NSW Government must immediately offer PTSD support to vulnerable volunteer firefighters
The peak body representing the state’s volunteer firefighters has called on the NSW Government to expedite legislation to ensure that their members have full access to treatment for potential post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD).
It comes as it has been revealed that new research suggests one in every 20 volunteer firefighters who battled the catastrophic Black Summer bushfires made plans to suicide the following year.
NSW Rural Fire Service Association President Scott Campbell said his organisation has called on the state government to ensure presumptive legislation is introduced for PTSD for volunteers.
“The RFSA has long recognised the ongoing impacts of emergency response on firefighters and we have identified this issue and called on government to ensure presumptive legislation for PTSD applies to volunteers,” Mr Campbell said.
“These shocking findings about the extraordinary burden on volunteer firefighters after the Black Summer bushfires just emphasises the dire and urgent need to look after these people.
“They are putting their lives on the line for the community and deserve to be looked after when they find themselves struggling as a result of their brave efforts.”
Recognising the risk to volunteers, the RFSA provided 1200 mental health and crisis support courses for volunteer firefighters after Black Summer and is planning to make hundreds more available.
The NSW RFSA has called on both sides of politics to pledge support for equality of impairment payments for volunteers and presumptive PTSD legislation.
“We recognise the work of the Rural Fire Service in their Mental Health Strategy, but call on the government to provide the proper support for those firefighters in need,” Mr Campbell said.
“We can now see in plain view that these volunteers are facing a mental health crisis and need the support of the community and our elected representatives. The RFSA calls on the government and the opposition to show real and tangible support measures for our volunteers now. The immediate need is clear.”