The firefighters’ union has said inadequate funding and resource shortages have left the service underprepared for a ‘super El Niño’ event forecasted for later this year, which could see a repeat of conditions similar to the 2019 bushfire season.
According to the Bureau of Meteorology, there is a 98 per cent chance of the El Niño cycle being classified as severe or ‘super’, characterised by significantly high temperatures.
Fire Brigade Employees Union (FBEU) representative Martin Dixon claimed firefighters were extremely worried that they do not have proper funding and equipment to handle the upcoming fire season.
“We’ve been behind the eight ball for many years and the 2019 bushfires highlighted the heavy reliance on volunteer organisations, which were never designed to handle prolonged bushfire seasons,” he said.
“We are on the frontlines of these events, and relying solely on volunteers is not sustainable.
“We deserve the necessary equipment and support to carry out our job.”
The FBEU is behind the ‘Fix Our Fire Service’ campaign which is calling on more funding to address the issues.
Mr Dixon said that it all “boils down to funding” and blamed the government for continuing to overlook the necessity of frontline services.
“Under the previous state government, we were subjected to one of their programs called an efficiency dividend, which is a really nice way of saying, we’re going to cut your funding,” he said.
“They declassified Fire and Rescue NSW as a frontline service and we still haven’t been reclassified.”
FBEU NSW Secretary, Leighton Drury said that firefighters continued to use outdated and dangerous equipment which hindered their position as ‘first responders’.
“Some of these fire trucks are 24-years-old, which is nine years past the standard,” he said.
“If they break down, then we won’t get there at all.”
The FBEU has continued to advocate for additional resources in their readiness for the El Niño weather event and the escalating effects of climate change.
In a recent report, World Meteorology Organisation Secretary-General Prof. Petteri Taalas said the El Niño event could push Earth’s surface past the 1.5 degree threshold.
“This will have far-reaching repercussions for health, food security, water management and the environment. We need to be prepared,” she said.
The FBEU has vowed to continue their ‘Fix Our Fire Service’ campaign and has urged the NSW government to take immediate action.