Victoria firefighters face challenges with aging fire truck fleet
smh.com.au — January 13, 2025, 08:01 PM UTC
Firefighters in Victoria are facing challenges with an aging fleet of fire trucks, many of which are over 15 years old and prone to breakdowns. This situation is affecting their response times and overall safety. Recent reports indicate that 42% of Fire Rescue Victoria's trucks have surpassed their replacement age, with more expected to follow in 2025. Firefighters have expressed concerns about the reliability of their equipment, citing instances of trucks failing during emergencies. The state government has announced plans to update the fleet, including the addition of new trucks and fire stations. However, tensions remain high between the firefighters' union and the government over pay and resource allocation.