[NSW] Fire Fighter Volunteers to Receive $300 a Day up to $6,000 if Called out for More than 10 Days This Season

Lbeatthatflight on 06/01/2020 - 17:24
Last edited 06/01/2020 - 19:53 by 2 other users

Moved to Forum: Original Link

The prime minister announced eligible volunteers would receive $300 a day up to $6,000 if called out for more than 10 days this fire season.

Under the plan, RFS volunteers who are self-employed or working for small or medium businesses will be able to apply for tax-free financial support from the federal government to cover lost wages. It will not be means-tested and the NSW state government has agreed to administer the payments.

Guardian Article

Mod: This falls under our deal posting guidelines for Government Programs that are income producing (in this case supplementing income). It is therefore moved to the forums. Thanks to the users who reported it as such.

For all bushfire relief posts see the Bushfire Relief Tag.

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Comments

  • Bargainbeth on 06/01/2020 - 17:25
    +19

    Great post, but I hope you've posted this on social media as well haha. Not sure ozbargain is the hub for volunteer firefighters and co xD.

    • beatthatflight on 06/01/2020 - 17:26
      +7

      about to! But yeah, I figure like me, other ozbs know some volunteer and permanent firefighters, so letting them know.

      • Bargainbeth on 06/01/2020 - 17:27
        +1

        Yeah, I've seen a couple people comment on here that they do know some, that's why it's still a great post :). Social media would likely reach more people who know them though!

        • stealthpaw on 06/01/2020 - 17:56
          +3

          I'm a firefighter, so i for one appreciate the post, but VIC CFA so the deal doesn't apply to me anyway ¯_(ツ)_/¯

          • ti6331 on 06/01/2020 - 19:43

            @stealthpaw: I can't understand why firefighters are volunteers? Really no pay at all ?

            • 7hours 44min ago on 06/01/2020 - 21:25
              +2

              @ti6331: When I eventually move to a rural area I can't wait to join the RFS and get an the benefits it provides. Mateship, serve my community, free sausage sandwiches, challenges, motivation to stay fit, sense of pride and purpose and if my missus ever leaves me a great way to get in with the laaaadies.

            • stealthpaw on 06/01/2020 - 22:04
              +3

              @ti6331: No pay. I volunteer primarily to protect my property, as being a volunteer does provide some benefits such as very quick access to CFA resources (tankers/uniform/manpower). But having that privilege comes with the responsibility to become that manpower for other members of the community. It's a give and take system, some give and some take more then others.

    • ti6331 on 06/01/2020 - 19:55
      +1

      We love bargains but we also care about our community, so what's wrong having a post here.

      • Bargainbeth on 06/01/2020 - 23:02

        Nobody said anything about it being wrong. My comment was about exposure levels.

  • Tuba on 06/01/2020 - 17:27
    +18

    Its a step in the right direction, but think 10 days is too long to qualify… should be no more than 5 days IMO. Its long enough to cause grief for a struggling employer, and effect the volunteers ability to fund their mortgage.

  • 7hours 44min ago on 06/01/2020 - 17:29
    +10

    Targeted.

    • R-Man on 06/01/2020 - 18:46
      +1

      Username checks out

  • profar on 06/01/2020 - 17:29
    +2

    This has been all over mainstream news , surely they know ?

  • Homr on 06/01/2020 - 17:29
    -7

    $300 a day equates to $78k a year salary. Not bad

    300552

    • cypher67 on 06/01/2020 - 17:31
      +1

      Good Soize

    • MeagerDollarBucks on 06/01/2020 - 17:33

      These fires will be over soon. I don't think it's a 52 week gig.

    • superveggies on 06/01/2020 - 17:49
      +43

      Capped at $6k (equiv 20 days). Those who've been there for 4 months already will only get $6k, so $50/day. Regardless, saying "not bad" without consideration for the human aspect and sacrifice they are doing, and everything they are leaving behind so they can be putting out fires, sounds very out of place. Think of the $$$$ losses they are making at home, and also being away from their families and friends in this very hard moment of their lives. Show some respect please.

      • MexicanHat on 06/01/2020 - 18:20
        +2

        Very well put. In addition, what about the long term effects as well. How will their mental health be? What about their respiratory health as well? Many factors to also consider. Hopefully they get support as well in the long term for these areas.

    • sunnyc on 06/01/2020 - 18:11
      +10

      Firefighting is not about the money. 78k a year doesn't even make up for the brutality of fighting bush fires.

    • Slo20 on 06/01/2020 - 18:35
      +2

      up to $300 a day. If their standard daily income is less they will only get their equivalent daily amount.

    • ti6331 on 06/01/2020 - 19:46

      Firefighters fight for our lives and properties, not easy,it's a very hard and dangerous jobs. Will you do such a job for $300 a day? BTW it costs me $200 for a plumber for a job of 35 mins.

      • Homr on 06/01/2020 - 20:09

        No I wouldn't as for many other jobs that I wouldn't do. Not every job is suited for everyone.

      • AlienC on 06/01/2020 - 22:17

        $300 yeah I would but how many hours per day is that but even so 300/12 hours is still $25/hr which for me is pretty (profanity) great plus i get to put on the uniform and do some really great service for my community.

        Physically i think I can handle it but it would take some time until I perfect it and become accustomed to everything and be able to lead independently instead of being a burden grunt.

  • Mums Poop Sock on 06/01/2020 - 17:30
    +33

    Scumo is a piece of poo.

    • ChillBro on 06/01/2020 - 18:12
      +5

      That's an insult to pieces of poo.

    • gimme on 06/01/2020 - 18:36
      -4

      Yes acording to the lefty outrage brigade on social media. Same folk love to talk about climate change but will run a million miles if they were asked to actually put tjeir $$ where their mouth is.

      • Xizor on 06/01/2020 - 18:46
        +10

        Modern far-left politics best friend is, unfortunately, hypocrisy. I lean left on most issues so as to maintain critical skepticism but that's about as dangerous as Hitler these days. We've never needed a sensible center more than now.

        • gimme on 06/01/2020 - 18:49
          +4

          and it's backfired badly and given rise to the likes of trump and co. One day the penny may drop.
          Someone calls a politician a piece of shit.. gets 20+ upvotes, feels validated and carries on with life with a sense of satisfaction. Actual effort/outcome = zero.

          • Xizor on 06/01/2020 - 18:55
            +2

            @gimme: Perhaps, but drones will be drones, we should all instead try to hear each other out and try to understand. Agreement is not required to do that. Let's get back on topic.

          • Tuba on 06/01/2020 - 19:26
            +5

            @gimme: Trump has nothing to do with the left. He has risen thanks to anti green, climate change denial, white supremacy, fear of immigration, anti Islam, isolationist, anti womens rights, anti LBGTFQwhatever it is, Christian Jihad …

            Thats more LNP than it is left. He tapped into the US far right.

            • gimme on 06/01/2020 - 19:34
              +1

              @Tuba: The far right was easilt tapped into because of the stupidity of the far left pushing moderates to the right

              • Tuba on 06/01/2020 - 19:39
                +5

                @gimme: Oh I see …Toots was asking for it…

                So the easily led moderates are not to blame by virtue of being moderates, and its the lefts fault that moderates cant control themselves and over react in their moderate way? I take it its fair game now if we turn communist as a reaction to the moderates flying to the FAR right? Yet the left are stupid, but the by your own admission easily led moderates are not stupid?

                Moderates didnt make the difference, the one toothed hillbilly rednecks, skinheads and general ugly people took their Uncle Dads and Aunty Moms to vote for him. While 100,000,000 didnt bother to pick from the bowl, and 3,000,000 more than voted for him, picked Hilary.

      • sodacake01 on 06/01/2020 - 19:01
        +14

        I am in the lefty brigade, although I am not sure which brigade number, I haven't checked. My son is a volunteer firefighter and has been out for weeks now. My daughter is a nurse helping victims, I pay all my taxes and I donate generously. I want my children to live in a better planet and most of my lefty friends work hard in the community for help our fellow Australians. Where are you getting YOUR information? Newscorp?

    • freakatronic on 06/01/2020 - 19:03
      -2

      Who told you that? The newspapers? You're pretty credulous.

      • Mums Poop Sock on 06/01/2020 - 20:13

        Why would the newspapers talk poopoo about the LNP or Scomo? They are owned by Murdoch.

  • JAY13 on 06/01/2020 - 17:30
    -5

    what about the peoples who lost everything

    • AssociatedChickenDinner123 @ NSW Government on 06/01/2020 - 17:44
      +26

      Thats what home and contents insurance is for.

      Also there is a $2B bushfire recovery fund that has been announced.

      • klownvandamn on 06/01/2020 - 18:16
        +5

        who are you associated with?

        • AaronR on 06/01/2020 - 18:30
          +11

          Logic & Reason Pty Ltd it seems.

        • INFIDEL on 06/01/2020 - 18:33
          +3

          Maybe as a taxpayer😉

    • gringo on 06/01/2020 - 17:58

      well, if they already have a job they can sign up for this

      and if they don't rent they might qualify for some assistance

      gotta have something to lose to get something it seems

      reminds me of jury duty where you get paid double if you have a job

      • serpserpserp on 06/01/2020 - 18:14

        reminds me of jury duty where you get paid double if you have a job

        Even then it is less than a lot of people earn.

      • Slo20 on 06/01/2020 - 18:37

        reminds me of jury duty where you get paid double if you have a job

        How so, eligibility is that you have lost income as a result of fighting the fires I.e were not getting paid by your employer to volunteer.

      • Bargain80 on 08/01/2020 - 13:13

        in all companies I have worked for, there's no double pay for jury duty.
        You get pay at normal salary minus the payment received from Court.

        So you get paid the same amount and company pays less.

    • hippyhippy on 06/01/2020 - 18:22
      +1

      Live in the bush and not get insurance? … come on.

  • kronicmacstigator on 06/01/2020 - 17:30

    That's f**ked…

    So if you are unemployed you get $0?

    I could easily help out down there right now (I have the training) but would be a liability in the actual field due to bodily injuries. ANYONE who is willing to strap on a suit and jump straight into the depths of hell right now deserves every single cent. Whether employed or not!

    • peterpeterpumpkin on 06/01/2020 - 17:35
      +4

      Does an ABN with no income count?

    • serpserpserp on 06/01/2020 - 18:15
      +1

      That's f**ked… So if you are unemployed you get $0?

      Well this is a liberal government in power. What did you expect? Not giving welfare is in their DNA.

      • heal on 06/01/2020 - 18:22
        +2

        Let's give $50k to everyone, do it the Labor way.

        • dchoj on 06/01/2020 - 18:38
          +1

          Yeah could you imagine injecting cash into an economy to spur on spending while the rest of the world suffers to a financial crisis. It's almost like it helped Australia get through it.

          • heal on 06/01/2020 - 18:41
            -1

            @dchoj: Great idea, let's make it 100k for everyone. Throw it around like it grows on trees.

            • dchoj on 06/01/2020 - 18:45
              +1

              @heal: Critical thinking must not be a strong suit for you.

            • 91rs on 06/01/2020 - 18:49
              +1

              @heal: Can we do 250k and a free house?

              • heal on 06/01/2020 - 18:56
                +1

                @91rs: Deal. Liberal needs to start throwing some cash around. They've handled the bushfires badly (politically) and given those with an agenda against them plenty of ammunition. Throwing cash around is the Labor way. Mind you, I don't mind this policy. As serpserpserp shows, you'll never please evryone unless you include everyone in the cash splash.

                @ schoj. I see insults is your strong suit.

                By the way I voted SFF in the Federal Election. I'm not a fan of Susan Ley.

                • serpserpserp on 06/01/2020 - 19:02
                  +2

                  @heal:

                  As serpserpserp shows, you'll never please evryone unless you include everyone in the cash splash.

                  I never said this. But I do think anyone volunteering in the CFA should be allowed to receive the money outlined by OP regardless of whether they are employed or not. They all do the same job. You shouldn't be discriminated against for being unemployed.

                  • heal on 06/01/2020 - 19:19

                    @serpserpserp:

                    I never said this

                    Fair enough

                    I do think anyone working in the CFA should be allowed to receive the money outlined by OP regardless of whether they are employed or not. They all do the same job. You shouldn't be discriminated against for being unemployed.

                    I guess they have to draw the line somewhere. Small business are less likely to be able to afford paying their staff special leave to fight fires. Coles would have no problem paying staff. Self employed people don't get paid if they don't work.

                    • serpserpserp on 06/01/2020 - 21:23

                      @heal:

                      I guess they have to draw the line somewhere.

                      Why do they need to draw the line? I doubt paying the unemployed volunteers the same as any other volunteer is going to break the bank for the federal government. What it is doing is aligning itself with its core voters and the liberal party core value of how they treat people on welfare.

                  • chriise on 06/01/2020 - 19:19
                    +1

                    @serpserpserp: At this point I’d also like to see all volunteers getting paid, but the point of the OP is to compensate volunteers for loss of income as a result of volunteering. Unemployed aren’t discriminated against, as they have not lost income.

                    • ti6331 on 06/01/2020 - 19:52
                      +1

                      @chriise: Fighting fire is hard & dangerous jobs,should get paid for their work.

                    • serpserpserp on 06/01/2020 - 21:33

                      @chriise:

                      Unemployed aren’t discriminated against, as they have not lost income.

                      It is a flawed policy really. The days of the CFA volunteer doing the odd 2 days of firefighting every summer is gone. If any volunteer is needed to fight fires for prolonged periods of time they should be compensated in some way. If you want to scale it for people who are employed/unemployed then maybe do that. I don't agree with that though.

                      • heal on 06/01/2020 - 21:49

                        @serpserpserp:

                        If any volunteer is needed to fight fires for prolonged periods of time they should be compensated

                        Like Army Reserves where for some employees you can get paid leave and Army Reserve pay? Should we allow people to double up. For prolonged periods without having an income, I really think that something needs to be done by each state to help the RFS volunteers. I don't think a blanket payment is the answer, though policy on the run is not the way to go. I'd rather the government say they will speak with the RFS to come up with a way to help firefighters who have a extended period without income than have knee jerk reaction policies. Major business's like Coles, etc can afford to pay employees who volunteer and I'd like to see them support their employees by paying special leave.

                        • serpserpserp on 07/01/2020 - 18:53

                          @heal:

                          Like Army Reserves where for some employees you can get paid leave and Army Reserve pay? Should we allow people to double up. For prolonged periods without having an income.

                          To be honest, they are doing a service on top of their job, so if they get paid leave from their workplace why not also get extra for doing a job that a) not everyone wants to do, b) is dangerous c) often goes beyond 9-5 hours and on weekends

                          Major business's like Coles, etc can afford to pay

                          So can the federal government.

                • dchoj on 06/01/2020 - 19:04

                  @heal: I'd like to think it's more of an accurate opinion of who you are rather than an insult.

                  You joke as if the money that was injected by the Labor government didn't allow Australia to get through the GFC relatively unscathed. Doesn't surprise me you keep your eyes closed to those who provide better solutions when it doesn't align with your own thoughts.

                  • heal on 06/01/2020 - 19:16
                    +1

                    @dchoj:

                    I'd like to think it's more of an accurate opinion of who you are rather than an insult

                    You can try and justify yourself whichever way you want.

                    Doesn't surprise me you keep your eyes closed

                    That comment didn't surprise me.

                    You joke as if the money that was injected by the Labor government didn't allow Australia to get through the GFC relatively unscathed.

                    The 1k everyone got thanks to the future fund? That injected a lot of cash into Harvey Norman and Dan Murphy's. Or are you talking about the pink batts scheme? Schools who wanted to build a new classroom but were told they needed a new library or hall, having no ability to get independent plans drawn up or have things designed the way the individual school wanted. Or maybe you're referring to the Labor party in general, the saviour of us all?

                    • Tuba on 06/01/2020 - 19:37
                      +1

                      @heal: No, the Labor Party that injected cash into the economy that never saw more than 2 consecutive quarters of negative growth, thus no recession, while the world bled because their governments couldnt get it together because folks like you argued it wouldnt work… but it did.

                      When America sneezes, the world catches cold. Thats been the norm, the accepted truth of economic woes of the past. But along came Kevin, and he does things different, he dared, and as a result instead of crashing, our dollar was worth more than theirs. Funny, you still want to bad mouth an idea that history has revealed to be successful. He, a little Australian with its little economy, was able to defy the economic doom and gloom the planet endured.

                      No no, no partisan hackery in that hatred.

                    • dchoj on 06/01/2020 - 19:38

                      @heal: Yes, the batts scheme was an absolute (profanity) nightmare execution with no oversight, no one is denying this. Yet it was still a net positive program for the country as a whole.

                      It worries me that you are trying to downplay how much of an effect that money made towards allowing Australia to essentially sidestep the GFC. Are you intentionally doing this or are you that oblivious to the effects that it had?

                      Every party has their problems however by far and large, Labor appears to be the party that seems to have the citizens of Australia's interests as priority.

                      • heal on 06/01/2020 - 19:52

                        @dchoj:

                        Yet it was still a net positive program for the country as a whole.

                        Tell that to the families of the four young men who died.

                        It worries me that you are trying to downplay how much of an effect that money made towards allowing Australia to essentially sidestep the GFC

                        It worries me that your head is in the sand re the Labor response to the GFC. I agree they needed to respond. I agree that the Future Fund needed to be spent to help Australia avoid the effects of the GFC but not in the way it happened.

                        Labor appears to be the party that seems to have the citizens of Australia's interests as priority.

                        Key word is "seems". Your love for Labor blinds you to their faults.

                        • dchoj on 06/01/2020 - 20:05

                          @heal: It's no doubt that it was a tragedy that people died. Yet you make no mention of the incredible savings the program introduced.

                          How is my head in the sand? Go have a look at the proposed ideas to combat the GFC at the time. Labor's stood head and shoulders above all and we survived the GFC with little hiccup.

                          Who says I am blind to their faults? I choose to support whoever supports the people. Show me any other party that actually looks to support Australian citizens MORE SO than the Labor government. I'll die of old age before you can find anyone.

                          • heal on 06/01/2020 - 20:16
                            -1

                            @dchoj:

                            Labor's stood head and shoulders above all and we survived the GFC with little hiccup.

                            Despite Labor's mismanagement and thanks to the Future Fund we survived the GFC with little hiccup.

                            Who says I am blind to their faults?

                            Your gushing love shows you are. Which people are you talking about that Labor supports? Perhaps you mean the farmer who Shorton was on the way way to meet prior to the election. A news camera caught him saying to himself "don't tell them what you really think". Not a fan of LNP either. I can't see myself voting for them for a long time thanks to their handling of the drought. State Liberal are no better. Littleproud needs to resign.

                            • dchoj on 07/01/2020 - 12:38
                              +1

                              @heal: You sound like a real expert at macroeconomics to go against every accredited expert saying Labor's management at the time saved Australia from the effects of the GFC.

                              I don't know why we don't just get you to be our economic adviser.

                    • hairy1egs on 06/01/2020 - 20:04

                      @heal: Just wondering what you did with your $900 given to you during the GFC. Did you give it back claiming your liberal beliefs said it was a waste of money or did you have your hand out and took it as you can't criticise something you took and spent or saved.

                      • heal on 06/01/2020 - 20:08

                        @hairy1egs:

                        Did you give it back claiming your liberal beliefs

                        Did you hand it back? Where did I claim Liberal beliefs?

                        I voted for Kevin 07. Does that make me worthy? Just over 43% gave their first preference to Labor. Does that mean the other 57% should have handed the automatic payment back? How would they go about doing that?

            • Manny Calavera on 06/01/2020 - 18:57

              @heal: So in order to obviate this problem," he continued, "and effectively revalue the leaf, we are about to embark on a massive defoliation campaign, and…er, burn down all the forests. I think you'll all agree that's a sensible move under the circumstances.

              • heal on 06/01/2020 - 19:04
                -1

                @Manny Calavera: I'd rather the authorities be in charge of whether a particular location gets back-burned rather than protesters.

                • heal on 06/01/2020 - 20:25

                  @heal: It appears Extinction Rebellion would rather people died because the lack of back burning.

                  You can neg, or you can read the Victorian Black Friday Royal Commission report.

                  • Mums Poop Sock on 06/01/2020 - 21:31

                    @heal: If you are arguing that the handout didn't save Australia the you are ignorant of the facts and shouldn't stop taking out of your arse.

                    • heal on 06/01/2020 - 21:35
                      +1

                      @Mums Poop Sock:

                      If you are arguing

                      Good thing I wasn't. I just don't gush love for Labor and hatred of Liberal with lack of objectivity. Don't forget the handout was only part of the stimulus.

      • freakatronic on 06/01/2020 - 19:06

        All forms of welfare need to end immediately. Social and corporate.

    • Ugly on 07/01/2020 - 08:36

      If you are unemployed, aren't you already getting the dole?

      • kronicmacstigator on 07/01/2020 - 09:45
        +1

        Because that's enough compensation for quite literally risking your life…

  • salmon123 on 06/01/2020 - 17:35
    +4

    I wonder if Tony Abbot is claiming this…

    • adam on 06/01/2020 - 17:38

      "RFS volunteers who are self-employed or working for small or medium businesses" - I don't think he qualifies.

      • salmon123 on 06/01/2020 - 17:46

        I'm sure he could find a way to fit that definition. Former prime ministers still receive plenty of perks from the government, like offices and secretaries … who knows how that's set up and whether that meets the definition of a business.

        • heal on 06/01/2020 - 18:23
          +3

          He could but based on what everyone knows of his character, he won't.

      • Tuba on 06/01/2020 - 17:48
        -1

        He claimed to be human without any qualification I could witness.

    • Jenny Death on 06/01/2020 - 17:44
      +2

      Dudes at least having a redemption arc.

    • deme on 06/01/2020 - 18:00
      +16

      At least hes out there fighting fires.

    • sunnyc on 06/01/2020 - 18:12
      +3

      Tony Abbot is a hero. How many people here volunteer for the RFS?

      • salmon123 on 06/01/2020 - 18:13

        I was detracting from his efforts … just curious about whether he'd claim this …

        • sunnyc on 06/01/2020 - 18:21
          +1

          He has been a RFS volunteer for 20 years. He has claimed this but it's not on the news. I'm sad to see him go as our prime minister.

      • jooncheez on 06/01/2020 - 18:34
        +2

        It's applaudable that he has been a volunteer firefighter for so long.

        He is also a religious lunatic who denies human induced climate change and should have never been in government.

        • heal on 06/01/2020 - 19:58
          +3

          denies human induced climate change …. should have never been in government.

          We need a socialist government and a Siberia to send away anyone religious or who dissents. Become a bit like China perhaps?

        • freakatronic on 06/01/2020 - 19:59

          Climate alarmists need to falsify weather data in order to cook up the skewed graphs they need. This has been proven again and again.

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