Volunteers fear FESA power grab
Volunteer firefighters have lashed out at suggestions the Fire and Emergency Services Authority should take the lead in battling bushfires.
They say giving the job to one city-based agency is "dangerous and not supported".
Association of Volunteer Bush Fire Brigades president Terry Hunter said the group was "outraged at the continual political rhetoric" from the United Firefighters Union and FESA.
The career firefighters' union wants the Department of Environment and Conservation stripped of its bushfire response role and for emergency firefighting to be overseen by one agency.
FESA chief executive Wayne Gregson refused to endorse the stance but said FESA was ready to take on greater responsibility if required.
DEC's fire role has been in the spotlight since a prescribed burn escaped and destroyed more than 40 properties late last year.
Former Federal Police chief Mick Keelty's recently completed report into the blaze has not yet been released.
Mr Hunter said the DEC had "far more experience and depth" in dealing with bushfires and his association was "extremely concerned that the State would be exposed by giving control to a city-centric, urban-based firefighting organisation". Centralised control was also not in the interest of community volunteers.
