United Voice Union calls for Kershaw to stand down

THE NT Fire Service should be separated from police and chief executive Reece Kershaw should stand down from his role managing firefighters, the United Voice union has claimed

THE NT Fire Service should be separated from police and chief executive Reece Kershaw should stand down from his role managing firefighters, the United Voice union has claimed.

Union officials say some fire trucks are broken, training facilities are “ad hoc and unprofessional” and new recruit squads have been cancelled leaving fireys to work excessive overtime hours.

United Voice branch secretary Erina Early

Branch secretary Erina Early said the Fire Service was “going backwards” under Mr Kershaw’s leadership.

“For the Fire Service to progress forward and be a successful fire service for the Territory, Reece Kershaw needs to step away from it,” Ms Early said. “They need a CEO who is dedicated to the Fire Service and our members would prefer the Fire Service be taken out of police.”

The call for Mr Kershaw to stand down comes after Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services executive director Jennifer Reilly was suspended in January.

It is understood Ms Reilly was stood down over a bullying incident, however it is believed she is yet to receive a formal letter of accusations.

A document obtained by the NT News says Ms Reilly has the support of most firefighters.

It says she has “committed to managing and innovating the NTFRES to a high standard that has not been experienced before in its recent history” and has a “positive attitude and desire to invigorate the NTFRES”.

NT Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw

Ms Early said while it was not her role to support management, she believed Ms Reilly had been working well in the Fire Service.

“This is a witch hunt to get rid of her,” she said.

“They’re really ambiguous allegations.”

Ms Reilly, who earns a salary in excess of $250,000 a year, was appointed to the role in July 2016. She reported to Mr Kershaw.

Mr Kershaw declined to answer questions from the NT News.

Instead a short statement was provided by a NTPFES spokesman who said the Office of the Commissioner and CEO had received no call from United Voice for Mr Kershaw to stand down.

“Representatives from NTPFES meet regularly with United Voice as part of ongoing Enterprise Bargaining negotiations and no such concerns have been raised,” the spokesman said.

“NTPFES welcome every opportunity to sit down and discuss any concerns United Voice may have.”

The spokesman said the investigation into Ms Reilly was ongoing and he would be unable to comment.