Friday December 4 2009
MEDIA CONFERENCE
FRIDAY 4 DECEMBER @ 1.30PM
UFU OFFICE
410 BRUNSWICK STREET
FITZROY
‘SICKIES’ ERROR A SLUR ON FIREFIGHTERS
Peter Marshall, National Secretary, United Firefighters Union will hold a media conference today to elaborate
and correct misinformation at yesterday’s Royal Commission hearings that 46 professional firefighters were
unexpectedly absent on Black Saturday.
Some media reports have incorrectly extrapolated this to suggest that 15 per cent of Victoria’s professional
firefighters took sickies that day.
Official figures made available late yesterday after the Royal Commission hearings show that there were 15
MFB firefighters sick on Black Saturday. Ten of these saw a doctor, and five did not provide a medical
certificate. (A medical certificate is not required for three sick days a year.)
UFU National Secretary Peter Marshall says firefighters are angry at suggestions they shirked their duty on
Black Saturday.
“Firefighters – whether professional or volunteer – are passionate about their work, and dedicated to
protecting the community,” he said.
For more information
Peter Marshall, National Secretary, United Firefighters Union
0419 127 004
Greg Pargeter, Senior Industrial Officer, United Firefighters Union
0425 790 676
NEWS 
