Culture clash in fire service a recipe for bushfire ‘disaster’
Fire Rescue Victoria may be exposing vulnerable Victorians to a huge bushfire risk this summer because of a chaotic clash of cultures between volunteer and career members, a damning assessment has revealed.
Victoria
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Failings that contributed to our worst bushfire disaster are being repeated by the state’s new fire service sparking fears it is ill prepared for its first fire season, insiders have warned.
Insiders have warned vulnerable Victorians will be exposed to a huge risk because of a clash of cultures inside Fire Rescue Victoria between volunteer and career members.
In a damning assessment of the controversial new service, which was launched on June 1, concerned insiders say there is still no clear structure or role clarity.
“It’s been chaos. Absolute chaos caused by a clash of cultures,” one source said.
“One of the main findings of the Black Saturday royal commission was that no one was in charge.
“The same if unfolding now. It’s a recipe for disaster.”
In its final report the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission found the Black Saturday disaster highlighted serious deficiencies in top-level emergency management leadership.
The operational response was hindered by differences between agencies’ systems, processes and procedures, the report found.
Concerns have been raised with FRV chief Ken Block personally about the way in which similar problems are now risking the safety of Victorians.
Some firefighters are also refusing to use a new alert service app amid fears their data isn’t being sufficiently protected by the government controlled app.
In a letter to Mr Block one senior officer complained of extensive issues across all levels and departments of the service.
“This has the potential to end in tragedy if something is not rectified to a satisfactory position in a short amount of time,” he wrote.
Leaked minutes from a recent CFA meeting reveal more than 20 areas of concern raised by members across five districts.
They include safety, vehicle maintenance, systems and processes and line management.
A major concern across all districts was a lack of staff support for volunteer firefighters and confusion around job descriptions.
It comes amid revelations of potentially fatal flaws in the fire services reform that have left forest firefighters at risk and communities exposed.
Under current legislation Forest Fire Management Victoria firefighters don’t have the authorisation to operate in a FRV fire districts should any fire spread from public land.
The government has now moved to fix the holes in its new fire services reforms to allow FFMV firefighters to fight fires and carry out fire management activities in new FRV fire districts.
Until then a Memorandum of Understanding is in place to ensure FFMV firefighters can respond to incidents in FRV districts.
Mr Block said nothing had changed to the fire response Victorians would receive as the state approached the upcoming fire season.
“Our people are our most valuable asset, and FRV is working to deliver greater consistency across systems, processes, and procedures to support them and enhance the vital fire and rescue service they provide for Victorians,” he said.
“There are open lines of communication between FRV’s leadership team and our employees, and we are continuing to listen to issues raised and address them, as we enhance the organisation and deliver on our commitment to continuous improvement.”
Mr Block said feedback since the launch of FRV had been “overwhelmingly positive”.
“FRV is a new organisation, but Victoria’s longstanding emergency response arrangements remain unchanged and we are well prepared this summer,” he said.
“Community and firefighter safety is FRV’s highest priority and Victorians should be in no doubt that they are well protected this summer.”
A government spokesman said it was “absolutely incorrect to assert that there are changed arrangements in responding to bush and grass fires this summer”.
“Fire Rescue Victoria, CFA and Forest Fire Management Victoria have been undertaking significant preparedness and training activities to be able to best respond to flood and fire this season,” she said.
But shadow Emergency Services minister Nick Wakeling said the “destructive” fire services reforms were placing Victorian communities at risk.
“It’s clear that Victoria’s fire services are now in a worse position due to Daniel Andrews’ reckless fire service reforms,” he said.
“Daniel Andrews’ focus on appeasing his union mates will place Victorian lives and property at greater risk across Victoria.”
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