Rural Fire Service volunteers have been snubbed by the Palaszczuk Labor Government in the middle of a dry and dangerous bushfire season.
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said the new Blue Card Policy, that classifies rural firies as ‘health workers’, has put yet another bureaucrat burden on the men and women who are fighting to keep our communities safe.
“I am in no way trying to cheapen the issue, the crux of the policy is about child safety, but I MUST say it would be very rare to see a child on a fire ground,” said Mr Bennet.
“The fire in Winfield took two days to get under control.
“The bureaucracy, red-tape and ‘political correctness’ have gone too far.
“This policy has caused a significant number of volunteers to leave the service, not because they are ineligible to hold a Blue Card but because of the red tape involved in renewing it.”
Officer of the Winfield Brigade Jan Arens said just because a policy exists, doesn’t mean it’s correct.
“This policy is putting the community at risk,” said Mr Arens.
“It’s making it difficult for fire fighters to access equipment and do their job.
“This volunteer has over 20 years’ experience fighting fires, when he saw the fire threatening homes and lives, he jumped into action.
“It was obvious that the immediate risk far outweighed the risk of not having a current Blue Card.
“If we stuck to the policy, we would have lost properties and homes.”
The Member for Burnett took to the floor of Parliament last night on behalf of Rural Fire Service Volunteers who feel they’ve been abandoned. *
“In another disappointing bureaucratic decision, the Labor Government has snubbed our 26,000 Rural Fire Service volunteers by ignoring their multiple requests for a dress uniform,” said Mr Bennett.
“Our volunteers attend events like Firefighters Remembrance Day, medal and award ceremonies, funerals; they’re always there to support our community when we need them most.
“After asking for a dress uniform like all other organisations have, they’ve consistently been told no.
“In their own words, they say it’s embarrassing when urban firies are also present, dressed professionally in their uniforms, and the rural firies turn up looking like ‘brown cows’.
“It is an absolute embarrassment and an affront to rural members who show pride in the various brigades and their community.”
* Dropbox link to Mr Bennett’s speech in Parliament: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/bcvypmyn8jazv6pwiuosj/BENNETT-Rural-Fire-Service-Adjournment.mp4?rlkey=y7p6cxz5k0akwtf4m9qu7cf7b&dl=0
* Parliament TV Link: https://tv.parliament.qld.gov.au/?reference=0Mba20230823_190708
ENDS.
24/08/2023