Wendy Lovell, Member for Northern Victoria, has said Fire Rescue Victoria must confirm when the new pumper platform fire truck will be delivered to Fire Station 75 in Shepparton, after news that the United Firefighters Union has not supported FRV’s plan to redirect the truck to Sunshine.
FRV representatives visited Shepparton in September to advice local crews that they were intending to redirect the pumper platform allocated to Shepparton to Sunshine. The process for FRV to reallocate resources requires FRV to obtain the endorsement of the UFU.
But a letter from UFU secretary Peter Marshall to FRV assistant chief fire officer Craig Brownlie has confirmed that the Union will not approve the transfer and insists that the truck be deployed to Shepparton.
The UFU’s insistence that the truck be deployed to Shepparton is good news for the community and firefighters at Fire Station 75, as the new fire truck will boost the firefighting capabilities of the brigade.
Greater Shepparton has numerous large facilities, and a growing number of tall buildings, that require a Pumper with a high aerial platform to fight fires and perform rescues at height. The Pumper Platform will also support firefighting operations across north-eastern Victoria.
“FRV must confirm exactly when the Pumper Platform will be delivered to Fire Station 75 and go into operation, and it must arrive as soon as possible,” said Ms Lovell. “This new Pumper Platform is vitally important for future fire safety and rescue in Shepparton and throughout the north-east.”
