The suggestion of a disconnect between NSW RFS fire ground management and volunteer members is based upon submissions made by people, including many volunteers.
Putting the Rural back into the Rural Fire Service
There is no better time that “Right Now” to implement State Government changes that can help put the “Rural” back into the “Rural Fire Service”.
Relocation of the Rural Fire Service Head Office was always inevitable and now that the public has been informed of the pending relocation, perhaps it is timely to look at decentralisation.
Congratulations to the NSW Government
The VFFA is very pleased to see that the NSW State Government has created separate Police and Emergency Services portfolios and we would like to congratulate the two Ministers as they embark upon the management of their respective roles.
Round them up and move them out – Lock it up and burnt it out
This article is republished as a tribute to Laurie Norton who passed away on Wednesday 18th March 2015. Laurie created the article for the April 2009 edition of the VFFA Magazine.
Laurie was a foundation member of the VFFA and our first treasurer. When Laurie spoke everybody listened. He was a man of great knowledge and conviction. He will be sadly missed.
“If only these people could work with nature – not against it… It is no longer an open pristine alpine area, but a mutilated jungle”
Prime Minister Tony Abbott rewarded for a decade of RFS service
Prime Minister, Tony Abbott was awarded a medal for his volunteer work at Davidson Rural Fire Brigade, where he regularly volunteers.
The Daily Telegraph captures the moment with photos and text.
Stand up for Farmers
All NSW voters are being encouraged to take a stand for rural NSW. We need to send a clear message to all politicians that we want real and lasting change for country New South Wales.
We urge you to join the VFFA and stand up for farmers – don’t let country New South Wales be ignored this election.
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?
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.