In Melbourne’s Western Suburbs, firefighters are being forced to use a 19-year-old, faulty fire truck because there are no replacements available. According to Fire Rescue Victoria’s own policy, trucks should be replaced after 15 years, yet this truck has been left in service for four extra years and is now dangerously close to its 20th birthday. With critical pump faults, it cannot deliver the water pressure needed to fight fires effectively.
In an emergency, firefighters are now risking their lives, forced to use equipment that’s not fit for purpose. If they respond to a house fire, they’ll face the terrifying reality of dangerously low water pressure, putting themselves and the community in harm’s way.
This is a fire truck crisis—a tragedy waiting to happen. Fire Rescue Victoria and the Allan Government have failed to act, leaving our firefighters without the tools they need to keep us safe.
It’s time to stop ignoring this deadly problem. We need urgent action to fix our fire fleet and ensure firefighters have the resources they need to protect us all.
