❓ A WA parliamentary question regarding the flammability of fibreglass heat shielding on fire trucks, prompted by an incident in Victoria. The response details the phasing out of fibreglass in some components but not water tanks, and emphasizes operational protocols to minimize fire risk.
AnsweredQoN 3266Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Minister aware that the Mr Ralph Barraclough, captain of the Licola Country Fire Authority fire crew in Gippsland, Victoria, recently set his fire truck alight using a single piece of lighted toilet paper to show that the fibreglass heat shielding on CFA trucks was highly flammable and hence of little protection to its fire crews?
(2) Is Mr Barraclough correct when he stated in a media statement on 5 October 2003 that ‘West Australian fire fighters began phasing out the use of fibreglass on their trucks last year’?
(3) If yes, how many trucks still have fibreglass heat shielding and when will removal of the fibreglass be completed?
(4) If no, for what reasons does the Minister believe that the fibreglass heat shielding does not pose a significant danger to fire truck crew?
(2) Is Mr Barraclough correct when he stated in a media statement on 5 October 2003 that ‘West Australian fire fighters began phasing out the use of fibreglass on their trucks last year’?
(3) If yes, how many trucks still have fibreglass heat shielding and when will removal of the fibreglass be completed?
(4) If no, for what reasons does the Minister believe that the fibreglass heat shielding does not pose a significant danger to fire truck crew?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
9 November 2004
Responded by
Minister for Police and Emergency Services
Response time
21 days
(2-3) The Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) advise they changed specifications for equipment stowage lockers and side protection shielding on firefighting appliances from fibreglass to aluminium in 2002. Fibreglass or polyethylene water tanks continue to be fitted to FESA firefighting appliances. FESA does not have a fibreglass component removal program in place for its firefighting appliances. (4) FESA advise that provided approved operational protocols are followed, the probability of a fire fighting appliance catching fire is low. A fundamental principle of firefighting in Western Australia demands that crew leaders not place themselves, their crews and their equipment in situations of unnecessary risk. This is re-enforced through training and operational standing instructions. In recognition of the remote possibility however, firefighters are provided with training on what to do in the event of a burn-over.
(4) FESA advise that provided approved operational protocols are followed, the probability of a fire fighting appliance catching fire is low. A fundamental principle of firefighting in Western Australia demands that crew leaders not place themselves, their crews and their equipment in situations of unnecessary risk. This is re-enforced through training and operational standing instructions. In recognition of the remote possibility however, firefighters are provided with training on what to do in the event of a burn-over.
(4) FESA advise that provided approved operational protocols are followed, the probability of a fire fighting appliance catching fire is low. A fundamental principle of firefighting in Western Australia demands that crew leaders not place themselves, their crews and their equipment in situations of unnecessary risk. This is re-enforced through training and operational standing instructions. In recognition of the remote possibility however, firefighters are provided with training on what to do in the event of a burn-over.
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