Since October 2025, Fire Station 72 (Mildura) has been without its reserve fire truck — a critical resource for maintaining emergency response capability, particularly during extreme heat.
Right now, Mildura is facing a forecast of seven consecutive days above 40°C, with temperatures expected to peak at 47°C on Tuesday. Local firefighters have exhausted every possible option to source a spare truck so they can provide the level of protection the community pays for through the Emergency Services Tax.
The harsh reality?
Due to ongoing underfunding by the Allan Government, there is no spare fire truck available anywhere in Victoria.
So far in 2026, Mildura has:
- Been without FRV emergency response for over two hours on two separate occasions
- Endured two heatwaves without a reserve truck to provide additional resourcing
- By Saturday 28 January, experienced 10 days this month where emergency response capability was reduced due to a lack of working fire trucks
Firefighters are being asked to do more with less — less funding, ageing appliances, failing equipment, and stretched resources — while Victorians are being charged double the Emergency Services Tax.
This is not acceptable.
If you support firefighters and expect properly resourced emergency services, add your name and share the petition: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/…/select-committee…/