Source: United Fire Brigades’ Association
The United Fire Brigades’ Association (UFBA) has welcomed Labour MP Kieran McAnulty’s Accident Compensation (Extended Cover for Fire and Emergency New Zealand Personnel) Amendment Bill drawn from the biscuit tin today, describing it as a significant step towards ensuring New Zealand’s volunteer firefighters receive the same ACC protection as their paid colleagues.
The Bill would extend ACC cover for work-related illness and injury to volunteer firefighters, recognising that they face the same operational hazards and long-term health risks as career firefighters.
UFBA Chief Executive Bill Butzbach said the Bill addresses a longstanding inequity.
“This is about fairness. Volunteer firefighters respond to the same emergencies, face the same dangers and are exposed to the same traumatic events and toxic and hazardous substances as paid firefighters. Yet when it comes to ACC coverage for work-related illness and injury, they are not treated equally.”
The UFBA has worked closely with Mr McAnulty during the development of the bill and welcomes the opportunity for Parliament to consider this important change.
Volunteer firefighters make up 86 percent of Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s frontline workforce and respond to thousands of incidents every year, including structure fires, vegetation fires, motor vehicle crashes, hazardous substance incidents, medical emergencies, search and rescue operations, severe weather events and natural disasters.
“To the communities they serve, there is no distinction between a volunteer firefighter and a paid firefighter,” said Mr Butzbach.
“When someone calls 111, they don’t ask whether the firefighters arriving are volunteers or career staff. They expect a professional emergency response, and that’s exactly what they receive.”
Despite undertaking the same core training and carrying out the same operational duties as their paid counterparts, volunteer firefighters are currently excluded from ACC cover for a range of gradual process work-related conditions. These include mental injury arising from traumatic events and cumulative occupational illnesses linked to repeated exposure to hazardous and toxic substances.
Mr Butzbach said the legislation also reflects the changing nature of emergency response in New Zealand.
“As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of natural disasters and major weather events, volunteers continue to shoulder the majority of New Zealand’s emergency response capability. Their contribution has never been more important.”
The UFBA is encouraging Members of Parliament from across the House to support the Bill.
“This is not a political issue; it’s a matter of equity, recognition and doing what is right for the thousands of New Zealanders who volunteer to protect their communities every day.
“We congratulate Kieran McAnulty on bringing this issue before Parliament and look forward to working with all parties to see this important legislation progress.”