Monday, October 12, 2015

I have read numerous enquiry reports in recent years following bushfire tragedies, including the Victoria Government response to the 2009 Black Saturday conflagration. In all reports, the authors quite properly praise the efforts of the volunteer firefighters alongside the emergency services members.

But in no single instance have I seen two considerations that are overdue to be aired: recruitment standards and suitability of emergency services volunteers.

An Australian Bureau of Statistics report in July 2015 confirms the decline in volunteer numbers. Social pressures of work, family, finances and life balance often militate against a person undertaking a volunteer role. Emergency services administrations appear frightened to address the topic of the volunteers standards and suitability.

Due to declining numbers there has been an attitude by many administrations of “take anybody who walks in the door,” regardless of that person's suitability or mental and physical capacity to be a volunteer in a potentially stressful or physically demanding situation. If a person claims they wish to “give something back to the community” then that is deemed sufficient motivation.

Our professional emergency service personnel, police, firefighters, ambulance members are subject to stringent health and psychological testing before recruitment and that assessment continues throughout their employment. It is my observation these controls are not applied to emergency services volunteers.

Fortunately the vast majority of volunteers are extremely capable, hard working and honest in their endeavours to help our communities.

But there is another side. Sadly every year some fires are started by rogue volunteer firefighters. Maybe early intervention and counselling is the answer to this problem.

Additionally, as a senior emergency services volunteer, I observed several volunteers who I consider should have been weeded out at the initial recruitment stage.

Emergency services volunteers at times control vehicles and equipment that are life saving, but can also be life threatening.

These volunteers should be subject to medical and psychological screening before formal recruitment and subsequently after recruitment if necessary. Even the best training possible is no defence against an unstable individual's actions.

Again, let me stress that the very large majority of emergency services volunteers are indeed held in the highest tradition of Australian community service. But before the inevitable coronial inquest occurs there must be a more rigorous recruitment procedure.

That might be unpalatable for some, but potentially lives are at stake. 

BARRY Thomson’s letter “Demand fluoride removal” (The Border Mail, October 10) is not based in fact or reality.

Countless studies conducted worldwide show addition of fluoride at recommended levels reduces the number of dental caries, with the only side effect being an increase in dental fluorosis, a mild yet harmless aesthetic change to teeth.

His comment, “dental decay is not a deficiency of fluoride” is correct. Dental decay is due to acid production by bacteria that live on the teeth. Fluoride hardens the enamel of your teeth, making it more resistant to this acid, and less likely to decay.

Thomson also linked fluoride with an array of health conditions such as cancer, kidney and thyroid damage, structural damage to bone and muscle, as well as “weakening of the immune system”. 

A systematic review funded by the UK Department of Health showed that none of these were related to fluoride consumption at levels within recommended limits. The only adverse effect it could find was an increase of dental fluorosis. It did show, however, an average of 2.25 more teeth without dental decay per person, and one in six people are now dental decay-free due to fluoridated water.

Perhaps it might be prudent to mention that a standard black tea has a concentration of fluoride up to five times of a fluoridated water supply.

Fluoride is a very safe and effective way of reducing cavities within a population. Residents should welcome the benefits of a fluoridated water supply.