The President of the Volunteer Firefighters Association (VFFA), Mr. Peter Cannon OAM , has welcomed the findings and recommendations of the NSW Upper House Inquiry into the Wambelong Fire, released today, as a positive step towards a system that will deliver far better outcomes for bushfire management and suppression for NSW and the Coonabarabran community.
Upper House committee publishes report on the Wambelong fire
The committee has set out a number of strategies to build greater respect for volunteers into the practices, procedures and culture of the RFS.
Recommendation 19 states that the NSW Rural Fire Service formally recognise the Volunteer Fire Fighters Association as a legitimate advocacy organisation representing volunteer bush fire fighters, and duly consult with it on policy and operational matters.
The Unquenchable Bushfire Bureaucracy
The end of that great Australian institution, the volunteer country fire brigade, is drawing nigh, done in by the ignorance of greens, the ambitions of empire-building desk warriors and layer after counterproductive layer managerialist protocols. Why use a rake when the taxpayers can be billed for a helicopter?
WA needs more controlled burns
Western Australia needs to have more controlled burns to curb the risk of out-of-control bushfires, the WA premier says.
Mr Underwood said Australia was “doomed to savage bushfires” without prescribed burns.
Does it really matter what colour shirt I wear?
There are a lot of volunteers who are getting a bit tired of the “Blue Shirt” issue, they care about their volunteer service, looking after their local community and getting on with the job.
Ridiculous statements from the NSW RFS claiming that the new yellow shirt is 4% safer are more of an insult to the intelligence of our volunteers.
Fire fighter (Peter Cannon) gets a gong
VFFA President, Peter Cannon was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the general division as recognition for his tireless contribution to emergency services as a volunteer bushfire fighter. Peter joined his local brigade at Bulgandramine almost 50 years ago.
This post is an article that was published in The Land newspaper on Australia Day.
Australia Day awards for Volunteer Service (and some staff)
To the best of our knowledge, there were five AFSM recipients within the volunteer ranks, two AFSM recipients within the staff ranks and two OAM recipients from volunteer ranks.
Congratulations to you all.
VFFA President receives the Order of Australia
His Excellency, the Governor General of Australian has bestowed upon our associations founder and President, Mr. Peter Joseph Cannon, the Order of Australia.
This award recognises the genuine commitment that Peter has made towards providing a voice for the Volunteer Firefighters in NSW.
Has anything changed?
Councils are sick of working through the muddied waters of the costly RFS administration.
Employer Incentives
The Queensland State Government offers payroll tax exemptions for the employers of fire service volunteers whist they are away from their normal job and are engaged in emergency service tasks.
Would this be a good idea for NSW?