House of Assembly: Thursday, February 09, 2023

Contents

Remote Outer Border Fire Control

Mr McBRIDE (MacKillop) (14:33): My question again is to the Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services. Can the minister confirm whether the CFS uses the remote outer border system of fire control and, if so, are CFS fire trucks equipped for this? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr McBRIDE: I have been advised that the CFS has removed remote outer border system of fire control equipment from its fire trucks, yet the Deputy Chief Officer of the CFS stated on 3 March 2022 that:

SA CFS uses a broad range of tactical and strategic back burning techniques, including those promoted by Mr England and provides our operational leaders access to the training and tools to support their fireground needs.

The Hon. J.K. SZAKACS (Cheltenham—Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services) (14:34): Further to the member for MacKillop's question, I am in no position to confirm anything other than what the Chief Officer, Brett Loughlin, has advised to the member for MacKillop and Mr England directly. I am advised, as the information that I sought post this in-person meeting that I had with the member for MacKillop and Mr England, some further information regarding this strategy, or tactics, more discreetly, passionately advocated for by Mr England.

The advice that I have is that wet lines are able to be deployed by the CFS; they will continue to do so. But with any of these firefighting tactics, technology and resources, they may evolve and do evolve over time. There is no closing off to any innovation, whether it be Mr England's or otherwise. I will continue to take that advice and I am very happy to continue to engage with the member for MacKillop as that may be necessary.