Yes, Belly, good enough.
The lubricant in the stored air is but an unpleasant whiff and such contaminated air is a whole life better than nothing.

Belly "We should not take it out on the hero's who have done so much , the yellow overalls are worn by more hero's than idiots."

Totally agree...

It would seem organisations like CFA are a "natural magnet" for arsonists but we should never presume the "desire to serve" is not the motivator for the overwhelming majority of CFA volunteers, who are doing their best to contain and negate the efforts of arsonists and lightning strikes etc.

its similar to another thread, where Examinator suggested "patriotism is the last bastion of the scoundrel", His small mind ignored that a sense of "patriotism" is not exclusive to scoundrels.

Just as CFA volunteering is not exclusive to arsonists.

Dear Col,

I don't think that anyone is seriously putting
down the CFA volunteers, or patriotism as such.

Of course not all CFA volunteers are arsonists,
and not all patriots are scoundrels.

But the fact remains, some are.

Col Rouge like many of your comments in this thread I agree totally.
Not with the examinator slur, I respect him.
But as I said up the thread fire bugs are bound to find a fire station, pedophiles a school criminals a crime.
NSW is trying to stop just any one becoming a fire fighter but in truth it is a backward step.
The introduction of the brown book training took life time members and great knowledge away.
Remember these people are giving time effort all, free regimenting them is not always a good idea.
raining in my part of Australia, has been for 4 days,this one makes 5, 13 and a half inches in the last 24 hours if only it was in Victoria.
Road trauma is a result I had to come home every creek is flooded and the road littered with wrecks, our great country can be cruel if you are not careful.

I thought my ears were burning because of the hot weather, but it turns out that people have been wondering about me. Thank you, to Forrest, Foxy, Examinator, Anansi for your kind thoughts.

It has been quite an education reading through this thread, considering my experiences of the past 11 days since my phone line and that of my neighbours was lost due to the bush fire. I guess I have been educated about many things. While there have been thoughtful, practical posts from many, it pains me to read the personal insults being flung about by those more eager to score points that to contribute to a discussion that must be had and will continue to be had for a long time whether as part of a Royal Commission or even by my talk to a farmer who lost his solid brick 100 year home to fire on Feb 7. He got away with his ute, his dog and his wallet by driving across country while flames leapt across roads.

As for me, I learnt I cannot save my home if conditions should return like those on Feb 7. Fortunately I was far enough away to only have to deal with keeping vigil (watering the walls of my home and filling gutters with water) against ember attack. I am safe and so is my home. But my fire plan is to leave early in future; my one problem with this is where to go? Where are the well publicised and established rendezvous points for people to go to? All workplaces have meeting places predetermined in case of fire. Where do residents flee to? I hope that a Royal Commission will address this issue along with all the others, including that we may see more of this type of fire in future.

Cont'd

I spent my early childhood in Alexandra and know all the towns; Marysville, Eildon, Healesville, Taggerty, Yea, King Lake and all the others as well as I know my back yard. This is the country of my youth and it is where I wish to live - and it has been changed beyond recognition. Everytime I hear a familiar place name mentioned on the radio, or, worse, here of someone I knew who has lost their home or their lives I feel further wounded.

No doubt the blame will be cast; the accusations many.

As for myself and many others, we will look towards the future, learn from the past and create a better way to be.

You are all welcome to join me.