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United Firefighters Union of Australia
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Victoria’s Truck Crisis: Public at Risk While FRV Leadership Fails

Yesterday, we all watched in disbelief as a van tore through Melbourne’s streets, driving erratically and endangering innocent lives.

Had that van caused a serious crash — with people trapped inside twisted metal — Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) firefighters would have been the ones responding in a specialised Rescue truck, trained and equipped to save lives in the most critical moments.

On the very same day, the Rescue truck in Melton (Rescue 56) broke down. The PTO has failed, rendering the hydraulics unusable, the truck to issue smoke — and there’s no spare to replace it.

That means tens of thousands of Victorians are now without a frontline rescue truck responding immediately from Melton. And this isn’t an isolated incident — it’s the direct result of a leadership team that has failed firefighters and the communities they serve.

🔥 Over 90% of FRV firefighters have voted no confidence in Commissioner Gavin Freeman, Acting Deputy Secretary Tony Matthews, and Acting Executive Director Tom McPherson — because they appear more focused on managing their public image than managing our emergency service.

Enough is enough. Premier Jacinta Allan must act. Victorians deserve working fire trucks, real rescue capability, and leadership that puts public safety first.

The UFU acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land, and we pay our respect to their Elders, past and present.

The UFU supports the call of First Nations peoples for a Voice to Parliament to be enshrined in the Constitution.

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