Country Fire Service, Staff Development Framework

In reply to Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) ((22 June 22).). (Estimates Committee B)

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS (Cheltenham—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services): I have been advised:

The staff development framework (SDF) is a career development strategy that provides all South Australia Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) operational personnel with access to nationally recognised competency-based training. The SDF was one of the first such strategies to be developed and implemented within the Australasian fire and emergency services industry.

Personnel are enrolled in the SDF during MFS recruit course. Enrolment is then mandatory in annual SDF programs for the first six years of a firefighter's career. Further participation is voluntary but is a prerequisite for promotion to officer ranks. The SDF also articulates into and provides access to tertiary and graduate levels programs to ensure organisational leaders receive development opportunities and qualifications commensurate with equivalent government and private sector organisations.

The development, delivery and ongoing review of the SDF requires that the MFS maintains registered training organisation (RTO) status and compliance against the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF). The MFS also maintains partnerships and collaborative arrangements with a range of vocational and tertiary institutions, the Australasian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC) and emergency service organisations, police and ambulance services.

Management and delivery of the SDF is dependent on a range of methodologies and technologies. These include data management systems required for RTO compliance, incident command simulation technologies necessary to develop officers, and technology dependent infrastructure such as the new Angle Park Structure Fire Training Facility. Increasingly, distance-based learning technologies are required to enable operational personnel to complete training requirements at their stations and remotely when required.

The broad strategy and content of the SDF were developed through extensive analysis of the community requirements of the MFS and its personnel, comprehensive role analysis of all MFS ranks, and consultation and collaboration with the United Firefighters Union (SA).

SDF content, development, delivery, and assessment strategies are regularly reviewed to ensure they continue to meet the needs of the community, the evolving roles of MFS personnel, emergency service and training industry current practice, and also align to government and agency priorities.