Firefighters make a united stand

Greater Bunbury volunteer and career firefighters agree there is no animosity between them following comments made in a national career firefighters’ magazine.

The Australian Firefighter Summer 2013 magazine featured an article suggesting emergency services volunteers were not up to operational standard and could potentially be a risk to career personnel.

Volunteer and career firefighters in Bunbury and Eaton-Australind said there was a long-standing positive relationship between the region’s emergency responders.

Eaton-Australind volunteer fire and rescue service Capt. Matt Stoltenbarg said volunteers received fantastic training and support from the Bunbury career fire and rescue service.

“The support we get in our region is second to none,” he said.

“It’s the training from them, the professionalism and our common goal to protect life and property that bonds us.”

Bunbury career fire and rescue station officer Larry Friend said there had always been a good relationship between the region’s emergency services volunteers.

“We’d like to keep it that way,” he said.

Capt. Stoltenbarg said the positive relationship was a result of years of hard work and communication. Bunbury volunteer fire and rescue service Capt. Terri Kowal said emergency service responders — career and volunteer — took their jobs seriously.

“The comments in the article are putting everyone in one basket, which isn’t fair,” she said.

“Volunteers give up a heck of a lot of time to train throughout the year.

Capt. Kowal said fires happened about six months a year but the brigade maintained vehicles and equipment and trained all year round.

“All our emergency services responders have a mutual respect and know each others capabilities,” she said.