WA Radio Scanner Users' Group

There's a circular (operational circular 71/2009) currently being distributed, quite strongly worded regarding use of recording devices used to capture video footage and other phtographs

Who else has seen this, any opinions/comments

I haven't posted a copy on a public URL as I don't know if that would violate copyright or policy, but if you have access to the extranet, you'll find it at

https://extranet.fesa.wa.gov.au/sites/v ... ipment.pdf

It was read out at our last meeting by our Brigade Secretary.

I know a number of our Members have taken pics at incidents. This new order certainly puts a stop to that.

Can I assume this is just for staff not to take pics and not your joe blow bystander?

yorky wrote:Can I assume this is just for staff not to take pics and not your joe blow bystander?

Circular reads, "a person who is or has been -
a: a member
b: a member of a consultative comittee; or
c: a staff member"

Thanks, I guess that means no more operational photos

This is for operational staff right?

I've taken a picture at an incident once and was told quiet strongly by the station officer that I was unable to do so, I mentioned politely that unfortauntely I am able to do and well within my rights as it directly involved my work and my reason to be there.

He agreed and walked off.

written_ficton wrote:This is for operational staff right?

I've taken a picture at an incident once and was told quiet strongly by the station officer that I was unable to do so, I mentioned politely that unfortauntely I am able to do and well within my rights as it directly involved my work and my reason to be there.

If it is part of your task to record the incident and/or you have authorisation from a "supervisor" you can take photographs.
The circular sates this but does not give a definition of "supervisor" which makes it somewhat ambiguous.

written_ficton wrote:This is for operational staff right?

I've taken a picture at an incident once and was told quiet strongly by the station officer that I was unable to do so, I mentioned politely that unfortauntely I am able to do and well within my rights as it directly involved my work and my reason to be there.

He agreed and walked off.

Not to mention if you are in a public place any member of the public can take pictures of anything unless *Police* ask you not to/move along.

Magnus wrote:

yorky wrote:Can I assume this is just for staff not to take pics and not your joe blow bystander?

Circular reads, "a person who is or has been -
a: a member
b: a member of a consultative comittee; or
c: a staff member"

This wont affect Volunteers as they aren't defined as 'members' under the FESA Act. It certainly does not affect BFS vols.

Under the FESA Act:
- member is a member of the FESA board except for the CEO

Take a look of Section 39 of the Fire & Emergency Services Authority Act.

It's worth noting a couple of points at this stage I think.

First of all, the link to the PDF in the opening post isn't on a publicly-accessible website, as Magnus says. If you don't have a login to the FESA "Extranet", then don't bother trying to open the document as you'll be asked for a username and password

For people who *do* have access to the document, please be mindful of the fact that the document isn't publicly accessible for a reason. Please don't post any links to copies of the document for that reason - unless FESA choose to make it public of course!

Lastly, in my opinion, this policy regarding photographs or videos at incidents is only enforceable on the people who are bound by the policy. In other words as Yorky mentions, if you're just a regular member of the public who happens to be in the area, then I can't see how this policy would apply to you. That's not to say that you couldn't (or shouldn't) be shoo'ed away if you're making a nuisance of yourself

my understanding is that the board is a consulative committee, so yes it covers them, but section 18D of the act is "register of members of SES Unit". this says to me that

a: a member = a member of any unit/brigade/station
b: a member of a consultative committee; or = the fesa board
c: a staff member" any employee of fesa

i think all up, if you are involved with any volunteer emergency service, dont take photos without asking.

Zebedee wrote:It's worth noting a couple of points at this stage I think.

First of all, the link to the PDF in the opening post isn't on a publicly-accessible website, as Magnus says. If you don't have a login to the FESA "Extranet", then don't bother trying to open the document as you'll be asked for a username and password

For people who *do* have access to the document, please be mindful of the fact that the document isn't publicly accessible for a reason. Please don't post any links to copies of the document for that reason - unless FESA choose to make it public of course!

Lastly, in my opinion, this policy regarding photographs or videos at incidents is only enforceable on the people who are bound by the policy. In other words as Yorky mentions, if you're just a regular member of the public who happens to be in the area, then I can't see how this policy would apply to you. That's not to say that you couldn't (or shouldn't) be shoo'ed away if you're making a nuisance of yourself

its on the State Law Publisher, and thats a publicly accessible. From memory, certain sections of the act refer to members of the public.

It might have come out of the inquest for the southern cross bushfire, there was video and pictures (only of fire) that was used in the evidence, so maybe the FESA lawyers have decided that the less amount of recorded evidence the better... there is only ever an inquiry when bad things happen! I might be a little bit of a conspiracy theorist on it all... but I have good reason to be!

I also think it is mainly to stop the practise of recording turn outs. There was footage of a turnout to the maddington petrol station fire floating around...

I remember reading somewhere police were buying their own video cameras to record arrests incase they are sued...
http://www.news.com.au/technology/story ... 39,00.html

Will it stop me from taking photos of my crew at an incident, NO.. but all the photos I've taken are of mop up and never of running fire... I mean who has time to take photos while chasing a fire up the hill...

treeny wrote:my understanding is that the board is a consulative committee, so yes it covers them, but section 18D of the act is "register of members of SES Unit". this says to me that

a: a member = a member of any unit/brigade/station
b: a member of a consultative committee; or = the fesa board
c: a staff member" any employee of fesa

Section 39 talks about 'member'.. which is defined at the top of the Act. If it was to include SES members or other volunteers, then they'd be included in the definition.

member means a member of the board other than the chief executive officer;
member of staff means the chief executive officer or a person referred to in section 20(1) or 21;