Cost of a fire service is around $5,000,000 per annum allowing for a return on capital used on the establishment of the service.
Comments on large capacity RPT are justified as ICAO says you must have them, Australia does not comply nor has it advised ICAO of this non compliance. The airlines apply the ICAO rules to their international flights, for being members of IATA they must comply, but not domestic flights.
On the other side it is stated not 1 life in 25yrs in Australia has been saved by these services, when the disaster occured unannounced ie. NO prior emegency advised by PIC. (Is this an urban myth or true?)
I would not worry your local member re CASA not responding. The Coroner has very strong legal powers, including enforced appearance and document search.
My guess is he is stating now "co-operate more speedily or expect trouble"