NSW Bushfires: Volunteer firefighters in government jobs to get paid leave

Australia News News

NSW Bushfires: Volunteer firefighters in government jobs to get paid leave
Australia Latest News,Australia Headlines
  • 📰 9NewsAUS
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 14 sec. here
  • 2 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 9%
  • Publisher: 72%

BREAKING: Volunteer firefighters who work in government jobs will get at least four weeks paid leave to help fight bushfires, the Prime Minister has announced. 9News

"This means that we have more people able to be deployed out of those mainly Metropolitan brigades, and to be able to relieve those in country and rural areas and allow those very tired firefighters, particularly in parts of New South Wales where they've been going for weeks on end, and that they can go home to their families and their businesses."

He praised companies such as ANZ for allowing employees leave to take on voluntary firefighting, and urged others to join suit. However, when asked why financial compensation isn't planned for RFS members, he again said it's a state issue and not a federal one.

We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

9NewsAUS /  🏆 10. in AU

Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Bushfires ravage towns in NSW, SABushfires ravage towns in NSW, SAFire crews have continued to battle ferocious bushfires across the nation, which have ravaged towns in New South Wales and South Australia.
Read more »

Fire crews assess damage in NSW as bushfires devastate towns | Sky News AustraliaFire crews assess damage in NSW as bushfires devastate towns | Sky News AustraliaAuthorities are assessing the damage from bushfires raging in the greater Sydney region to see whether it is safe for residents to return home. \n\nCooler temperatures on Sunday allowed firefighters to spend the day strengthening containment lines, as more than 90 fires continue to burn across the state. \n\nFor a second night in a row, the community of Blackheath in the Blue Mountains was threatened by an emergency level bushfire and while conditions have eased, residents have been warned to remain vigilant. \n\nNSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian also said there is 'not much left' of Balmoral, south-west of Sydney, which has been ravaged by the Green Wattle Creek fire. \n\nThe Prime Minister apologised to Australians for taking an overseas family holiday as fires raged across the country, meeting with bushfire victims in Sydney's south west after conceding in hindsight, he would have made a different decision. \n\nScott Morrison defended his government's response to the bushfire crisis, while also emphasising the need for responsible action on climate change. \n\nImage: Getty
Read more »

NSW Volunteer Fire Fighters Association calls for compensation for those on the frontlineNSW Volunteer Fire Fighters Association calls for compensation for those on the frontlineThe president of NSW's Volunteer Fire Fighters Association says the state and federal governments have ignored the fact members have racked up expenses, including petrol spent driving to fire fronts, fighting the blazes.
Read more »

NSW RFS rejects need to pay volunteer firefighters | Sky News AustraliaNSW RFS rejects need to pay volunteer firefighters | Sky News AustraliaCommissioner of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service Shane Fitzsimmons has strongly rejected the need for more financial compensation or for the volunteers to be paid for their firefighting efforts.\n\nMr Fitzsimmons told Sky News he would put 'very little store in anything the Volunteer Fire Fighters Association (VFFA) has to say,' due to the lack of 'access to information about who they claim to represent, how many they represent, and how they operate'.\n\nThe Volunteer Fire Fighters Association’s union leader Mick Holton said situation that stands is out-of-control and more needs to be done, raising concerns over claims many firefighters are crowdfunding for necessary equipment. \n\nMeanwhile, more than 2,000 firefighters will spend the holidays trying to contain the bushfires currently raging across parts of New South Wales. \n\nImage: News Corp Australia
Read more »

Volunteer Fire Fighters Association is a 'politically charged' group with 'unclear motives': NSW RFS commissioner | Sky News AustraliaVolunteer Fire Fighters Association is a 'politically charged' group with 'unclear motives': NSW RFS commissioner | Sky News AustraliaCommissioner of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service Shane Fitzsimmons says he would put 'very little store in anything the Volunteer Fire Fighters Association (VFFA) has to say,' due to the lack of 'access to information about who they claim to represent, how many they represent, and how they operate'.\n\nMr Fitzsimmons told Sky News the VFFA are 'highly politically-charged, their leader is a failed political candidate' with unclear motivations. \n\nMr Fitzsimmons said we cannot “take away from the extraordinary spirit that is volunteerism, underpinning all that is good in our society,' as it makes communities “so cohesive, valuable and precious'.\n\n“In my decades of service, volunteers don’t want payment, it doesn’t make them volunteers, and they have given me that message loud and clear,” he said. \n\nMr Fitzsimmons said 'meaningful dialogue' is underway between Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister David Elliott about ensuring 'unnecessary hardship isn't affecting too adversely our members'.\n\nNew South Wales fire fighters are taking advantage of easing Christmas Eve conditions, ahead of a weekend of soaring temperatures. \n\n“This is the most protracted, demanding, uninterrupted pattern of weather that we have experienced here in New South Wales, and the results, damage and destruction, as well as the commitment from volunteers is unwavering,” he said. \n\nImage: News Corp Australia
Read more »

At least 100 homes lost since Friday from devastating fires across NSW | Sky News AustraliaAt least 100 homes lost since Friday from devastating fires across NSW | Sky News AustraliaThe Rural Fire Service has confirmed at least 100 homes have been lost since Friday alone from devastating blazes across New South Wales.\n \nExhausted crews will work through Christmas to strengthen containment lines in easing conditions. \n\nNSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has spent Monday in the Blue Mountains, visiting the communities of Blackheath and Mount Victoria to see the extent of the fires over the weekend. \n\nFor a second night in a row, the community of Blackheath in the Blue Mountains was threatened by an emergency level bushfire and while conditions have eased, residents have been warned to remain vigilant. \n\nPremier Berejiklian also said there is 'not much left' of Balmoral, south-west of Sydney, which has been ravaged by the Green Wattle Creek fire. \n\nMeanwhile, the prime minister has apologised to Australians for taking an overseas family holiday as fires raged across the country, meeting with bushfire victims in Sydney's south west after conceding in hindsight, he would have made a different decision. \n\nScott Morrison defended his government's response to the bushfire crisis, while also emphasising the need for responsible action on climate change.\n\nImage: News Corp Australia
Read more »



Render Time: 2025-03-22 05:42:54