Support for emergency services reform motion

"Mr Brokenshire's frivolous use of a select committee proves he is just looking for political mileage about the emergency services reform process," he said.

"The terms of reference for the committee are now irrelevant."

But Mr Brokenshire, who has been elected chair of the committee, said there was nothing frivolous about his motion.

"While now I am a non-active Country Fire Service member, I was formerly active up to the position of deputy group officer and I am a former Minister," he said.

"So I am not going to sit back and see volunteers trodden on because of the government's agenda, and clearly the Legislative Council are not prepared to see it either.

"There was unanimous support other than from the government for the select committee."

Mr Brokenshire said the committee would take submissions until Friday, March 27 and aimed to report to parliament by July 29.

"The committee is aiming to expedite the inquiry as much as possible, notwithstanding the number of witnesses who will need to be called," he said.

"I encourage written submissions and then if anyone wants to appear they can ask for that within their submission.

"We will be reporting and making recommendations to parliament to debate and for the government to consider."

CFS Volunteers Association executive director Sonia St Alban said the establishment of the select committee indicated the association was not alone in its concerns.

"We are appreciative of this opportunity to present matters raised by the majority of CFS volunteers directly to parliament," she said.

The SA State Emergency Service Volunteers Association also endorsed the motion for the select committee.

Chairperson Warren Hicks said volunteers' concerns had risen since the minister's announcements.

"Nothing has been agreed to as yet and until we get formal detail we cannot formally comment, except to say volunteers are concerned and want real facts, not ever-changing words," he said.

Earlier this week, Metropolitan Fire Service chief officer Grant Lupton announced his resignation, ahead of the sector reforms, after 13 years in the role.