EMERGENCY
SERVICES — STAFF
1223. Hon MARTIN ALDRIDGE to the Minister for Emergency Services:
I refer to the shortage of Department of Fire and Emergency
Services mechanical technicians and auto-electricians.
(1) By FTE,
how many mechanical technicians are currently employed and, by FTE, how many
positions remain vacant?
(2) By FTE, how many auto-electricians are currently
employed and, by FTE, how many positions remain vacant?
(3) By FTE,
how many staff have been attracted to positions since the attraction and
retention incentive was created?
(4) Noting
that this incentive expires on 31 December 2022, will DFES have successfully
recruited a full cohort of technicians by this time?
Hon DARREN WEST replied:
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question
and on behalf of the Minister for Emergency Services I provide the following
answer.
(1)–(4)
There is currently a team of five full-time equivalent mechanical technicians
employed at the Department of Fire and
Emergency Services. We are actively recruiting for both of the two full-time
equivalent auto-electrician roles available, and to bring the mechanical
technician team up to nine. The attraction and retention incentive has helped
fill one of the vacancies in this team. Given natural attrition and the high
demand for skilled labour across Western Australia and the nation, DFES will
continue to actively recruit until all vacancies are filled. As I mentioned
last week, if any honourable members know of anyone who wants to take on one of
these important roles, I encourage them to apply. DFES offers flexibility to
join on a casual or part-time basis, in addition to full-time and regular
employment.