Here is an open discussion for members to contribute to items from the Furguson Report and the question of whether a rural fire service would be beneficial, etc

Please login and write away. You can edit existing work. Please acknowledge your source where applicable. <font inherit/inherit;;inherit;;#FFD700>It is important to remember that this is an open forum and you should</font> <font inherit/inherit;;inherit;;#FFD700>realise</font> <font inherit/inherit;;inherit;;#FFD700>that everything added to this wiki is open to scrutiny and applicable laws. Please be careful and do not write anything that could offend.</font>

see Letter to CEO Shire of Mundaring from FCO & Captains' Group 5 August 2016

Email from AVBFB re where to send submissions 04 July 2016

See Email from M Casotti 03 July 2016

See AVBFB Press Report 2 August 2016

See the Gidgegannup Ratepayers Association Letter 23 July 2016

Angus Hay reported by email 17/7/16:

The Captains & FCO’s committee met on 6^th July to discuss the formation of a rural fire service as recommended in the Ferguson Report on the Waroona fires earlier this year.

(I recommend everyone has a look at the report, especially the suggestion of a separate rural fire service. It’s too big to email but you can download a copy if you Google ‘Waroona Bushfire Special Inquiry’.)

The proposal is quite short and of course there would be lots of details to be resolved. As a start, some of the issues brought up at the meeting are listed here:

1. There is a shortage of managers with bushfire experience within DFES. The United Firefighters’ Union (UFU) opposes lateral entry into DFES from bush fire brigades and those managers with bushfire experience who joined via Main Roads Board when FESA was formed have mostly left.
2. Possible structures are (1) joint management structure with local government and a rural fire service (RFS) replacing DFES (2) separate bushfire stream within DFES (3) an independent RFS.
3. Remaining under DFES risks clash with UFU as is happening now in Victoria (ref 1. above).
4. Where would boundary be between metro and RFS? Roe Highway, Stoneville Road, bottom of scarp, or possibly east of Sawyers Valley?
5. How would this affect bush fire brigades to the west of a new boundary?
6. Parks & Wildlife would not be affected – they are a land management agency, not an emergency service.
7. Ina RFS brigades would be responsible for all fires and emergencies in their area, eg. Bush fire, structural fires, Hazmat, vehicle. Likely not everyone would be keen to attend vehicle accidents?
8. Fire mitigation would be a major part of activities.
9. Call outs could still be managed by ComCen with existing facilities at Cockburn.
10. Equipment could be standardised, for example vehicles could be 1000lt light tanker, 3-4000lt truck and bulk water truck.
11. Training could be standardised so all captains / officers / senior firefighters have same competencies.

The Association of Volunteer Bushfire Brigades is in favour of an RFS independent of DFES, members of our brigade I’ve spoken to are generally in favour of a new structure as was the Captain’s & FCO’s committee..

It was pointed out that if BFBs are not pro-active then decisions will be made elsewhere and handed down.

The subject is to be discussed at the next Bush Fire Advisory Committee with a view to providing Shire of Mundaring with some preferred options.

Please have a think about this and let’s get a discussion going about our future. Give me a call with any questions and I’ll do my best to answer.

Politicians contact details

<font inherit/inherit;;inherit;;#FFFF00>Please note: correspondence is from you personally and not from or on behalf of the Brigade</font>

ALH 2016-07-21