October 05, 2008
Australian Thugs Assault CFA Firefighters at Fire Scene
From AAP (Australian Associated Press) Via Yahoo! News;"On Saturday afternoon, Country Fire Authority volunteer firefighters were called by residents worried about a large plume of smoke coming from a BMX track near Bendigo in central Victoria.
When they arrived at the Strathfieldsaye track, they found a car that had been deliberately set alight and about 250 people, many of them drunk.
"They threw stubbies at the volunteer firefighters, physically fought with them and got on the fire truck and attempted to interfere with its operations," Bendigo Sergeant Tony CommadeurAAP.
"The CFA called for assistance from police, one car drove into a volatile situation where a main bunch of 10-15 people surrounded them in a semi-circle and were closing in.
"They were told to back off, they didn't, so we used capsicum spray on one and then they got the message that we were not going to take it."
Sgt Commadeur described the incident in which volunteer emergency workers were physically attacked while trying to put out a dangerous fire as "outrageous".
"One CFA guy pulled up pretty sore, he was dragging people away from the truck after they jumped on it to interfere with their equipment," he said.
"They turned on him and hit him.
"It's disgraceful, no way in the world is that behaviour normal, to be intimidating towards or assault sacred volunteer community personnel such as CFA, SES (State Emergency Service), paramedics who are protecting lives and property......."
Disgraceful indeed. The CFA are the best bush firefighters in the world, on par with California's wildland firefighting professionals. These are the guys Aussies count on when the blue gum stands begin exploding as fire races through the countryside!
Labels: Australian Bushfires
