CPSU and DELWP agreed to establish a working group as part of our VPS Agreement negotiations in 2016 to explore possible options to provide CPSU members with death and disability cover when undertaking work in emergency management.

A CPSU delegate pointed out to the then Secretary, Adam Fennessy, that DELWP insures its equipment, such as vehicles and plant, however they don’t insure their people. CPSU members have also found it difficult to purchase individual accident insurance in the private market once they disclose that they hold a fire role.

After months of negotiations a group Personal Accident Policy has been purchased by DELWP to cover approximately 2,700 employees from DELWP, Parks Vic and any other partner agency involved in Forest Fire Emergency Management.

Key benefits of the policy include;

• Worldwide coverage
• Coverage for emergency response, planned burns, firefighting activities and direct travel to and from such work
• Cover for all employees aged 18-75 years of age
• Comprised of Defined or Lump Sum Benefits and Weekly Injury Benefits (capped at $500,000)

CPSU will continue to work with DEWLP to ensure that we can improve on the policy for next season. The State Government are considering approving additional funding to include;

• 24/7 coverage (non-work related injuries)
• Increased lump sum paymentsImproved claims process

Work will continue to ensure that DELWP & PV emergency management workers will have cover that is similar to what other firefighters in Victoria receive (CFA/MFB).

The purchase of this policy is a good start in recognising the important high risk work undertaken by CPSU members. Thank you to the CPSU delegates who have been part of the working group in establishing the policy.