Invest in bushfire protection: AWU

Date: 06 July 2009

Significant new investment in planning and preparation for bushfires is now overdue and Victoria is unlikely to meet recommended backburning targets ahead of the next fire season, according to the union representing Government Forest Firefighters.

With the fire season starting in a few months, the Australian Workers' Union says professional Firefighters in the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) need extra staff and equipment to minimise bushfire risks.

Forest Firefighter numbers cut to low levels

AWU Victorian Branch State Secretary, Cesar Melhem, says research for the union's submission to the Bushfires Royal Commission estimates that each dollar spent on proper preparation for bushfires can save $22 in avoided costs of fire.

"The number of DSE Forest Firefighters has been cut to such low levels that they cannot meet adequate backburning targets. Better equipment is required to meet best practice and safety standards", Mr Melhem said.

State Budget cut funding for Forest Fireighters

In response to Emergency Services Commissioner Bruce Esplin's Inquiry into the 2002-03 Victorian Bushfires, the Government announced an extra 200 DSE Firefighters, but since then the number has actually fallen from 257 to 239.

"This is unacceptable because Victoria is Australia's most fire-prone State and has growing populations in regional areas with escalating fire risks from high fuel loads and climate change", Mr Melhem said

AWU analysis shows need to extend backburning to meet targets

"A year-round risk management, prevention and containment strategy requires more resources, but the State Budget in May instead cuts DSE funding by $47 million in receipts from Government", he said.

An AWU analysis estimates DSE needs 1500 extra Forest Firefighters and to triple the area of public land subject to prescribed backburning in order to meet targets recommended by Parliament's Environment and Natural Resources Committee.

Read Cesar Melhem's opinion piece on this issue in today's national newspaper, The Australian

• Fight fires months before the flames ( The Australian July 6, 2009)

Read previous AWU reports about this issue

• AWU backs Vic Bushfire class action

• Union tells Royal Commission 1500 extra Victorian Bush Firefighters needed

• When the shock hits

• Royal Commission into Victorian bushfires to hear from AWU forest firefighters

For further information

Contact:	Cesar Melhem, Branch Secretary
Union:	AWU
WWW:	http://www.awu.net.au/

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