The Nationals’ Member for Shepparton District, Kim O’Keeffe, has contacted the Minister for Emergency Services Jacyln Symes urging the government to reverse its decision after the Allan Labor Government reallocated a vital firefighting resource pumper platform to Metropolitan Melbourne.
“The need for this fire truck was clearly identified and promised for a reason. Now the government needs to explain why they are not going ahead,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
The pumper platform truck is designed to fight fires and conduct rescues at height and had been earmarked for Shepparton. However, weeks before its arrival it has now been diverted to Sunshine in metropolitan Melbourne.
The risk assessment conducted before the purchase of the pumper platform identified Shepparton as one of two of the highest risk areas most in need of this equipment due to its increasing number of tall buildings, including Shepparton Law Courts, Goulburn Valley Health, and Greater Shepparton Secondary College.
“The reallocation of the pumper platform away from Shepparton is a clear example of the Labor government neglecting the needs of regional communities,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
“I have been contacted by concerned firefighters who have expressed their concern and complete shock with this decision.
“Our firefighters were also trained to use the pumper platform, expecting it to arrive in Shepparton within weeks. Now, they are left without the equipment they need.”
Ms O’Keeffe said Shepparton’s growth means the community faces new challenges, and our firefighters must be properly equipped to meet them.
“As the Minister for Emergency Services, Jaclyn Symes should know the consequences of taking this vital equipment away from our community. She needs to explain why the government has made this appalling decision and ignored the risk assessment,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
“This decision needs to be reversed and she needs to provide the resources that our firefighters need and were promised.”