The usual stint is three days at 12 hours/day Operational and then a day's Stand Down. It DOES get exhausting and, for volunteers, the behaviour of employers like Fosters exacerbates the difficulties. The Defence Act prevents employers from disadvantaging Reservists but there is no similar legislated protection for volunteers in the SES or any of the fire services. And Howard's WorkChoices (George Orwell would be rolling in his grave at that particular New Speak) removed whatever little support volunteers might have been able to garner previously.

Sorry for the thread drift but the chief wally at my workplace has just been presented Certificates of Appreciation by both the SES and the RFS local units for supporting staff members who are such volunteers.

Cheers, Rowan