WITH the fire danger season fast approaching in the Upper and Lower South East, the Country Fire Service Volunteers Association (CFSVA) has raised concerns over the “new direction” of the state’s emergency services sector.
It follows the recent appointment of new Country Fire Service (CFS) chief officer Mark Jones who secured the position, despite not receiving recommendation from the CFSVA.
Last week volunteers across the state received a letter from the association which claimed Mr Jones’ appointment was one of a number of processes undertaken against the advice of key stakeholders.
The letter hit out at Emergency Services Minister Corey Wingard, claiming he had shown “no genuine desire” to be transparent since taking over the portfolio.
“The CFSVA writes to you to express our concerns with the current direction the South Australian Emergency Services sector is taking and the instability this is creating for CFS volunteers as we enter fire season,” the letter said.
“The CFSVA is concerned by the number of processes that have been undertaken since Minister Wingard assumed the Emergency Services portfolio that has either disregarded advice from key stakeholders or has excluded key stakeholders from the process.”
Kingsley group officer Grant Fensom yesterday refrained from engaging in the political debate, however took the opportunity to praise the volunteer association.
“They are always trying to look after our best interests as volunteers and they do a great job with that,” Mr Fensom said.
“Things like this do need to be sorted out quickly and swiftly because it is not good to have this political stuff hanging over the organisation’s head.
“I just hope the person they have entrusted as the CFS chief officer is the right man for the job because we are a really well-respected organisation world-wide.”
Mr Wingard defended the appointment of Mr Jones who he said was the best candidate for the role.
“His experience working with the international firefighters association, which has more than five million members, the majority of which are volunteers, was crucial to his selection to the role,” Mr Wingard said.
“Three of the four personnel on the selection panel, including the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service were able to recognise Mr Jones as the standout candidate.”
He also expressed a commitment to providing the CFS the support and the equipment they need.
“That’s why we have delivered $5m to the CFS through Project Renew,” he said.
“We have invested about $300,000 towards approved CFS station projects for the South-East, which include $7700 for asbestos removal, $13,590 for a kitchen upgrade and $19,770 for internal painting at Millicent CFS.”
“When it comes to supporting our volunteers, the Marshall Government walks the walk.”
Those comments came despite the CFSVA announcing on Saturday it had been banned from using the CFS Volunteer Portal to communicate with volunteers.
“This is not an isolated incident and yet again highlights the double standards and disrespect towards volunteers which the CFSVA is constantly fighting to overcome,” they said.
Emergency Services Shadow Minister Lee Odenwalder claimed it was the government which took the extraordinary step of blocking the CFSVA.
He said the CFS was in a crisis “entirely of the government’s own making.”
“Weeks out from the fire season, the relationship between the State Government and our volunteer firefighters has now completely broken down,” Mr Odenwalder said.
“Premier Steven Marshall promised open and transparent government.
“Yet what we have seen here is a pattern of secrecy and failure to consult.
“The CFS volunteers have clearly had enough.”
A spokesman for Mr Wingard said the minister has made no attempts to block access to a portal as suggested by the Opposition.
“The Country Fire Service Volunteers Association remains free to contact any and all of their members if they so wish,” the spokesman said.
