shakergt
Moderating Team
Well there goes the colour fun run. This will be state wide
https://www.perthnow.com.au/local-n...se-in-wickham-community-water-fight-c-5194792
For those that dont have face book
DFES dubbed the fun police after ordering firefighters stop spraying hose in Wickham community water fight
Amber WilkinsonPerthNow
January 5, 2022 4:27PM
TOPICSLocal News
Authorities have been dubbed the fun police after ordering firefighters to stop jetting water onto children in a tiny WA town, ending a Christmas tradition that has been running for more than three decades.
The town of Wickham, 50km east of Karratha, has held the annual water fight involving local police and firefighters every Christmas Eve for more than 30 years.
Footage from last years event shows firefighters spraying water onto excited children while they throw waterbombs back. Even police were involved, lobbing waterbombs at locals while using riot shields.
But the WA Department of Fire & Emergency Services has ordered for the light-hearted tradition to end
Crews are not to jet water on or hose down the public with water from fire appliances at community events (such as school fun runs.) the DFES statement reads.
DFES statement putting and end to use of fire fighting equipment at community events.Credit:WA Incident Alerts/DFES/WA Incident Alerts
The department cited health concerns as a reason for the change of heart.
Fire appliances are for operational and educational activities. Hosing down participants with water from appliances has potential health risks with the quality of water that may be held within the appliance, DFES said.
The statement, dated December 2021, has drawn the ire of locals who took to social media to express their frustration.
Neew naw neew naw, here comes the fun police, one user commented.
"here comes the fun police' one Facebook user commentedCredit:Facebook/WA Incident Alerts
Everything is fast becoming NO FUN allowed. Everyone needs to get over themselves and mind their own business, another added.
"Don't ruin the fun." another user addedCredit:WA Incident Alert/Facebook
But a handful supported the decision.
You dont really want stagnant, dirty firefighting water all over yourself thats been sat in a tank for weeks and had foam in it? one Facebook member commented.
"Do you really want dirty water?" another Facebook user added.Credit:Facebook/WA Incidents Alert
Ive seen some pretty nasty water from a tank on a fire appliance and can see why they would stop it. chimed in another user.
Acting Premier Roger Cook backed the DFES order, saying community safety was a top priority.
We need to keep people safe and we need to make sure every department conducts themselves in a way which is safe not only for people who work within the department or the community they serve. Mr Cook said.
But locals are refusing to back down. Wickham local Kazz Dann has even started apetition, rallying for the tradition to be kept alive.
Change.org petition fighting to keep the community favourite alive.Credit:Kazz Dann/Change.org
This is a personal choice from each member in the community, making an informed decision to partake in a great community event. Ms Dann wrote.
If a community member doesnt wish to partake, they do not have to. But I dont think youll find a single person in the town of Wickham who would frown upon the event of the year.
https://www.perthnow.com.au/local-n...se-in-wickham-community-water-fight-c-5194792
For those that dont have face book
DFES dubbed the fun police after ordering firefighters stop spraying hose in Wickham community water fight
Amber WilkinsonPerthNow
January 5, 2022 4:27PM
TOPICSLocal News
Authorities have been dubbed the fun police after ordering firefighters to stop jetting water onto children in a tiny WA town, ending a Christmas tradition that has been running for more than three decades.
The town of Wickham, 50km east of Karratha, has held the annual water fight involving local police and firefighters every Christmas Eve for more than 30 years.
Footage from last years event shows firefighters spraying water onto excited children while they throw waterbombs back. Even police were involved, lobbing waterbombs at locals while using riot shields.
But the WA Department of Fire & Emergency Services has ordered for the light-hearted tradition to end
Crews are not to jet water on or hose down the public with water from fire appliances at community events (such as school fun runs.) the DFES statement reads.
DFES statement putting and end to use of fire fighting equipment at community events.Credit:WA Incident Alerts/DFES/WA Incident Alerts
The department cited health concerns as a reason for the change of heart.
Fire appliances are for operational and educational activities. Hosing down participants with water from appliances has potential health risks with the quality of water that may be held within the appliance, DFES said.
The statement, dated December 2021, has drawn the ire of locals who took to social media to express their frustration.
Neew naw neew naw, here comes the fun police, one user commented.
"here comes the fun police' one Facebook user commentedCredit:Facebook/WA Incident Alerts
Everything is fast becoming NO FUN allowed. Everyone needs to get over themselves and mind their own business, another added.
"Don't ruin the fun." another user addedCredit:WA Incident Alert/Facebook
But a handful supported the decision.
You dont really want stagnant, dirty firefighting water all over yourself thats been sat in a tank for weeks and had foam in it? one Facebook member commented.
"Do you really want dirty water?" another Facebook user added.Credit:Facebook/WA Incidents Alert
Ive seen some pretty nasty water from a tank on a fire appliance and can see why they would stop it. chimed in another user.
Acting Premier Roger Cook backed the DFES order, saying community safety was a top priority.
We need to keep people safe and we need to make sure every department conducts themselves in a way which is safe not only for people who work within the department or the community they serve. Mr Cook said.
But locals are refusing to back down. Wickham local Kazz Dann has even started apetition, rallying for the tradition to be kept alive.
Change.org petition fighting to keep the community favourite alive.Credit:Kazz Dann/Change.org
This is a personal choice from each member in the community, making an informed decision to partake in a great community event. Ms Dann wrote.
If a community member doesnt wish to partake, they do not have to. But I dont think youll find a single person in the town of Wickham who would frown upon the event of the year.
layful:
