Question - COVID-19 Emergency Services Volunteers - Vaccination rates

Tuesday 24 May 2022

[2.42 p.m.]

Regarding the availability of emergency service volunteers around Tasmania:

(1) Have vaccination rates or lack thereof significantly affected the available numbers of volunteers for Tasmanian emergency services?

(2) What are the impacts and risks for more remote communities if volunteer services cannot be manned as a result of volunteers not being vaccinated?

ANSWER

(1) Regular reporting as part of implementing the Department of Police, Fire, and Emergency Management (DPFEM) COVID-19 vaccination policy has indicated that there has been no impact to numbers of volunteers available to undertake emergency services across both the Tasmania Fire Service and the State Emergency Service.

(2) The chief officer monitors operation capability across the state constantly, including in remote communities. There has been no impact to numbers of volunteers available to undertake emergency services across both the TFS and the SES as a result of the DPFEM's COVID-19 vaccination policy. DPFEM is not aware of any impact or risk to remote communities due to the vaccination status of volunteers.

Ms Armitage - I might have to provide them with some.