View other questions
Do you think our volunteer firies should be compensated?
Answered 4 years ago
Have an answer?
This question has been closed and is no longer accepting answers.
Answers
An unexpected error has occurred, please try again shortly.
ANSWER
4 years ago
Volunteer work isn’t always easy. And this year has been particular tough. But the point of being a volunteer is to work without pay, compensation or conditions. Giving them compensation might set up an expectation, and that goes against the grain of being a volunteer.
I do think some kind of official recognition is in order though.
I do think some kind of official recognition is in order though.
Replies
REPLY
4 years ago
But when they need to leave their paid work for days or weeks to assist, it's a bit unfair.
Difference between volunteering when you're free and it suits you, to being called away from work, your family etc and placed in dangerous situations for extended periods of time.
It's a grey area for sure, but needs to be addressed.
Being a foster carer is volunteer work but you are still compensated to assist with costs of raising children. Why can't a similar program be set up for volunteer firies on an extended project?
Difference between volunteering when you're free and it suits you, to being called away from work, your family etc and placed in dangerous situations for extended periods of time.
It's a grey area for sure, but needs to be addressed.
Being a foster carer is volunteer work but you are still compensated to assist with costs of raising children. Why can't a similar program be set up for volunteer firies on an extended project?
REPLY
4 years ago
Because as someone said above, it isn’t viable. We have paid firefighters and then we have the volunteers. If you’re getting paid then you’re not a volunteer. You go into something knowing full well you won’t be compensated and you should prepare for that. Yes this year fires are extreme and unprecedented and those people are our heroes but it’s still volunteer work.
ANSWER
4 years ago
absoloutly
Replies
REPLY
4 years ago
^absolutely
REPLY
4 years ago
^idiot
ANSWER
4 years ago
Yet another volunteer has lost his life 😢
I sure hope the government does something to compensate their heart broken families
I sure hope the government does something to compensate their heart broken families
ANSWER
4 years ago
Absolutely
ANSWER
4 years ago
My husband has been away from his family for 4 days so far, fighting a fire 500km away. He is a contractor and our only source of income. This week he's had to turn away work that pays our mortgage, bills and puts food on the table. He has been a volunteer firie for over 20 years so this is nothing new to us. I love that he's a hero but some kind of compensation from the gov't would be really appreciated during these tough times 🙏
Replies
REPLY
4 years ago
I hope he stays safe, and thank you to him for all of his help
REPLY
4 years ago
^ ♥️
ANSWER
4 years ago
In extreme and catastrophic events where they spend weeks at a time, on the daily (or thereabouts), fighting fires - Yes. The typical volunteer that makes themselves available here and there, should they be called out - No.
Replies
REPLY
4 years ago
^ 100%
ANSWER
4 years ago
Then they wouldn’t be volunteers now would they
Replies
REPLY
4 years ago
how would you suggest they pay their mortgage if they have been volunteering in not typical circumstances weeks on end?
REPLY
4 years ago
^ More people should be encouraged to volunteer and there be some kind of Rita in place for this reason.
ANSWER
4 years ago
If the government had to pay volunteer firefighters then for sure they would reign back how many were allowed to go fight fires, they'd cut back bodies on the ground to pay as little as possible like any money hungry corporation, It's a double edged sword.
Do they deserve it? Yes.
Is it viable? Nope.
Do they deserve it? Yes.
Is it viable? Nope.
ANSWER
4 years ago
It should depend on the situation. In the current fire situation - yes they should. Weeks and weeks without pay would make basic survival difficult for some of the firies. They still need to pay mortgages or rent, bills don’t stop and a lot have a family at home they need to continue to support financially.
ANSWER
4 years ago
Yes I think they should. For big jobs like those fires.
ANSWER
4 years ago
I think it should be a system more like the Army Reserves - they are offering a service to our country and saving lives. It's crazy to think they've given up weeks of work to save people and their properties without our financial support.