Bush fires: ALL our firefighters should be paid
Despite the Australian bush being highly prone to fire during the summer months, the use of volunteer labour to fight fires has become the norm. At the height of the bushfire crisis in North East Victoria and Gippsland, up to 3,000 volunteers fought fires threatening townships and private property.
Volunteering one’s time to a project or cause can benefit both parties involved, but too often industry and local government are at the ready to exploit volunteers. Individuals only benefit from volunteering if training and peer support matches the tasks expected of them. Back in 1998 I saw the inappropriate use of volunteers by the City of Whittlesea, who manned the counter of their Community Information Centre with overwhelmed volunteers. The volunteers were untrained and I doubt would’ve gained much from their dealings with frustrated local residents and the professional council employees working out of the same building.
Given Australia’s wide expanses, volunteers are always going to be called on to fight bushfires, but should they make up the bulk of labour used to fight fires threatening private property and townships? A BBQ, a few beers and a lap of honour around the MCG isn’t adequate reward for those who’ve risked life and limb in serving the community. Fire fighters should be paid award rates and if they are seasonal it should be on a pro rata basis like every other casual worker.
