Cuts to CFS volunteer support
Feb 20, 2012
Hon Iain Evans MP
Shadow Treasurer
Cuts to CFS volunteer support
Cuts to CFS volunteer support by the Weatherill Labor Government will seriously jeopardise the recruitment of volunteers and running of Brigades, Shadow Treasurer Iain Evans said today.
The CFS had six volunteer support offices (VSOs) in the regions (one per region) whose role was to support the recruitment of volunteers and ensure Brigades were able to operate smoothly.
But now, the Labor Government has pulled VSOs from the regions and based them in Adelaide and has cut the number of VSOs from six to two.
Other Metropolitan based support staff have also been cut from five to four.
“I have been told the cuts are hurting with the VSO role and other regional CFS are staff being forced to take on extra workload as a result of these cuts,” Mr Evans said.
“Minister Rankine needs to explain why she is attacking the CFS volunteer support base when the CFS relies on 15,000 volunteers in 434 communities across the state. She also needs to explain how she expects two Adelaide-based officers to possibly deal with 15,000 volunteers in 434 communities.
“If the Weatherill Labor Government really valued our CFS, they would understand that the CFS volunteers are a vital part of regional communities – we need to ensure that they have all the resources and support that they need to do their job.”