Firefighters launch Go Fund Me page for colleague

United Firefighters Union of Australia
Tasmania Branch
Protecting Professional Firefighters since 1943
www.ufutas.asn.au

Firefighter Robert Boost life was changed when in February of 2016, he was doing what he does
best. Working as a remote area team firefighter on deployment at a campaign fire in the South West
Wilderness Area of Tasmania. A branch fell from a tree and struck Rob on the head. Although
wearing a helmet at the time of this accident, Rob has been left with a brain injury resulting in long
lasting and debilitating symptoms.

Rob’s brain injury has left him with chronic pain, insufferable migraines as well as Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder, depression and anxiety; this has had a massive impact on Rob’s quality of life. Rob’s
hospital stays, trips to doctors and specialists are too numerous to count and the toll this has taken
on his young family and those close to him has been profound.

Rob was recently notified by the Tasmania Fire Service’s insurer, Allianz, that they will no longer pay
costs associated with some treatment that has been prescribed by Rob’s medical team. These
recommended treatments include infusions for chronic pain relief, and the trial of a
neurostimulator. The Tasmanian team making these recommendations consists of a Neurologist,
Rheumatologist, Specialist Pain Medicine Physician, a team of Psychiatrists, a Psychologist, and his
own GP, all of whom have worked closely and in collaboration with Rob over this time. The decision
by Allianz is based on recommendations from their medical expert whose last consult with Robert
Boost was in February 2017. This is seemingly a case of profits over people.

With the Tasmania Fire Service and Allianz refusing to pay for the recommended treatments Robert
Boost has been left in a terrible position. Rob is currently seeking legal advice and is facing the
possibility of having to challenge the insurer in court, all so he can simply receive the ongoing
treatment recommended by his medical team for the injury he sustained at work.

Rob is considering options for self-funding some treatment, at a significant personal cost, and has
recently sold personal belongings to kickstart this process. Robert work colleagues and fellow
firefighters have set up a GoFundMe page to assist Rob and his family www.gofundme.com/robboost.

David O’Byrne MP will launch of a GoFundMe page to assist Robert & his family at 3.30pm
Wednesday 7 November, TFS HQ, corner of Argyle & Melville St Hobart.