Ferguson report fails to fire up

Mr Ferguson's Special Inquiry, titled "Reframing Rural Fire Management", released last Thursday, at Harvey, contained 17 recommendations and generally pulled no punches.

But his expected main recommendation for the establishment of a separate rural fire service drew a collective sigh of disappointment from volunteer bush fire brigades.

In the recommendation, Mr Ferguson added, "or, alternatively, be established as a sub-department of DFES (Department of Fire and Emergency Services).

Despite Mr Ferguson's scathing attack that the current system for managing bushfires in WA is failing citizens and the government, he has been privately criticised for suggesting a rural fire service could become associated with DFES.

Some observers have seen the move as a compromise to the United Fire Fighters Union (UFFU) which is closely liaised with DFES.

Farm Weekly understands moves already are afoot to head off a UFFU lobby effort to the State Government to ensure a rural fire service entity is placed under DFES control.

Fire Commissioner Wayne Gregson has publicly echoed similar sentiments.

But Association of Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades of WA president David Gossage is adamant the State Government should consider a stand-alone rural fire service to reflect a complete cultural change.

"The recommendation should have stopped before 'or'," he said.

"What worries me is the State Government acceding to union requests.

"We want to work with the Premier and we want our voice heard and not be patronised.

"There cannot be any semblance of watering down a separate rural fire service which must have its own authority."

Mr Ferguson said in his recommendation of a separate rural fire service that it should have an independent budget, be able to employ staff, have a leadership structure which, to the greatest degree possible, is regionally based and runs the entity.

He said it also should be led by a chief officer who reported to the responsible minister on policy and administrative matters; and to the commissioner of Fire and Emergency Services during operational and emergency response.

He also added it should:

* Have responsibilities and powers relating to bushfire prevention, preparedness and response.

* Operate collaboratively with DFES, the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW), local government and volunteer bushfire brigades.

Mr Ferguson said there was a need for fundamental changes to the system of rural fire management in WA.

"Perhaps the most compelling support for fundamental change is the dramatic increase in the number and impact of damaging and costly bushfires over the last six years in Western Australia," he said in the report.

Mr Ferguson also said there was a compelling argument for a readjustment of government expenditure away from fire response and recovery towards a greater investment in prevention and fuel hazard management.

He said fuel reduction targets on public land had not been met in the past 12 years.

Liberal MP Murray Cowper said he had already submitted to Premier Colin Barnett that any new entity should be called the Regional and Country Fire Service to embrace all areas of WA specifically to assist communities.

"It's all about local knowledge and local people to be in control (of fighting bushfires)," he said.

Mr Cowper said Mr Ferguson's recommendation option of setting up a separate entity as a sub-department of DFES was not an option "at this stage".

"Maybe in the future it could be brought into a family arrangement but right now, in the short term, we need a separate service for the bush and I believe the government has to follow Mr Ferguson's recommendations," he said.

When asked why an option was made in the recommendation of a separate fire service, Mr Cowper said he suspected it was a compromise inclusion "by somebody".

South West MLC Nigel Hallett said the current system, characterised by 'top-down' autocratic management was simply not working.

"I believe the Ferguson Report will be a catalyst for change and as an interim measure I'm calling on Mr Barnett to re-direct DFES funds to local shires and in conjunction with local volunteers, assume control of fire fighting services within their municipalities," he said.

"As a matter of urgency, legislation to allow fire fighting brigades to move machinery, vehicles and equipment onto Crown land must be addressed before this coming fire season.

"I am confident a more 'grass roots' approach will restore faith in our fire fighting capabilities and empower local residents to protect their own properties and that of their immediate neighbours."

At last Thursday's meeting to publicly announce the Ferguson report, Mr Barnett said the report had been frank and honest and he said the government would make a formal response to the report after hearing public submissions.

Mr Ferguson gave a detailed explanation of many issues raised in the report and stayed with local residents after the meeting to hear their concerns and answer specific questions addressing the fires at Waroona and Yarloop.