Page 2051 - Week 06 - Thursday, 9 June 2022
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(4) Does each vehicle carry the same level of equipment.
(5) Does the minimum level of equipment meet with the work health and safety standards.
(6) Do automated external defibrillators (AEDs) form part of the minimum level of equipment for each vehicle; if not, (a) how many vehicles are equipped with AEDs and (b) how often are these vehicles deployed.
(7) How often are AEDs used in emergency situations where SES vehicles attend.
(8) Is there spare stock of AEDs available for use in all vehicles.
Mr Gentleman: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) All ACT State Emergency Service (ACTSES) vehicles are designed and maintained to meet operational and legislative requirements. This includes the requirements contained in the Australian Design Rules, Road Transport Act 1999, and Work Health and Safety Act 2011.
(2) The minimum level of equipment for ensuring the safety of volunteers and those at an incident is a fire extinguisher (1kg and 4.5kg), First Aid Kit, an automated external defibrillator (AED), fire blanket, eFlare kit, P2 dust masks, C5 ear plugs, traffic cones, compliant day/night high visibility vests and a carton of water 600ml bottles.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic all vehicles have also maintained a stock of masks, hand sanitiser, spray disinfectant and alcohol wipes for cleaning and personnel hygiene.
(3) The ACTSES utilises their vehicles as a mobile work platform, containing necessary equipment to complete temporary repairs deemed appropriate for each Request For Assistance (RFA), while ensuring the safety of those at the scene, including the public and/or crew members.
If an RFA is deemed too hazardous or places the public and/or crew members at risk, Team Leaders are authorised to inform the ACT Emergency Services Agency (ESA) Communications Centre and the resident that ACTSES is unable to assist, and further advice is provided to contact a subject matter expert, for example, utility providers, arborists, asbestos removalists, and building maintenance contractors.
(4) The ACTSES fleet consists of different types of vehicles depending on the nature of the incident they are attending. All ACTSES vehicles carry a minimum level of equipment for ensuring safety, as outlined in question (2). In addition, each type of vehicle carries the specific equipment required to perform their specific operational tasks.
(5) Yes, as outlined in question (1).
(6) Yes, as outlined in question (2).
(7) AEDs have been in ACTSES vehicles since 2018. To date, there have been no reports of an AED being used in an emergency situation, where the ACTSES has attended.
(8) Yes.
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