The days of the Wattle Range Country Fire Service Group being the largest in South Australia are drawing to a close.
Talks about the restructuring of the 600-strong volunteer organisation have been under way for several months and continued at the group headquarters in Millicent on Wednesday night.
One of the brigades submitted a notice of motion for consideration by over 20 brigade captains and regional personnel.
It centred on the timing and leadership of the new structure with debate lasting around an hour before the motion was withdrawn.
Nevertheless, Wattle Range CFS group officer Fred Stent said a de-merger into east and west CFS groups was still likely to occur within the next 12 months.
The current Wattle Range CFS Group was formed in 1997 at the same time as the former Millicent, Beachport and Penola councils merged to form the Wattle Range Council.
At that time, Mike Kemp was the Millicent/Beachport group officer with Mr Stent holding this role at the Penola group.
Under the expanded regional Country Fire Service group, Mr Kemp was amicably elected as the group officer with Mr Stent his deputy.
When Mr Kemp stepped down almost a decade ago, Mr Stent was elected unopposed as his successor.
“I have had over 50 years with the CFS having started as a cadet,” Mr Stent said.
“It has been a good part of my life and I have received the Australian Fire Service Medal.
“The next election for Wattle Range CFS group officer is in August and I will wait and see before I make a decision about re-nominating.”
According to Mr Stent, the decision to de-merge the Wattle Range CFS Group was taken by the CFS hierarchy in Adelaide.
“They felt the groups were getting too big and there would be difficulties in sourcing personnel to take on the leadership roles.”
Mr Stent said there had been some trouble in sourcing a group officer and deputy group officers in the western area.
“We need volunteer fire-fighters who are willing to take on these responsibilities,” he said.
Other volunteer firefighters have expressed their fears their brigades in the west may be split up and allocated to other neighbouring CFS groups.
