|
A dispute that threatened the continuation of the Ivanhoe Bush Fire Brigade appears to have been averted. The Shire of Wyndham-East Kimberley stepped in after tempers became heated over the allocation of funds and resources. Members of the Ivanhoe Bush Fire Brigade were up in arms over the recent allocation of emergency service levy funds. Brigade president Howard Young said the Ivanhoe brigade attended more fires than all the other brigades put together. However, when the funds were distributed, Ivanhoe and Packsaddle brigades each got one refurbished appliance (valued at about $25,000 each). |
In addition Packsaddle was allocated $85,000 for a new fire station. In an urgently put together package, the Shire councillors were almost certain at Tuesday's council meeting, to approve the application to set aside areas for the building of fire stations at both Packsaddle and Ivanhoe. It would also call on FESA to equally distribute the $85,000 between the two brigades. At a meeting last week, members of the Ivanhoe brigade agreed that the basic differences between the brigades, FESA and the Shire should be resolved by the restructuring and better use of the Shire Bushfire Liaison Committee. |
This body should be made better representative of the brigades, having proportional representation. All allocation of funds, equipment, building of sheds, etc., should be assessed and approved by this local committee, first, thus resolving many of the problems that have caused the current discontent, It was also a requirement of the Ivanhoe members that the Shire chief fire officer should not also be an executive member of any of the brigades and that the holder of this position should work at arms length, equally, from all the brigades. Members also listed priorities in terms of equipment needs.
|