A recent audit of stations undertaken by the Fix our Fire Service campaign run by the FBEU has identified that more than 60% of fire stations do not have appropriate amenities for women firefighters. Expenditure for FRNSW is not currently being increased to accommodate these changes. Fix our Fire Service say "Fire and Rescue NSW Career Firefighters do an excellent job of serving and protecting our communities, but with some of the state’s worst bushfires and large population increases in our coastal communities, they need urgent support to best protect towns in the local area.
"These dedicated men and women who are out working tirelessly on the frontline are not receiving adequate support. In particular, women working as Career Firefighters in Bateman’s Bay and surrounding communities are not even currently provided with their own toilets or change room facilities at their fire stations. They are sometimes even forced to change in closets or offices.
"Currently, at the fire stations within the Bega electorate, there are 11 women firefighters across six stations. Half of those six stations do not have adequate facilities for women.
"Our dedicated fire service women have been neglected by the current government and they deserve better. Last month a delegation of women firefighters wrote to new Emergency Services Minister Steph Cooke about the issue and to date, there has been no response.
Fix Our Fire Service is calling on local voters to think about this when at the ballots."
