Senior firies on tape saying union wanted new trucks put on ice

Two senior MFS members have been caught on tape appearing to plan delays on new firetruck purchases so as not to “undermine” a union campaign. HEAR THE AUDIO.

Metropolitan Fire Service chief officer Michael Morgan has launched an internal investigation after two senior firefighters were recorded discussing intentionally delaying the purchase of new trucks so they wouldn’t “undermine” a union campaign for more resources.

A transcript of the conversation, obtained by The Advertiser, reveals the officers laughed about not using nearly $2m in available funding for new appliances.

The South Australian branch of the United Firefighters Union started industrial action in November last year, burning $1.7m out of the MFS budget to date.

Members of the 1160-strong union are calling on the State Government to provide the MFS with newer trucks and more staff.

Treasurer Rob Lucas said the investigation was “entirely appropriate”.

“South Australians will be horrified if any investigation confirms that senior MFS staff were involved as part of an industrial campaign to delay the purchase of much-needed fire tankers for the MFS,” Mr Lucas said.

Damning details of the apparent collusion, denied by the union, have been laid bare in the recorded conversation between an assistant chief fire officer and a commander, which took place immediately after a virtual team meeting last month.

The union’s industrial action has burned at least $1.5m out of the MFS’ budget so far. Picture: Russell Millard

It is believed the two officers thought the video call had ended when they started to discuss a fund of $1.8m that was available to spend on new trucks and regional equipment.

“What about if we needed to spend the money now? Like, right now?” the commander asked.

The assistant chief fire officer replied: “We don’t need to spend it right now. It’s already been carried over as part of our fleet carry over.

“So there’s no urgency. There’s no point …”

He said he had spoken to a senior union official, and that he was “dead keen to go out and buy some tankers” and the official replied: ‘You’re actually going to undermine the union if you just go out and help the government solve their problem’.”

The two firefighters could then be heard laughing before the assistant chief fire officer said: “And I went: ‘Yep, I can see that’.”

When contacted by The Advertiser on Thursday, the senior official referred to by the assistant chief fire officer “categorically” denied ever having such a conversation with the senior firefighter and said it was an “absolute lie”.

“I think it is disgusting that anybody would say that I did,” the official said.

“Any dollars we can get for any appliances, equipment or training, we will snatch at it.”

The official said they were not even aware of there being $1.8m available to spend on trucks.

“Even that amount is a drop in the bucket compared with what they need to do,” the official said.

Earlier in the recorded conversation, the assistant chief fire officer said, “there’s plenty of capital – there’s plenty of trucks” when discussing equipment for the Murray Bridge MFS station.

An MFS spokeswoman did not respond to questions asked by The Advertiser.

“The MFS is unable to provide comment due to an investigation currently being undertaken,” the spokeswoman said.

Treasurer Rob Lucas estimated this action was costing the MFS $110,000 per week, or “the equivalent of one new fire truck every eight weeks”. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

The Advertiser revealed last month that, as part of industrial action, level 2 senior firefighters were refusing to fill in for roles above their official titles.

That has forced station officers and commanders to work costly overtime shifts.

Treasurer Rob Lucas estimated this action was costing the MFS $110,000 per week, or “the equivalent of one new fire truck every eight weeks”.

UFU members were also refusing to bill property owners for false alarm call-outs, blocking an important revenue stream worth thousands of dollars a month for the MFS.

Mr Lucas said the total cost of the union’s industrial action to date was estimated to be about $1.7m.

“I am appalled at the details revealed in this conversation allegedly between two senior MFS officers,” Mr Lucas said.

“We know that a major part of the ongoing union campaign against the government has been about claimed delays in the purchase of new fire tankers for the MFS.”

The UFU is preparing to hold a joint rally with the Ambulance Employees Association next Thursday.

The two groups will gather at Victoria Square in the city before marching to Parliament House.