CFA stations targeted by opportunistic thieves in Victoria
Last month alone, six CFA stations across Victoria were targeted by thieves, well above the average of six to eight per year.
The Country Fire Authority (CFA) in Victoria has reported an increase in fire station break-ins, with six to eight incidents occurring annually on average. Last month alone, there were six recorded break-ins, which is close to the yearly average. The CFA is preparing for what could be one of the worst bushfire seasons in decades, as the recent incidents pose a significant threat to the ability of volunteer fire brigades to respond to emergencies effectively.
The break-ins have occurred in small regional towns such as Timmering, Chocolyn, Kerang, Winnindoo, and Stonehaven, with Stonehaven being targeted twice within days. While no property was stolen in Stonehaven, the break-in resulted in costly repairs. Acting assistant chief fire officer Mark Collins expressed disappointment at this development, emphasizing that it is particularly disheartening considering the upcoming challenging bushfire season.
One of the most significant concerns raised by fire officials is the potential theft of valuable equipment, including radios, chainsaws, firefighting tools, and defibrillators. In Chocolyn, the break-in not only affected the local brigade but also forced neighboring brigades to step in during emergencies. Chocolyn brigade captain Leigh Harry warned that the offenders are becoming more brazen, and the issue requires immediate attention from the CFA.
He suggested that additional funding may be necessary to address the growing security concerns effectively.
The CFA has acknowledged the severity of the situation and is actively reviewing security operations across the state. This includes assessing the feasibility of upgrading security measures, such as installing additional surveillance cameras. Jasper Milligan, CFA's General Manager of Infrastructure and Environmental Services, emphasized the importance of protecting CFA equipment and stated that the organization is taking the matter seriously.
However, he noted that due to the large number of fire brigades (1,200 in Victoria), a quick solution is not feasible. Some fire brigades have already implemented stricter security measures, but there is a need for a comprehensive review of security arrangements across all fire stations.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
