11361 (2026). Mike Davidson to the Minister of Internal Affairs

11361 (2026). Mike Davidson to the Minister of Internal Affairs: Further to 7619 (2026), what action is being taken to ensure 100% of volunteer recruits receive live fire training before being deployed to live fire events, if any?

Hon Brooke van Velden: I am advised live fire training is not a core requirement of the volunteer firefighter recruit course, instead this training is required to be delivered when volunteers progress to qualified firefighter rank. All new volunteer qualified firefighters have, and continue, to receive live fire training. Live fire training is only one aspect of training we deliver so our people can safely and effectively respond to incidents. The skills volunteer recruits obtain through other elements of training transfer directly to real incidents, to which they respond under the direction of more qualified firefighters. If a firefighter is deployed to an incident that involves them in an activity they have not received specific training for, this is under the direct supervision of someone qualified to both respond and supervise those responding.