MFS costs mount as firefighter refuse to bill property owners

The MFS is losing thousands of dollars as firies stop billing for false alarm call-outs, while tensions with the government continue to rise.

The head of the United Firefighters Union of SA Max Adlam continues to demand newer and safer equipment for the MFS. Picture: Russell Millard

Firefighters not billing property owners for false alarm call-outs has cost the Metropolitan Fire Service more than $150,000 in the past three months, as a union stoush with the State Government heats up.

The head of the United Firefighters Union said its members had stopped filling out paper work to charge people a false call-out fee.

“There is a ban on filling out some reports, which would mean in some instances they wouldn’t be able to bill people for attendance at fire alarms,” union secretary Max Adlam said.

“We can’t withdraw our labour, so we have to be innovative.”

The action has been happening “on and off” since November, Ms Adlam said, as part of a dispute about safety issues and working conditions.

An MFS spokeswoman said the action caused losses of $158,000 for the agency so far.

A problem was detected with the new burnover protection system in November, suspending the installation pending a safety review. Picture: Russell Millard

“Options to recoup some of this uncollected funding are being considered,” she said.

In another revelation, the installation of new burnover protection technology was suspended, due to safety fears.

A problem with the misting function was detected on one truck last November.

It prompted an independent engineer to investigate the technology, installed on 35 MFS vehicles.

A safety alert to all crew members was issued on December 10, warning of an issue with the “deluge spray systems in retrofitted appliances”. Another alert was issued on January 18 – but the trucks weren’t recalled.

The MFS spokeswoman said any safety issues identified in the review would be addressed.

Meanwhile, tensions between the UFU and Treasurer Rob Lucas boiled over into the public arena following a meeting on Monday.

Mr Lucas said it was a “useful meeting”, where he “clarified” financial commitments made in last year’s State Budget.

“Taxpayers are funding a very significant increase in additional resources,” he said.

“No amount of industrial protest actually gives me one extra dollar as Treasurer to provide extra funding for resourcing.”

Treasurer Rob Lucas made it clear he would not be swayed by industrial action. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

Ms Adlam said she was left “disappointed” after the meeting.

“ (Mr Lucas) told us very clearly, no matter what we do, we won’t be getting more,” she said.

“We came away feeling like we put our best efforts forward in trying to get him to understand what the lack of funding means to the safety of firefighters and the risk to the community it causes,” she said.

Mr Lucas said 12 new trucks were due to arrive over the next 12 months.

“It’s (the union’s) right to take certain types of industrial action … but that’s not going to resolve the issue.”

The UFU launched a petition, calling on the government to boost funding, which received more than 8000 signatures.

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