Emergency Services Minister reveals investigation into disciplinary regulations after CFS suspension scandals

The state government has admitted it was already investigating disciplinary actions within emergency services when The Advertiser revealed gagging tactics used in the CFS.

CFS firefighters and paid staff say they are being suspended from the organisation without any allegations.

The state government has revealed it was already investigating “disciplinary regulations” within the emergency services sector when The Advertiser reported CFS volunteers had been suspended for speaking out about issues within their organisation.

On Tuesday night, Emergency Services Minister Joe Szakacs said he had already launched an “examination into disciplinary regulations” about six weeks before gagging orders within the volunteer firefighters were revealed, despite previously saying he was unaware of such occurrences within the CFS.

Mr Szakacs said people subjected to disciplinary processes had the right to have their matters dealt with expeditiously and fairly.

“On becoming minister, I was concerned by reports of investigations across the emergency services sector which commenced under the former Liberal government and appeared to have taken far too long to resolve,” he said.

“That is why I have commenced an examination into disciplinary regulations, that will include key stakeholders including volunteer associations, to examine streamlined investigations to preserve fairness and to expedite timelines for anyone involved. This is long overdue.”

Emergency Services Minister Joe Szakacs had already launched an investigation into disciplinary regulations when suspensions within the CFS were revealed. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Morgan Sette

It comes after claims from paid CFS staff members they are among the “hundreds” of firefighters and employees who have been subjected to suspension in the past few years after speaking out about issues within the organisation.

A former paid CFS staff member told The Advertiser it wasn’t just volunteer firefighters feeling the heat, as staff on the books were also left waiting for allegations months after being “escorted out” of their workplace and suspended pending investigation in previous years.

The former employee, who asked to remain anonymous due to fear of retaliation from the CFS, said they had been “unfairly terminated” in 2022 and accused of allegations that were “completely bogus”.

“It’s not just the volunteers, it’s the paid staff that are also being treated like this,” they 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.

“One day I was sitting at my desk, and I got a visit from two staff from HQ who told me allegations had been made against me that they would be investigating, and from that minute on I was suspended.”

They said they were made to empty their pockets and hand in their gear before they were escorted from the building and given what’s known among members as a ‘reg 21’ notice – a suspension letter barring members from their brigades or workplaces, and gagging them from speaking about any allegations against them.

A letter sent to a paid staff member at the CFS informing them they had been suspended. Picture: Supplied

They said they were silenced for four months until they received formal allegations. Picture: Supplied

On Saturday, The Advertiser revealed members of the CFS had received suspension notices for speaking out about the lack of support within the CFS itself.

“Even if people have done something wrong, suspending them for a year and not speaking to them at all is not the way to go about this,” the former staffer said.

“Volunteers and staff are so sick of being treated like this. 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 chief officer Brett Loughlin told The Sunday Mail the allegations that CFS employees and volunteers were gagged under section 21 were “incorrect” and people were not suspended for talking out or raising concerns.

CFS Chief Officer Brett Loughlin denied accusations that the CFS had suspended members for speaking out about internal issues. Picture: NewsWire / David Mariuz

Shadow Emergency Services Minister Adrian Pederick said the opposition was aware of the claims that CFS personnel had been threatened with suspension.

“It’s also been concerning to hear claims that CFS personnel have been stood down, without being given reasons why,” Mr Pederick said.

“For the sake of the CFS – an incredibly important organisation, which defends South Australian lives and properties – personnel shouldn’t be afraid to speak up and should be afforded the opportunity to clear their names.”

Volunteers and staff members alike have expressed fears about the upcoming bush fire season, which they say will likely be more dangerous than the horror Cudlee Creek and Kangaroo Island fires in recent years.

Members said they are concerned that the increasing levels of suspensions would inevitably drive volunteers to leave altogether, leaving the state unprotected in its most vulnerable season.

“The CFS is about to face the worst season we’ve seen yet,” the former staffer said.

“My biggest fear is that this fire season, because the volunteers aren't being supported, they can’t do their job and someone is going to die – either a firefighter or a civilian.”

In a statement over the weekend, a CFS spokesperson said volunteers were supported, but the organisation was not aware of directions requesting volunteers not to speak out about health and safety concerns.

“The CFS has always welcomed and encourages open communication with and from our volunteers.”

Originally published as Emergency Services Minister reveals investigation into disciplinary regulations after CFS suspension scandals