Geelong councillor Troy West, widely known as 'The Catman', is facing a fierce public and political backlash following controversial comments he made about firefighters on social media.
Social Media Outburst Sparks Fury
The controversy erupted on Monday, May 13, when Cr West took to his personal Facebook account to vent his frustrations. In a now-deleted post, he made sweeping criticisms of firefighting services, specifically targeting the Country Fire Authority (CFA).
In his post, Cr West declared firefighters were "useless" and claimed they "don't do anything." He went further, alleging that the only effective method for dealing with fires was using aeroplanes for water bombing, dismissing ground crews. The councillor, who represents the Brownbill ward, also made a provocative comparison, stating he would prefer to call a plumber than the fire brigade in an emergency.
Immediate Condemnation and Calls for Resignation
The reaction to his comments was swift and severe. Fellow councillors, emergency service advocates, and community members expressed outrage and disappointment.
Cr Eddy Kontelj, who also serves as the deputy mayor, publicly condemned the remarks. He described the comments as "disgraceful" and "an insult to every firefighter," emphasising the bravery and critical work performed by CFA volunteers and career firefighters. Kontelj explicitly called for Cr West to apologise to the entire firefighting community.
The United Firefighters Union of Victoria (UFU) voiced its anger, labelling the comments as "disgusting" and demonstrating a profound lack of respect. The union joined the growing chorus demanding a full public apology.
Perhaps the strongest rebuke came from within City Hall itself. Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan stated he was "appalled" by the comments and confirmed the matter would be formally raised at the next council meeting. He stressed that the views expressed by Cr West were his own and did not represent the City of Greater Geelong.
Defence and Context of the Comments
When confronted by the Geelong Advertiser, Cr West stood by the core sentiment of his post, though he expressed regret over his choice of words. He clarified that his criticism was not directed at the firefighters themselves but at the management and operational protocols of fire services.
Cr West claimed his frustration stemmed from a personal experience where he felt the response to a fire incident was inadequate. He argued that resource allocation and strategy were his primary concerns, not the dedication of individual volunteers. Despite this clarification, he acknowledged that describing firefighters as "useless" was a poor and inflammatory way to express his point.
This incident is not the first time Troy West has been at the centre of controversy. His outspoken and often unconventional style has previously drawn criticism, including past social media posts that resulted in a formal censure by the council.
Ongoing Fallout and Political Pressure
The fallout continues as pressure mounts on the councillor. The community and his political peers are watching closely to see if he will issue the formal public apology that has been demanded.
The incident raises serious questions about the conduct of elected officials on social media and their responsibility to represent all constituents, including the emergency service workers who protect the community. With the matter scheduled for discussion at the next council meeting, further official action against Cr West remains a possibility.
The story has resonated deeply in Geelong and beyond, highlighting the fragile relationship between public figures and the vital emergency service sectors. The coming days will determine whether an apology can mend fences or if the damage to Cr West's reputation and standing within the community is lasting.
