Jack Rush: It’s up to us to defend the CFA

For Premier Daniel Andrews it seems the passage of time has allowed him to forget, or more likely just ignore, one of the most important lessons learned on Black Saturday, writes Jack Rush.

It is nearly 10 years since the Black Saturday bushfires which claimed the lives of 173 people. Time can serve, in some cases, to dull the enormity of those losses and the dreadful cost of that day.

But for Premier Daniel Andrews it seems the passage of time has allowed him to forget, or more likely just ignore, one of the most important lessons learned.

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When Victoria erupted in fire on February 7, 2009, it was CFA firefighters working hand-in-hand with other fire and emergency services who were at the front line, who saved lives, houses and communities, who in the days following were a vital cog in the soul-destroying task of “mopping up”. Review the media reports of the days that followed and page after page of tributes to volunteer firefighters are a potent reminder of the debt we owe the men and women of the CFA who, year after year, commit selflessly to our community.

Yet make no mistake about it: only 10 years later, the Premier, led by the fire union bosses, proposes to gut the CFA — to tear it apart.

When Victoria erupted in fire on February 7, 2009, it was CFA firefighters working hand-in-hand with other fire and emergency services who were at the front line, who saved lives. Picture: AAP

In this election Mr Andrews has recommitted to introducing legislation that will eject volunteer firefighters from integrated brigades, those CFA fire brigades in outer Melbourne and Victoria’s regional centres which are now operated by volunteer firefighters and paid firefighters.

Those stations will become part of the suburban Metropolitan Fire Brigade, rebadged as Fire Rescue Victoria. This scheme will irrevocably harm surge capacity, the ability of the CFA to quickly mobilise operational volunteer firefighters to meet catastrophic fire — the Black Saturday response.

As part of what I can only describe as butchery, the entire operational staff of the CFA, which supports CFA volunteers including community safety managers, field based operational support officers, training instructors and CFA paid firefighters, will be removed from CFA and made employees of Fire Rescue Victoria. In some cases those people may be seconded back to the CFA but as employees of Fire Rescue Victoria. Of course that is contrary to every principle of effective command and control to every principle of the good governance of emergency services.

In this election Mr Andrews has recommitted to introducing legislation that will eject volunteer firefighters from integrated brigades. Picture: AAP

And what is the purpose? It seems nothing more than an ignominious surrender of community safety to the self-interest of fire union bosses who wish to force through an enterprise bargaining agreement that will entrench their power. These are the same people who, only last week, were described as bullies by Mr Andrews for their treatment of former Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett.

To deal with the spin: the Andrews agenda is not supported by any recommendation of the Black Saturday Royal Commission or any other inquiry into fire services conducted since. The Andrews agenda contradicts the policies and stance of the Labor Brumby government and splits from what has always been a bipartisan support for the CFA.

The financial cost of this kowtow to union bosses will be massive. It will be felt in 2020, in the Fire Services Levy that will hit ratepayers.

But there is another significant cost, one that cannot be measured in terms of dollars. That cost is the dismembering of a highly effective, renowned community-based fire fighting organisation, one that is so important to this state. It will mean the further loss of morale of our volunteers, a factor that is already reflected in lower numbers.

When Victoria erupted in fire on February 7, 2009, it was CFA firefighters working hand-in-hand with other fire and emergency services who were at the front line.

If proof of the deleterious impact is needed, it is best illustrated by the actions of the former emergency services minister, CFA board, CEO and chief fire officer all of whom sacrificed their careers rather than be part of the destruction of a world-class firefighting organisation.

I cannot help but be cynical when I see Premier Andrews selling himself as a country boy, born and bred, a straight talker. His undermining of the CFA, a great institution built by the dedication and commitment of generations of country people, to bring about a deal with fire union bullies is the reverse of what he purports to represent.

I suggest that all Victorians obtain a commitment from the person you vote for in this election: a commitment that he or she will not support this agenda that will rip the CFA apart — it’s too important.

Jack Rush QC is a former Supreme Court Judge and was counsel assisting the royal commission into the Black Saturday bushfires