Zoo recognised for its contributions to the Rural Fire Service

Zoo recognised for its contributions to the Rural Fire Service

#Taronga Western Plains Zoo Dubbo

Posted on 29th June 2015 by Media Relations

The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, this week recognised Taronga Western Plains Zoo for its ongoing contribution to volunteer fire fighting, through the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) Supportive Employers Program.


As a contributor to the RFS’s Program, Taronga Western Plains Zoo grants volunteer fire fighters leave to attend emergency incidents during work hours without financial disadvantage.


Manager of Life Sciences and volunteer fire fighter, Paul Metcalf, attended the event on Wednesday 24th June 2015 in Sydney where he accepted a Special Commendation award from the Commissioner.


“I know having staff called away, sometimes for extended periods, puts pressure on workplace productivity and I would like to sincerely thank those employers who provide leave to NSW RFS volunteers,” Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.


The Zoo’s General Manager, Matthew Fuller, was very proud of the Zoo’s acknowledgement. He said “The commitment it takes to be a volunteer fire fighter is so admirable, and I am pleased as an employer that we can support our staff and the community by allowing them to respond to emergencies as they come to hand without difficulty.”


The Supportive Employer Program was launched in March 2013 to recognise the essential contribution employers make to the volunteering effort. Since then 178 businesses have been presented with a Certificate of Appreciation and 36 have received a Special Commendation.