Fireys fuming at QFES

FURIOUS volunteer fireys have blown the whistle on a bitter stoush with government-run firefighting authorities, saying they feel disrespected, undervalued and ignored despite their heroic efforts saving scores of homes during the state’s bushfire crisis.

Rural firefighters told a Royal Commission they were being used as “cheap labour” and delays in making crucial decisions led to small fires becoming destructive infernos.

Queensland’s 36,000 Rural Fire Service volunteers make up the backbone of the state’s bushfire response, but they believe their advice on the ground is being brushed aside as authorities value rank over local knowledge.

Ravensbourne And Perseverance Rural Fire Brigade volunteer Geoff Udy said there was a “total lack of respect” paid to rural fireys by QFES.

“It’s a shocking situation,” he said. “They value us about as much as they pay us; it’s a nasty cliche but it’s so true.”

Mr Udy believes QFES’S failure to heed the advice of local firefighters on how to contain the Pechey bushfire in November saw it escalate from a 1ha blaze into a destructive inferno.

A QFES spokesman disputed this, saying weather conditions influenced the spread and behaviour of the fire, which made it difficult to control.

“Specialist response equipment was promptly deployed to the fire at the request of Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteers,” he said. “Local RFS volunteers supported the operation of the fire at all levels.”

Ravensbourne And Perseverance Rural Fire Brigade First Officer Peter Ralph, who penned a frank submission to the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements, said despite decades spent fighting fires, his advice had been brushed aside.

“When it comes to local knowledge, the respect is just not there. I’ve been a volunteer for over 55 years and my advice or knowledge seems to be ignored,” he said.

“What we need is people on the ground with the knowledge of how to manage fires.”

The discontent isn’t isolated to his brigade, with other volunteers talking of a strained relationship with QFES.

“There is some tension there. There are systems in place that don’t favour volunteers,” a senior firefighter, who asked not to be identified, said.

“There is respect for volunteers but it’s not there in some places. It’s a cultural thing within the organisation.”

But QFES said it strongly believed volunteers were imperative to the success of the organisation and provided a vital emergency service.