I move:
That this House:
(1)Commends the Government and Fire and Rescue NSW for record firefighter recruitment that is strengthening our emergency services.
(2)Notes that six new firefighters have recently been recruited in the Blue Mountains to help keep the community safe.
(3)Encourages anyone interested to apply to become a firefighter and contribute to the vital work of Fire and Rescue NSW.
(4)Thanks all Fire and Rescue NSW staff and the mighty Fire Brigade Employees' Union for their dedication to protecting our community.
Fire and Rescue NSW, our lead firefighting agency in this State, plays a vital role in keeping our community safe, resilient and prepared for the unexpected. Every day, firefighters step forward to protect lives, property and the environment, often in very challenging and dangerous circumstances. They do so with professionalism, courage and an unwavering sense of duty. The Minns Labor Government has been working closely with Fire and Rescue NSW to address the complex and growing demands of the community, whilst also spending responsibly. After a decade of underinvestment in essential services, the Government is delivering a modern fire service that is sustainable and ensures community safety.
For the benefit of the many thousands of people who are watching Parliament online, I explain that we have many firefighting agencies for different purposes across this State—within Forestry Corporation, within the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, and our mighty volunteers within the Rural Fire Service. But the firefighters we rely on every day are the Fire and Rescue NSW crews, often called "the townies". Politically, professionally and very personally, I thank those firefighters in particular. My son was once a member of Fire and Rescue NSW. When your kid jumps on the back of a fire truck and heads off to an incident, you do not know how dangerous it might be. I thank Fire and Rescue NSW for their training, their skill and their commitment to looking after our communities in a very professional manner.
This motion is about the Government's commitment to investing in the recruitment of additional firefighters. A critical aspect of delivering a modern, fit-for-purpose fire service is recruiting the right personnel. In March 2023 the Government committed to hiring 600 new firefighters over eight years. That investment in people is an investment in community safety. Delivery of those additional firefighter roles will help to keep our community safe, support demand from population growth and reduce pressure on our firefighting workforce. Bringing new firefighters into the service ensures that crews are well resourced, well trained and ready to respond when emergencies occur. They are called out to house fires, hazardous materials incidents, large‑scale natural disasters and, sadly, quite often, to motor vehicle accidents.
As part of its investment, the Government's 2024‑25 budget guaranteed the positions of 268 firefighters whose roles did not previously have ongoing funding, including 32 firefighters for the Oran Park station. As the former shadow Minister for Emergency Services, I pushed the government of the day to get that station built. I thank all of the firefighters and community members who were part of that campaign. The Government's 2025‑26 budget committed funding for the recruitment of 52 new firefighters for the future Badgerys Creek fire station, who are part of the 600 cohort.
Fire and Rescue NSW has redesigned its Firefighter Initial Training School to help deliver on the Government's commitment of 600 additional firefighters. This is significant and historic reform. The new training model is capable of delivering up to 400 permanent recruits each year. To put that into context, 220 permanent recruits graduated last year—a marked increase on previous years—and the new program will build on that momentum. Over a 12‑week program, recruits develop core operational skills, including firefighting in urban and bush environments, emergency life support, search and rescue, road crash rescue and hazardous materials response.
The program also focuses on prevention and community education. Our firies are often out there on market days talking to kids about what they need to do if there is a fire in the home. That reinforces the broader role that firefighters play in keeping the community safe. Importantly, recruits will receive training in mental health, resilience, fitness, cultural awareness and leadership to support their wellbeing and their long‑term effectiveness. These significant reforms, encouraged by New South Wales Government investment, demonstrate that Fire and Rescue NSW is a great employer that supports firefighters in their rewarding and meaningful profession.
The Minns Labor Government is also committed to improved employment conditions for firefighters that are fair, modern and sustainable. In August 2025 the full bench of the Industrial Relations Commission handed down its decision regarding the industrial awards covering Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters. The Government welcomes wage certainty for our State's firefighters. It is an important recognition of the lifesaving work that they do. These wage improvements are a small but important way that the Government can support our firefighters. It helps to attract and retain them, and provides them with a pathway.
Firefighting is more than a job; it is a vocation that demands physical strength, mental resilience, teamwork and a genuine commitment to public service. I love the firefighters in the Blue Mountains. I have developed a very strong relationship with them over many years. I will always have their back in this place. They know that I will go into bat for them for whatever they need. I acknowledge that none of this happens in isolation—behind every successful firefighter recruitment drive, every effective response on the ground, is a dedicated workforce. I recognise the mighty Fire Brigades Employees' Union, and especially its secretary, Leighton Drury, for advocating for firefighter safety, wellbeing and professionalism. I commend the motion to the House.
