Rescuers didn’t need to push jab

A GOLD Coast rescue group has revealed it “didn’t do anything” to get almost all of its volunteers vaccinated ahead of a horror wet season and influx of interstate beachgoers.

Leaders at Volunteer Marine Rescue (VMR) say a majority of their volunteers had gotten vaccinated even before they were encouraged to do so by squadrons. The group patrols much of the Gold Coast’s waterways, providing marine search and rescue services to thousands of boaties.

It follows a spokesperson for the Queensland State Emergency Service Volunteers Association (SES) claiming a vaccination mandate may impact volunteers. VMR Southport president Glenn Norris told the Bulletin they had “encouraged not enforced” the jab.

“But we didn’t do anything really, we just asked people if they were and the majority of the guys were vaccinated already,” he said. “I find it (the SES backlash) surprising. (Maybe) the SES has got more people in that under-30 range that are more blasé about it.

“We’ve got more in their 40s and 50s. (And) we can’t mandate it because we’re under the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services department, so if we mandate it we would need their backing.”

The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted higher than usual rainfall associated with the La Nina, and the state has already seen a horror start to the wet season.

VMR is also bracing for an influx of people in the water as state borders open today.

A spokesperson said last week: “While it is not mandatory for Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) staff and volunteers to be double vaccinated … it is likely that QFES will require staff and volunteers to be double vaccinated in the near future.”

An emergency services vaccine mandate would come months after ambulance officers, police and health workers received their vaccine directives.