Firefighters push for the safest solution — not the cheapest.
Ballarat and Lucas firefighters continue to raise concerns over deteriorating station conditions, ageing appliances and a lack of investment in frontline safety.
Professional firefighters in the region have not received a pay rise in five years — not even in line with CPI — while continuing to respond to emergencies with unreliable trucks and equipment.
The fire door at Lucas Fire Station No. 68 has remained boarded up for six months after failing, forcing crews to operate through the rear of the station. Firefighters say FRV is only willing to replace the door with the cheapest available option, while crews are pushing for the safest and most reliable replacement possible for an operational fire station.
Firefighters argue that when emergency response and community safety are involved, station infrastructure and frontline appliances should be built to the highest possible safety standard — not the lowest possible cost.