Bushfire Volunteers President Dave Gossage AFSM. Photo: The Countryman/Cally Dupe
A new podcast aims to unearth and share the stories of some of WA’s 20,000 unpaid — but extremely valuable — volunteer firefighters in WA.
Bushfire Volunteers launched the first-of-its kind podcast The Unpaid Professionals in December, to document the remarkable stories of WA’s volunteer firefighters.
Bushfire Volunteers president Dave Gossage said he hoped the podcast would increase community awareness of the “enormous service” the volunteers gave to WA.
He said volunteer bushfire brigades made up 75 per cent of WA’s firefighting service but often weren’t recognised for their work.
“There are more than 20,000 women and men who donate their time and skills to keep our communities safe, yet so many of the decision-makers and emergency service-paying landowners don’t even know that this service is not a part of DFES or the State Government,” Mr Gossage said.
The podcast is available on all major podcast platforms or by visiting bushfire.org.au/UnpaidProfessionals.
LACHLAN HARDMAN
https://www.countryman.com.au/countryman/news/volunteer-fireys-tell-it-how-it-is-in-new-podcast-ng-b881782796z?transactionId=84526
