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The NSW Rural Fire Service Association is a Statewide non-partisan, member association that represents the interest of the 70,000+ members of the world’s largest volunteer fire fighting service.
The Association ensures its members are taken into account in the decision making processes of the NSW Rural Fire Service.
One of the key elements of the Association is its governance structure, with representation drawn from sixteen Divisions covering New South Wales. So much has been, and continues to be, achieved by the Association which highlights the hard work and dedication of its members as the cornerstone of its success.
State Executive Casual Vacancy 2010 - 2011
We are now seeking nominations for a Casual Vacancy on the Executive. Any RFSA member is eligible to nominate for this vacancy.
The Executive Casual Vacancy Nomination form is attached. Please ensure that this form is distributed widely across the membership.
I’d ask that you ensure that:
1. all completed nomination forms are sent back to the RFSA Office in time to ensure delivery before
close of business Friday 19th February 2010
2. a one page resume is attached to the completed nomination form
3. the form is addressed to Peter Olah, Executive Director and marked “CONFIDENTIAL”.
[CLICK HERE TO VIEW NOMINATION FORM]
WHAT'S HAPPENING...
GRANT SCHEME 4
Due to the high volume of Grant Scheme 4 Applications received, all Brigades will be notified of their application outcome by late January - mid February 2010.
MEDIA RELEASE
7 DECEMBER 2009
RURAL FIRE SERVICE ASSOCIATION SLAMS UNION CLAIM OF ‘UNPROFESSIONAL’ VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTERS
The Rural Fire Service Association (RFSA) has strongly rejected claims from the NSW Fire Brigades Employees Union (FBEU) that volunteer rural fire fighters in NSW are ‘unprofessional’.
RFSA President Brian McKinlay said the FBEU’s comments were beneath contempt and without any foundation, and adversely reflected on the professionalism of all the State’s rural firefighters.
Mr McKInlay said the FBEU’s latest comments reflected a continued attack on the Rural Fire Service and its volunteers and was all about increasing its own membership with ‘no benefit to the community whatsoever’.
[CLICK HERE TO READ FULL MEDIA RELEASE]
Workers Compensation for Volunteer Fire Fighters
Status as at 12 October 2009
Background
· Volunteer Fire Fighters are covered for injury and loss of personal property during authorised activities under the Workers Compensation (Bush Fire, Emergency and Rescue Services) Act (the Act). This Act is administered on behalf of the Rural Fire Service by WorkCover NSW.
· Volunteer Fire Fighters are defined as any person who without payment or remuneration engages in appropriate authorised activities including fire fighting and hazard reduction.
· In the event of injury the appropriate accident report must in the first instance be submitted to the District/Zone or Team Manager.
· When an accident results in the death of a fire fighter a lump sum amount is paid to the widow or next of kin by WorkCover NSW. This lump sum is indexed twice yearly. In addition to the lump sum amount, weekly benefits are paid to any dependant children.
· n the event of injury all medical expenses are met and weekly benefits are paid during the period of incapacitation. Weekly benefits are based on average weekly earnings prior to the injury.
Self-Employed Volunteer Fire Fighters
· Following consideration of concerns raise by RFSA members, a policy has been put in place to assess average weekly earnings for self employed volunteers which takes into account variations in income and fluctuations in seasonal returns for farmers.
· Although it is acknowledged that the source of income derived by self funded retirees may not be affected in the event of injury, provision exists for individual situations to be assessed under special circumstances.
· A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been developed between the RFS and RFSA which ensures amongst other things, that the unique employment arrangements of volunteers are recognised in assessing weekly benefits. It is anticipated that this MOU will be signed shortly.
· One of the significant issues that the MOU will address is where it is necessary to consider weekly benefits beyond 26 weeks incapacitation (as prescribed by the Act). This issue is something that can cause great concern for those volunteers that may suffer long term injuries, with protracted incapacitation and rehabilitation, prior to returning to their normal pre-injury arrangements.
· In 2007, a Working Group comprising representatives from the RFS and RFSA was established to provide both a method and means by which policy and procedural issues affecting volunteers, like those raised above, are dealt with fairly and justly. The MOU is a key achievement for the Working Group, which will continue its work into the future.
30th September 2009
RFSA’S ALAN HOLLEY ELECTED PRESIDENT OF AUSTRALASIAN ASSEMBLY OF VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE ASSOCIATIONS
Rural Fire Service Association (RFSA) President Brian McKinlay was pleased to announce the election of Alan Holley, RFSA Vice President, as President of the Australasian Assembly of Volunteer Fire Brigade Associations (AAVFBA).
"Alan’s new position gives the RFSA a direct say in responding to the increasingly national political and policy agenda which affects emergency services volunteers and their agencies.
"His election to the AAVFBA leadership means that issues which matter to RFSA members will be clearly heard by the Commonwealth Attorney General and the Federal Government," Mr McKinlay said.
The AAVFBA is a volunteer organisation which represents volunteer fire fighting associations throughout Australia and New Zealand providing a platform to promote the interests of volunteer fire fighters.
The Assembly exists to develop strong networks across volunteer fire fighting associations. It is a conduit for national and international comment and a point of contact for Australasian representation which provides an alternative lobby group within a jurisdiction should a member association seek support.
"The future viability of volunteer fire fighting in Australasia is reliant to some degree on the strength and success of the AAVFBA.
"While individual associations will continue to lobby and represent the interests of their volunteers in their jurisdictions, it is at a national level in both Australia and New Zealand where significant change, improvement and increased capability will be achieved," RFSA Vice President Mr Holley said.
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