i understand the frustrations re fbu policy, but if you want to change them 'do the work' re changing policies! i do actually believe that the principles in the policy are fine however i think there is some room for addressing some of the issues in the policy especially in rural areas. who knows what is being looked at in terms of reviewing long standing policies (wink)
i would however make the point that as fire deaths have increased perhaps we should deal with the issues we are there to deal with - rome burned while nero fiddled - apparently? instead of chasing 'headline catchers' - when we have driven down fire deaths utilising a zero tolerance im sure there will be other work for us to do.
and why is that those in managerial positions dont carry defibs ( i know its not just defibs) etc including the cfo. what about workshops, internal mail carriers - every service vehicle in fact.
one issue that needs resolving is the funding issue. mid and west cannot make full financial recovery of costs for their schemes, so who pays - the fire service - so what falls off the shelf, personnel and stations? what do we stop doing.
ps i wonder how many 'fire peeps' are responders in their spare time, without pay, fully committed etc. why does it have to impact on operational response cover - approx 70% are off duty at any one time - thats over 40 000 volunteers to attract to the scheme, then add the off duty police - bet thats at least twice as many - sorted!! over 100 000 volunteers providing a service for their communities, doing something that is not their core function in their occupation - all it costs are defibs and training for them all.
lets keep all the post offices open and keep one in every corner shop or major store/factory/commercial premise,school - equip the posties, theres thousands of them, all driving, cycling and walking in their communities - who cares about not getting their mail on time if it saves lives?
if were gonna sort it on a community basis then let the community take on the responsibility - theres pleanty of 'slack' in the community apparently theres a whole 'grey army' out there?
names to be submitted to the person who keeps all the good ideas in a box under the bed