Page 2718 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 25 August 1993

MINISTER FOR URBAN SERVICES

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY QUESTION

QUESTION NO 868

Fire Brigade - General and

Search and Rescue Training

Mrs Carnell - asked the Minister for Urban Services

(1) What is the level of training required for general fire officer duties.

(2) What form does this training take.

(3) Over what period of time does this training occur.

(4) What level of training was required by the dire Search and Rescue Unit.

(5) What form does this training take.

(6) Over what period does this training occur.

(7) What accreditation does this training have.

(8) Is there a psychological profile required to join the Fire Search and Rescue Unit.

(9) Do officers volunteer or are they conscripted to the Fire Search and Rescue Unit.

(10) How many officers are there in the Fire, Search and Rescue Unit.

(11) What has been/is the cost of additional training given to officers so that they will be able to undertake duties required for search and rescue.

Mr Connolly - the answer to the Members question is as follows:

(1) Recruit training must be completed. The course includes ACT Government and Fire

Brigade structure administration legislation; academic subjects; fire behaviour, prevention

and management; equipment operation; first aid; rescue and salvage techniques;

communication skills; safety practices; crime scene preservation and arson investigation.

(2) Recruit training is conducted full-time at the ACT Fire Brigades College with specialist

instructors.

(3) Initial training takes 16 weeks. Further on the job training and yearly examinations follow.

(4) There is no specific Fire Search and Rescue Unit. Crews assigned to standard Fire Engines

require a Stage 1 Rescue qualification and crews assigned to the two Fire Engines with a

heavier rescue capacity require a Stage 3 Rescue qualification.

(5) Fire Brigade officers qualified to instructor level provide formal and practical training