‘Counter terrorism’ signs being covered up on fire trucks as battle of rebranding continues
FIREFIGHTERS are now blowing up at the state government over fears it plans to expand the role of emergency crews into counter-terrorism.
NSW
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FIREFIGHTERS are now blowing up at the state government over fears it plans to expand the role of emergency crews into counter-terrorism.
At least 10 “counter-terrorism” signs on fire trucks have been covered up amid a brawl between management and the fire union, which has been fighting against the rebranding of the firefighting service.
The Sunday Telegraph revealed last week how the government spent about $500,000 on a fire “plus plan”, which swapped out the “&” with a “+” to become NSW Fire + Rescue.
The NSW Fire Brigade and Employees Union (FBEU) said the change represented a more sinister plan to force firefighters to move into roles beyond fire emergencies.
The brawl comes amid state opposition claims that the organisation had not followed proper process in enlisting strategist Marc Stigter to spearhead the “plus plan”.
In a scathing letter sent to NSW Fire and Rescue Commissioner Paul Baxter last month, union state secretary Leighton Drury described the rebranding as “provocative, misleading and irresponsible”.
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“There is also little or no practical counter terrorism role for FRNSW other than our members’ traditional response to fire, hazmat and rescue events once they have occurred and it is not only provocative and misleading for FRNSW management to indicate otherwise, it also places our members at increased risk,” he wrote.
“Firefighters have always taken care to position ourselves in the public eye as neutral emergency service workers … we do not want to become disliked by the public and targeted by criminals and terrorists when there is presently no need for them to do so.”
In reply, Mr Baxter said the organisation would also be continuing to acquire equipment for dealing with potential terrorism events.
“With regard to the Counter Terrorism area, FRNSW is currently involved in collaborating with other emergency agencies in planning and response activities,” he said.
“FRNSW has in place and will continue to acquire specific equipment for dealing with potential terrorism events.”
State opposition justice spokesman Guy Zangari described the rebranding as a debacle, while questioning the process in how Mr Stigter — whose recent book contains a forward written by Mr Baxter — had been chosen. “Emergency Services Minister Troy Grant needs to explain this slaphappy approach to rebrand fire and rescue,” he said.
A FRNSW spokeswoman said the appointment of Mr Stigter had followed state government procurement guidelines. She said the organisations was in discussions with the fire union over its concerns at the plus plan.