18 AUGUST 2026 – Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) is attempting to showcase their Breathing Apparatus Support and Rehabilitation Units at this week’s Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council (AFAC) conference. However, the organisation is refusing to commit the necessary firefighters to staff these vital and time-critical appliances, raising serious concerns about operational readiness and resource allocation.
Despite the Emergency Services tax raising an additional $2.4 billion to Victoria’s emergency services over the next 3 years, FRV will not commit to staffing these time and time-critical support appliances.
This admission comes after repeated warnings from the United Firefighters Union (UFU) and frontline firefighters since as early as March 2025 about the lack of planning to ensure these essential appliances are staffed at all times.
Breathing Apparatus Support units are designed to provide vital reinforcement during large-scale incidents, supplying firefighters with the necessary equipment to maintain safety and effectiveness on the fireground. Similarly, the Rehabilitation Units are crucial for firefighters on the fire ground offering a proper environment and equipment for recovery, preventing heat stress and related health issues.
FRV’s approach has been met with criticism from frontline firefighters, who say the inability to staff these appliances not only undermines firefighter safety but also jeopardises the safety of the communities they serve.
“Here we have an organisation that has just spent a further $1.57 million dollars in the last quarter to litigate their own workforce – totaling $15 million since July 2023 – yet they don’t have money to put firefighters on fire trucks” Peter Marshall, UFU Branch Secretary said.
“They are showcasing two shiny new trucks this week at a fire service conference, yet at the same time refuse to staff these crucial appliances. FRV’s executives have their priorities wrong.”
Media enquiries – Peter Marshall 0419 127 004