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Two local businesses have been recognised by WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services for going above and beyond to provide flexible work arrangements for staff that volunteer as firefighters.
The Volunteer Employer Recognition Awards (VERA) recognise businesses across the State.
Primaries CRT Northam manager Barry Fraser said he was pleased with the branches Gold Category Award.
“Bushfires are a tragedy – letting your staff volunteer for this is something you need to do,” he said.
“We are a country business...there are fires through harvest – a lot of our customers are impacted by this too so it is an easy decision.”
The Wongan Hills McIntosh and Son branch was recognised with a Bronze Award.
The agricultural machinery dealer manager Anthony Ryan said the branch had a handful of employees who volunteer at the local fire brigade.
“They appreciate that we let them volunteer, so one of them nominated us for the award,” he said.
“It is a good cause and I couldn’t see a reason why we wouldn’t let them. It’s helping the community and good for our staff to have other interests outside work in the community.”
They appreciate that we let them volunteer, so one of them nominated us for the award
- Agricultural machinery dealer manager Anthony Ryan
This year there has been a 35 per cent increase in the number of organisations acknowledged across the state, being 91, with nearly half of the recipients recognised in the gold category and 18 self-employed volunteers honoured.
Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan said it was important to recognise these businesses.
“I congratulate the 91 Western Australian businesses recognised for their invaluable support to emergency service volunteers,” she said.
“I am particularly grateful to the 18 self-employed volunteers who were recognised for their sacrifice of their day-to-day business needs to keep the community safe.
There are more than 27,000 emergency service volunteers across the State and many of them couldn’t volunteer without the support of their employers.
“Employers who provide their employees with time off to attend emergencies, rest after an incident or to attend training are greatly appreciated. Without their support, our State’s volunteer emergency services would struggle to operate.”
For more information about the awards and criteria for nominating, visit the website http://www.dfes.wa.gov.au.
