Section 1: Part 2 - Resourcing
Review of wholetime duty system
A significant project is underway which aims to revise the whole-time duty system by 2025. It is likely that this will be based on the principles of annualised hours which will enable a more efficient utilisation of workforce contracted hours. This would represent a significant step forward from the current system which is dependent on the four-watch system. Once implemented, the Service will be able to provide the same level of operational cover with a reduced wholetime establishment.
In anticipation of implementing this new duty system, we have constrained our recruitment into the wholetime workforce to ensure that once implemented the financial benefits are more readily realised. This temporary reduction within the existing duty system has been made possible through the active management of the workforce and utilisation of a ‘hierarchy of cover’ (as per below) which provides a series of step-down options which can be called on to fill resourcing gaps as they emerge.
Hierarchy of cover
- Stand-by moves (shift by shift movement of firefighters between watches)
- Day duty staff being deployed to cover shifts
- Additional hours at flat-rate.
Review of payment for availability (P4A)
Negotiations are underway in line with the agreed plan to update the terms and conditions relating to P4A (alternative to retained duty system) which will seek to improve financial sustainability and achieve collective agreement by placing all on-call firefighters on the same contractual terms and conditions.