The Marshall Liberal Government’s refusal to provide funds for basic safety equipment is placing the lives of local firefighters at unreasonable risk.
The United Firefighters Union (South Australia Branch) has launched a campaign to make the community aware of the added danger firefighters are facing when doing their jobs due to the Marshall Liberal Government’s apparent lack of plan for providing basic fire appliance upgrades to improve safety.
Local Member of Parliament Tony Piccolo said fire appliances still do not have burn over protection to increase the safety of firefighters when they are assisting with bushfires.
“Many Metropolitan Fire Services (MFS) in peri-urban areas often back up their Country Fire Service (CFS) colleagues in fighting bushfires which requires them to travel through areas while fires are raging,” Mr Piccolo said.
“Gawler is a classic example of an MFS Unit required to support CFS and SES units in nearby rural areas.
“The lack of burn over equipment on these fore trucks puts firefighters at an unreasonable risk.
“Firefighters are not seeking pay increases but rather greater resources for firefighting facilities.”
Mr Piccolo said what is of greatest concern is that the Marshall Liberal Government do not appear to have a plan to upgrade facilities and firefighting equipment.
“With the bushfire season getting longer and more serious, we need a well-resourced emergency service to ensure both fire fighters and the community are being kept safe,” he explained.
“If the Marshall Liberal Government has a plan, they should make it public, as it would provide firefighters and the community with some clarity and confidence that the matter is being addressed.”