Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett has gone into bat for Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteers to fight red tape once again, during State Parliament this week.
Mr Bennett submitted a Question on Notice today to the Minister for Fire and Emergency Services, seeking feedback as to whether changes would be made to the Blue Card policy to assist RFS volunteers obtain and renew Blue Cards, following impractical requirements that is forcing many firefighters to hang up their yellow suits.
The issue was first highlighted by Mr Bennett earlier this year when a bushfire in Winfield saw a RFS volunteer battle the blaze singlehandedly as it threatened nearby properties, only to be reprimanded for not having a Blue Card while doing so.
Mr Bennett said the new Blue Card Policy classifies rural firies as ‘health workers’, which has put another bureaucrat burden on the men and women who are fighting to keep our communities safe.
“This bureaucratic red tape is causing our RFS volunteers to leave in droves because of what’s involved in renewing their Blue Cards,” he said.
“There has been overwhelming feedback regarding the challenges in retaining volunteers due to bureaucracy and red tape, and loss of members due to BlueCard requirements.
“These dedicated, volunteer fireys are eligible to hold a Blue Card, but the red tape involved in renewing it is proving too much for many.
“Our region is already seeing bushfires pop up and we are heading into extreme weather conditions… I’m really concerned that we are going to see a mass walkout of volunteer fireys when we need them the most.”
Mr Bennett challenged the Minister on why the changes to the Blue Card application and renewal process for RFS volunteers were made in the first place.
The Minister has 30 days to respond to Mr Bennett’s Question on Notice.
ENDS.
11/10/2023