Firies’ fundraiser snag
TASMANIAN volunteer firefighters have been banned from holding fundraising sausage-sizzles — because fire service bureaucrats think they do not need the money.
A Hobart volunteer brigade planning to hold a BBQ fundraiser at Bunnings Glenorchy has been told it can’t.
Bunnings told them the fire service believed they had all the money they needed and cancelled the event.
“I have some unfortunate news regarding your fundraising barbecue booking,” Bunnings’ activities co-ordinator told the brigade.
“The TFS have informed us that the volunteer fire brigades do not need to fundraise as they are funded by the Government. I am very sorry that we have to cancel your fundraising barbecue date.”
The state’s Volunteer Firefighters Association is expected to raise the issue with Chief Fire Officer Chris Arnol this week.
Labor candidate for Franklin and former police and emergency management minister David O’Byrne said he was appalled that volunteers were being prevented from raising funds.
“Volunteer fire brigades have been fundraising for years and it happens across the country and it assists in ensuring that not only do volunteer brigades have the equipment they need but also it turns a shed into a station and all the requirements that different brigades need can be fundraised for,” he said.
“For this to occur sends a strong and a negative message to volunteer brigades that they’re not valued.
“These people commit thousands of hours in the service of our community protection property and saving lives and they’re not able to get all of the things they need to make their brigade comfortable and well-equipped and it’s perfectly reasonable for them to fund raise.
“I understand that the brigade heard about this from Bunnings and not the department, it’s disrespectful and it’s not acceptable.”
Police, Fire and Emergency Management Minister Rene Hidding denied there was a ban on fundraising.
“There is a misunderstanding,” he said. “Of course volunteer firefighters are allowed to raise funds for their community and their activities in their community.
“However, there is no need to fundraise for standard firefighting equipment as this is provided to brigades already.”