COUNTRY FIRE SERVICE

In reply to the Hon. S.G. WADE (26 July 2007).

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister Assisting the Minister for Multicultural Affairs): I am advised:

In 2001 SAFECOM established a panel of contractors for the manufacture of Emergency Services vehicles, (body builds, cab chassis and pumps) for the CFS, MFS and SES. This panel was established through an open tender process managed by SAFECOM, with contractual Deeds of Agreements established through the Crown Solicitor's Office.

The panel currently comprises:

11 body builders from Australia and New Zealand;

9 cab chassis providers; and

4 pump providers.

In relation to the 2007-08 appliance acquisition process:

Request for Quotation (RFQ) documents were issued to panel members on 2 May 2007, and closed on 12 June 2007.

All tenders were evaluated on the range of criteria set out in the RFQ documents, including specification compliance, product support and supply, value adding services and price.

All procurement policies and guidelines were strictly adhered to, with approvals through the Justice Authorised Procurement Unit.

An interstate body builder was awarded the contract for CFS 34 and 34P appliances as it submitted the most competitive and appropriate tender, taking all relevant factors into consideration (as set out in the RFQ documents).

A local supplier has been recommended as the preferred body builder for 10 CFS Quick Attack Vehicles.

The statement that the warranty fault rate is 20 times higher than some local suppliers is not correct. Warranty matters to be addressed totalled approximately 150 over all 10 appliances; often something very minor. The distance involved in driving appliances from the interstate manufacturer to Adelaide provided a 'shake down' period, allowing defects to be rectified prior to delivery to brigades. Defects in locally supplied appliances are generally detected after delivery to brigades.

CFS vehicles are serviced locally and organised at the brigade level. This is a process strongly supported by CFS brigades. Contracts allow for warranty work to be carried out within a 50 km radius of vehicle base. The contracts also ensure that when spare parts are required from interstate, delivery times are guaranteed. Should any front-line vehicle become unserviceable, the CFS has replacement spare vehicles immediately available.

Other Australasian Fire Authority Council members are able to purchase off the South Australian panel participants. The 2007-08 process saw the Tasmanian and Australian Capital Territory Fire Services actively participate and award contracts to South Australian distributors.