CODE 2, VOL 37, NO 10 : 12 july 2023

SLACKS CREEK FIRE – UFUQ UPDATE

There are complex investigations currently underway regarding the Slacks Creek Fire. Your union is involved in a range of ways but, I want to be clear, we cannot openly discuss matters in a Code 2 that will jeopardise these Investigations. I am happy to provide some basic detail of what is taking place currently.

Your union is involved in providing information to the WHSQ workplace death investigation, relating to matters such as GWN and other communications issues, training, firefighter rescue processes including safety teams and more. I cannot provide further detail on these matters at this stage, but will at a later date.

WHSQ is now commencing interviews with a range of attendees to the incident and QPS have interviewed a range of attendees with a coronial inquest to take place at some point in the future. Your union offered full coverage including legal costs to all members who attended the incident. Most chose to accept our offer, not all did.

The UFUQ fund raising campaign outcomes will be announced very soon in a separate update, once we have concluded discussions with Izzy’s partner and family, and with Lia who is continuing her recovery.

I hope this very simple update assures members that, despite our inability to communicate any details to you, your union is proactively involved in this matter in a range of ways, and we are also working to ensure QFES does what they need to do to.  When the investigations are further down the track I envisage being able to report more of the detail.

John Oliver - General Secretary