** Personal opinion only **
Need to see the discussion paper on the Ministers proposal. Did not attend the meetings because nothing firm in a proposal has been issued.
Indications are that the discussion paper will be out by second week of Sept.
Interesting that the round-table discussions included SAPOL & SAAS. I understand that Police take a percentage of the emergency services levy $$$ & are the control agency for nine types of emergencies in south australia (SES have 2 & MFS/CFS have 3). SAAS completed the structural change from St Johns.... am I reading in too much ??
Indications that the frontline structure (MFS, SES, CFS, Marine Rescue, emergency management) will not change, but I see issues for volunteers in Qld & WA over the years as funding split & permanent staff resources.
Victoria have recently changed so it will be interesting to watch.
Other than government budget $$, I cant see why the change. No email indicates the change is to fix emergency response.
With the increase in Emergency Services Levy bills recently gone out, announcing a decrease in the future cost due to 'efficiency changes' will be a positive for the government.... whether the volunteers like the change or not.
When things change, it will take years of pain before any real impact is felt to the volunteer. As public servants reapply & move jobs in a new structure, will concentration of work by on supporting frontline volunteers ?
The above is my personal opinion only.... also, the new chief needs experience in emergency management & government liaison... who says it needs to come from a fire background... !!!!