A Minns Labor Government will rectify a decade-long underinvestment in firefighters by hiring an additional 600 new Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters over the next eight years to protect our communities from an ever-present fire risk.
 
Despite an increase in the population of almost one million people in a decade, total firefighting staff have decreased by 76. There are now less firefighters per person in NSW than in 2011. By comparison, senior executives in FRNSW have doubled from 13 to 26 and administration staff have increased by over 20 per cent.
 
NSW Labor will correct this underinvestment and hire an additional 600 new permanent FRNSW firefighters over eight years to keep our communities safe and address population growth in Western Sydney. 
 
Firefighters put themselves in harm’s way to protect our community. Population growth means firefighters are effectively asked to do more with less as a result of this government’s underinvestment. In FY2021-2022, FRNSW paid 649,556 hours of overtime.
 
Labor will alleviate this pressure through a $51 million commitment over the next three years to commence the hiring of additional firefighters and reduce the pressure placed on our current firefighting workforce – spending which is fully offset by a reduction in overtime.
 
After 12 years, the government’s emergency services legacy is beset by delays and underinvestment. The result leaves communities less safe.
 
This is yet another example of the Liberals failing to adequately provide the necessary resources to growth areas.
 
Quotes attributable to Chris Minns, NSW Labor Leader:
 
“A decade of underinvestment has meant that firefighters are being forced to do more with fewer numbers. This is unsafe for firefighters, and dangerous for the community.
 
“It is vital that we have adequate firefighting staff right across New South Wales.
 
“Resourcing our frontline responders must always be a priority of the government. Whether it be nurses or firefighters, a government I lead will ensure our agencies have the manpower to serve NSW.”
 
Quotes attributable to Jihad Dib, NSW Shadow Minister for Emergency Services: 
 
“Today’s commitment is a commitment to protecting homes and communities.
 
“After 12 years, this government’s legacy of underinvestment in our emergency services leaves us less safe. It is indefensible. We will rectify this.”

CHRIS MINNS MP
NSW LABOR LEADER
 
JIHAD DIB MP 
NSW SHADOW MINISTER FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES