They are unsung heroes - South Australia's 15,000 CFS firefighters who put their lives on the line at a moment's notice. But, as DAVID NANKERVIS reports, they're facing a serious new challenge.
THESE are stressful times for the men and women of the Country Fire Service.Now more than ever in its 70-year history, the organisation – and its army of 15,000 volunteers – is under siege.
It is fighting internal spot fires on several fronts all of which have contributed to a significant thinning of the ranks.
A decade ago there were 18,000 members but a shrinking and ageing rural population, combined with apathy, have been blamed for the reduced ranks.
And fingerpointing in the wake of the tragic Eyre Peninsula bushfires 13 months ago hasn't helped the CFS's image or volunteers' morale.
For three months, South Australians have watched as the organisation has come under intense scrutiny for its handling of the Black Tuesday blazes which claimed nine lives, including four children.
A coronial inquest being held in Port Lincoln has laid bare the level of dissatisfaction – and even anger – volunteers have for the hierarchy back in Adelaide.
It has cast a shadow over the CFS at a time when it so desperately needs to boost its diminishing stocks.
From his office at CFS headquarters in Waymouth St, deputy chief officer Andrew Lawson concedes the very public blood-letting is hurting volunteer morale.
"We are continually seeing and hearing the service being criticised and that is having an impact on morale," he says.
"That's not to say we aren't prepared to be scrutinised and co-operate fully (with the inquest) but we are acutely aware what impact this is having on our volunteers."
This blow to morale has reverberated among volunteers, SA Volunteer Fire Brigades Association executive officer Wendy Shirley said.
"Volunteers from around the state are looking very closely at this (inquest) because of its negative impact on the service's reputation," she said.
"When individuals are questioned about their actions it can have a detrimental effect, as we're seeing in those communities on the Eyre Peninsula affected by the fire.
"Some people are even saying 'if this (criticism) is going to happen I won't volunteer for the CFS'."
Mrs Shirley said some volunteers were now only prepared to take orders and not give them while fighting fires to avoid possible recriminations.
For Jim Mitchell, the daily stress on volunteers is being compounded by increased responsibilities and declining recruitment. "These days we not only respond to fires, we also have to deal with chemical spills, road accidents, search and rescue, flooding and even rescuing animals from up a tree," the 52-year-old Angaston CFS group officer said.
"Since I joined in 1974 I've fought thousands of fires, attended around dozens of road fatalities and lost count of how many unpaid hours I've put in."
Mr Mitchell, a farmer, said his devotion to the CFS was a "labour of love" – a view typical of firefighters in the state's 428 brigades.
And it is this affection which heightens Mr Mitchell's concerns for the organisation's future.
"I'm very worried – in 10 years' time there will be a huge gap to fill in volunteer ranks," he said.
"Some people do take us for granted and others think we are paid professionals but when they need help after a car accident or during a fire they are extremely grateful we're there."
BUT Mr Mitchell said it took a special breed of person to be a volunteer firefighter – always being on call, having to sacrifice time with family and knowing how to deal with grief.
"Sometimes you will see a volunteer's face turning white at a car crash scene and that's when you step in and try to distract their attention," he said.
"Tasks like this can put a lot of stress on an individual but because we're a team and because we've been through so much we can pull together and get on with the job."
His own team (pictured right) has fought more than 3000 bushfires, helped at 1000 road accidents and carried out 186 search and rescue operations in and around the Barossa Valley since 1941.
And, Mr Mitchell said, they put their lives on the line bound by mateship and love of their community – not for pay or praise.
Thirteen CFS volunteers have died fighting fires in the past 25 years – three on Ash Wednesday on February 16, 1982, and two on Black Friday.
This compares to 13 police officers killed in the line of duty over the same period.
Mr Lawson said the CFS had a blueprint for the future of the service to reign in dwindling membership.
Recognising the need to address the problems resulting from a shortfall of volunteers, the CFS will hold a summit involving about 200 representatives from all CFS ranks in Adelaide in June to discuss ways to reform and rejuvenate the organisation.
"We must encourage more people to join the CFS to maintain present numbers and meet the growing demands on our services," Mr Lawson said.
"The consequences of not achieving this is not worth contemplating and unless we start planning now we'll be behind the eight-ball," he said.
Under the plan volunteers at some brigades would no longer be on call but placed on a roster to make their CFS commitments less demanding and encourage more people with limited time to volunteer to join the service.
There were also plans for increased recruitment of auxiliary volunteers who would operate radios and help with administration to free-up experienced fire fighters for frontline action.
Mr Lawson said more women would be encouraged to volunteer to help achieve this aim – a move welcomed by Angaston brigade member Wendy Rosenzweig.
Although a trained firefighter, Mrs Rosenzweig operates the radio to keep the trucks aware of conditions as they unfold.
"Women can do anything – planning fire fighting strategy, administration, working the radios, providing food and water for the crews as well as fire fighting." the mother of two said.
"I speak to a lot of women about joining but some say they wouldn't be good enough to meet the same standard as the boys.
"But at the end of the day we are all volunteers with something to offer."
A bloody disgrace
