CODE 2, VOL 34, NO 27 : 22 june 2020

GPS DASHCAM AND AUDIO RECORDING IN APPLIANCES – UPDATE

Following on from my recent Code 2 about the installation of video and audio recording devices in appliances (and ERV’s), I can provide the following update.

The sort of devices in question are very useful for assisting with identification of locations, however it appears that some of them come with additional functionality never contemplated for use by QFRS.

There now appears there may be multiple GPS brands in appliances which may have video and audio functions.  Though no one has yet been able to identify as yet which ones do and which do not and which ones are or are not operating with video and/or audio functions turned on.

As such, I recommend you take the opportunity to check the model number of the GPS in any appliance you have and assess if it –
a) has video and/or audio recording functions available, and
b) determine how to disable those two functions and follow those instructions to ensure those functions are disabled.

I suggest you ought to commence that process now, without waiting for QFRS and/or PSBA or anyone else other than your union to contact you to go through that same process.

I confirm that I met with Cr Leach on Monday 22 June 2020 to discuss this matter and he provided me with the following commitments –
- There is no intent to use any video and/or audio recording function in the cabs of appliances (we did not discuss ERV’s) for any purpose.
- If any video and/or audio function is in use in any GPS in any appliance across the state, PSBA and QFRS are working out the easiest way to ascertain this and how to switch those functions off.
- No video or audio recordings have been accessed by anyone in QFRS or elsewhere at this point and there is no intention to obtain any of them.
- Contact will be made where stations have the device to ensure that they have video and audio functions disabled.

I will provide further information to you if required.

John Oliver - General Secretary

 

 

Authorised by John Oliver General Secretary 
United Firefighters' Union of Australia, Union of Employees QLD