^{Date Published: 31 May 2011 1:16pm}

At the AFAC April Council meeting the green light was given to undertake preliminary consultation within its member agencies and key stakeholders on a professionalisation scheme.

Jill Edwards, Manager Strategy for AFAC will head this program of work and this phase of the project will be about consultation with stakeholders, particularly AFAC member agencies and staff.

“It is important to note that fire and emergency service work is already highly respected in the community and by all those who work in the sector. Fire and emergency service workers are extremely professional in their approach to supporting their communities and each other. Considering a professionalisation scheme seeks to formally recognise the valuable contribution they make to public safety.” Ms Edwards explained.

The consultation phase will seek to gain insight on two key points:

1. Stakeholder views on the need for a fire and emergency service professionalisation scheme, and
   
   
2. The degree to which there is a willingness by the sector to engage in such a scheme

As well as explaining what is meant by a professionalisation scheme, this consultation phase will be seeking input on why such a scheme might be needed.

“Importantly, the consultation seeks to obtain views from people working in the sector on what opportunities and benefits would flow from such a scheme. Whether people think that fire and emergency service work should be an officially recognised and certified profession and how important this is to them, as well as trying to get some understanding on what the barriers to introducing such a scheme might be and how we can overcome them.” Ms Edwards said.

Once all the consultation has been collated, the AFAC Council will be reviewing the results at its August meeting and deciding what the next course of action should be. The consultation phase will finish early August. AFAC would like to hear from as many people as possible during this phase. Focus groups will be held in many agencies, an online discussion forum is currently being built and an online survey is open to all staff and volunteers of member agencies.

 Have your say and make sure your views are heard.

For further information contact Jill Edwards, AFAC, Manager Strategy