Recent emergencies in Pakenham have highlighted the need for another Fire Truck to be stationed in the area – currently there is only one.
On 29 October, a structural fire occurred with back up requested, with an appliance coming from Hallam. It was peak hour on the Monash.
Due to the ever-increasing growth in the South and Southeast, the back-up Fire Truck advised during the incident that they were stuck in traffic and were 12 minutes away.
Local Fire Rescue resources were stretched, had another emergency occurred within the area, there would be no immediate assistance.
On another occasion, crew were not able to provide assistance to a car accident that occurred across the road from Pakenham Fire Station, as the one station Truck was on another call.
By 2041 Pakenham is forecast to be home to 83,000 people and a large industrial precinct.
Local Firefighters have expressed concern at the lack of Fire Rescue planning around this growth, but it continues to fall on deaf ears.
If plans are not developed, initiated and budgeted for now, there will be an increase in incidents which a one Truck Fire Station cannot service.
The Allan Government have ignored warnings for years. The lack of planning and funding has left us relying on outdated, unsafe equipment, putting lives at risk.
The fire crisis is real—and it’s getting worse. Urgent action is needed.