The problem with “voluntary” volunteer regulations
NSW is following Victoria’s lead and mandating minimum skills training for firefighters. It seems NSW has learned nothing from Victoria’s experience and will have no recognition of prior learning, forcing highly experienced firefighters to do the course and sit the test.
A NSW firefighter has written to the Land newspaper about these new regs and has managed to encapsulate in a couple of sentences exactly what is wrong with all these regulations.
“Something has subtly shifted. Instead of “our” brigade, it has begun to feel like “their” brigade. Bureaucracy is toxic to the volunteer spirit that has shaped bushfire brigades around Australia.”
The same can be said of food handling requirements for CWA and Red Cross ladies, much of the Working with Children regulation and the never-ending growth in police checks. No wonder more and more volunteers won’t take on leadership roles, get burnt out or just quietly retreat.
Related posts:
Regulation, Rural Communities | Louise Monday, June 1, 2009
