Minister Joe Szakacs open to legislative change after investigating disciplinary tactics in the CFS, emergency services

The Emergency Services Minister said he is open to legislative changes after volunteers accused the CFS of driving some to the brink in bungled disciplinary probes.

The Emergency Services Minister said legislative change would be considered if an examination into disciplinary procedures warrants it. Picture: Upper Sturt CFS

Emergency Services Minister Joe Szakacs says he would be open to considering updating legislation governing the disciplinary actions of emergency services amid revelations that CFS members are being suspended from duty without receiving allegations.

During question time in parliament on Wednesday, Shadow Emergency Services Minister Adrian Pederick asked Mr Szakacs if he knew how many CFS members had been suspended without allegations for months, or years, at a time.

The Minister said he was “not aware” of how many volunteers had been stood down without reason, but said that he had already been investigating disciplinary actions within emergency services before the suspensions were reported in The Advertiser.

“I don’t have that number in front of me, but I’ll endeavour to the extent that I can within privacy considerations to seek that information for the member,” Mr Szakacs said.

“The CFS, like any other public sector agency, are not immune from the very rare but occasional circumstances where an individual may be charged with a criminal offence.

“There are also public sector employees who may, from time to time, have management plans or are stood down due to impropriety or other investigations, but this is not new.

Emergency Services Minister Joe Szakacs said he would consider change to governing legislation. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

“I think the crux of this is me, as Minister, absolutely putting a line in the sand.

“When I became minister and spoke directly to volunteers, it was very clear that there were investigations taking too long.”

It comes as The Advertiser revealed that “hundreds” of both volunteers and paid staff within the CFS have been subjected to suspensions without receiving allegations against them in an appropriate time frame.

“Volunteers and staff are so sick of being treated like this,” one suspended member said.

“I was suspended for 11 months. Nothing had happened, I’d never been performance managed, I’d never been counselled, I’d never had a bad word against me.

“The majority of those affected are quitting because it’s just too much.

“I know of two instances where people have attempted suicide because they felt so isolated and confused.”

CFS members say they are being suspended without allegations. Picture Dean Martin

Mr Szakacs told The Advertiser that he had requested that the Commissioner for Public Sector Employment engage with emergency service agencies as part of an examination into how to “streamline investigation and disciplinary procedures within the sector to expedite timeliness with achieving fair and robust outcomes.”

“This has included the provision of expert independent advice and a preliminary review of past practices that will inform better case management within emergency services agencies,” Mr Szakacs said.

“The examination will include the relevant volunteer associations, to ensure the highest possible levels of service are provided to our communities.

He said his “firm focus” through the examination process was to ensure both volunteers and paid staff in the CFS are treated fairly and supported.

“I have committed to reviewing the Fire and Emergency Services Regulations, having spoken to volunteers across the state about how timeliness can be improved,” he said.

“Should the examination find a need to update legislation or regulations which govern our emergency services, this will be considered as part of Cabinet and parliament processes.”

CFS chief officer Brett Loughlin said the organisation had been working on “streamlining” the disciplinary process, but was aware the regulations “may need updating.”

“Our volunteers are always prepared and ready to respond,” Mr Loughlin said.

“As an all-hazard agency, we have thousands of volunteers who train hard and consistently throughout the year and risk their lives for their community every day.

“CFS members are an integral part of South Australian communities and the vast majority understand the importance of respecting the level of trust given to them while carrying out their duties of protecting lives, property, and the environment.”