Victorian firefighters are calling on the government to upgrade their fleet after “potentially catastrophic” breakdowns during bushfires in the state’s west.
A 15-year-old pumper tanker was among vehicles deployed to Beaufort on Feb. 22 as part of an emergency strike team intended to battle a bushfire.
But the truck did not make it, instead breaking down on the Western Highway at Ballan, the United Firefighters Union (UFU) said.
A second 15-year-old pumper was then meant to replace that truck but overheated, preventing it from leaving Beaufort Fire Station.
Both the broken down pumpers were of retirement age.
They were immediately replaced by other pumper tankers from Fire Rescue Victoria’s network, a spokesman for the emergency service said.
The bushfire, which began at Bayindeen, accelerated after a wind change late on Feb. 22 and had ripped through more than 11,000 hectares as of Feb. 23.
The UFU’s Victorian branch secretary Peter Marshall described the breakdowns as “potentially catastrophic.”
“(The Fire Rescue Victoria) fleet is in such a state of disrepair that we have a situation whereas frontline appliances are so unreliable that they are breaking down on their way to a critical deployment or not being able to properly respond due to mechanical failures,” Mr. Marshall said.
“Fire Rescue Victoria has for over two years raised the need for replacement appliances and funding.
“(The service) asked the minister to rectify the problem, and the minister ignored it.”
The union has previously found more than 60 trucks in Melbourne that are more than 15 years old and have rusted roofs, old engines, and cracked doors, it said.
Fire Rescue Victoria said the service was always prepared for any mechanical issues.
“Fire Rescue Victoria has a rigorous fleet maintenance program to ensure our firefighting trucks and other life-saving appliances and equipment are safe and operating effectively,” its spokesman said.
“(The service’s) workshop team provides an exceptional service, and any faults or breakdowns are attended to in a timely manner.”
Mr. Marshall on Feb. 22 night wrote to Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes, who was asked about the fleet on Feb. 23.
Ms. Symes said 175 fire trucks were deployed to the fire in western Victoria to join the local vehicles already there.
“A lot of resources are being sent to that location,” the minister told reporters.
“We have dedicated mechanics that are always responding to any issues.
“In relation to the issues as occurred with (Fire Rescue Victoria) vehicles, they were responded to appropriately, replaced, and indeed have been a very valuable asset that is contributing to the firefighting efforts.”
The government wanted to make sure firefighters were safe, which was why it had dedicated mechanics and maintenance programs, Ms. Symes said.
