EMERGENCY Services Minister Corey Wingard has defended the appointment of Mark Jones as the new chief officer of the Country Fire Service.
“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.
“We are committed to providing the CFS the support and the equipment they need.
“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.
A spokesperson for Mr Wingard said the minister had 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 wish,” the spokesperson said.
Emergency Services Shadow Minister Lee Odenwalder had claimed the CFS is now in crisis.
“Weeks out from the fire season, the relationship between the State Government and volunteer firefighters has now completely broken down,” he 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.
“This is a crisis entirely of the government’s own making.
“In the interests of public safety, Corey Wingard and Steven Marshall need to urgently address the concerns of our CFS volunteers”
Fellow Labor frontbencher Clare Scriven has also aired her concerns.
“This is a disturbing development to have the Country Fire Service Volunteers Association so concerned about the Premier and Minister Wingard and the way this appointment of the new CFS chief officer has been made,” Ms Scriven said.
Group officer Fred Stent was approached for comment but declined.
Millicent CFS Brigade captain Phil Richards is the local delegate to the CFS Volunteers Association and also declined to comment.
