Fire Rescue Victoria has elaborated on concerns raised by sections of the Shepparton community and Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell about the region missing out on priority status for new specialised firefighting equipment.
“Shepparton and its surrounding communities are well protected by both Fire Rescue Victoria and CFA crews,” an FRV spokesperson said.
“FRV's latest response time data reveals that firefighters responded to more than 92% of code 1 emergencies in Shepparton within 7.5 minutes, exceeding our benchmarks.
“Shepparton’s Fire Station has recently been upgraded, with a primary pumper appliance, an aerial appliance and a hazmat vehicle stationed there. The aerial pumper provides elevated firefighting capability.
“FRV consistently reviews its allocation of resources and equipment to ensure it maintains capability and improves service delivery to the Victorian community.
“The potential deployment of a new Pumper Platform to Sunshine is consistent with our regular review of the risk environment and operational capability.
“In the 2024-25 Victorian Budget, $15.4 million is being invested for five new Pumper Platform appliances fitted with the latest fleet technology for FRV.
“FRV is (committed) to supplying Shepparton and its surrounding communities with a new Pumper Platform appliance in line with its deployment plan.”
Pumper platform appliances perform general firefighting duties, and also have a long extendable arm with a platform that can be raised to enable rescues at height and water tower operations.
Shepparton has numerous sites that would require the use of an aerial appliance, including many large food manufacturing facilities, cool stores and greenhouses.
Additionally, there are now nine buildings in the city over 25m in height, including three buildings over six storeys in height.
The closest aerial platform of similar capability to the new Pumper Platform is at the Bendigo station, 90 minutes away.
Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe has joined Ms Lovell in calling on the Minister for Emergency Services to step in.
“The need for this fire truck was clearly identified and promised for a reason. Now the government needs to explain why they are not going ahead,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
“The reallocation of the pumper platform away from Shepparton is a clear example of the Labor government neglecting the needs of regional communities.
“I have been contacted by concerned firefighters who have expressed their concern and complete shock with this decision.
“Our firefighters were also trained to use the pumper platform, expecting it to arrive in Shepparton within weeks. Now, they are left without the equipment they need.
“As the Minister for Emergency Services, Jaclyn Symes should know the consequences of taking this vital equipment away from our community. She needs to explain why the government has made this appalling decision and ignored the risk assessment.
“This decision needs to be reversed, and she needs to provide the resources that our firefighters need and were promised.”
FRV is expecting the arrival of 23 new vehicles over the next 12 months.
This includes two rehabilitation units, Victoria’s first electric fire truck, three new breathing apparatus support vehicles, 12 heavy pumpers, four heavy rescue vehicles and an ultra large pumper.