Fire fighting fears mount

TASMANIANS in at- risk areas have been warned they may have to defend their homes by themselves if bushfires break out.

United Firefighters Union regional organiser Dennis Mullins said “trained career firefighters” would not be able to protect people or help Parks and Wildlife Service or Sustainable Timbers if there were fires. He said the Tasmania Fire Service was less equipped to battle bushfires than it was last year.

TASMANIANS in at-risk areas have been urged to prepare for the bushfire season with remote area firefighters still grounded as temperatures rise.

United Firefighters Union regional organiser Dennis Mullins said “trained career firefighters” would not be able to protect Tasmanians or assist Parks and Wildlife Service or Sustainable Timbers if fires were to break out.

The Tasmanian Fire Service was issued performance improvement notices by WorkSafe Tasmania after safety concerns were raised this year.

Mr Mullins said the notices required TFS management to undertake a risk assessment program and create remote area extraction plans before firefighters could go to work in remote areas.

“Those plans haven’t been done,” Mr Mullins said.

“[TFS] say they’ll be ready for the bushfire season, we’re saying, bushfire season doesn’t mean a thing anymore.

“As we’ve seen in both Queensland and New South Wales over this last week, bushfires are happening now.

“We could have a catastrophic fire event in Tasmania any time from now out.”

Mr Mullins said the TFS was less equipped to battle bushfires than it was last year.

“Sadly we are in a situation where there may not be trained career firefighters on site to do the work that they need to do to keep people in both rural and urban fringes safe in the upcoming season.”

Mr Mullins said TFS management had also failed to meet a commitment to have volunteer remote attack teams ready for the fire season.

“It is the view of the Firefighters Union ... that particular role is not one that is suited for volunteers.

“In order to do remote access work in the way those teams are set up to do it, they need a high level of training, a high level of fitness and an incredible level of availability.”

Braddon MP Roger Jaensch said he was confident the TFS and Parks and Wildlife would be ready for the fire season and the performance issues were being worked on.

“We are confident we have got the right people and the ability to draw in extra resources from interstate if needed.

“We will make sure that any outstanding issues are resolved before the fire season starts.”

Mr Jaensch also urged people in bushfire-prone areas to prepare their homes for the upcoming bushfire season.

The Government said on Wednesday it would cut more than $1.6 million from the department of police, fire and emergency services budget.

Mr Mullins, from the union, said the department had no fat to trim.