The summer heat is rising and we are in the midst of bushfire season. The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has also announced an El Niño event for Australia during the 2023-24 summer. This means that parts of Australia will likely experience warmer and drier conditions with minimal rainfall, increasing the risk of heatwaves and fire danger.

Members and their volunteer bushfire brigades are always at the forefront of bushfire management and defence, so it's timely to revisit the available Scheme protections.

LGIS allows our members to meet their regulatory requirements to obtain and keep current protection for volunteer fire fighters in accordance with the Bush Fires Act 1954 (prior to 16 September 2017) and the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1998 (as amended) Part 6B.

What's covered?

The following protection is offered to bushfire volunteers while under normal brigade (as per the Bush Fires Act 1954) activities:

Personal injury

Protection applies when a volunteer firefighter (or anyone acting under the control and direction of the Bushfire Control Officer) suffers an injury caused by undertaking normal brigade activities. The entitlements mirror the Workers' Compensation and Injury Management Act (1981) and follow the prescribed amounts as gazetted by WorkCover WA every year.

Motor vehicle and plant damage

Protection applies when there is loss or damage to all appliances, equipment and apparatus owned by a bushfire brigade or privately owned vehicles when being used under the direction of a bushfire control officer. Cover is for the market value or the reasonable cost of repair, whichever is lesser.

Personal property

Volunteers who are members of a local brigade may sustain accidental damage to or loss of their personal property whilst they are actively engaged in duties designated to them and deemed 'normal brigade activities'. Personal property is generally considered to be clothing and items normally worn or carried on or kept with the person

Third party liability

There may be an occasion where damage to property or injury to third parties could occur and a volunteer may be considered personally responsible. Whilst there are immunities under relevant and appropriate legislation available, the Scheme will also provide cover for volunteers who are acting in accordance with the duties assigned to them and in accordance with the Bush Fires Act 1954 (as amended).

Claims procedure

1. If a volunteer is injured during the course of their duties, immediate medical treatment should be sourced.
2. Claimant completes relevant claim forms (found on LGIS website), and the local government's Fire Control Officer completes the Bushfire Declaration form.
3. All claim documentation (including above, as well as attending physician statement etc.) to be sent to LGIS.

If you need more information on volunteer bushfire fighters' protections, please get in touch with your account manager.