CFS volunteer hours have soared as summers and bushfire seasons lengthen
LONGER bushfire seasons are draining Country Fire Service resources to alarming levels, as volunteers respond to fewer but more intense incidents.
LONGER bushfire seasons are draining Country Fire Service resources to alarming levels as volunteers respond to fewer but more intense incidents.
Thirteen thousand CFS volunteers clocked up 97,993 hours of service across the state in 2017-18, the equivalent of 4083 days.
The crews responded to 8842 call-outs, including 2330 vehicle accidents and 193 hazardous material incidents.
Several CFS brigades are desperate for new recruits.
While the number of overall incidents was down by more than 3000, total volunteer hours had risen by 621 due to the extended bushfire period.
Complex and large-scale blazes at Karte, Sherwood, Middle River and the Buckland Park compost fire required maximum resources.
A CFS spokesman said the number of volunteers across the service was fluid with some brigades at capacity and others actively seeking new recruits.
Region one, which covers Mount Lofty Ranges and Kangaroo Island, was busiest with 3403 incidents.
CFS chief officer Greg Nettleton said the organisation had gone beyond being just a fire service.
“We’ve had a very successful year thanks to our volunteers from across the state, giving their time and skills often to events happening outside of their areas,” Mr Nettleton said.
“Looking at the variety of jobs our volunteers attended over the year reinforces that the CFS is more than just a fire service. The cost to run such a service with only paid employees would be astronomical.
“It’s a good time to recognise the exemplary efforts our volunteers give and thank the employers and family members who support them when the call goes out.”
A Bureau of Meteorology spokesman said it was too early in the year to predict the potential severity of this summer’s bushfire season, but feared little respite from drought conditions across southern and eastern Australia.
In its three-monthly outlook for August to October, the Bureau is predicting a dry end to winter. The Murray Darling Basin had its driest January to June period since 1987.
CFS director of state operations and frontline services Rob Sandford told The Advertiser they were always “monitoring climate outlooks and weather forecasts” in preparation for the coming bushfire season.
“Each season is different and presents unique challenges.
“Often in times of a larger incident we divert crews from other regions of the state to assist,” he said.
“If warranted, we will ask interstate fire agencies for assistance too.”