Author: Mick Holton

An inquest into the fires that burned in 2017 has ordered the RFS to work with farmers to improve communication during major bushfires.

The Coroner found that the origin of the fire was on the property known as ‘Flagview South’ Sir Ivan Dougherty Drive, Leadville. The cause of the fire was a lightning strike on or near the top of a wooden strainer fence post which caused the post to smoulder for a number of days before igniting the fire on 11 February 2017.

The VFFA has been pushing for improved land management practices that include cool burning and other mitigation activities since our inception in 2004.

The following article is being shared as a point of interest, a type of “media watch” so that we can openly debate and discuss the issues.

ABC – RN Summary: It’s been the most devastating September for bushfires in this country on record. Experts are warning of more unprecedented weather events than ever before, and they’re calling for urgent national leadership. In this special collaboration.

A Coronial Inquiry into the Sir Ivan fire near Dunedoo is investigating its cause and how it was handled. Faith in the management of fire services has been shaken, and reports suggest volunteer numbers are dropping.

The VFFA has been observing a trend in recent years where farmers are increasing their own firefighting capability. In some cases, farmers are pooling resources in a manner that is somewhat like the beginnings of early bush fire services in NSW.

Photo: Grant Johnston in Tenterfield

Like many farmers I have been fighting bushfires for over 40 years doing no more than any farmer in helping neighbours.

But in that time I have watched the Rural Fire Service (RFS) develop into a mega bureaucracy that is probably justified in the hinterland of cities and towns but appears overly bureaucratic and expensive around broadacre farms.

Let the volunteers make the decisions that have done all the firefighting for many years and have been fairly happy with the setup.

Since the release of the review, the Rural Fire Brigades Association Queensland (RFBAQ) has been pushing for place-based decision making that would allow local volunteer brigades to have the final say.

“I don’t think any rural fire brigade was ever consulted and gave their approval of an outside group coming to take charge of the fires here and take charge of your machinery and all the rest of it,” he said.

“I don’t think that setup is going to lead to harmony, I think it’s more likely to lead to conflict.”

The slow down to 40km/h when passing stationary emergency vehicles with flashing blue or red lights will change on 26th Sept 2019.

On higher speed roads (with a speed limit of 90km/h or more), motorists will be required to slow down safely to a speed that is reasonable for the circumstances. Motorists must also provide sufficient space between their vehicle and the stationary tow truck, breakdown assistance or emergency vehicle displaying flashing lights. This will include changing lanes on a multi-lane road if it is safe to do so.

On lower speed roads (with a speed limit of 80km/h or less), motorists will continue to be required to slow to 40km/h when passing stationary tow trucks, breakdown assistance or emergency vehicles displaying flashing lights.

It is a fact that many of our volunteer firefighters are not okay, they are doing it tough. The reasons for this are many and varied. Some are suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), many are being impacted by drought and other external factors.
Call a mate today and check on their welfare.

The VFFA supports of any initiative that gives volunteer firefighters a voice. You may have your own views about the lack of advocacy, so it is important that we seize all opportunities to highlight inefficiencies in the support of our volunteers.

Many NSW Volunteer Firefighters took part in last year’s national Volunteer Welfare and Efficiency Survey, they are now invited to once again participate in the 2019 survey.