Bureaucratic power trip burns brigades
I’M adding my voice to the others disgusted with the “takeover” of the Rural Fire Brigade (RFB) by state dictate.
I am another of those now “warned off” RFB property and assets, which are now actually Queensland Fire and Emergency Services assets.
I refused to submit to their “child safety” scam. I have been a chief fire warden, RFB officer, chair of a RFB committee; at one stage I even purchased a “heavy attack” fire appliance for use by the local community (and to carry water to the police station) after the government declined such support for the local RFB.
I am currently a JP, and also required to have regularly criminal history checks, as a result of licences I hold (which is logical, to some extent, given the nature of my work – being regularly charged by the government for the “privilege” of proving I have no criminal history isn’t, though; they “own” the information).
I am disgusted at the move from the state government supporting local communities, and their brigades, to making this a state asset, with unpaid public servants (RFB personnel). As with all things public servant it has squishy, top heavy, management, from South East Queensland, who seek control, and to build an ‘empire’.
The government wants “free” “professional” firefighters?
They seek to impose their “rules” on “us”, as usual.
In a rural community everyone knows everyone, the “Rural Fire Brigade” is a loose collection of people, both residents and primary producers, who come together to fight fires.
The government now wishes to create their brand of “little Hitlers” on a power trip, the “professional volunteer”, and the new breed of “inspector”.
I have seen this, in a small way, previously, when “professional volunteers”, from elsewhere, placed local people at risk through bad decisions because they didn’t know the country or the people.
The madness of discarding people based on previous convictions involving violence, when the biggest risk to rural fire brigades is economic, is just another symbol of the madness.
They don’t appear to have excluded people based on a history of dishonesty, theft, or fraud.
I have been in small brigades where some people have had serious criminal histories; that didn’t stop them fighting a fire, along with everyone else (I was the local cop, so knew about some crim histories).
I am aware the “child safety” card scam fails, because it relies on “previous convictions” and as weekly media disclosures show, people who pass these card conditions are found to be paedophiles, and serious offenders (this has included police, and emergency services personnel). Of course we cannot be told who many offenders are, as their identity is protected!
Perhaps, if the government was really concerned about our welfare, and the welfare of our children, they would remove the impediments created by the Privacy Act, and the Child Protection Act (cannot disclose identity offender under 18 years), so we could actually be made aware of the criminals in our midst.
I suspect this would go against the politicians’ ideological need to hide criminal activity, especially involving their family, and friends.
So, sadly, many years of service to the local community, of assisting local people, becomes a thing of the past, as community service (RFB), locally owned and fundraised assets, becomes engulfed by “state asset” public servant, “empire building”, considerations.
My ability to assist my local community has been removed by the totalitarian need for control, by a government system based 1600 odd kilometres away.
CHRIS EASTAUGHFFE, Former member RFB Woodstock.
OPPORTUNITY VALUED
WELL spotted, Barry Davies (Questions hang over letters, TB 31/8).
While I am grey, I am not as nomadic as I would like to be.
I look forward to the day when I can revisit Queensland’s many unique natural wonders. While I do belong to Lighter Footprints, my opinions are my own, which is why I sign my name to the letters.
I am a member of other organisations too, as many people are. I am proud to be a member of my local community group which is in its 15th year and, as in many voluntary organisations around Australia, we work hard to protect our natural world which is under threat.
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Annastacia Palaszczuk is unbelievable. Tuesday in no uncertain terms she says she will let Queenslanders return and quarantine in hotels when it’s safe to do so. Wednesday after a barrage of warranted criticism about allowing cricket/football players and families to move straight in, she does a massive backfip, saying as the hotels empty she allows the Queenslanders in. Which is it Annastacia? RON KELSO.
I had a chuckle today reading an armchair expert’s ideas about traffic lights. Obviously ignorant of the how and why traffic lights operate the way they do. TCC and TMR control traffic lights in all cities across Qld. GPSOUTH
We hear from the NSW premier daily but nothing from our premier of Qld. Is she afraid of the people who put her in charge of Qld or is she in hiding so she doesn’t have to face the people of Qld. MPEPPER RANGEWOOD 4817
I’ve often wondered when a person is caught dealing drugs and arrested why is it that they get a suspended sentence to help with rehabilitation but nothing seems to be reported about their supplier. Shouldn’t the magistrates give the person being charged an ultimatum tell us who your supplier is or you stay behind bars . We never hear about the big wigs of the drug dealing industry. BLU KIRWAN
Why doesn’t Les Walker patrol the streets at night, with his boxing gloves on, as this might help to
control the crime rate that’s out of control. SUE 4812
Mal of Mundingburra, if you read the report correctly you will find the receptionist was not at the door of the Covid ward but 15 metres down corridor and well away from the door of the Covid ward, just need to get it right. WASSA 4850
Lockdowns and border shutting will
remain normal procedure in Western Australia and Queensland regardless. The Queensland Premier has nothing in her arsenal for Queenslanders but the fear of coronavirus, the Premier of Western Australia can’t afford a outbreak as the health system is so run down, the hospital system couldn’t handle it. REB KELSO
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