AUXILIARY UPDATE : 25 February 2020

TEM (Commercial Activities) ceases tendering for contract work:

In the week of 17 February 2020 I received a report from Fire and Rescue that the QFES Board of Management had made decision to cease the practice of TEM tendering for contract work. Since being informed of this decision some of you that I have spoken to about it have stated you consider this decision to have been a long time coming and no surprise.

This decision has short term ramifications for those working in TEM in day work rotation, but also for many of you who did TEM work on your days off. That work will be wound back to existing long term contracts by the middle of 2020.

TEM will retain some contracts (such as the contract to Mt Isa Mine) as they are ongoing.  They will also accept work if other organisations approach QFES and ask for it to be done but this ad hoc work will be completed within and by regions as required.

I am sad to see what appears to be the removal of one of the options you have to work outside of your day to day operational auxiliary firefighting role, but I cannot force QFES to hold on to a part of the organisation that was not providing the income required to keep it going.

If you have questions about the end of TEM as we know it, you can contact the TEM manager, Supt Bernie Nunn.  He can be reached at his work email address or on 073635 1858.

John Oliver - General Secretary