MY SAY - A KILLER ON EVERY CORNER - My Emergency Services

Arsonists - a cancer in our community

Last night was a restless night for many, including my family.

This followed the highest recorded daily temperature in Melbourne in history - 46 degrees celsius plus, with a mini "cyclone" where sheds in the locality were ripped apart and metal pieces flung up to 200 metres away, wrapped around power lines like a bizarre bow tie.

Although a distance away from the worst of the fires on the urban/rural fringe of Northern Melbourne, it was hot, we were without power and the smell of wafting smoke from the hills filled the air.

On awakening this morning, media reports confirmed the news that most emergency services workers dread - 26 people deceased with the likelihood that this figure will rise as fire ravaged areas are able to be accessed and line searches of houses and roads begin to confirm the safety or otherwise of people.

This morning the Prime Minister, Mr. Kevin Rudd, offered national assistance in the circumstances of this "natural disaster".

This is not a natural disaster, Mr. Rudd.

And the Premier of Victoria, Mr. John Brumby, advised in a radio interview that their were 400 fires in Victoria yesterday.

400 fires! This is not acceptable.

Bushfires are only ever caused by one of two things - lightning and people.

Lightning is a powerful demonstration of the forces of nature and its ferocity and likely striking point is very difficult to predict. Fires started as a result of lightning can take some days to be detected as often strikes are in dense canopy forest, often in inaccessible country.

Sometimes the cause of a fire by people is a result of carelessness or stupidity, perhaps a combination of both.

Other times it is a wilful act by a person or persons with no regard for human life and property. And I include in this category those who throw cigarette butts from moving vehicles without regard to the environment in which they travelling.

It is difficult to comprehend the motives of those who partake in the act of willingly lighting fires, particularly given the dreadful outcomes on the lives of other hunam beings, property and stock.

The community must voice their rejection of this type of behaviour and demand that those brought to justice for such crimes are charged with murder.

I am not one to normally subscribe to the "eye for an eye. tooth for a tooth" method of justice.

In the case of arson I may make an exception.

It may be fitting to compel a convicted arsonist to be tied to a stake in the middle of a fully cured paddock full of grass, or in the midst of a tinder dry forest, to experience first hand the terror of fire.

Perhaps this is an extreme punishment.

Perhaps not.

The community must provide a voice for those that are victims of bushfire and now have no voice.

And the community voice must bellow to our judicial system that we, as a community, will not tolerate the actions of arsonists.

8 February 2009

Postscript - today the toll has been confirmed as 173 dead, with an expectation that this figure will rise. The Premier, Mr. John Brumby, has announced a Royal Commission into all aspects of these fires.

Let us hope that the Royal Commission is an open, honest and transparent hearing aimed at documenting lessons to be learnt for future fire preparedness and response.

Let us hope that the Royal Commission does not trigger a blame game between fire prevention and suppresssion authorities, emergency services, government municipalities and communities.

10 February 2009

The Road Toll
Having spent some 24 years in a fire service as a volunteer, it comes as no surprise to see vision of twisted pieces of metal wrapped around a pole, or strewn along a stretch of road.

Every time the pager and/or siren sounded to attend a car accident thoughts always raced through the mind - how many people, how many vehicles, how many dead?

Some people live, others die - a part of the lottery of life.

What is certain is that many of these so called "road accidents" are avoidable.

And those with a ticket in this lottery in many cases seal their own fate through abuse of alcohol, drugs or speed whilst attempting to "control" a motor vehicle.

Let's face it, "accidents" are a result of a loss of "control" of a lethal weapon that most people have at least one of in their lives - a motor car or motorcycle.

The results of motor vehicle/motorcycle accidents can claim the life of loved ones and scar their families, friends and relatives for months, years or life. Similarly for those seriously injured the road to recovery can be brutal for all associates of a victim.

And emergency services workers can all be affected too - ambulance, police, fire and state emergency services officers can all be affected by such "accidents", particularly over a long period of time. In this day and age a variety of counselling services are available to assist in talking through trauma.

But make no mistake - emergency services workers may mask their memories well but like I you never forget those that survive and those that do not.

Created on 04/15/2007 12:08 AM by mesadm
Updated on 04/24/2010 11:39 AM by mesadm