State Member for Cessnock, Clayton Barr, has encouraged local firefighters to apply for financial assistance through the Volunteer Firefighter Payment Scheme, but admits the government's support hasn't met his expectations.
Although the scheme was announced in late December, volunteers with the RFS and SES have only been able to apply for financial aid from mid-January, with Mr Barr suggesting the scheme has come a month too late and is attached to too much complicated paperwork.
Mr Barr says the scheme may also leave many fireys shortchanged, and claims the $6,000 cap on compensation will only reimburse about 20 days of lost income for volunteers who may have been fighting fires for months.
Mr Barr says any firefighters in the Cessnock electorate who have been told they are ineligible for compensation should get in touch with his office.
"Firefighters have been so heavily relied on and called upon in our community over recent months, and we need them to recover financially, as well as emotionally and physically," Mr Barr said.
Volunteer firefighters can apply for assistance and access more information regarding the Volunteer Firefighter Payment Scheme here.
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| Cessnock MP, Clayton Barr |
