Zoe Moffatt
Criticism about long delays to repairing CFA vehicles and equipment were recently aired in parliament, following a brigade near Kyneton being delayed at a rescue because of an unrepaired vehicle problem.
Northern Victoria MP Wendy Lovell raised the issue during the last sitting day of parliament and said CFA fire brigades are experiencing widespread serious maintenance issues with primary fire and rescue vehicles.
“Volunteers at a brigade near Kyneton are made to use a 26-year-old pumper that has dangerous issues with its air brakes,” she said.
“Last week the brake issue resulted in delayed turnouts to trapped persons in road rescues. The air issue also means that the fire truck may not be able to start its pump at a fire.
“CFA head office says the problem is unlikely to be fixed for some time and that there are no replacement pumpers available.”
Ms Lovell said volunteers have advised her there are widespread maintenance issues with vehicles, which the Emergency Services Minister has been informed about, but there are still long delays to repairing vehicles and other equipment.
“Regional Victorian communities pay their fire service levy, yet they still have to fundraise for essential equipment, including vehicles,” she said.
“CFA volunteers do an incredible job in the community, and they deserve to have vehicles and equipment that are adequately maintained and safe to use.”
A CFA spokesperson said safety is always CFA’s primary consideration and operational vehicles are a key part of that response capability.
“We take the maintenance of our equipment seriously. The average age of the CFA fleet is 15.5 years and CFA replaces vehicles as, and when, it can within the budget it has available,” they said.
“All emergency response vehicles within the CFA fleet are maintained by our expert mechanical officers and are subject to annual maintenance servicing and an annual fire-worthy inspection by qualified technical staff to ensure they are in good working order.
“The CFA total base budget for fleet vehicle replacement is around $11 million per year.”
While Ms Lovell spoke about delays within the CFA, nearby firefighters in Brimbank have also voiced their frustrations over the alarming frequency of equipment failures plaguing their station.
As previously reported by Star Weekly the St Albans Fire Station has received seven replacement vehicles for their fire truck – also referred to as an ‘appliance’ since September last year.
The state government was contacted about Ms Lovell’s comments and her question in parliament.
