Submissions are open for the NSW Independent Bushfire Inquiry and people are being encouraged to offer their experience, ideas and views.
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However, Labor's Shadow Environment Minister, Kate Washington, believes some firefighters may be afraid to speak up.
She visited our area in October, after the Bees Nest Fire had come roaring out of Guy Fawkes River NP to threaten communities at Dundurrabin, Tyringham and Bostobrick.
At the meeting she held in Dorrigo, "emotions in the room were palpable" as those present spoke about system failures in communication and lack of resourcing for both National Parks & Wildlife fire management crews and Rural Fire Service brigades.
"Volunteer firefighters who fought this season's historic bushfires were sent to firefronts with outdated trucks and personal protective equipment, at-times poor radio communications and substandard technological capabilities, despite multiple reviews recommending urgent upgrades," Ms Washington said.
She is offering to help people relay their concerns to the Bushfire Inquiry without them having to reveal their names publicly.
"If any of our local RFS brigades, RFS members or Fire+Rescue crews would like to make a submission to the bushfire inquiry but fear repercussions 'from above', I will submit them anonymously," she said.
Those who would like to avail themselves of this offer can email Kate Washington at portstephens@parliament.nsw.gov.au
For details regarding how to make submissions to the Inquiry before the closing date of March 27, please visit: www.nsw.gov.au/improving-nsw/projects-and-initiatives/make-a-submission-to-the-bushfire-inquiry/
The Inquiry will be travelling to bushfire affected communities to meet with and hear directly from people who have been impacted. The schedule for community visits will be posted online as soon as it is confirmed, and the Inquiry will inform local communities ahead of all visits to ensure it reaches as many people as possible.
The Inquiry welcomes submissions from bushfire-affected residents, emergency and support personnel, organisations and the general public.
More information can be found at: www.nsw.gov.au/bushfireinquiry
Dave Owens APM, former Deputy Commissioner of NSW Police, and Professor Mary O'Kane AC, Independent Planning Commission Chair and former NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer, are leading the six-month independent expert inquiry, which is reviewing the causes of, preparation for and response to the 2019-20 bushfires in NSW.
