Australia’s rural fire service organisations are bracing for another challenging bushfire season in 2024-25, as volunteer firefighter numbers have been declining since 2017-18.1
The number of volunteer firefighters decreased by almost 13% from 2017-18 to 2022-23, representing a loss of more than 20,000 members, according to the Australian Government’s Productivity Commission Report on Government Services 2024.1
From 2017-18 to 2022-23, the Country Fire Authority (CFA) in Victoria saw its volunteer firefighter numbers drop by 6,000 members, while in Queensland, the Rural Fire Service (RFS) experienced a decline of about 3,500 volunteers during the same period.1
Across Australia, only one state – South Australia – increased its total number of volunteer firefighters in that same period.1
“In recent years, a number of factors have impacted volunteer numbers, including the devastating 2019-20 bushfire season and the COVID-19 pandemic,” says a spokesperson for the New South Wales RFS.
“After what was an incredibly challenging fire season (2019-20), some of our members identified the need to step back or even step away from firefighting.”
So, why is a volunteer firefighter shortage concerning?
Every state and territory in Australia has its own rural fire service – a volunteer arm of its professional fire department. These local brigades operate in areas not covered by urban services and are crucial in helping the local community prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from fire and emergency events.2
James Maskey, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Fortem Australia, a not-for-profit that supports first responders, says the volunteer firefighter shortage is leaving these communities vulnerable.
“As Australia braces for yet another high-risk weather season, ensuring the wellbeing and retention of these critical responders has never been more urgent,” says James.
What challenges do rural fire services face in volunteer recruitment?
Across Australia, fire services report common difficulties in volunteer recruitment and retention. In many regional communities, adverse economic conditions and a waning culture of volunteerism are impacting numbers, while ageing populations are seeing members retire without replacement.3
“Plus, the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters is placing enormous strain on these volunteers as they face longer and more complex deployments, leading to heightened physical and psychological stress,” says James.
“As you can imagine, it’s hard to attract volunteers of any age when there’s the knowledge that you might be a part of a once-in-a-century disaster fire season.”
Do volunteer firefighter shortages only affect bush communities?
On the urban and rural fringe, new housing developments are creating more need for fire awareness and preparedness.4 However, it can be difficult to find volunteer firefighting crews who are available on weekdays when most people are working their day jobs.3
A Volunteering in Australia 2022 report found the most common reason people gave for not volunteering in general was work and/or family commitments.5
This isn’t a new problem for rural fire services. In 2011, a survey of serving volunteer firefighters found about 85% were in the labour force. Only 64% of employed volunteers reported having an understanding with their employer about when they could take time off work for volunteering.6
Can you balance rural fire service volunteering with work commitments?
It’s a good question, especially with cost-of-living pressure making paid work a priority for many. James says the onus partly lies with employers to be more supportive of their employees who volunteer.
“There is definitely an opportunity in getting more employers to support their workforce in volunteering for emergency services,” he says.
Another issue is the increased time required to fight large, campaign-type wildfires, says Mark Dobson, active firefighter and volunteer team manager at Disaster Relief Australia.
“In the past, volunteers only needed a day or two off here and there, but during Black Summer, some firefighters were off work for weeks, or even months,” says Mark. “This had a huge impact on their primary employment.”
Both Queensland and NSW operate an RFS Supportive Employer program.7,8 They provide employers with information on the benefits of employing an RFS volunteer and offer useful suggestions to employees on balancing priorities.8
The NSW RFS recommends that volunteers and their employers negotiate leave arrangements in advance, whether this be through flexible work practices, time in lieu, using personal leave, unpaid leave or implementing a special leave agreement such as Emergency Services leave.8
Are you eligible to volunteer with your local brigade?
Age requirements vary across the states and territories in Australia, so it’s worth checking with your local rural fire service. Some states also offer cadet or junior volunteer programs for young people.9 Other requirements for volunteers may include a National Police Check and a Working with Children Check (WWCC).10
For anyone not keen, or able, to man a truck or firehose, rural fire services also have operational support roles for fundraising, public education events, health and safety management, administration, budget finance and media.10
Mark adds that volunteers can also do preparation work with at-risk community members.
What are the benefits of joining your local brigade?
The benefits of volunteering go beyond supporting your local community in times of need, says Mark.
“It ties into that Australian idea of mateship and community,” he says. “Volunteering allows you to connect with your community and meet like-minded people.”
“When I volunteer for Disaster Relief Australia, I really enjoy my time because I’m engaging with the community and when I leave, I feel like I’ve contributed, done something a bit selfless, and there’s an intrinsic benefit in that.”
More information on volunteer firefighting, plus links to state and territory fire services, can be found here. For more tips to help you get bushfire ready, visit our you.prepared bushfire emergency content hub.
Mark Dobson
An active firefighter with more than 20 years of experience, Mark Dobson is the Founder of Ordinary Courage, a workplace mental health consultancy. Mark is a Churchill Fellow, a volunteer team manager for Disaster Relief Australia and a recipient of the Australian Fire Service Medal (2020) for his pioneering work supporting first responders’ mental health. Youi is proud to partner with Mark in the creation of this bushfire preparedness content.
The content in this article has been prepared based on current government and emergency services guidelines and expert advice provided at the time of publishing. This information is subject to change. Please be sure to check for the latest information and always consider your personal circumstances regarding bushfire preparedness and response.
Where you have increased your cover or reduced your excess within 72 hours (or other period noted on your policy schedule) of a flood, storm, hail or bushfire occurring, cover will be limited to the amount that was effective prior to the change. Loss, damage or legal liability caused by, resulting or arising from flood, storm, hail or bushfire during the first 72 hours (or other period noted on your policy schedule) of your policy first being purchased is excluded unless certain conditions apply. Refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement for full T&Cs.
1 Source: Australian Government, Productivity Commission – Report on Government Services 2024, January 2024
2 Source: Qld Fire Department – Rural Fire Service Queensland
3 Source: The Guardian – ‘Weekend warriors’ not enough for intensifying Australian fire season, firefighters say, October 2023
4 Source: ABC News – Are Victorians living on the fringes of our cities prepared for the bushfire season?, November 2019
5 Source: Volunteering Australia – New landmark research to guide the future of volunteering, October 2022
6 Source: Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre – Recruiting And Retaining Volunteer Firefighters In Australasia, May 2011
7 Source: Qld Fire Department – Information for employers of Rural Fire Service Queensland volunteers, September 2024
8 Source: NSW Rural Fire Service – Guide for employers with NSW RFS volunteers
9 Source: Tas Fire Service – Volunteering
10 Source: Country Fire Authority – Volunteer FAQs
