Leaked briefing lays bare critical failures in Victoria's firefighting fleet as executives warn ageing trucks are jeopardising public safety
The documents, leaked to the Herald Sun, indicate that more than 130 firefighting appliances are set to exceed their 15-year service threshold, even as the government commits $10 million towards upgrades, a figure insiders say barely scratches the surface.
The report, presented to FRV's executive leadership team last month, outlined alarming issues including increased mechanical failures, soaring maintenance downtime, and an inability to meet essential replacement targets.
Fewer than half of the 144 vehicles due to be phased out over the next five years are expected to be replaced under current plans.
Fire chiefs explicitly warned of 'significant deficiencies' in the availability of working trucks, casting fresh doubt on Victoria's capacity to respond to future fire emergencies.
United Firefighters Union Secretary Peter Marshall did not hold back, saying the leaked documents demonstrate a clear knowledge among leadership of the dangers facing both emergency responders and the public.
'Firefighters are putting their lives on the line to protect the public every single day,' Mr Marshall said.
'They are doing it in ancient, unsafe trucks that should not be on the road. They are a danger to public safety and firefighter safety.
'For years, Commissioner Gavin Freeman and his executive leadership team have been claiming that there is no danger but this document shows that there is a danger, that they know there is a danger, and that they have been misleading the public and firefighters about it.
'Firefighters and emergency services workers have lost confidence in their leadership and they must resign.
'If they do not resign they should be removed from their position so the fire service can be led by someone that firefighters and the Victorians they protect can have confidence in.'
Among the most urgent concerns raised is a lack of aerial trucks, used to combat fires from above, which are already in short supply.
Shortfalls in the more commonly used pumper trucks are now also emerging.
The briefing calls for immediate capital investment in modern vehicles, a ramp-up in maintenance capacity, and the use of more robust, defendable data to better forecast the fleet's performance and reliability into the future.
Despite the growing backlash, FRV Commissioner Gavin Freeman has maintained a defensive stance.
In a public statement issued earlier this year, he attempted to downplay the concerns surrounding vehicle age.
'Victorians should know that fire trucks do not expire simply because they reach a certain age,' he said at the time.
'These appliances are specially built and can remain in service for long periods, depending on their usage and workload.
'While FRV has more than 200 fire trucks in operation, I want to assure Victorians of the investment being made to upgrade our firefighting fleet right across Victoria.'
Commissioner Freeman also cited the lengthy procurement process involved in fleet renewal, noting that it can take as long as two years to deliver a single new fire truck due to the specialised nature of the equipment.
A spokesperson for FRV has confirmed that an independent review is underway, aimed at assessing the condition of the current fleet and the agency's broader maintenance framework.
'FRV is proactively planning for the future and has made strong progress in updating our fleet and embracing new technology and innovation,' the spokesperson said.
'Victorians should rest assured they will always be protected in an emergency.'
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