BY DI SNEDDON
Fire Stations across the State are in urgent need of upgrades and if Singleton Fire Station is anything to go by, those who are ready to serve their communities, night and day, are tolerating working conditions unacceptable in the 21st century.
This is why Fire Brigades Union delegate Singleton Andrew Porters is speaking out supported by female fire fighter and union representative Megan Worth.
Their plight has been vocalised in State Parliament by MLC NSW Legislative Council Rod Roberts.
Last week Mr Roberts clearly outlined the situation facing Station 444 and says the situation is unacceptable and frankly untenable in today’s day and age.
There is no change room. When called to respond fire fighters have to strip down to their underwear to put on protective clothing in full view of the public. There are no change rooms, let alone separate showers or toilets.
“We are in 2022, and in this day and age there is no way that men and women should be forced to strip down to their underwear in front of each other,” Mr Roberts told parliament.
Compounding the situation is the toilet located in the same room as the shower.
Mr Roberts has called upon the State Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke to address the situation.
NSW Fire Brigade Union representative Megan Worth says the situation of showering is more concerning than just getting rid of the smell and smoke.
“We go into fires and get covered in dangerous particles, potentially carciogenic (cancer causing) particles and without shower facilities, I simply change into the clothes I wore to the station, get into my car and go home but then I expose my own household and loved ones to the particulates in my car and in my home,” Megan said.
“And the other aspect is we need to walk through the station’s kitchen to get to the showers so we then expose this area to hazards.”
Union delegate Andrew Porters says the location of the station is ideal but needs to be upgraded to meet occupational health and safety requirements.
He has already prepared designs that would provide their needs at the rear of the property by demolishing what is there and replacing it with a 20m by 12m clean area, showers, toilets, change rooms, kitchenette, storage and parking for two fire trucks.
Mr Porters said Singleton is not alone in the need for considerable funding.
“Denman, Murrurundi and Merriwa are not too bad, Muswellbrook is in the process of an upgrade but Aberdeen, Denman and Scone are in a similar position to us,” he said.
“Something needs to be done now.”
