SA emergency service volunteer numbers have nosedived since ESL increase

EMERGENCY service volunteer numbers have nosedived since the Government significantly increased the Emergency Services Levy.

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EMERGENCY service volunteer numbers have nosedived since the State Government significantly increased the Emergency Services Levy.

More than 640 volunteers have left the State Emergency Service and Country Fire Service in the past two years, leaving volunteer numbers at a five-year low.

A CFS brigade captain told The Advertiser the situation was even “worse than it looks” because many volunteers were staying on the books but not fighting fires because of the ESL increase.

More than 640 volunteers have left the SES and CFS in the past two years.

Mark Modra, captain of Port Lincoln’s Green Patch CFS Brigade, said many volunteers who “have no interest in jumping on a truck” any more were left disillusioned by the removal of ESL remissions.

That left them having to work harder and longer hours on their large properties, as ESL rates are based on property values.

“It’s basically a land tax and those who are hit hardest by the land tax are then expected to still volunteer and fight fires. If the Government’s plan was to kill morale and reduce volunteer numbers, they couldn’t have done a better job,” Mr Modra said.

The brigade continues to refuse to fight fires on Government land in protest. About 1500 volunteers are left in the SES after 167 departed the agency in the last two years. CFS numbers are just over 13,000 after 476 volunteers departed.

Opposition emergency services spokesman Stephan Knoll said volunteers were “voting with their feet”.

The Liberals have pledged to restore the remissions. Emergency Services Minister Chris Picton said volunteer numbers varied year to year due to bushfire numbers and regional population changes.