Fed up firefighters have taken to social media to complain about backburning not being allowed

A frustrated firefighter has taken to social media to decry the policies of “officials in airconditioned rooms” that have allegedly made his job harder.

ONE of a number of fed-up Queensland firefighters has taken to social media to criticise the lack of backburning permitted by officials sitting in “aircon” after he and others were caught right next to a firestorm.

Billy Geddes, who was creating a fire break near a house in Lake Mary in central Queensland, wrote he was tired of seeing a reactive approach to what he described as avoidable bushfires.

“Well today I saw a house nearly completely lost for no reason,” he wrote on Facebook late on Monday.

“I saw dogs nearly burnt to a crisp for no reason.

“I saw human life nearly lost for absolutely no damn reason and a huge risk of a much bigger area destroyed due to a blanket rule that didn’t apply to this case.”

Catastrophic fire conditions grip Queensland

Full list of alerts and evacuations for bushfires

Mr Geddes wrote he and other volunteer firefighters spent Sunday and Monday in the Lake Mary area, outside of Yeppoon, and returned to one spot to discover a back burn had not been completed.

“Well today was spent in the same spot we were yesterday but with the time of day definitely not in our favour,” he wrote late on Monday night.

“All the breaks were put in, communication with landowners were done before we went home yesterday.

“We turn up today and start putting extra breaks in and then notice the back burn wasn’t done.”

Bushfire blazing along Lake Mary Road, outside of Yeppoon on Monday morning. Picture: Stacey Barry

Mr Geddes claimed the property’s landowner told him he would be charged if he were to back burn, despite being in a hire-fire-danger area.

“We chatted to land owner and he informed us he was told he would be charged with arson if back burning was done last night,” he wrote.

“There was even a visit at 9pm to check that it wasn’t lit.”

Mr Geddes, who the Courier Mail has contacted for comment, did not say who allegedly informed the landowner they could be charged.

“We saved the house but last minute and due to the 30ft high whirlybird of fire in their back yard there were sheets of iron flying, one took out the top of the grader I was on and it was lucky no one on the ground got hit,” he said.

Shocking cause of hinterland fire revealed

“I even had to nudge a car out of the way with the corner tip of the blade to wipe the fire out from under it.

“I saw locals doing what had to be done due to decisions made by people who would hardly leave an aircon room.

“The stupidest thing is this all could have been avoided.”

Originally from Rockhampton, Mr Geddes said other firefighters agreed with the sentiments.

“There wasn’t one firefighter I talked today who wasn’t in agreement that this should have been back burnt, but decisions made from above are defined and not-negotiable,” he wrote.

“These ‘demands’ are sent down the line, and it’s no wonder these fires are such a disaster.”

Inspector Clinton Neumann of the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, said he could not comment on what the Lake Mary landowner had allegedly told rural fire brigade volunteers.

A crew from Tieri Fire and Rescue helped fight this fire along Lake Mary Road, outside of Yeppoon, on Monday morning. Picture: Stacey Barry

But he said it was important for people to not back burn without the knowledge or support of firefighters.

“Back burning can only be conducted by or at the direction of a person who has the powers of an authorised fire officer under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990,” Inspector Neumann said.

“If people are lighting back burning fires without authorisation or without our knowledge, they could start a fire behind our crews who could then become trapped.

“We might also have a plan to spend time and effort to control something with aerial resources so if someone chooses to light without authorisation, it could undo all of that work.”

Inspector Neumann said there was also a sliding scale of burning approvals given under certain conditions, and on a case-by-case basis.

In his Facebook post, Mr Geddes also called for residents in semi-rural areas to be more proactive.

“If you own land it’s your damn responsibility to do your bit to protect your asset and yourself,” he wrote.

“Also if you live on a semirural block and you don’t know who your neighbours or your neighbours’ neighbours are it should be taken off you.

“It’s not the responsibility of rural and general fire fighters to save your bacon because you’re unable to act like a decent neighbour.”

Fire crews outside of Yeppoon on Monday morning. Picture: Stacey Barry

Mr Geddes said he has lodged a formal complaint after becoming tired of seeing a reactive approach to bushfires.

“I’m so damn tired of seeing reactivate approaches to fire when six years or so ago we didn’t ever see destroyed property, environment and animals like this,” he said.
Many people agreed with Mr Geddes, including Cindy Bruce.
“Well said Billy Geddes. Firefighters make decisions based on the regulations which are made inner city,” she wrote.

Ken O’Brien said he agreed.

“I’ve been out at Adelaide Park and Byfield (the) last two days. Seen same devastation and heard same stories,” he wrote.
“Blood is on the hands of those pencil pushers. I hope they can’t sleep at night.
“I have had to comfort people who have lost pets and homes to these fires...and they’re livid with those pencil pushers.
Claude Sylvester said he had similar issues.

“Well said. ... Had the same issues earlier this year with not being allowed to back burn,” he said.
“You need to be able to fight fire with fire when weather and time is in your favour.”