Fire hero called 'traffic casualty'

If the State Government can walk away from the death of a CFA volunteer, it is time for all volunteer emergency personnel to call it a day.

The Sunday Age reports:

FAMILY and friends of Don Dosser, who died while trying to help mates defend their homes from a bushfire, are outraged by a decision to officially record his death as a traffic accident.

Mr Dosser, 48, was fighting a bushfire from a trailer being towed by a ute on a property at Seaton, when he fell and was run over on the night of December 14.

But Mr Dosser's death has been officially registered as a traffic accident and compensation to cover his funeral costs will be paid by the Traffic Accident Commission.

This Parks Victoria decision was first reported by Philip Maguire who is advised there will be no Coronial Inquest into this death on the fireground.

Don Dosser, and all his fellow CFA/SES volunteers, turn out to bushfires for free. They lose their wages whilst fighting the fires.

The government employed DSE firefighters, on the other hand, are paid to be on the fireground and earn over $1,500 per week doing it and are protected by Workcover.

Don Dosser wasn't!

That's why his death is being put down to a traffic fatality so that TAC can pick up the bill.

CFA and SES personnel must demand equal rights with the paid DSE personnel. That includes fireground wages as well as Workcover protection.

Without the emergency services volunteers, there is no agency in rural Victoria to protect your home and assets against fire.

DSE don't do structures - their job is trees!

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