The Nationals’ Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad has asked the Allan Labor Government to explain why crucial firefighting vehicles are out of action ahead of this summer’s bushfire season.
As Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMV) firefighters protested at Parliament House this week, Ms Broad said the bushfire season was fast approaching, yet 290 G-Wagons and 59 Unimogs – critical frontline firefighting vehicles – had been taken offline due to chassis and subframe faults.
“These vehicles are crucial to Forest Fire Management Victoria’s response capability, particularly in remote and high-risk areas,” Ms Broad said.
“In a recent season briefing I was assured by the CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan that no CFA vehicles were out of operation.
“However, Fire Rescue Victoria indicated similar challenges with critical appliances offline and in need of repair.”
Ms Broad asked the Minister for the Environment to confirm how long Forest Fire Management Victoria vehicles had been out of commission and what steps were being taken to address the faults and safety issues identified.
“With bushfire season bearing down on us, we need an assurance that regional communities in Northern Victoria will have adequate emergency vehicle coverage at the start of the fire season,” Ms Broad said.
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au
