New presumptive rights for firefighting vehicle and equipment maintenance employees

 

 

On 1 September 2022 eligible vehicle and equipment maintenance employees engaged by Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) and the Country Fire Authority (CFA) will have access to presumptive rights compensation for specified cancers.

 

The changes, led by Emergency Management Victoria, are made under the Firefighters’ Presumptive Rights Compensation and Fire Services Legislation Amendment (Reform) Act 2019 (FPRC Act), which also applies to career and volunteer firefighters. It recognises the critical role they play in maintaining firefighting equipment at the fire scene and provides equal coverage for persons employed in those roles.

Vehicle and equipment maintenance employees are required to attend fires to repair and refuel fire trucks. They are exposed to the same carcinogens as firefighters when attending fires to clean and maintain firefighting equipment.

 

An independent Advisory Committee established under the FPRC Act to provide an expert opinion on certain claims from FRV and CFA career and volunteer firefighters will also review claims from vehicle and equipment maintenance employees.

 

Further information about presumptive rights and what this means for vehicle and equipment maintenance employees is available on the WorkSafe website here.