SA Government backs down on changes to emergency services leadership
The South Australian Government has backed down on some of its proposed changes to the state's emergency services agencies.
Emergency Services Minister Tony Piccolo said he is no longer planning to axe the heads of the Country Fire Service, Metropolitan Fire Service and the State Emergency Service in a planned merger of the departments.
He had proposed replacing them with one commissioner in an effort to reduce duplication of services.
The proposal drew extensive protests by volunteers who said it would damage the system's efficiency.
"I'm hoping that people will see that I'm genuine in my efforts to make sure we are working together," Mr Piccolo said.
"It's always been a work in progress, so as information comes forward, as I get feedback, I'm happy to modify the proposal to get the same outcome."
Mr Piccolo said he still planned to appoint a new commissioner to oversee the three chief executives and the administration of the sector.
SES Volunteers' Association chairman Warren Hicks said a conversation with Mr Piccolo revealed that the minister had "changed tack slightly".
"He's actually going to slow the process down a little bit," he said.
"Rather than having the commissioner in place by the end of March, he's actually saying it might not be in place by about August.
"They'll just look after the system as it is, and they will restructure some of the jobs in the sector."
