Firefighters battling the factory blaze in Dandenong on Friday were working with an appliance that is out of date and not fit for purpose. Pumper emits hazardous black smoke engulfing firefighters, due to a foam pump problem, likely the cause of the pumper failing to produce.
Firefighting foam is critical when dealing with flammable liquid fires like the one of Friday. But it struggled to make half the amount of foam that it carries on board before failing.
A firefighter at the scene of Friday’s fire working around this appliance has described the smell of the toxic fumes as making them feel physically sick.
Dealing with significant events such as one that occurred on Friday requires a Fleet that is up to date and fit for purpose, this appliance is over 20 years old and is itself a hazard to firefighters and the community.