CFA Fiskville whistleblower Brian Potter receives payout

EXCLUSIVE: BRIAN Potter, the whistleblower who exposed the CFA’s Fiskville cancer scandal, has finally received a payout — more than three years after he died.

Brian Potter has finally received a payout — more than three years after his death.

THE former Country Fire Authority chief officer who exposed the Fiskville training base cancer scandal has finally received a payout — more than three years after his death.

Brian Potter was a victim of cancer, which he blamed on his exposure to chemicals at the now-closed centre.

He turned whistleblower and exposed the concerns about the cancer-causing chemicals used at Fiskville. He had been refused workers’ compensation because of red tape, but the state government has now stepped in with a special payout.

Brian Potter with CFA firefighters from Langwarrin.

His widow, Diane, said: “It’s just good to think Brian got some recognition for what he did, but it’s bittersweet because he’s not here.

“Money never brings him back or changes the unhappiness or the illness, but he’s got a reward for what he did.”

Son Mark, who helped fight the compensation case on behalf of his father, who died in February 2014, said the decision was important.

“I think the payment is a recognition there is a problem and there’s no debate there is a clear connection between the exposure firefighters come into contact with and cancer,” he said.

“But the system is not quite right: it’s not set up to support those who were exposed some time ago.”

Diane and Brian Potter on his last day at work at Fiskville CFA. Picture: Supplied

The Herald Sun broke the story on its front page on December 6, 2011, with Mr Potter’s case.

A review was ordered into the use of cancer causing chemicals at the site near Ballan, following a series of reports, which included that the CFA knew of the problem for 20 years but did nothing to protect firefighters.

The review’s report was damning and raised serious concerns about the treatment of firefighters.

There were also concerns about the water used to fight training fires at Fiskville.

Former Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett permanently closed Fiskville in March 2015 after toxic chemicals were found in mains water stored in tanks on the site.

Brian Potter plays with his grandson Noah, who was four when this photograph was taken.

A State Government inquiry into Fiskville was handed down in May last year, which “vindicated” the decision to close the site.

Almost $50 million was allocated to find a new site to replace the Fiskville training college.

And another $80 million will be spent on cleaning up Fiskville and six other similar training sites across Victoria.

Emergency Services Minister James Merlino praised Mr Potter’s legacy.

“Brian Potter played a unique and important role in exposing the dangers at the Fiskville training site,” he said.

“We can confirm that a settlement has been reached with his family. We wish them all the best in the future.”

New legislation, which had been dubbed “Potter’s Law”, designed to give firefighters easier access to compensation has stalled in parliament.

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