The suburbs Victorian firefighters say are most at risk of equipment failure

The United Firefighters Union has released a list of suburbs it says are most at risk from “dangerous and outdated” equipment as it intensifies its funding war with the Allan government.

United Firefighters Union boss Peter Marshall says if you experience a house fire or fire at work, it is a toss of the coin whether the fire truck deployed is fit for service. Picture: Aaron Francis / The Australian

More than 60 per cent of Melbourne’s fire trucks will be past their use-by date by the end of next year, Victoria’s firefighters union has warned.

New data from the United Firefighters Union claims 54 per cent of Victorian metropolitan and outer-metro fire trucks are too old and not fit to be on the road.

It claims 13 suburbs – including Northcote, Tullamarine, Brunswick, Richmond and Mentone – don’t have access to a fit-for service fire truck.

Ten other suburbs – including the CBD, Prahran, Oakleigh, Glen Waverley and Bundoora – have at least two trucks that are past their use by date.

United Firefighters Union boss Peter Marshall said more than half of Fire Rescue Victoria trucks are past their used-by dates. Picture: Valeriu Campan

It comes as the union intensifies its war with the Allan government, launching another advertising blitz to call for dangerous and outdated equipment to be replaced.

In this week’s state budget, the government announced it will increase the fire services levy.

UFU secretary Peter Marshall said the increased funds raised from that must be matched by a commitment to upgrade the fleet.

“Every Victorian in every local community pays a fire levy which should fund these equipment upgrades, but the money has not gone where it should. That must change now,” he said.

“More than half of Fire Rescue Victoria’s fire trucks are past their used-by dates, have known faults, and are in dire need of replacement.

“This means if you experience a house fire or fire at work, it is a toss of the coin whether the fire truck deployed is fit for service.”

Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes has faced multiple campaigns from the United Firefighters Union. Picture: Nicki Connolly

A government spokeswoman said all firefighting vehicles are regularly maintained by experts.

She said Fire Rescue Victoria has about 90 per cent of its operational fleet available to respond to emergencies.

“We have delivered record funding for our fire services to ensure they have the resources and equipment they need to protect our communities and keep firefighters safe,” she said.

“The Fire Services Property Levy (FSPL) was put in place to fund our life saving fire services, and all levy proceeds go towards vital lifesaving equipment including the maintenance of vehicles, protecting firefighters, staff and volunteers, training, infrastructure and community education.”

When firefighters were called to a house fire at Prairie Pl in Truganina, their truck – which is understood to have a history of faults – failed to pump water. Picture: Mark Stewart

The union has called for a public inquiry into the state’s firefighting resources after firefighters were reportedly forced to enter a burning Truganina home without water last month.

When firefighters responded to the late night blaze, their truck – which is understood to have a history of faults – failed to pump water.