ANT Martin wants to be absolutely clear: his “beef” isn’t with the hard-working volunteers, it is with the NSW Rural Fire Service’s hierarchy.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Cassilis local, who lost 7000 acres himself, believes the approach to emergency situations needs to change.
His disappointment with the “powers that be” comes after the Sir Ivan Bushfire burned more than 50,000 hectares and destroyed over 30 homes.
“There were 20 trucks sitting there in Cassilis – all of them would’ve liked to go out and save their district but were forbidden to do so,” he claims.
“Whenever anyone criticises the RFS, it’s seen as criticising those who have no say.
“The blame shoots back to them, as they [the volunteers] are seen as the RFS.
“We do not want to blame people who were waiting in trucks, it’s not their fault.”
Mr Martin argues that a high level of bureaucracy is hindering efforts from the local community to save their towns.
“I think it’s very disturbing that a decision was made on the Leadville fire from Coonabarabran,” he says.
“They’ve got this great big bureaucracy that goes way up, and volunteer firefighters are hamstrung unless they defy orders.
“I’m going to try and draw up a submission for the Premier [Gladys Berejiklian] because I think they need a strike team.
“They aren’t a strike team if they don’t strike, they are a ‘mop up’ team.
“It’s crazy to have all that gear and trucks just sitting there, and they didn’t even put them in a position where they could see what was going on.
“It’ll happen again, it’s a nation-wide problem.
“They have to go back to grassroots and let the locals help. I believe they need people who are dedicated farmers or know the terrain.”
During a specially-convened public meeting at Cassilis Community Hall on Sunday, NSW RFS Inspector Tim Butcher told residents he would take their concerns on board and even offered to meet them again in a couple of months.