New data showing a plunge in volunteer firefighters has prompted fears that Victoria will be inadequately resourced ahead of a dangerous bushfire season.
Victoria’s volunteer firefighting force has plummeted, with more than 10,000 workers leaving the force since Daniel Andrews became the state’s premier.
New figures show the number of operational firefighters has fallen from 38,335 to 28,934 since 2013-2014.
The percentage of volunteers has also decreased from 64 per cent to 55 per cent, prompting fears that the system could collapse if numbers continue to decline.
The drop in firefighters is of particular concern after three years of a La Niña weather system, which has saturated Australia and led to increased vegetation.
The Bureau of Meteorology has warned a switch to El Niño would bring dry conditions that will increase fire risk and could lead to devastating outcomes.
Emergency Volunteer Awareness Campaign director Garth Head has warned that after years of neglect the sector desperately needs reform to keep experienced firefighters on board.
“The problem is getting worse. The number of very experienced senior volunteers who in the past made up a significant proportion of qualified major incident controllers, incident management team members and field sector and division commanders is at an all time low,” he told the Herald Sun.
“After years of neglect and an organisational failure to have a systematic approach to ensuring training, mentoring and ensuring experience for such roles.”
Mr Head revealed that under the Bracks government the minimum level for volunteers was set to 40,000 firefighters.
He said that this allowed rotating rosters to avoid exhaustion, enable simultaneous response to emergencies and helped maintain high levels of response rates.
However, the CFA has defended it’s workforce and reassured Victorians that their numbers remain strong.
“CFA has never drawn on its full pool of operational volunteers in any given year and its membership in these operational roles remains strong right across the state,” the CFA said in a statement.
Angry firefighters blame the State Government for a decline in numbers, claiming a merger between MFB and the CFA to the new Fire Rescue Victoria led to the axing of senior volunteer roles.
These senior roles are crucial to recruiting and sustaining volunteer firefighters, as well as providing opportunities for development.
Opposition spokeswoman for Emergency Services, Ann-Marie Hermans, said the Andrews government lack of support has not equipped the CFA adequately.
“CFA volunteers are leaving in droves after years of being attacked by Daniel Andrews and his government,” she told the Herald Sun.
“It is crucial that this Labor Government gives our CFA the respect it deserves, acknowledges the sacrifices hardworking volunteers make each and every day and does everything in its power to support them with the resources and tools it needs to attract and retain a strong volunteer network.”
During the 2022 state election, former ally the United Firefighters Union (UFU) campaigned against Mr Andrews after several clashes over equipment funding, pay increases and changes to cancer compensation legislation.