Adelaide Airport firefighter cuts would hamper response to emergencies
Plans for a 40 per cent cut to aviation rescue and firefighting personnel during Adelaide Airport curfews put budget savings ahead of safety, opponents say.
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Plans for a 40 per cent cut to aviation rescue and firefighting personnel during Adelaide Airport curfews put budget savings ahead of safety, opponents say.
West Torrens councillors and the United Firefighters Union of Australia have condemned a proposal by Airservices Australia, which the union says will cut the emergency response team from five to three — one officer and two firefighters.
An Airservices Australia spokeswoman said in November a review of rostered Aviation Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) staffing numbers during the 11pm to 6am curfew period was “ongoing and no decision has been made”, but noted that curfew staff were “above the required number”.
United Firefighters Union safety and risk specialist Glen Barker said the staff cut would severely compromise the crew’s ability to assist with any incident on the runway or fuel storage.
“One thing is for certain — reduced crews will not be able to undertake fire and rescue duties and any reduction in staffing will impact on ARFF’s ability to intervene at an emergency,” Mr Barker said.
In apparent contradiction of its earlier position, the Airservices spokeswoman told Messenger Community News this week: “There will be no change to the level of firefighting service to be provided overnight at Adelaide — any changes to the roster that are considered in the review will ensure that there are sufficient highly trained firefighters to operate the fire vehicle and extinguish a fire in the event of an aircraft emergency.
“Airservices exists to ensure the safety of Australian aviation, and this is always our first priority.”
West Torrens councillors are not convinced.
Last week the council unanimously resolved to voice its concerns about the proposed cuts of ARFF crew to the federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack.
Airport Ward councillors were particularly outraged, describing the proposed cuts as ‘‘crazy” and as misguided penny-pinching.
Cr Jassmine Wood said: “Any move putting airport workers, passengers and local residents at risk to save a dollar is both irresponsible and unacceptable.
“SA’s regional airports are being asked to upgrade to meet modern terrorism threats yet firefighters are facing cutbacks at our major airport. It’s just crazy and makes no sense.”
Cr Brandon Reynolds said it appeared that the government was “trying to save a few dollars at the expense of the invaluable work the crew provides to the community”.
Local businesses, employees, commuters and “countless residents” would be negatively affected by any decision to reduce the ARFF.
At the council meeting, Cr Graham Nitschke expressed similar outrage.
“It is truly amazing that at the very time there is growth in airport activity and traffic, during the curfew period consideration should be given to cutting rather than boosting aviation rescue and firefighting personnel,” he said.
He said there were a range of aircraft using the airport during curfew hours — including emergency diversions of commercial airliners, medical rescue missions, freight and an increasing number of commercial flights during shoulder curfew periods.
“It’s a clear case of putting cost-cutting ahead of safety and could also see airport security severely compromised,” Cr Nitschke said.
The federal MP for Hindmarsh, Steve Georganas, said he had “grave concerns” about Airservices Australia’s intentions to cut the airport’s professional crews.
“This puts staff working overnight at risk, as well as the airport itself, airport infrastructure and aircraft, and 25,000 households that surround the airport,” he said.
Sydney Airport, which operates under a similar curfew period to Adelaide (midnight to 6am), has a total of 17 emergency staff on duty during curfew hours.