Those of you who are jumping up & down, and bagging the CFS heirachy for not sending you, have you thought that perhaps CFS has offered far more assistance to Victoria than what has currently been sent, but as yet, Victoria has not taken up the offer from SA?
CFS cannot just decide to send a heap of resources, chuck the firefighters on a plane to Melbourne, and on arrival ring CFA HQ and say "We're here, where do you want us?"
Have you considered the logistics of moving a strike team around, either with its own appliances, or just as crews?
From the form displayed on this site, it would appear many people here would be the first to whinge and complain if you got to Victoria, and didn't get fed, didn't have accommodation, ended up sleeping on the appliances for three days etc etc, but jump about and down because you haven't been sent right now....!
And many of you seem to be basing all your information solely on what appears on pager messages.... without knowing anything about what is actually happening either in Victoria or behind the scene in CFS....
Yes it is frustrating to see things on the TV news, and not be able to help...but do not bag CFS for you not being in Victoria right now.
And be careful what you wish for. I doubt anyone would be happy combing burnt out houses, or indeed whole towns, searching for what is left of the occupants.
Pip