Following reports last week the Bairnsdale Country Fire Authority (CFA) office may be temporarily closed and have phones diverted to other regions for some periods over the next few weeks, Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull said he was pleased the matter was resolved and the office would now be open and calls taken locally.
“I did not think it was good enough that on the cusp of summer, a person could turn up and potentially find the doors closed, or have phones diverted to another region in the first instance.
I met with local staff and was pleased to hear the matter has been rectified,” he said.
“The advice I received at the time from multiple sources and which was widely reported, suggested the cause was around the secondment agreement between Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) and the CFA.
“However, while this is problematic in other areas of the state, it is not the case in Bairnsdale.
“In fact here we have a full complement of FRV staff supporting local brigades, so in that regard we are well served, and in fact better off than most areas.
“The problems at Bairnsdale were around other staffing issues, but as I said last week, the reasons were irrelevant, it was simply about having the place open.
“It was not a reflection on local staff, who do a great job, it was around how those further up the hierarchy could allow this to occur – but I am pleased it is fixed.”
Mr Bull said he remained aggrieved that local DEECA office in Bairnsdale was closed every Friday and after 3pm on other days.
“At this time of the year it is nothing short of disgraceful,” he said.
“I also remain concerned about the summer ahead and the lack of fuel reduction burning that has been done. As I have said many times before, it can only end one way.”
