Firefighters concerned that the Fire Service Levy is not being fully spent on community protection will bring their protest to Geelong today.
A banner truck with the message ‘Cost cutting costs lives’ will be driving around shopping centres.
United Firefighters Union secretary Peter Marshall said firefighters were concerned that while the Fire Service Levy has more than doubled in three years, the Napthine Government has been slashing the CFA and MFB budgets
“Instead of spending the Fire Services Levy on desperately needed equipment or extra firefighters in growing areas, the CFA and MFB banked $157 million last year,” he said.
“Corio fire station needs upgrade and more firefighters for its new HAZMAT vehicle. The vehicle is ready but Corio can’t accommodate or staff it.
“Corio is critical for chemical incidents, one of three CFA fire stations in the state with this capacity.
”At Belmont, the intended home of a brand new CFA mobile communications vehicle, the new truck is too tall to fit inside the fire station.
Without an upgrade to the fire station to allow the appliance inside, the Geelong region may be forced to accept an older, second-hand unit from elsewhere in the state.
“Geelong City needs more firefighters, radios that work inside Westfield shopping centre, and equipment for trench rescue.
“Geelong City is responsible for trench rescue from Geelong to Warrnambool but lacks the right equipment.
“The Government advertises that the Fire Services Levy is a fairer levy because the cost is being shared by more Victorians. But it’s not a fairer levy if it’s not going to fire protection.
“Firefighters are demanding that all money collected from the Fire Services Levy goes to the Fire Services – and is spent on community protection, not banked.”
“The Napthine government is cutting corners on its responsibility for community protection. They have forgotten the lessons of Black Saturday.”
