IAG employee Craig Lyons on the frontline of the bushfires

Over the past few months, a number of our employees have been directly involved in fighting these devastating bushfires.

We recognise the vital role volunteers play in protecting our communities from natural disasters and believe it’s important for us all to work together to help where we can. That’s why we offer paid emergency services leave to any employee who dedicates their time as a volunteer firefighter or member of the State Emergency Services (SES), to ensure our people don’t go without pay while doing this essential work.

Fighting fires in Perth

Craig, a father of three, is part of IAG’s customer support team in Perth.

On top of making our customers’ world a safer place through his 9 to 5 job, Craig is also a volunteer firefighter, with more than 15 years’ experience.

Craig said: “In late 2004, there was a large bushfire in the Perth hills that came very close to my parents’ house. At that point I knew that if they were going to be affected again in the future, I wanted to do everything in my power to keep them safe. So at their next recruitment drive in February 2005, I signed up.

“Eight years later, I was actually up in the hills saving my parents’ neighbour’s home. So it really came full circle.”

IAG continues to support Craig’s volunteering and he is regularly given the flexibility to change his hours to ensure he can attend training or be on-call. Most recently, Craig volunteered his time in December 2019 to help fight a fire in the shire of Kalamunda, Western Australia, working into the early hours of the morning.

In November last year, IAG received an award from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services in Western Australia for its support for emergency service volunteers, such as Craig.

“My time as a volunteer firefighter has been one of the greatest things I’ve done. It’s so rewarding to give back to the community and the appreciation that is shown towards us is fantastic. IAG’s ongoing support and encouragement has been more than I could’ve asked for,” Craig said.

To find out more about how IAG is assisting customers affected by the current bushfires, visit our bushfire response hub.