(1) This section applies to a member of a volunteer bushfire brigade who:
(a) is requested by the executive director to respond to a bushfire in the course of duty as a volunteer member; and
(b) because of so responding to the bushfire, is absent from the member's usual employment at any time during or immediately after the bushfire.
(2) The volunteer member is not, only because of the absence mentioned in subsection (1), liable:
(a) to be dismissed; or
(b) to lose long service leave, sick leave, recreation leave or any other benefit to which the member may be entitled under the industrial award or agreement applicable to the employment.
(3) This section applies whether or not the employer consented to the absence.