MEMBER for Mount Gambier Troy Bell MP has called on the State Government to implement a seven-day roster at the Mount Gambier Metropolitan Fire Service station.
With the station currently manned between 8.30am and 4.30pm on Monday to Friday, Mr Bell said the ongoing safety of the community required a seven day service.
“The implementation of a seven day roster for Mount Gambier is essential to ensuring the ongoing safety of our community and to improve response times to emergencies,” Mr Bell said.
“Emergencies also occur on the weekends and the station is reliant on retained staff to attend these situations.”
There are 20 “A-risk” premises in Mount Gambier, including fuel depots, timber mills, a hospital and aged care facilities .
Additionally, there are approximately 70 dedicated fire alarms in Mount Gambier, which is a significant number for a regional city.
An MFS staffing review was undertaken in June 2013 and this report, provided to the State Government, recommended “staffing at Mount Gambier immediately change to seven days per week as soon as the additional funding required can be made available”.
“It is now four years since the release of this report and urgent consideration needs to be given to the implementation of a seven-day roster at the Mount Gambier station,” Mr Bell said.
“I have written to the new Emergency Services Minister Chris Picton calling on him to give this matter urgent consideration.”
Mr Bell said a new seven day roster system would not only make the city safer, but also create job opportunities.
“A seven day roster system will not only improve response times, but also reduce pressure on retained staff and alleviate volunteer shortages,” Mr Bell said.
“This will create more full-time jobs and make our community safer.”
