RELATED: Lives on the line
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THE first day of an inquest into the deaths of two firefighters during the Harrietville bushfire last year has raised significant issues regarding the management of the fire.
The families of Steven Kadar and Katie Peters have both spoken of concerns held for the ongoing safety of firefighters in the battle to contain the Harrietville bushfire over many weeks.
The inquest could be reasonably expected to address questions of how Department of Sustainability and Environment crews were managed within danger areas, particularly when weather conditions worsened.
The families of Mr Kadar and Miss Peters are understandably devastated at their loss in February last year and have given evidence about the impact of losing two young people in a workplace accident they believe may have been prevented.
They are to be commended for giving that evidence.
While it is a difficult process for family members to be involved in speaking at and attending a coroner’s inquest, the issues that will be raised and examined have important consequences in making improvements that will ensure the safety of others involved in fighting fires during our dangerous summers.