❓ Hon Rob Horstman asks about the completion of a preliminary report and further actions regarding PTSD protections for emergency services volunteers. The Minister confirms the report's completion and outlines existing support mechanisms.
AnsweredQoN 226Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
Fire and emergency services—Volunteers—Protections
226. Hon Rob Horstman to the minister representing the Minister for Emergency
Services:
Recognising National
Volunteer Week, I refer to question without notice 1266 asked the Legislative
Council on 22 October 2024 by Hon Martin Aldridge MLC.
(1) Has the preliminary report mentioned in the
answer to this question been completed?
(2) What further action is the department taking
to address the lack of PTSD protections for volunteers?
226. Hon Rob Horstman to the minister representing the Minister for Emergency
Services:
Recognising National
Volunteer Week, I refer to question without notice 1266 asked the Legislative
Council on 22 October 2024 by Hon Martin Aldridge MLC.
(1) Has the preliminary report mentioned in the
answer to this question been completed?
(2) What further action is the department taking
to address the lack of PTSD protections for volunteers?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of the question and
congratulate him on his first question. The following answer has been
provided to me by the Minister for Emergency Services.
(1) Yes.
(2) The Department of Fire and Emergency Services
provides PTSD protections for emergency services volunteers. There are a range
of initiatives, including access to comprehensive personal accident insurance
policy that includes coverage for PTSD. In addition, the department provides
assistance with the lodgement of claim, rehabilitation and recovery processes,
ensuring coverage that is comparable to that provided to career firefighters
under the Workers Compensation Injury Management
Act 2023 . In addition to insurance support, volunteers and their
immediate family members are also eligible to access DFES's psychological
support services, including confidential counselling. Further support is
offered through the DFES peer support program wellness service—an array
of mental health and wellbeing initiatives designed to promote resilience and
psychological safety among its emergency service volunteers.
congratulate him on his first question. The following answer has been
provided to me by the Minister for Emergency Services.
(1) Yes.
(2) The Department of Fire and Emergency Services
provides PTSD protections for emergency services volunteers. There are a range
of initiatives, including access to comprehensive personal accident insurance
policy that includes coverage for PTSD. In addition, the department provides
assistance with the lodgement of claim, rehabilitation and recovery processes,
ensuring coverage that is comparable to that provided to career firefighters
under the Workers Compensation Injury Management
Act 2023 . In addition to insurance support, volunteers and their
immediate family members are also eligible to access DFES's psychological
support services, including confidential counselling. Further support is
offered through the DFES peer support program wellness service—an array
of mental health and wellbeing initiatives designed to promote resilience and
psychological safety among its emergency service volunteers.
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