• Locals supporting local, on International Volunteer Day 2020
  • Big names in Australia get behind Bushfire Volunteers for awareness campaign
  • There are over 20 000 Members of WA’s 560+ Volunteer Bushfire Brigades who use their time to protect their local community and fight fires throughout the year

The peak body for WA’s largest emergency service has chosen International Volunteer Day 2020 (5 December) to launch its #BVSGotYourBack campaign to support the work of its 20,000 volunteer members.

The summer campaign has been launched with a short video featuring Actor John Jarratt, Comedian Peter Rowsthorn and Professor Fiona Wood from the Burns Service Western Australia calling on the community to keep our volunteers safe by taking personal responsibility for managing bushfire risk.

Bushfire Volunteers’ President Dave Gossage AFSM said he is very proud that the association has launched its first major public awareness campaign and had the early support from such high-profile individuals.

“The association has always punched above its weight and delivered some very important improvements to government policy, but never had the support to be positively proactive like this,” Mr Gossage said.

“Our volunteer committee and small team of staff have been working hard to build our capacity to help more volunteers in more ways, and this campaign is the beginning of some very exciting things to come.”

“One of the biggest strengths of the incredible women and men we represent is also a huge challenge for us as the peak body. To be frank, they are just too humble and because of that, often go unseen.”

“Bushfire Volunteers get in, get the job done, and get out. They do what they do to protect our community – not for money or fame and they certainly don’t go around calling themselves heroes.”

“But we all know it’s the squeaky wheel that gets the oil and that trademark humility is one of the reasons so many Local Government Bush Fire Brigades have been so poorly supported over the years.”

“So, we’re pretty chuffed to be able to launch our first public campaign to draw the public’s attention to the immense value of the work of our members and call on everyone, everywhere to support them.”

View the launch video at: https://www.bushfire.org.au/bvsgotyourback/

NOTE: The association is calling on others to post and share similar messages of support on social media using the hashtag #BVSGotYourBack. Please make contact if you or your colleagues would like any assistance in developing and/or delivering your content.