There is one key difference between what we do as volunteers in SES/CFS/SLSA & most other areas of volunteering in SA. Everyone is paying for the service we provide. Directly, via the ESL.
It's just that the volunteers pay three times while the rest of the community only pays once. We pay our ESL, plus we pay whatever it costs to be an active member, plus many of us pay in lost income while actually providing the service we are paying for. (a bit like paying a mechanic while fixing the car yourself.)
The very least the state could do is waive active members' ESL (active as defined in the CFS Regs).
Meeting the out-of-pocket costs of membership would be better. I suggest that the costs incurred by a member of a busy urban brigade would be quite similar to a less busy rural or rural/urban brigade. 200 responses at 2km return is just as far as 20km return for 20 responses.
If the ESL has to be lifted to do so, so be it. WA recently lifted its ESL rate & made no apology for doing so. Simply pointed out that it costs money to provide the services, and that costs have risen.
Actually, I think the ESL needs increasing anyway so that CFS can catch up on station & appliance replacement. But that's a whole 'nuther thread.
cheers
AAJ