By Mitchell Clarke
The State Opposition has launched an online consultation forum for CFA volunteers, as part of their grand plans to “rebuild” the organisation.
Narracan MP Gary Blackwood joined shadow Emergency Services Minister Nick Wakeling on Wednesday 30 September to begin conversations with local brigades.
The consultation process will seek direct input from local members and volunteers as to how the organisation can be improved.
According to the opposition, the rebuild plan will introduce legislation to restore the CFA’s power to select, recruit and manage its own staff and wear the CFA uniform. The legislation is also set to enhance the organisation’s powers and responsibilities for the ongoing delivery of fire services in current CFA areas.
Pakenham’s firefighting identity changed at the start of July, as the brigade’s career firefighters began operating under the Pakenham Fire Rescue Victoria Station 93.
Under new legislation, the State Government removed the Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) to make way for the new service, which covers existing boundaries and serves metropolitan Melbourne, outer urban areas and larger regional centres including Pakenham, Cranbourne and Dandenong.
But the opposition claim that move “undermined” the CFA as an independent, volunteer-based firefighting service.
“We are deeply concerned that over recent years thousands of CFA volunteers have left the service since Labor started this war against the CFA,” Mr Blackwood said.
“Local lives, homes and businesses are at stake if we let our local CFA community crumble apart … that’s why the Michael O’Brien-led Victorian Liberal team have a plan to ‘Rebuild the CFA’ right across Victoria.”
The Pakenham CFA first became an integrated brigade in 2014, when it changed its classification to welcome the inclusion of career firefighters to serve alongside volunteers.
Since then, 30 career firefighters and officers have manned the Princes Highway station 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
To have your say: https://www.rebuildthecfa.com.au/.
