Quite possible that many of the 200 individuals are on the RFS database as lapsed or inactive or whatever.
200 paedos within currently active fire fighters would be a truly extraordinary statistic.
Can you copy and paste the text from the article pls
Two hundred pedophile and criminal firefighters have been booted from Queensland’s ranks over serious sexual and violent offences.
The action was taken to weed out the QFES employees and volunteers after a compulsory requirement to apply for Blue Cards revealed their criminal pasts.
A further 40 who tried to apply for jobs were immediately knocked back after failing their Blue Cards.
The requirement for the state’s 40,000 firefighters to pass Blue Card checks came into place on March 31 this yearafter several deadline extensions and
loud complaints from volunteers around the additional paperwork and threats they’d rather quit than comply.
People are disqualified from holding Blue Cards if they have been convicted of a disqualifying offence, including having sex with a child, other child-related sexual or pornography offences, or serious sexual or violent offences against anyone.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services personnel have been required to pass Blue Card checks since March. Picture: Zizi Averill
Police and Fire and Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan said the government made no apologies for the new rules.
“The government is committed to keeping children safe,” he said.
“That is the reason the Blue Card system was introduced.”
The requirement was introduced following a review, with top brass noting officers were involved in community work, from rescue services to fire safety education at schools and community groups.
“As at June 30, 40 people who had applied to join QFES had been knocked back because they received adverse findings on their Blue Card application,” Mr Ryan said.
“The government makes no apologies for that.
“The priority is the safety of children.
“Around 200 QFES personnel also received adverse notices on their Blue Card applications.
“They have all been stood down or dismissed, and will remain so unless they are able to successfully appeal the Blue Card Services decision.”
Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan. Picture: Kevin Farmer
About 2000 volunteers had not applied for a Blue Card by the March 31 deadline, most of them volunteers.
However, QFES believes many of them are not still active volunteers, have moved, or can’t be contacted.
Mr Ryan said QFES had assured him they “have the appropriate personnel numbers to respond to all operational matters” while an active-two year recruitment campaign continues.
“Queensland is the most disaster-prone state in the country, therefore it is paramount we attract, retain and support the best people for the job which is why QFES has implemented the QFES volunteer recruitment campaigns,” he said.
“These campaigns look at place-based recruitment, how we recruit the right people for the right roles in the right locations – community focused, community implemented – backed by offering more contemporary and flexible volunteering roles to meet the ever-dynamic and changing community landscape.
“Volunteers and staff continue to recruit volunteers into areas where volunteers are required.”
