New Fire Rescue Victoria boss a union mate
United Firefighters Union boss Peter Marshall has gained a union mate as the new Fire Rescue Victoria commissioner.
THE Andrews Government has once again given United Firefighters Union boss Peter Marshall what he wants – appointing former Canadian Fire Fighters Union President Ken Block to head Fire Rescue Victoria.
Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville announced Mr Block as the new FRV commissioner, who will take control of merging Metropolitan Fire Brigade’s 2388-strong workforce, 1371 CFA career firefighters and 38 integrated stations into a new $1 billion behemoth.
Mr Marshall has been working behind the scenes to get Mr Block into the role, as the Government prepares to split the CFA and establish FRV.
MORE: CFA CARVE UP LEAVES VOLUNTEERS IN LIMBO
Mr Block is currently City of Edmonton fire chief, but prior to his appointment was Edmonton Fire Fighters Union President.
The new career-firefighter-only FRV service is due to be formed by June 30 next year. But volunteers say they’ve heard nothing from the Andrews Government on FRV’s formation, with many fearing the CFA will struggle to compete with the billion-dollar body for resources and funding.
‘No one knew it was coming’: Tongala cow abattoir shuts
The livestock industry and local community have reacted to Greenham’s closure of its Tongala cow processing plant.
Victorians want to feel guilt-free about eating meat
Research – to guide a Victorian Government-funded pro-agriculture campaign – has revealed how consumers feel about the state’s farmers and what issues need to be addressed.