Feedback was sought in mid-December 2025 from SES units following a request from DFES, regarding a proposed Equipment Recall and Prohibition (ERAP) Circular (D40842) relating to nail gun use during SES operations.
SESVA acknowledges that the request to respond was short notice, at what is known to be not the best time of year for meaningful consultation. However, the requests
was too important to wait until units returned from summer break.
While there is strong, consistent support for initiatives that genuinely improve safety outcomes, there is equally strong concern that the ERAP, as presented, was
misaligned with training and operational practice, technically flawed in its equipment recommendations, and unreasonable in its financial and organisational impacts.
Collectively, these issues present risks not only to operational safety, but also to volunteer confidence and morale.
After compiling responses from five SES units, the SESVA based its response to DFES on the following summary:
• SES units support the intent of improving safety.
• Units do not support the removal of Paslode nail guns that operate exclusively in sequential-fire mode and are embedded in approved training and field guides.
• Units do not support the introduction of Makita finishing nailers, which are not fit for purpose and are non-compliant with Australian Standards.
Furthermore, there is a strong expectation that SESVA advocate for meaningful consultation, transparency in risk assessment, alignment with training frameworks, and evidence-based solutions that improve safety without undermining operational effectiveness or volunteer sustainability.
