Opposition questions the government's failure to equip firefighting vehicles with essential safety features in high-risk areas. The government denies any negative impact on firefighting effectiveness, citing training and historical precedent.

AnsweredQoN 985Legislative Council
Asked
5 December 2013
Portfolio
Emergency Services

QuestionView source ↗

FIREFIGHTING VEHICLES —
FIT-OUT
985. Hon KATE DOUST to the
Attorney General representing the Minister for Emergency Services:
I ask this question on behalf of Hon Adele Farina who is,
unfortunately, absent on urgent parliamentary business. I refer to reports of
the government's failure to fit all firefighting vehicles operating in ''high
to extreme'' risk areas with in-cab breathing equipment, water spray
protection or advanced GPS and that only 71 per cent of vehicles have been
fitted with heat shields.
(1) Which
measures are being put in place to ensure bush fire fighters are not exposed or
placed in high-risk situations that could result in loss of life?
(2) Will the
lack of this critical equipment impact on the ability of bush fire fighters to
effectively fight and contain bushfires?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the honourable member for some notice of this
question.
(1) Firefighters
are well prepared for a burn-over via constant training within their own
brigades in line with nationally recognised safety standards that minimise the
risk of exposure to appliance burn-over.
(2) No.
Western Australian fire appliances have never had crew protection and this
program, as it continues, augments training undertaken by bushfire volunteers
to recognise and avoid exposure to threat to their safety.

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