CFA and FRV firefighter safety at risk: Trucks and stations ’aged beyond useful life’

Victoria’s firefighting fleet is “aged beyond useful life”, putting firefighters’ safety at risk, according to the government-appointed fire services monitor.

Bealiba volunteer Nifty Gordon says it was only a matter of time before the Andrews government’s reforms led to CFA cutbacks. PICTURE: ZOE PHILLIPS

Most of Victoria’s fire crews are operating in stations and driving tankers that “are aged beyond useful life”, according to an explosive report from the Labor Government-appointed independent monitor of the Country Fire Authority and Fire Rescue Victoria.

The report, by Victoria’s Fire Services Implementation Monitor Niall Blair, also reveals claims by CFA volunteers co-located with FRV’s career firefighters that they are being “under-utilised”, while independent CFA brigades are being turned back from responding to fires in regional areas, in favour of inner-Melbourne teams hours away.

The tabling of Mr Blair’s 2021-22 annual report in parliament comes as the State Government’s fire district review panel gazetted another 13 CFA stations for possible FRV takeover, due to increased fire risk.

Ultimately the panel will assess whether the CFA can address this increased risk, and if not is likely to recommend FRV takes over volunteer stations at Eaglehawk, Kangaroo Flat, Edithvale, Berwick, Carrum Downs, Hampton Park, Narre Warren, Epping, Werribee, Wyndham Vale, Ballarat, Sebastopol and Wendouree.

Mr Blair’s report found the “implications of ageing appliances and equipment relate mainly to either the cost and difficulty of maintenance as parts become unavailable or appliances become outdated in their safety features”.

“FSIM notes that the majority of CFA’s and FRV’s delivery assets are aged beyond useful life - specifically, stations, appliances and equipment,” the report stated.

It also found that CFA volunteers co-located with career firefighters at 34 stations, taken over by FRV in July 2020, were being “under-utilised, confused, and unguided”.

Other independent CFA brigades on the boundaries of FRV-controlled zones told Mr Blair they were being turned back from attending to fires by regional FRV crews, who instead called for back-up from inner-Melbourne career crews, who were “sometimes driving hours” to support them.

Eaglehawk CFA volunteers who helped defend Mallacoota in 2019-20 risk losing their territory to FRV’s career firefighters. Picture: David Caird

The Weekly Times has repeatedly reported on low volunteer morale in the wake of the Government’s 2020 fire services reform, given funding shortfalls that have led to the CFA having the oldest firefighting fleet in Australia, outdated equipment and rundown stations.

But Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria chief executive Adam Barnett said Mr Blair’s was the “first independent statutory officer in recent times to walk up to these issues and call them out”.

He said VFBV had repeatedly called on the government and CFA to deliver the capital funding the CFA needed for “proper asset replacement and renewal, not just for volunteers sake, but for the communities they protect”.

“Given that Emergency Management Victoria have conservatively estimated that Victoria’s emergency service volunteers contribute $2.4 billion or more in value and savings to communities each and every year - they deserve adequate funding,” he said.

Mr Barnett said CFA volunteers should not have to fundraise and tin rattle for essential equipment that is automatically provided to paid services, such as FRV.

VFBV analysis shows that the CFA needs close to $27 million a year over the next 20 years to replace 5 per cent of its tanker fleet annually — 10 heavy tankers at $430,000 each and 61 medium tankers at $370,000 each.

CFA records show it has only been able to replace 25 tankers a year, out of a fleet of 1908 tankers and 221 pumpers, forcing it to extend the replacement life of brigades’ trucks from 20 to 30 years.

Bealiba volunteer Nifty Gordon says it was only a matter of time before the Andrews government’s reforms led to CFA cutbacks.

“We all knew it was going to turn to sh*t,” Mr Gordon said.

Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes’ office said in 2020 the Andrews Government had committed $126 million to a CFA Capability Package, to be rolled out over five years, for training and equipment.

Just $22.73 million of the funding was allocated to manufacturing 48 new heavy tankers and two light tankers, the first of which is only now being delivered after long delays.

Mr Blair also found serious problems under the new fire services model, whereby 230 of the CFA’s career staff were transferred to FRV and then seconded back again to act as assistant chief fire officers (ACFOs) and commanders.

Mr Blair found seconded staff “felt unsupported”, while others said they were “like the forgotten children” and and “second-class citizens”.

FRV seconded staff turnover has also been excessive, with Mr Blair finding that in one CFA district, six substantive ACFOs and Commander positions had 34 relievers moved through six roles.

“In another district, eight substantive ACFO and Commander positions had 23 relievers move through,” he reported.

Ms Symes office said the government would “continue to work with the CFA and FRV to identify and support its infrastructure priorities and resourcing needs.”