Employers honoured for supporting volunteer firefighters

NSW RFS Senior Assistant Commissioner Bruce McDonald presented Supportive Employers Awards to 12 businesses in recognition of their vital contribution to firefighting and emergency response efforts.

“I know having staff called away at short notice, having to down tools in the middle of a job or leaving the office for extended periods, puts pressure on workplace productivity,” Senior Assistant Commissioner McDonald said.

“I would like to thank all employers who provide leave to NSW RFS volunteers.

“The NSW RFS Supportive Employers Program recognises businesses who generously grant volunteers leave to attend emergency incidents during work hours without financial disadvantage and also implement measures such as specialised leave or promoting volunteering achievements.”

Senior Assistant Commissioner McDonald said the recipients honoured this year include a range of small and large businesses, international corporations and a charity organisation, all located in various areas of the state.

“While the time and effort that volunteers put in is clearly visible, this couldn't happen without supportive employers behind the scenes,” Senior Assistant Commissioner McDonald said.

Senior Assistant Commissioner McDonald thanked all employers who support NSW RFS volunteers, noting that having workers off site can be challenging.

“Volunteers continually dedicate their time to protecting communities across the state and this couldn’t happen without supportive employers allowing them to do the things they do,” Senior Assistant Commissioner McDonald said.

“With the start of the official bush fire season upon us soon, it is reassuring to know we will once again be able to rely on the support of bosses and businesses right across NSW.

“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, 269 businesses have been presented with a Certificate of Appreciation and 84 have received a Supportive Employers Award.

2019 NSW RFS Supportive Employer Award recipients

› Bakers Delight Port Central

› Batterline Earth Moving

› Country Wide Mechanical

› DHL Supply Chain

› Embella Jewellery

› Locate and Map

› Meadows Family Restaurants (trading as McDonalds Macarthur Square)

› Nielsen TAM Australia

› Northern Co-operative Meat Company Ltd.

› The Westport Club

› Varley Vehicles

› Wollongong Emergency Family Housing