Firefighters Union Supports Insurance Council

Press Release Firefighters Union

3 AUGUST 1999

Firefighters Union Supports Insurance Council Call for Public Inquiry

"The Firefighters Union today indicated strong support for the Insurance Council's call for a public inquiry into the Fire Service", said Derek Best Secretary of the Firefighters Union.

"The allegations are serious, they are allegations of criminal actions, the allegations are disruptive to the operation of the Fire Service, and the allegations bring the Fire Service into disrepute. They must be properly investigated in a public forum by an independent inquiry", said Derek Best.

"The Firefighters Union calls on all of those making these allegations - that is Pat Davidson and Don Roper respectively President and Secretary of the United Fire Brigades Association, Margaret Bazley, the Chairperson of the Fire Service Commission, Alison Timms, the Chief Executive (Acting) of the Fire Service and some senior managers to publicly support the call for a public inquiry. If they do not, then even more so, their allegations will be seen as without any basis."

"The inquiry needs to have wide ranging terms of reference, and be able to call witnesses to give evidence under oath", Derek Best said.

"Those making these wild and unsubstantiated allegations must either put up or shut up. A full public inquiry allows that to happen and allow the real truth to be determined. Professional firefighters have nothing to hide from or be afraid of from such a public inquiry. If an inquiry is opposed by anyone making these allegations then their claims will be seen to be absolutely fraudulent", Derek Best concluded.

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