#sjayyofficial

A strike team each from my brigade and a neighbouring one, have headed up to Heyfield in Gippsland to fight the raging bush fires. 

I couldn't be more proud, and scared in my life. Constantly our fire fighters stand between walls of flames and the family we vow to protect. Majority are volunteer, and raise their hand when the duty calls. 

I wish for everyone to be safe, and to make sure they count their blessings, and the heads that are on their team. No one is left behind, and no ember is left burning. Hopefully they gain control, and everyone is home and rebuilding begins for those who have lost, and closure to those who have lost greater, irreplaceable heart beats. 

Australia is probably the most bushfire attacked countries in the entire world, and that's just our environment. It comes with the territory. But what is aggravating me and many of my fire fighter friends and family members, is the fact that more than half of them are lit on purpose. 

I can understand if someone is mentally ill and cannot understand what they have done, but that goes to an extent. It does not excuse them from the crime, and the only way that crime can be justified is if they are given mental treatment and help on a long term basis like a good behaviour bond, none of this walking away scott free crap. Nine times out of ten, they do it again!

But what really riles me up is when some fuckwit decides "Hey! It's a total fire ban!" or "It's a hot day with high dry winds! Let's light a fire!" and then it gets out of control, and they run from the site, and they don't tell anybody, and then suddenly half a fucking state is burning alight and the gutless cowards don't even come forward? Lives get taken away, families broken, houses are burned to the floor with the memories of children and happy times along with personal items that could be the reason for someone still breathing is gone. Then they catch them and give them a lousy sentence of 3 months jail, or a good behaviour bond, something that could be acceptable for burglary  and suddenly all the deaths and injury, loss of homes and belongings, memories is all fixed? No. No, no, no. They should be held accountable for every death, injury, and loss inflicted by the single flame they oh-so-intelligently lit.