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How a team of hungry GOATS is helping to fight fires

<p>After the devastating bushfires that ravaged Australia in 2019 and 2020, the RFS is looking to unusual method to prevent history from repeating. </p> <p>A new tactic adopted by the Rural Fire Service has been to put some furry friends to good use by doing what they do best: eating! </p> <p>Hungry goats have been given the job of protecting towns that have been identified as an extreme bushfire risk this summer by grazing on all the grass and shrubs. </p> <p>A herd of bucks and billies have been placed at <span>Clandulla village near Mudgee in NSW's Central West, after being loaned to the area by two local farmers. </span></p> <p><span>They will be grazing on the land in Clandulla for the next two months, eating their way through the foliage that poses a fire risk.</span></p> <p><span>"Goats will eat up shrubs, small tree saplings and eat woody weeds some of your other animals won't," farmer Michael Blewitt said.</span></p> <p><span>While this </span>unique method of containing fires is a first for Australia, the tactic has been used and proven to work in the US, Spain and Portugal. </p> <p><span>These goats are expected to clear more than two hectares over the next three weeks, creating a buffer zone to the village of 200 people.</span></p> <p><span>While back burning is an efficient way of clearing fire hazards, it is often dependant on weather conditions, where </span>goats are happy to clear away grass, shrubs and bushes in rain, hail or shine. </p> <p><em>Image credit: Shutterstock</em></p>

Travel Trouble

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Volunteer firefighter behind bars after deliberately lighting fires

<p>A volunteer firefighter has been arrested over allegedly lighting more than 30 grass fires this summer, in NSW's south-west.</p> <p>The 30-year-old man was arrested at a property in Whitton, 40km south of Griffith, on Friday.</p> <p>The arrest comes after detectives gathered a specialised strike force team to investigate the suspicious fires that have been occurring in the Whittington area since November, 2020z</p> <p>Police officers raided the man's home and seized a number of items of interest for more information.</p> <p>The man is currently serving as a volunteer with the NSW Rural Fire Service.</p> <p>He has since been charged with five counts of intentionally causing a fire, along with being reckless as to its spread.</p> <p>He appeared at Wagga Wagga Bail Court on Saturday, where he was remanded in custody to appear at Wagga Wagga Local Court on January 27.</p>

Legal

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NSW RFS reveals how the $51 million raised by Celeste Barber will be spent

<p>Almost one year and a legal battle later, the $51 million in bushfire donations raised by Comedian Celeste Barber is being spent.</p> <p>Barber's fundraiser garnered attention from all over the world with people donating in droves for last year's Black Summer bushfire crisis.</p> <p>But the cause soon sparked controversy when it was revealed the funds could only be spent by the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Trust, which Barber had chosen as the benefactor, rather than shared with charities and victims.</p> <p>The RFS went to the NSW Supreme Court to see if they could distribute the donations to other groups, but a judge declared the money could only go to them.</p> <p>Now they have revealed how the plan on spending the money.</p> <p>Speaking to Sunrise, inspector Ben Shepherd revealed the RFS asked its thousands of volunteers on what the service should do with the millions.</p> <p>“That money was donated to our firefighters, we had to ask them where they wanted to spend it, because ultimately that money is theirs,” he explained.</p> <p>“There’s a number of different projects the money is being funnelled into.”</p> <p>He said $30 million would be spent on new hi-tech equipment, including state-of-the-art helmets and tracking devices.</p> <p>And another $20 million has been distributed among brigades across the state for "station enhancements" and upgrades.</p> <p>A separate $10 million is being kept in a "benevolent fund" for firefighters who were injured and families of heroes killed in the line of duty.</p> <p>Shepherd said he wanted generous Australians to have “confidence” the RFS was spending the funds correctly.</p> <p>“It’s ultimately the firies determining how it’s going to be spent, because the money was donated to them,” he said.</p>

Money & Banking

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Celeste Barber responds to Supreme Court ruling on $51m bushfire donations

<p>Comedian Celeste Barber has responded to a Supreme Court ruling that millions of dollars raised in her bushfire appeal cannot be split for charities she was trying to support.</p> <p>Barber’s bushfire fundraiser raked in $51.3 million in January, rising past her initial target of $30,000 to become Facebook’s largest-ever charity drive.</p> <p>She directed the appeal towards NSW Rural Fire Service and Brigades Donation Fund, but many donors expected the money to go to victims and other charities such as the Australian Red Cross and WIRES.</p> <p>The NSW Supreme Court ruled on Monday that the donations could not go towards other charities or interstate rural fire services.</p> <p>“Some donors may have intended or hoped that the money they donated would be used for purposes beyond those which the court has advised are permissible,” said NSW Supreme Court Justice Michael Slattery.</p> <p>But he said honouring those wishes would violate the law around how trusts operate.</p> <p>Justice Slattery ruled the money could be given to families of fallen firefighters and used for trauma counselling as well as equipment, training and administrative costs. But it could not be diverted towards other fire services, animal welfare groups and other causes.</p> <p>Barber addressed the ruling in a statement on social media. “I had hoped, because it was such a big and ‘unprecedented’ amount, that it could have been distributed to other states and charities,” she wrote.</p> <p>“Turns out that studying acting at university does not make me a lawmaker.</p> <p>“So the money will be in the very capable, very grateful hands of the NSW RFS.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">An update <a href="https://t.co/OtfV1G3iR1">pic.twitter.com/OtfV1G3iR1</a></p> — Celeste barber (@celestebarber_) <a href="https://twitter.com/celestebarber_/status/1264831815782563840?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 25, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>She thanked the donors “from all walks of life that heard us and helped us, whether it was a hand full of gold coins or a big fat cheque”.</p> <p>NSW RFS Commissioner Rob Rogers said he was grateful for Barber’s fundraising efforts and would make sure the money was put to good use.</p> <p>“We’re going to be very transparent and actually say exactly what every dollar has been spent on,” he told <em><a href="https://7news.com.au/sunrise/on-the-show/nsw-rural-fire-service-reveals-what-it-will-do-with-celeste-barbers-bushfire-millions-c-1059079">Sunrise</a></em>.</p> <p>“There will be no secrets and there will be no administrative costs taken from this money.”</p> <p>Rogers also told <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-25/celeste-barber-bushfire-fundraiser-money-only-for-rfs/12282016">ABC Radio Sydney</a> there was “no animosity” between the RFS and Barber’s team, which he was in contact with regularly.</p>

Legal

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“Farewell and thank you”: Fire chief Shane Fitzsimmons steps down

<p>Celebrated NSW Rural Fire Service boss Shane Fitzsimmons has stepped down from his role after 12 years at the helm of the firefighting agency.</p> <p>Fitzsimmons was saluted and applauded at the NSW RFS headquarters on Thursday as he left the service to take up a new role as commissioner of government disaster agency Resilience NSW.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Farewell and thank you, Shane Fitzsimmons. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nswrfs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#nswrfs</a> <a href="https://t.co/KJkyPuUgcS">pic.twitter.com/KJkyPuUgcS</a></p> — NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) <a href="https://twitter.com/NSWRFS/status/1255750053756452864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>The outgoing fire chief has been widely praised for his leadership during the recent bushfire season, where <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/apr/06/nsw-rural-fire-service-boss-shane-fitzsimmons-steps-down-to-lead-new-crisis-agency" target="_blank">more than 5.5 million hectares of the state were razed</a>.</p> <p>Fitzsimmons said he was meant to start his new role last year but “didn’t feel right” leaving just as the summer’s fires began.</p> <p>“I said, ‘it doesn’t feel right to leave now, this season is shaping up to be difficult’,” he told Deborah Knight on <a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/nsw-rfs-commissioner-shane-fitzsimmons-delayed-new-role-horror-bushfire-season/5494c607-4c78-4cac-9028-dc163bbb4d73">2GB</a>.</p> <p>“So I reached an agreement with the government to stay until the end of the fire season.”</p> <p>Rob Rogers will take over as the new head of the fire service after 40 years as an RFS member and nine years as deputy commissioner.</p> <p>“I have every confidence Commissioner Rob Rogers and all the team will be as prepared as they can be, whatever the season presents as we head into 2021,” Fitzsimmons said.</p> <p>“Please don’t be complacent. Focus on understanding and accepting your level of risk.</p> <p>“But, most importantly, do something about that risk.</p> <p>“Having a bushfire survival plan, preparing your home, preparing your property, preparing your loved ones.”</p> <p>The NSW RFS said Fitzsimmons’ departure was “the end of an era”.</p> <p>“He has seen us, and the community, through some of the toughest conditions and experiences ever. We say ‘thank you’, Shane.”</p> <p>NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian the state “owes a huge debt of gratitude” to Fitzsimmons as “one of the true heroes of NSW”.</p> <p>“Thanks so much to you and your team on behalf of the people of NSW for everything you have done to keep us safe during the most horrible bushfire season,” she said.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">NSW owes a huge debt of gratitude to <a href="https://twitter.com/RFSCommissioner?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RFSCommissioner</a> After 12 years at the helm of the <a href="https://twitter.com/NSWRFS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NSWRFS</a> this is his last day in uniform. Thanks so much to you &amp; your team on behalf of the people of NSW for everything you have done to keep us safe during the most horrible bushfire season. <a href="https://t.co/lAzrDbaR8A">pic.twitter.com/lAzrDbaR8A</a></p> — Gladys Berejiklian (@GladysB) <a href="https://twitter.com/GladysB/status/1255715466581950464?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>Fitzsimmons begins his new role on Friday. He had reportedly been receiving briefings about recovery work for fire- and drought-affected communities as well as “<a href="https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/rfs-boss-shane-fitzsimmons-steps-into-new-role-in-disaster-recovery/news-story/3856442522fb551fc7013689cb441c35">the initiatives and programs anticipating the release of restrictions</a>” as the state continues to deal with COVID-19 pandemic.</p>

Retirement Life

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The one comfort Shane Fitzsimmons has in the middle of devastating bushfires

<p>For NSW RFS boss Shane Fitzsimmons, the last few months have been a trying and exhausting time – but there has been one source of comfort he has found.</p> <p>While appearing on Studio 10, the RFS NSW Commissioner emotionally admitted in his moments of struggle, he has had “three wonderful women” in his life who keep his emotions at bay and strength unwavering.</p> <p>"In those darkest of moments... ringing my wife is one of the most important things I do, shedding a few tears here and there, and talking through what is happening," he told the panel.</p> <p>"My family keeps me very, very grounded. My wife is an absolute rock, and my daughters."</p> <p>“I’m blessed to have three wonderful women in my life at home.”</p> <p>Fitzsimmons, who met his wife Lisa back when he was just a volunteer with RFS and Lisa’s father was a local fire control officer, said there were few challenges back then for the pair.</p> <p>"I remember there were a few challenges, when she would say to her parents, 'I'm never getting involved with anyone in this bloody organisation'!'" Fitzsimmons joked.</p> <p>"They do remind her about that now."</p> <p>The RFS is in Fitzsimmons' blood -- he followed in his father's footsteps, joining as a volunteer at 15.</p> <p>"I've effectively grown up in the organisation, which is why I love it so much," he said.</p> <p>Tragically, in June 2000 Fitzsimmons' father George and three other firefighters were killed during a hazard reduction burn in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.</p> <p>The horrific situation left him considering whether he should step back from his duties, however the tragedy he says, helped ground his resolve to defend the RFS record on reduction burning, and insists the strategy is “complicated”.</p> <p>"Hazard reductions are not without risk, and not without consequences. I am very dismissive of people that say we should just go out there and light up the bush, because it’s a load of rubbish," he told the panel. </p> <p>"There are very real risks for those who are executing the burning strategy, but there are also implications."</p> <p>"I did think for a while, that if something like that could happen to my dad with all of those decades of experience, that I've got to give this game away," he said.</p> <p>"But that thought didn't last long. I'm a big believer in [the fact that] you can have everyone on the sideline pontificating about what should happen, but if you want to see change, you have to be part of the process."</p> <p>Fitzsimmons said the RFS has been working on issues around science and climate change in its business cases and planning for many years.</p>

Relationships

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“Ball of flames”: Firefighter’s distress call after watching waterbomber plane crash

<p>An audio clip has emerged of a ground staff member calling for help following the crash of an aerial water tanker in southern NSW.</p> <p>In the distress call aired on the <em>Today</em> show, the staff could be heard calling the Rural Fire Service (RFS) command after witnessing the plane plummet in Eurobodalla on Thursday afternoon.</p> <p>“Fire comms… message red, speak to your captain. Message this is red,” the person could be heard saying.</p> <p>“Yeah fire comms... It's just a ball of flames... over.”</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Three fire fighters have tragically been killed, their water-bombing aircraft crashing in New South Wales. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/9Today?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#9Today</a> <a href="https://t.co/F2dprzAU0H">pic.twitter.com/F2dprzAU0H</a></p> — The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheTodayShow/status/1220416053613879296?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2020</a></blockquote> <p>All three US aerial firefighting specialists on the Lockheed C-130 Hercules tanker died in the incident. The plane was fighting the Clyde Mountain fire when it crashed to the ground and exploded in a “large fireball”, NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said.</p> <p>“Three remarkable men, coming down here to Australia once again this season, helping us to save and protect people but tragically this year, they won’t be going home to the United States,” said Commissioner Fitzsimmons.</p> <p>The Commissioner said while the aircraft’s explosion was “absolutely a loss to the aviation capabilities”, the RFS could “adapt and accommodate the loss of [this asset] as we have a number of others operating in NSW”.</p> <p>Investigators from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) are set to visit the crash site to collect evidence.</p> <p>“Should a critical safety issue be identified during the course of the investigation, the ATSB will immediately notify relevant stakeholders so appropriate and timely safety action can be taken,” the bureau said in a statement.</p>

Caring

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Dramatic new footage shows Tony Abbott saving homes from NSW bushfires

<p>Dramatic new footage has emerged of former Prime Minister Tony Abbott running into a burning house to save homes on the NSW south coast.</p> <p>Abbott, who volunteers with the Ingleside Rural Fire Service on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, was filmed joining his colleagues as they tried to stop the flames from reaching neighbouring properties.</p> <p>A post on Ingleside brigade’s Facebook page explained that Abbott and his fellow firefighters were coping with temperatures over 45C.</p> <p><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FInglesideRuralFireBrigade%2Fvideos%2F2478703472392044%2F&amp;show_text=0&amp;width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p> <p>“Tony used BA (breathing apparatus) on four occasions on Saturday including at two structure fires,” the post said.</p> <p>“Great to see Tony working hard as he always does when he volunteers with the RFS.”</p> <p>“Our Ingleside Strike Team Leader and his team, including our former Prime Minister Tony Abbott were first into the street.</p> <p>“A number of fire trucks were deployed into the street. Sheds and caravans were lost, but all houses were saved. Temperatures were 45C (113F) with 45km/h hot winds.</p> <p>“All up, northern beaches put in nine tankers to Bendalong and Manyana working with local RFS and (Fire and Rescue) strike teams,” the post said.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B20m78OgC9Z/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B20m78OgC9Z/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">With Matt and Dane on Davidson 7, plus the rest of the Fire and Rescue and RFS team on the Long Gully Fire.</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/hontonyabbott/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Tony Abbott</a> (@hontonyabbott) on Sep 24, 2019 at 10:12pm PDT</p> </div> </blockquote> <div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Abbott has been on the front line of the fires for several weeks now.</p> <p>The current Prime Minister Scott Morrison continues to face harsh criticism over his lack of response to the bushfires, as it was discovered that he took a holiday to Hawaii as the country burned last month.</p> <p><em><span>OverSixty, its parent company and its owners are donating a total of $200,000 to the Vinnie’s Bushfire Appeal. We have also pledged an additional $100,000 of product to help all those affected by the bushfire crisis. We would love you to support too! Head to <a href="https://donate.vinnies.org.au/appeals-nsw/vinnies-nsw-bushfire-appeal-nsw">the website</a> to donate.</span></em></p> </div> </div> </div>

News

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Johanna Griggs shares terrifying video of bushfires raging near her home

<p>Better Homes &amp; Gardens host Johanna Griggs has shared a shocking video of bushfires raging near her home in Wollombi, NSW.</p> <p>Wollombi is in the Hunter Valley of NSW and has been impacted greatly by bushfires.</p> <p>According to the NSW Rural Fire Service, there are currently 110 fires burning across the state with 59 not being contained.</p> <p>Griggs shared the video on her Instagram, saying that it has been a “wild few weeks” for her and her family.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6FGuOZg4BM/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B6FGuOZg4BM/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">For everyone who has been sending messages checking in on us, thank you; We are great. It’s been a wild few weeks. With fire fronts in 3 directions we prepped for the worst, but thankfully are the lucky ones this time around. The first video was from last Tuesday which was definitely the worst day up here for us. The rest of the time it’s been stinking hot and smoky as. Whilst conditions still aren’t great we feel more confident that we’ll be ok. Thanks to everyone who understood why we cancelled all our catch ups and stayed put ‘Just In Case’. We used our time well - with new firebreaks the whole way round the house paddock, 2 fire trailers ready, 6 watering stations (Huge thanks to @harry.ledwidge and #guyledwidge for dropping everything, flying in and helping us for 10 days! What Legends... and to @bradmarsland69 and @hoban_david who joined in the prep regularly in between work shifts. Thank you!!!) My OC tendencies had a ball working my way down my cleaning list! (I still have plenty to go) The veggie garden has produced and provided non stop. (Not included in the pics are the cabbages, carrots, broad beans, herbs and spinach - Also growing really well are eggplants, capsicum, chillis, bok Choy, pumpkins and sweet potatoes) Our bees haven’t fled the smoke, and have produced in abundance. We are so grateful to the @nswrfs and other emergency services for everything they have done, and continue to do. And we’re so sorry for everyone who has had a horrible time during this period. Our hearts break for you and for all the wildlife lost in these horrible fires. It’ll be a long hot summer for sure for all. We hope everyone stays safe...:) #hugginshill #growyourown #biofilta_urbanfarms #flowhive #hhvfs</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/johgriggs7/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Johanna Griggs</a> (@johgriggs7) on Dec 14, 2019 at 8:32pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>“With fire fronts in 3 directions we prepped for the worst, but thankfully are the lucky ones this time around,” she wrote.</p> <p>“The first video was from last Tuesday which was definitely the worst day up here for us. The rest of the time it’s been stinking hot and smoky as.”</p> <p>With a heatwave casted for this week, fans were anxious about her house being okay, but Griggs is confident that they’ll be fine.</p> <p>“Thanks to everyone who understood why we cancelled all our catch ups and stayed put ‘Just In Case’,” she said.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B5uPapQg09T/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B5uPapQg09T/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">Watching, Waiting. Totally Prepped and Calm. Thinking of all the @nswrfs personnel and what an amazing job they are doing in incredibly tough conditions. And thinking of everyone in Wollombi.... (That’s where the glow and smoke is coming from). Must be terrifying. Hoping everyone is safe...x #hugginshill</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/johgriggs7/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Johanna Griggs</a> (@johgriggs7) on Dec 5, 2019 at 11:25pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text "> <p>Griggs also thanked the NSW RFS for their hard work, with over 2,200 personnel fighting the blazes across the state.</p> <p>“We are so grateful to the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/nswrfs/" target="_blank">@nswrfs</a> and other emergency services for everything they have done, and continue to do. And we’re so sorry for everyone who has had a horrible time during this period. Our hearts break for you and for all the wildlife lost in these horrible fires. It’ll be a long hot summer for sure for all. We hope everyone stays safe.”</p> </div> </div> </div>

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Former fire chief declines to criticise ScoMo’s holiday as the country burns

<p>A former fire chief has declined to comment on Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s decision to go on holidays while the country struggles to deal with bushfires across the country.</p> <p>Greg Mullins, the former commissioner of Fire and Rescue NSW, made his feelings known in a press conference.</p> <p>“Look, everybody needs a holiday. I’m not going to comment on what the Prime Minister’s doing, and frankly at the moment, the federal government’s not doing much in this space anyway. So I don’t think it really matters,” Mullins explained.</p> <p>Treasurer Josh Frydenberg confirmed on Channel 9’s<span> </span>Today<span> </span>show that Morrison was “overseas with his family”.</p> <p>“He’s having a well deserved break, and obviously it’s been a very busy year. He’ll be back at work shortly, and then he’ll be off to India, leading a delegation to advance Australia’s interests.”</p> <p>While some have supported the PM’s decision to relax with his family, others are furious as many are struggling to breathe due to the intense smog surrounding Sydney.</p> <p>Greens NSW MP David Shoebridge said that Morrison was “in denial”.</p> <p>“When the country you lead is on fire you have an obligation to stick around and sort it out. Or at least put the right policies in place before you clock off. But this guy’s just in denial ... on holiday ... in denial,” he wrote in a <a href="https://twitter.com/ShoebridgeMLC/status/1206682973761753089">tweet</a>.</p> <p>However, Mullins wants to focus on the issue at hand as a group of his fellow former fire chiefs have announced plans to hold an emergency summit when the bushfire season is over.</p> <p>“People are becoming very angry and they want to have a say,” Mr Mullins told<span> </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/former-fire-chief-declines-to-criticise-scott-morrison-for-going-on-holiday-as-bushfires-burn/news-story/556d74de351e7cf6052badd29a98670e" target="_blank">news.com.au</a>.</em></p> <p>“They are being told that now is not the time to talk about climate change, but I have dealt with hundreds of people who have suffered losses and I know they want to know why. It’s part of the healing process.”</p> <p>Mullins acknowledged that Australia’s fire services were well resourced, but the impacts of climate change were making the problem nearly impossible to deal with.</p> <p>“There will always be people thinking that more (resources are) needed. Wondering what could be done. Well frankly, it’s too late. We’ve got what we have. They’re very well resourced,” he said.</p> <p>“It’s not enough because of climate change. Climate change is driving this problem to a place where you simply can’t deal with it.</p> <p>“So what we need to do is get people together. It should have been a national government doing this, but they’re not stepping up to the mark, so we will.”</p>

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