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The Advertiser
03-07-2025
- General
- The Advertiser
Black Summer 'hero' firie quits Rural Fire Service in disgust after 18 years
A firefighter who was awarded for bravery during the Black Summer fires and suffered ongoing health issues, has resigned from the NSW Rural Fire Service. Ian Avage, previously a Rural Fire Service captain and group captain at Splitters Creek, located in Albury NSW, cited bullying, double standards and a lack of support for volunteers as his reason for quitting. "I can no longer be a part of what is quite obviously a failing organisation," Mr Avage said in his resignation letter, seen by - ACM masthead -The Border Mail and quoted with his permission. Mr Avage, an 18-year volunteer firefighting veteran, was one of six Riverina volunteers, including fallen firefighter Samuel McPaul, recognised for bravery during a tornado-like fire at Green Hill in 2019. The deputy group captain at the time was checking on his crews when a fireball exploded, forcing his vehicle to roll on its side. Mr Avage left his RFS vehicle and ran through the horrifying conditions to take shelter in a nearby property before his vehicle exploded into flames. "A 28-year-old lost his life in a nearby vehicle on that day," Mr Avage said. "Five other firefighters were injured in varying degrees, including myself. "I smashed my way out of the car window. The RFS vehicle was fully engulfed with flames. "I was 60 seconds off being toast. "Some time later, as a result of that day, things spiralled, went south for me, and I've got no qualms in talking about that. "I went through a couple of years of pretty nasty PTSD and put my family and friends through absolute hell. "Luckily, I was supported by good family, friends and a couple of very good people within the local RFS office. "No support from NSWRFS though; once you are given a workers' compensation claim number, they wipe their hands of you. Their mental health program has been a dismal failure." Mr Avage said he withdrew from his business, sold his partnership and worked for the RFS as a casual employee for three months. Then came a battle to get fair rights for his workmates. "It's taken me and another casual employee two, to two-and-a-half years to fight them, for myself and 20 other casual volunteers who were employed on a casual contract to get what was entitled to us," he said. "Finally, we got everything we're entitled to, but it took me and one other to continually pursue the RFS. "I had been in a sizeable business and worked closely with unions and negotiated EBAs over many years in the construction industry, and I wouldn't take no for an answer. "Their answer is no ... deny, deny, deny." Mr Avage said there would be more damage done before senior figures at the RFS "take off their blinkers". "The dictatorial hypocrisy that NSWRFS has become will prevail unless volunteers continue to stand up to them," Mr Avage said. "The sooner they realise and remember that without volunteers they have no job, the better. "Unfortunately, I feel there is some damage to be done still before they take off their blinkers." Volunteer Fire Fighters Association president Jon Russell said Mr Avage was one of many RFS volunteers to have quit after being "treated appallingly": "Eighteen years of unpaid volunteer service has just walked away because of the ongoing appalling treatment of volunteers by the RFS hierarchy," Mr Russell said. Mr Russell said he had alerted Albury-based Greens MP Amanda Cohn to the reasons leading to Mr Avage's resignation. Dr Cohn in April questioned the then-RFS commissioner, Rob Rogers, at a NSW estimates committee hearing about an alleged "bullying culture" within the organisation. "Last estimates, we discussed the monitoring of bullying within the RFS," Dr Cohn said. "You were on record previously saying you didn't think there was a problem with bullying, but a problem with accountability." Mr Rogers replied: "As at 28 March, we have received 223 workplace complaints ... whilst I don't like complaints, I think it's a good sign that there are more complaints. "It makes people feel a level of confidence in reporting through it. I would expect that there'd be a level of surge. "They've come through different ways - a formal complaint form and a third-party hotline that we've set up where people can ring a different outside agency to report it. "We've been working through those complaints. The new system is there and it's working." The RFS told The Border Mail it had "zero tolerance" for bullying or harassment. An RFS spokesperson said the service "sincerely thanks former captain Avage for his many years of service to his community and the organisation". "We take all complaints of inappropriate behaviour seriously and are committed to ensuring every member feels safe, supported and respected," the spokesperson said "To support this, the service implemented a number of mechanisms ... which provided current and former members with access to an independent review of serious misconduct matters, and now has the Workplace Complaints Resolution Framework, which came into effect in July 2024. "The RFS is also committed to the wellbeing of its members. "In the years following the 2019-20 fire season, the most devastating in the state's history, the service significantly expanded its mental health and wellbeing support, introducing new programs and strengthening existing services." A firefighter who was awarded for bravery during the Black Summer fires and suffered ongoing health issues, has resigned from the NSW Rural Fire Service. Ian Avage, previously a Rural Fire Service captain and group captain at Splitters Creek, located in Albury NSW, cited bullying, double standards and a lack of support for volunteers as his reason for quitting. "I can no longer be a part of what is quite obviously a failing organisation," Mr Avage said in his resignation letter, seen by - ACM masthead -The Border Mail and quoted with his permission. Mr Avage, an 18-year volunteer firefighting veteran, was one of six Riverina volunteers, including fallen firefighter Samuel McPaul, recognised for bravery during a tornado-like fire at Green Hill in 2019. The deputy group captain at the time was checking on his crews when a fireball exploded, forcing his vehicle to roll on its side. Mr Avage left his RFS vehicle and ran through the horrifying conditions to take shelter in a nearby property before his vehicle exploded into flames. "A 28-year-old lost his life in a nearby vehicle on that day," Mr Avage said. "Five other firefighters were injured in varying degrees, including myself. "I smashed my way out of the car window. The RFS vehicle was fully engulfed with flames. "I was 60 seconds off being toast. "Some time later, as a result of that day, things spiralled, went south for me, and I've got no qualms in talking about that. "I went through a couple of years of pretty nasty PTSD and put my family and friends through absolute hell. "Luckily, I was supported by good family, friends and a couple of very good people within the local RFS office. "No support from NSWRFS though; once you are given a workers' compensation claim number, they wipe their hands of you. Their mental health program has been a dismal failure." Mr Avage said he withdrew from his business, sold his partnership and worked for the RFS as a casual employee for three months. Then came a battle to get fair rights for his workmates. "It's taken me and another casual employee two, to two-and-a-half years to fight them, for myself and 20 other casual volunteers who were employed on a casual contract to get what was entitled to us," he said. "Finally, we got everything we're entitled to, but it took me and one other to continually pursue the RFS. "I had been in a sizeable business and worked closely with unions and negotiated EBAs over many years in the construction industry, and I wouldn't take no for an answer. "Their answer is no ... deny, deny, deny." Mr Avage said there would be more damage done before senior figures at the RFS "take off their blinkers". "The dictatorial hypocrisy that NSWRFS has become will prevail unless volunteers continue to stand up to them," Mr Avage said. "The sooner they realise and remember that without volunteers they have no job, the better. "Unfortunately, I feel there is some damage to be done still before they take off their blinkers." Volunteer Fire Fighters Association president Jon Russell said Mr Avage was one of many RFS volunteers to have quit after being "treated appallingly": "Eighteen years of unpaid volunteer service has just walked away because of the ongoing appalling treatment of volunteers by the RFS hierarchy," Mr Russell said. Mr Russell said he had alerted Albury-based Greens MP Amanda Cohn to the reasons leading to Mr Avage's resignation. Dr Cohn in April questioned the then-RFS commissioner, Rob Rogers, at a NSW estimates committee hearing about an alleged "bullying culture" within the organisation. "Last estimates, we discussed the monitoring of bullying within the RFS," Dr Cohn said. "You were on record previously saying you didn't think there was a problem with bullying, but a problem with accountability." Mr Rogers replied: "As at 28 March, we have received 223 workplace complaints ... whilst I don't like complaints, I think it's a good sign that there are more complaints. "It makes people feel a level of confidence in reporting through it. I would expect that there'd be a level of surge. "They've come through different ways - a formal complaint form and a third-party hotline that we've set up where people can ring a different outside agency to report it. "We've been working through those complaints. The new system is there and it's working." The RFS told The Border Mail it had "zero tolerance" for bullying or harassment. An RFS spokesperson said the service "sincerely thanks former captain Avage for his many years of service to his community and the organisation". "We take all complaints of inappropriate behaviour seriously and are committed to ensuring every member feels safe, supported and respected," the spokesperson said "To support this, the service implemented a number of mechanisms ... which provided current and former members with access to an independent review of serious misconduct matters, and now has the Workplace Complaints Resolution Framework, which came into effect in July 2024. "The RFS is also committed to the wellbeing of its members. "In the years following the 2019-20 fire season, the most devastating in the state's history, the service significantly expanded its mental health and wellbeing support, introducing new programs and strengthening existing services." A firefighter who was awarded for bravery during the Black Summer fires and suffered ongoing health issues, has resigned from the NSW Rural Fire Service. Ian Avage, previously a Rural Fire Service captain and group captain at Splitters Creek, located in Albury NSW, cited bullying, double standards and a lack of support for volunteers as his reason for quitting. "I can no longer be a part of what is quite obviously a failing organisation," Mr Avage said in his resignation letter, seen by - ACM masthead -The Border Mail and quoted with his permission. Mr Avage, an 18-year volunteer firefighting veteran, was one of six Riverina volunteers, including fallen firefighter Samuel McPaul, recognised for bravery during a tornado-like fire at Green Hill in 2019. The deputy group captain at the time was checking on his crews when a fireball exploded, forcing his vehicle to roll on its side. Mr Avage left his RFS vehicle and ran through the horrifying conditions to take shelter in a nearby property before his vehicle exploded into flames. "A 28-year-old lost his life in a nearby vehicle on that day," Mr Avage said. "Five other firefighters were injured in varying degrees, including myself. "I smashed my way out of the car window. The RFS vehicle was fully engulfed with flames. "I was 60 seconds off being toast. "Some time later, as a result of that day, things spiralled, went south for me, and I've got no qualms in talking about that. "I went through a couple of years of pretty nasty PTSD and put my family and friends through absolute hell. "Luckily, I was supported by good family, friends and a couple of very good people within the local RFS office. "No support from NSWRFS though; once you are given a workers' compensation claim number, they wipe their hands of you. Their mental health program has been a dismal failure." Mr Avage said he withdrew from his business, sold his partnership and worked for the RFS as a casual employee for three months. Then came a battle to get fair rights for his workmates. "It's taken me and another casual employee two, to two-and-a-half years to fight them, for myself and 20 other casual volunteers who were employed on a casual contract to get what was entitled to us," he said. "Finally, we got everything we're entitled to, but it took me and one other to continually pursue the RFS. "I had been in a sizeable business and worked closely with unions and negotiated EBAs over many years in the construction industry, and I wouldn't take no for an answer. "Their answer is no ... deny, deny, deny." Mr Avage said there would be more damage done before senior figures at the RFS "take off their blinkers". "The dictatorial hypocrisy that NSWRFS has become will prevail unless volunteers continue to stand up to them," Mr Avage said. "The sooner they realise and remember that without volunteers they have no job, the better. "Unfortunately, I feel there is some damage to be done still before they take off their blinkers." Volunteer Fire Fighters Association president Jon Russell said Mr Avage was one of many RFS volunteers to have quit after being "treated appallingly": "Eighteen years of unpaid volunteer service has just walked away because of the ongoing appalling treatment of volunteers by the RFS hierarchy," Mr Russell said. Mr Russell said he had alerted Albury-based Greens MP Amanda Cohn to the reasons leading to Mr Avage's resignation. Dr Cohn in April questioned the then-RFS commissioner, Rob Rogers, at a NSW estimates committee hearing about an alleged "bullying culture" within the organisation. "Last estimates, we discussed the monitoring of bullying within the RFS," Dr Cohn said. "You were on record previously saying you didn't think there was a problem with bullying, but a problem with accountability." Mr Rogers replied: "As at 28 March, we have received 223 workplace complaints ... whilst I don't like complaints, I think it's a good sign that there are more complaints. "It makes people feel a level of confidence in reporting through it. I would expect that there'd be a level of surge. "They've come through different ways - a formal complaint form and a third-party hotline that we've set up where people can ring a different outside agency to report it. "We've been working through those complaints. The new system is there and it's working." The RFS told The Border Mail it had "zero tolerance" for bullying or harassment. An RFS spokesperson said the service "sincerely thanks former captain Avage for his many years of service to his community and the organisation". "We take all complaints of inappropriate behaviour seriously and are committed to ensuring every member feels safe, supported and respected," the spokesperson said "To support this, the service implemented a number of mechanisms ... which provided current and former members with access to an independent review of serious misconduct matters, and now has the Workplace Complaints Resolution Framework, which came into effect in July 2024. "The RFS is also committed to the wellbeing of its members. "In the years following the 2019-20 fire season, the most devastating in the state's history, the service significantly expanded its mental health and wellbeing support, introducing new programs and strengthening existing services." A firefighter who was awarded for bravery during the Black Summer fires and suffered ongoing health issues, has resigned from the NSW Rural Fire Service. Ian Avage, previously a Rural Fire Service captain and group captain at Splitters Creek, located in Albury NSW, cited bullying, double standards and a lack of support for volunteers as his reason for quitting. "I can no longer be a part of what is quite obviously a failing organisation," Mr Avage said in his resignation letter, seen by - ACM masthead -The Border Mail and quoted with his permission. Mr Avage, an 18-year volunteer firefighting veteran, was one of six Riverina volunteers, including fallen firefighter Samuel McPaul, recognised for bravery during a tornado-like fire at Green Hill in 2019. The deputy group captain at the time was checking on his crews when a fireball exploded, forcing his vehicle to roll on its side. Mr Avage left his RFS vehicle and ran through the horrifying conditions to take shelter in a nearby property before his vehicle exploded into flames. "A 28-year-old lost his life in a nearby vehicle on that day," Mr Avage said. "Five other firefighters were injured in varying degrees, including myself. "I smashed my way out of the car window. The RFS vehicle was fully engulfed with flames. "I was 60 seconds off being toast. "Some time later, as a result of that day, things spiralled, went south for me, and I've got no qualms in talking about that. "I went through a couple of years of pretty nasty PTSD and put my family and friends through absolute hell. "Luckily, I was supported by good family, friends and a couple of very good people within the local RFS office. "No support from NSWRFS though; once you are given a workers' compensation claim number, they wipe their hands of you. Their mental health program has been a dismal failure." Mr Avage said he withdrew from his business, sold his partnership and worked for the RFS as a casual employee for three months. Then came a battle to get fair rights for his workmates. "It's taken me and another casual employee two, to two-and-a-half years to fight them, for myself and 20 other casual volunteers who were employed on a casual contract to get what was entitled to us," he said. "Finally, we got everything we're entitled to, but it took me and one other to continually pursue the RFS. "I had been in a sizeable business and worked closely with unions and negotiated EBAs over many years in the construction industry, and I wouldn't take no for an answer. "Their answer is no ... deny, deny, deny." Mr Avage said there would be more damage done before senior figures at the RFS "take off their blinkers". "The dictatorial hypocrisy that NSWRFS has become will prevail unless volunteers continue to stand up to them," Mr Avage said. "The sooner they realise and remember that without volunteers they have no job, the better. "Unfortunately, I feel there is some damage to be done still before they take off their blinkers." Volunteer Fire Fighters Association president Jon Russell said Mr Avage was one of many RFS volunteers to have quit after being "treated appallingly": "Eighteen years of unpaid volunteer service has just walked away because of the ongoing appalling treatment of volunteers by the RFS hierarchy," Mr Russell said. Mr Russell said he had alerted Albury-based Greens MP Amanda Cohn to the reasons leading to Mr Avage's resignation. Dr Cohn in April questioned the then-RFS commissioner, Rob Rogers, at a NSW estimates committee hearing about an alleged "bullying culture" within the organisation. "Last estimates, we discussed the monitoring of bullying within the RFS," Dr Cohn said. "You were on record previously saying you didn't think there was a problem with bullying, but a problem with accountability." Mr Rogers replied: "As at 28 March, we have received 223 workplace complaints ... whilst I don't like complaints, I think it's a good sign that there are more complaints. "It makes people feel a level of confidence in reporting through it. I would expect that there'd be a level of surge. "They've come through different ways - a formal complaint form and a third-party hotline that we've set up where people can ring a different outside agency to report it. "We've been working through those complaints. The new system is there and it's working." The RFS told The Border Mail it had "zero tolerance" for bullying or harassment. An RFS spokesperson said the service "sincerely thanks former captain Avage for his many years of service to his community and the organisation". "We take all complaints of inappropriate behaviour seriously and are committed to ensuring every member feels safe, supported and respected," the spokesperson said "To support this, the service implemented a number of mechanisms ... which provided current and former members with access to an independent review of serious misconduct matters, and now has the Workplace Complaints Resolution Framework, which came into effect in July 2024. "The RFS is also committed to the wellbeing of its members. "In the years following the 2019-20 fire season, the most devastating in the state's history, the service significantly expanded its mental health and wellbeing support, introducing new programs and strengthening existing services."
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pledge to public servants as jobs cut fight flares
Thousands of public servants have been told their employment agreements will not change regardless of who wins the federal election, as a fresh political fight kicked off over potential job cuts. The employment of 185,000 Australian Public Service workers has been in the spotlight since Opposition Leader Peter Dutton pledged to cut 41,000 jobs and push workers to return to the office full-time if elected. Critics fear that ending working from home could negatively impact working mothers but Mr Dutton insisted there would be no change to Enterprise Bargaining Agreements (EBA) and extra resources would be pumped into frontline services. Alan was one of 14,000 Qld pubic servants sacked by Campbell Newman. Now Dutton wants to do the same thing, with 41,000 job cuts, to pay for his $600B in nuclear reactors. Here's what those cuts Dutton cuts, you pay. — Senator Murray Watt (@MurrayWatt) April 5, 2025 He said only Canberra-based public servants would be urged to return to the office. "You've got EBAs that are there that allow for work-from-home arrangements. We're not proposing to change those," Mr Dutton told reporters in Darwin. "There is still flexibility in the workplace in Canberra in the public service - we've been clear about that - and I'm fully supportive of whatever arrangements people arrive at with their bosses." He committed to ensuring "efficiency" from taxpayer dollars and accused Labor of running a scare campaign, stressing proposed work-from-home changes would not extend to the private sector. "Why do they want to scare women when the policy doesn't affect anybody except for public servants in Canberra?" he said. More than a third of Commonwealth public servants are based in Canberra as of June 2024, with almost 47 per cent in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane. Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt said Mr Dutton was under a "misapprehension" that all public servants lived in Canberra and claimed proposed job cuts would affect service delivery. He said Commonwealth workers were "decentralised" particularly in his home state of Queensland, a key election battleground that has been plagued by weeks of wild weather and natural disasters. "People who just endured a crisis will be left waiting and the safety net millions count on could fail when it's needed most," Senator Watt said. "There are 41,000 livelihoods that are at stake as a result of these cuts but there are millions of Queenslanders whose livelihoods are at stake in terms of the kind of services that they receive from the federal public service." Senator Watt said the size of the public service was "about right" and Labor did not intend to make changes. The Community and Public Sector Union said Mr Dutton's comments on flexible work had caused "confusion and uncertainty" as until now, it was thought all workers would be affected by full-time office requirements. National secretary Melissa Donnelly said flexible arrangements were why a record number of women worked for the federal public service and could be a deciding factor in someone working or not working. "Singling out public servants in one location to strip away these rights is bizarre and chaotic," Ms Donnelly said. "It proves that workplace rights are nothing more than a political football for Mr Dutton."
