Many of the district’s NSW Rural Fire Service firefighters are virtually on ‘strike’ due to a dispute with management.
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The Volunteer Fire Fighters Association said they are refusing to attend fire calls in protest at the way some have allegedly been treated by local senior management.
The dispute has reportedly been ongoing for about two years, but has escalated in recent months.
It resulted in there being no NSW RFS assistance for the Deniliquin NSW Fire + Rescue Brigade when it was called to attend a house fire in Deniliquin on Friday morning.
The home was significantly damaged.
The NSW RFS has said, however, that “any suggestion that members did not attend due to an issue with management is incorrect”.
Volunteer Fire Fighters Association president Jon Russell told the Pastoral Times that the Deniliquin, Hill Plain and Wandook brigades all received requests.
Mr Russell said it was telling that there was “no interest shown” via RFS ACTIV activation system.
“The notification of a house fire came through at 7.28am, and from the Deniliquin brigade 11 responded and said ‘no’. Hill Plain, none, and at Wandook there were only two responses and they both said no.”
And Mr Russell said this is not the only time firefighters have withdrawn their services.
“On March 24, a 000 call to an MVA (motor vehicle accident) on the Cobb Highway/Exchange Rd, Mathoura – only two RFS members attended.
“On March 25 a 000 call to a structure/house alight at 294 Wakool Rd, Deniliquin – Fire + Rescue New South Wales attended with only one RFS member in a small tanker arriving at the end of extinguishment.
“On March 27 a 000 call to a car fire near Conargo Public School. Our records show no-one from the Conargo RFS brigade attended.
“On April 4 a 000 call at 7.28am to house alight at 74 Macauley St, Deniliquin – call went to Deniliquin, Hill Plain and Wandook RFS Brigades - FRNSW crews attended and extinguished the house.”
Speaking only to the incident in Macauley St on Friday morning, an RFS spokesperson said the lack of attendance was simply a matter of unavailability.
“RFS was requested by FRNSW to assist with a fire on Macauley St, as the incident was within their jurisdiction,” the spokesperson said.
“The local brigade was activated; however, due to work and other commitments, members were unavailable, so additional brigades from further afield were contacted to respond.
“FRNSW later confirmed they had the incident under control and no further assistance was needed.
“We want to assure the community that our members remain committed to responding to incidents wherever possible and continue to work closely with our partner emergency services to ensure public safety.”
Mr Russell said the reported dispute stems from the alleged manner in which volunteers have been treated, the suspension of a senior volunteer who raised concerns about the treatment, and an incident where a firefighter was reported to police for alleged theft which resulted in charges being withdrawn in court, but the firefighter removed from volunteer contact lists.
He said many are refusing to return to work until two senior staff in the region are removed.
“The volunteers of the Mid Murray have made it clear that until there are management changes the future for the Mid Murray is deeply concerning as the volunteers will not return.
“The issues of the RFS Mid Murray Zone have been brewing for a few years now, but after volunteers contacted our association mid-January, we attended a meeting at Mathoura on February 9 to hear their concerns.
“Members expressed their anger at how they are being treated and volunteers have withdrawn their services until it is resolved.
“We have met and spoken with many incredible Mid Murray local people who are so inspirational, yet sadly, they have resigned along with family members because of the actions of salaried staff of the RFS.”
Mr Russell said firefighters and the association have made NSW Member for Murray Helen Dalton aware of the situation.
Mr Russell has also secured a meeting between the association and the Minister for Emergency Services, which will take place “shortly”.
Deniliquin Fire + Rescue NSW Captain Martin Smith said the fire on Friday morning caused significant damage to the Macauley St home.
“Upon arrival there was a large amount of black smoke and flames from the bedroom at the front of the residence,” he said.
“The bedroom had extensive fire damage and, with fire extension into the roof space, the rest of the residence had minor fire damage and extensive smoke damage.”
Capt Smith said there were early fears someone might have been inside the home, due to a car being in the carport.
He said firefighters entered with breathing apparatus for a search and rescue effort.
Capt Smith confirmed no-one was inside.
Firefighters later spoke with the occupant of the home, who also confirmed he was the last person to leave the house before the fire.
The Deni brigade responded with two fire trucks and seven firefighters, with Finley’s FRNSW brigade providing five firefighters and another pumper.
NSW Ambulance Paramedics were on standby throughout the firefighting effort, and police provided traffic assistance.
Half the block, from the Poictiers St intersection toward Harfleur St, was closed to traffic.
Murray River Police District Chief Inspector Michael Fuller said the fire is “not being treated as suspicious”.