Wānaka Fire Brigade is calling on the local community to support a petition to amend legislation to better protect volunteer firefighters.

More than 12,000 volunteer firefighters around New Zealand are currently excluded from certain Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) benefits because they are classified as non-employees. 

This is despite the personal risks volunteer firefighters take.

“As volunteer firefighters, we respond to emergencies 24/7, often putting our health and safety at risk,” Wānaka Fire Brigade chief fire officer Tony Wellman said. 

“Our firefighters deserve the same protections as our paid colleagues.”

More than 18,000 people have already signed the parliamentary petition, which was launched just days ago by Queenstown Fire Brigade volunteer firefighter Katherine Lamont.

It comes after Kingston’s former volunteer fire chief Peter Ottley was denied ACC coverage for a mental injury he sustained from attending callouts.

“We believe: ensuring the safety, health, and well-being of these volunteers must be a top priority for the government,” Katherine said in her petition. 

“There is a duty of care that is being missed and volunteers are suffering.”

The petition is supported by the United Fire Brigades’ Association (UFBA) and the Green Party.

Tony asked the Wānaka community to get behind the petition.

“We fully support this petition and encourage our community to sign and share it widely,” he said.

Find the petition here.

PHOTO: PHOTO