What It Means To Be A Firefighter

Have you ever imagined what it’s like to be a firefighter? The physical and mental demands it brings? With long hours of work and the need to respond quickly to rapidly changing conditions? It is unpleasant work, actually no, it is frightening. As hundreds of fire-fighters whether volunteered or paid, battle the destructive bushfires, they have lost part of their incomes, sleep and precious time with their families. Hello, my name is Steven Tran and today, I will be arguing why firefighters deserve more government support.

Volunteers from any emergency organisation are the salt of the Earth here in Australia. The work of volunteer firefighters across the country never ceases to amaze me. Especially as a volunteer, it would have to be the most strenuous, dangerous and distressing areas to ever work in. These people have given everything to save Australia from the blazing bushfires yet, they still lack the basic needs for life such as income, food and rest. While they are entitled to compensation if they're injured while on the ground, they otherwise receive very little assistance. Spokesman for the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (RFS), Inspector Ben Shepard, says that “as a volunteer myself, the reason I did this was because I wanted to help my community, not for any financial gain.” These heroes risk their lives for a daily wage of $0 but how longer will they keep doing this without receiving proper support in order to live with essentials? The compensation for firefighters is not about paying volunteers but about sustaining volunteer efforts by protecting them from financial loss.

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In addition to the much needed financial support, firefighters also require rest from the arduous work. Firefighters are undoubtedly athletes who spend long periods away from their families and friends to work, exercise and train tirelessly behind the scenes and act as role models for the communities. It is a no-brainer that the job is a physically stressful task which puts the body under considerable strain. They can suffer from heat exhaustion, as well as long-term job-related illnesses such as asthma, persistent coughing, heart disease, cancer and lung damage. The body may adapt to these pressures temporarily but if this is continued for a sustained period, it may pose life-threatening negative health issues. According to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, research has shown that firefighters are more likely to be diagnosed with a mental health condition than the overall Australian population and are “ twice as likely to think about suicide, and three times as likely to have a suicide plan.” This paints a grim picture of the wellbeing of the people who dedicate their lives helping others. They save us, but who saves them? Is the question. In response to Scott Morrison rejecting calls for more bushfire help, dozens of firefighters have angrily said that Fighting the bushfires have resulted in them feeling “exhausted and hurt”. These volunteers have suggested making the organization professionalised so they would receive the necessities to continue the fires without having to sacrifice their body and precious time. However, Scott Morrison has declined the request and says that “ these crews, yes, they’re tired, but they also want to be out there defending their communities”. He said the government was not considering professionalising the service, and he did not address concerns that crews were crowdsourcing donations for food, water and equipment. These firefighters are being stretched beyond their endurance and all they ask for is support. Yet, Morrison can’t deliver something as simple as that. He has no idea what they have to go through each day and rejects their concerns while he sits comfortably. The firefighters are exhausted to the bone yet PMs claim they “want to be there”. They are the heroes of the country and the government needs to satisfy their concerns and if they do not soon, who knows how longer these volunteers will keep going until they end up in hurt and unable to continue fighting the fires.

There’s no question that the requirements of a firefighter are tough on their families. These people sacrifice so much of their time away from home, away from their families to fulfil their duties. At work, they are involved in laborious work. When they come home, the aftereffects set in, they will be tired, detached, isolated and apathetic. The greater the demand at work, the greater backlash at home, debilitating them for family involvement. This sometimes may lead to destruction in the relationship in families. Tragically, every so often, firefighters go to the extent of even sacrificing their lives. On December the 30th, a volunteer firefighter and soon to be father named Samuel Mcpaul was killed at the scene when a 'freakish weather event' lifted his fire truck off the ground. McPaul was doing everything correctly until extreme winds “engulfed” the 8 tonne truck and flipped it over. In addition to this tragedy, he was expecting his first child with his wife Megan, who is now left as a widow. His child will be left fatherless. It is clear that firefighting is a very dangerous duty and the respect for those who are volunteers is beyond words. Their duty requires them to work away from their families for long amounts of time. The government must provide the much needed support for firefighters so they may be available for their families.

Firefighters are a symbol of hope and protection. They are available when they are needed. To be a firefighter means you have to have tremendous courage and mental strength. The bushfires have significantly brought up the demands of firefighters which have resulted with income loss, overworking and loss of precious time with families. The government has rejected the request for support once already, these firefighters fight very hard but all for what? The government needs to answer the concerns of these heroes because they save our country from being burned to ashes