Tasmania Fire Service Terminates Memberships of 300+ Volunteers Over Mandatory Child Safety Training

The Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) has terminated the volunteer memberships of over 300 individuals who did not complete mandatory child safety training. This decisive action underscores a commitment to legal obligations, as Fire and Emergency Services Commissioner Jeremy Smith stated that organizations are legally required to ensure staff and volunteers possess the knowledge to prevent, identify, and respond to child safety concerns.

"Organizations are legally required to ensure staff and volunteers possess the knowledge to prevent, identify, and respond to child safety concerns."

Training Requirements and Missed Deadlines

All Police, Fire, and Emergency Management Department personnel and volunteer firefighters were mandated to complete two specific training modules by May of the previous year. Following an initial period where a significant number of volunteers failed to complete the training, the TFS extended this crucial deadline.

Despite comprehensive ongoing support, which included online, virtual, and in-person sessions designed to facilitate completion, approximately 336 volunteers ultimately did not meet the extended deadline. Of these, around 200 were operational volunteers directly involved in frontline fire activities, while the remainder were social members.

Core of the Child Safety Framework

The mandatory training consists of two key modules. One module provides a comprehensive overview of the Child and Youth Safe Organisations framework, a critical initiative that emerged from recommendations made by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. The second module is practical, focusing on identifying and responding to reportable conduct.

Commissioner Smith emphasized the profound importance of this training, stating it is crucial for "creating a safe environment," particularly given that approximately 40 brigades operate junior and cadet programs. He also noted that several conduct concerns recently reported to the TFS indicate that the established reporting mechanism is effective.

Impact and Union Concerns

The terminations affect a small fraction of the service, as the "vast majority" of the approximately 5,000 TFS personnel required to complete the training have successfully done so. Leigh Hills, secretary of the United Firefighters Union of Australia Tasmanian branch, acknowledged the legal necessity of compliance for such training.

However, Hills also expressed concern about the potential impact of losing these volunteers, especially in Tasmania's north-west regions, where permanent crews are limited and heavily reliant on volunteer support. Some volunteers reportedly view training not directly related to firefighting as an "onerous extra responsibility."

Commissioner Smith maintained that operational needs across all brigades would continue to be met and asserted that the terminations are not affecting frontline responses. The TFS plans a review to streamline the training process to prevent similar issues in the future. For those affected, terminated volunteers can reapply to the service, but they must first complete the mandatory training to rejoin.

Volunteer Association Perspective

Andrew Taylor, state president of the Retained Volunteer Fire Fighters Association, confirmed that his organization continues to assist volunteers with the training. Taylor observed that some volunteers were simply unaware of the training requirements, while others had received correspondence but had no intention of completing it. Discussions are ongoing with Commissioner Smith regarding the process for terminated volunteers who subsequently complete the training and wish to return.