14 October 2026
- Damning independent VAGO report confirms firefighters’ longstanding concerns over ageing trucks, maintenance failures and inadequate fleet replacement funding.
- UFU accuses FRV executives of attempting to spike the independent VAGO full report and findings by releasing internal KPMG summary of fire truck statistics on the same day.
PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY – 12:00 PM
Where: 410 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
Who: Peter Marshall – UFU Victorian Branch Secretary
The United Firefighters Union (UFU) says Victoria’s professional firefighters have been vindicated following today’s release of the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office (VAGO) report, Managing Victoria’s Firefighting Fleet, which identifies serious shortcomings in the management, maintenance and replacement of the state’s firefighting appliances.
The independent VAGO report confirms significant concerns about ageing fire trucks, maintenance shortfalls and inadequate funding for replacement appliances — issues firefighters have been raising for years.
However, the UFU has accused Fire Rescue Victoria’s (FRV) executive leadership of deploying a “crisis management” tactic at the expense of the safety of firefighters, by releasing very limited material from its internal KPMG fleet review on the very same day – some 16 months after it said it would do so.
UFU Victorian Branch Secretary Peter Marshall said the findings vindicated firefighters who had repeatedly warned about the deteriorating condition of Victoria’s firefighting fleet.
“Firefighters have been warning about this crisis for years. Now the independent Victorian Auditor-General has confirmed the very problems we have been raising.
“Yet instead of addressing VAGO’s findings, FRV’s executives have chosen this exact moment to release their own internal KPMG material.
“After sitting on this report for approximately 16 months, the timing is extraordinary.
“This looks like a desperate attempt at crisis management designed to distract from the independent Auditor-General’s findings.”
VAGO REPORT CONFIRMS SERIOUS FLEET FAILURES
The independent VAGO report identifies significant concerns, including:
- 59.8 per cent of FRV fire trucks are at least 15 years old.
- FRV completed only 67.9 per cent of scheduled maintenance since 2021.
- FRV’s fleet availability fell below its 85 per cent target.
- Victoria’s fire authorities require an estimated $1.5 billion for critical fleet replacement and upgrades over the next decade, but have secured only approximately one-quarter of the required funding.
The UFU has also previously revealed that documents dated 18 August 2026 identified 60 FRV appliances unavailable for operational service, repairs or project work.
“These are not isolated mechanical problems. They demonstrate why firefighters have been demanding a properly funded, ongoing fleet replacement program,” Mr Marshall said.
FRV’S RESPONSE TO VAGO RAISES SERIOUS QUESTIONS
The UFU says the sequence of events surrounding today’s release demonstrates FRV’s focus on promoting its own internal review rather than addressing the independent VAGO findings. The events this morning were as follows:
- 9:59 am: FRV Commissioner Gavin Freeman sent correspondence to the UFU Branch Secretary concerning the internal KPMG report.
- 10:02 am: Commissioner Freeman issued a prepared communication and pre-recorded video to FRV members concerning the KPMG review, without providing the independent VAGO findings.
- 10:06 am: The UFU received the independent VAGO report.
- 10:17 am: The UFU wrote to Commissioner Freeman asking whether he would address the independent findings and apologise to firefighters.
Mr Marshall said the events demanded an explanation.
“FRV’s executives had time to prepare a video and management action plan promoting their own internal review, yet firefighters were not provided with the independent Auditor-General’s findings.
“This action by Commissioner Freeman and the FRV executive clearly justify the 90.85% vote of no confidence against him.
FIREFIGHTERS DEMANDED AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT YEARS AGO
The UFU said today’s VAGO findings reinforced concerns it formally raised in proceedings before the Fair Work Commission in April 2024, following an incident in which a firefighter was reportedly forced to enter a burning house without a reliable water supply.
The Union proposed an independent fleet audit, offered to contribute half the cost and sought FRV’s involvement.
FRV rejected that proposal and subsequently commissioned its own internal KPMG review, which it indicated would be completed by mid-2025.
The UFU says it repeatedly requested the report but was advised it had not been completed.
“Firefighters identified this crisis and demanded an independent examination long before today’s VAGO report,” Mr Marshall said.
“We even offered to pay half the cost of an independent audit. FRV rejected that offer and instead commissioned its own review.
“Now, after months of delay, FRV has released selected KPMG material alongside a glossy management action plan.
“The Victorian community deserves the full, unedited KPMG report, not simply the information FRV’s executives have chosen to release.”
GOVERNMENT MUST ACT ON VAGO FINDINGS
The UFU said the State Government’s recent announcement of 50 new fire trucks would not address the scale of the fleet replacement challenge.
“Fire trucks are essential frontline emergency equipment. Firefighters should never have to enter burning buildings wondering whether their appliances will work,” Mr Marshall said.
“Victoria needs a fully funded rolling replacement program that ensures fire trucks are replaced before they become unreliable.
“The independent VAGO report must be a turning point.
“Firefighters have been vindicated. The question now is whether the Government and FRV will finally listen and act.”
Media enquiries: Peter Marshall – 0419 127 004