Shire of Waroona implements new fatigue management policy for firefighters to keep them safe on the job

A council in the Peel region has implemented a new policy aimed at improving firefighter and community safety.

The Shire of Waroona voted to adopt a new fatigue management policy at its most recent meeting, which will set the maximum shift length for firefighters at 12 hours and include the time spent at work before an emergency.

The council states the policy will seek to ensure a system is in place to manage fatigue in all bush fire brigade volunteers because the shire had a commitment to ensure that all volunteers on the ground were kept safe and in good health.

“Fatigued firefighters can pose a health and safety risk to themselves and to others,” the policy states.

Shire president Mike Walmsley said it was important for volunteers to understand there was no exception for people to work 24 hours a day, even in an emergency situation.

“The bottom line is we want everyone to be safe,” he said.

Cr Walmsley said the new policy could be a challenge for the shire, but he is optimistic it will not impact its ability to respond quickly to an emergency.

“It can be challenging, because you never know when an emergency will strike,” he said.

“But we are lucky, we’ve got a great band of volunteers in the shire that step up year after year and understand the requirements.”