Firey among top vollies

Three Mid West organisations have been recognised for their continued support of emergency services by volunteers during COVID-19 pandemic.

The Department of Justice Greenough Regional Prison, Moora Toyota and Simple Life Projects in Kalbarri received honours last week for enabling volunteers to attend emergency incidents and training that fall within work hours.

They are among 68 businesses, organisations and self-employed volunteers across the State recognised at 2020 Volunteer Employer Recognition Awards.

Moora Fire Brigade lieutenant and Moora Toyota owner Todd Lewis is a self-employed member of the 25-volunteer brigade and has often left his business to attend call-outs.

Mr Lewis, who has volunteered for the brigade for more than 30 years, said he was nominated by his former district officer for the time he spent working outside of the dealership.

“If I’m sitting here and there’s a fire, I have to go and leave the business with my staff, whoever is on,” he said.

“Someone has to do it in the town, it’s just what you do.”

VERA recipients support volunteers from the State Emergency Service, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Service, Volunteer Fire and Emergency Services, Bush Fire Service, Marine Rescue WA and the State Wide Operations Responses Division.

Emergency Services Minister Francis Logan said without support from their employers, volunteers would struggle to attend emergency incidents and protect their communities.

“These employers have led by example and continue to support those who keep our communities safe in the most difficult circumstances,” he said.

“The Volunteer Employer Recognition Awards provide us with an important opportunity to thank employers for releasing employees to attend incidents and training, which may mean they need to close their business or reschedule jobs.

“This is particularly challenging for volunteers who are self-employed, so their sacrifice to help their community can be two-fold.”