Employers honoured for supporting firefighting efforts
Published Date: 22 Jun 2016
Summary
Businesses make a vital and ongoing contribution to volunteer firefighting across the State and NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) Senior Assistant Commissioner Bruce McDonald was today honoured to acknowledge the support of outstanding employers with Special Commendation awards.
The NSW RFS Supportive Employers Program recognises businesses who generously grant volunteers leave to attend emergency incidents during work hours without financial disadvantage.
NSW RFS Senior Assistant Commissioner Bruce McDonald said this year’s twelve Special Commendation recipients include health care providers, family businesses, large companies and government agencies.
“The businesses receiving Special Commendations today have gone above and beyond with their support, not only releasing employees for volunteer duties but also implementing measures such as specialised leave or promoting volunteering achievements,” Senior Assistant Commissioner McDonald said.
“I know having staff called away, sometimes for extended periods, puts pressure on workplace productivity and I would like to sincerely thank those employers who provide leave to NSW RFS volunteers,” Senior Assistant Commissioner McDonald said.
“Just like the volunteers who jump on trucks, operate radios and feed hundreds of responding firefighters and emergency service workers, employers who support volunteers make a very direct contribution to firefighting efforts in NSW.
Senior Assistant Commissioner McDonald thanked all employers who support NSW RFS volunteers, noting that having workers off tools or away from the office can be challenging.
“Volunteers continually dedicate their time to protecting communities across the State and this couldn’t happen without supportive employers.”
The Supportive Employer Program was launched in March 2013 to recognise the essential contribution employers make to the volunteering effort. Since then, 204 businesses have been presented with a Certificate of Appreciation and 48 have received a Special Commendation.
2016 NSW RFS Supportive Employer Special Commendation recipients
› Avis Western Plains
› Blue Wheelers Pty Ltd
› Cowra Toyota
› Dr Abul Salim
› Karignan Plantation
› Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Services Bloomfield Hospital
› Nestle Purina Petcare
› Orora Beverage Cans
› Queanbeyan Local Courts, NSW Department of Justice
› Ravensworth Open Cut
› Smith Plant Lismore Pty Ltd
› Wingvale Plantation
Attached files:
Contact Name: State Duty Media Officer
Contact Phone: (02) 9898 1855
