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Tasmania Fire Service Cuts 336 Volunteer Memberships Over Missed Child‑Safety Training

The dismissals enforce legally required child‑safety modules introduced after the child sexual abuse inquiry’s recommendations.

Overview

  • All Police, Fire and Emergency Management personnel were mandated to complete two modules covering the Child and Youth Safe Organisations framework and reportable conduct.
  • The TFS extended deadlines beyond May 2025 and provided online, virtual and in‑person sessions, yet 336 volunteers still did not complete the training.
  • The modules were free, took less than two hours and were accessible on station computers or personal devices.
  • The service says a significant share of those terminated were social members not engaged in frontline firefighting.
  • The firefighters union warns volunteer losses could strain north‑west response capacity around Devonport and Burnie, while the commissioner says operational needs remain covered and a review will follow.