CFS ready to fight

Only a few weeks after the devastating Sampson Flat bushfire in the Adelaide Hills, about 300 volunteers marched on Parliament House yesterday (Wednesday) in protest of the emergency services sector reform.

CFS Volunteers Association executive director Sonia St Albans said the reform was short on detail, leaving volunteers nervous about what might eventuate.

"We're asking the government to hold off on the reform on the basis they haven't produced a business plan or a justification," she said. "We've always said we wouldn't accept change for the sake of change."

Emergency Services Minister Tony Piccolo said he had repeatedly engaged with the CFSVA during the early stages, and a business plan and work schedule was in development.

But Ms St Albans said the association's constant requests for the plan were denied.

Advertising began on the weekend for the role of a commissioner to oversee three emergency service bodies -the CFS, Metropolitan Fire Service and State Emergency Service.

The tenure of the three chief officers was set to finish on June 30.

"We want Mr Piccolo to put a hold on the search for a commissioner until a plan is formulated and we have a chance to comment on it," Ms St Albans said.

Mr Piccolo was invited to attend but did not respond.

"Volunteers were getting quite agitated that this was moving faster than anticipated without any justification or basis," Ms St Albans said.

"If not managed properly it could mean the end of the CFS and the service, protection and support volunteers provided to SA."