave re-credited for time on emergency duty.

The Enterprise Agreement does not identify the Community Fire Units separately from other named organisations but emergency duty with these units is to be fully recognised under that clause.

Please ensure that staff who have responded are given access to the paid leave and given the opportunity to take the replacement leave.

Col Cashman
Director, Personnel