❓ A parliamentary question regarding PTSD protection for firefighters, particularly volunteer firefighters, and the government's approach to implementing and extending these protections, referencing lessons learned from ambulance workers' protections.
AnsweredQoN 1440Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to question without notice 453 of 10 May 2023 in relation to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) protection for firefighters and I note that the Minister has failed to answer several aspects of the question, and I ask: (a) in response to media questions on 6 April, did the Minister advise the reason for the delay in implementing PTSD protection for firefighters was to allow for lessons to be learned from the application of similar protections to ambulance workers; (b) if yes to (a), what lessons were learned and how were they learned; (c) on how many occasions has the Minister or your delegate met or communicated with St John Ambulance about 'lessons learned'; (d) on how many occasions has the Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner or his delegate met or communicated with St John Ambulance about 'lessons learned'; (e) do volunteer firefighters have a different PTSD risk when compared with career firefighters; (f) why has your Government refused to protect volunteer firefighters in the same way you have afforded protection to career firefighters; (g) how has the Minister communicated the view of the Government in this regard to associations representing fire and emergency service volunteers; and (h) is the Government considering extending presumptive PTSD protections to volunteers in the future?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
20 June 2023
Responded by
Minister for Emergency Services
Response time
8 days
(a) – (b) Refer to my response to question without notice 453 (c) This question should be referred to the Minister for Industrial Relations
(d) DFES staff have discussed lessons learned with St John Ambulance representatives on many occasions over the phone and met once in person.
(e) Volunteer firefighters can be exposed to potentially traumatic events, however, DFES does not have direct comparative data or research that examined differences between the two cohorts. This is further complicated by the numerous differences within cohort environmental, circumstantial, social, and individual factors.
(f) Volunteer firefighters are covered for personal injury by a DFES insurance policy under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1998 which provides a range of benefits and support for volunteers.
(g) The Department and I frequently engage with stakeholders to discuss policies and
matters pertinent to their interests.
(h) Responsible agencies, such as the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and local governments, must effect and keep current insurance providing compensation for injury caused to present and former volunteers in accordance with section 36ZQ of the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1998 (FES Act). The insurance policies provide for a range of benefits and support for volunteers including, for example, Psychological Support Services.
(d) DFES staff have discussed lessons learned with St John Ambulance representatives on many occasions over the phone and met once in person.
(e) Volunteer firefighters can be exposed to potentially traumatic events, however, DFES does not have direct comparative data or research that examined differences between the two cohorts. This is further complicated by the numerous differences within cohort environmental, circumstantial, social, and individual factors.
(f) Volunteer firefighters are covered for personal injury by a DFES insurance policy under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1998 which provides a range of benefits and support for volunteers.
(g) The Department and I frequently engage with stakeholders to discuss policies and
matters pertinent to their interests.
(h) Responsible agencies, such as the Department of Fire and Emergency Services and local governments, must effect and keep current insurance providing compensation for injury caused to present and former volunteers in accordance with section 36ZQ of the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1998 (FES Act). The insurance policies provide for a range of benefits and support for volunteers including, for example, Psychological Support Services.
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