Media release – Stephen McCallum, United Firefighters Union of Australia Tasmania, 12 April 2021
North-West under resourced while facing more severe fire risks
“The fire service in Tasmania is one of the most poorly funded in the country. Tasmanians are far more likely to die in a residential fire than our mainland counterparts.
“The north-west faces a number of challenges that impact community safety. Fire risks in the north-west are higher than in the rest of Tasmania, but they have the fewest 24 hour fire crews.
“Many residents of the north-west would be shocked to know how much their fire safety relies on the goodwill and availability of Volunteer Firefighters who are being called upon more frequently.
“This lack of resources is not just a matter for residents in the north-west to worry about, if critical infrastructure is damaged in the north-west, there would be massive economic impacts for the whole state.
“The ports, airports, hospitals and heavy industry have been left vulnerable to fire incidents. Both ports at Burnie and Devonport are near capacity, so there would be a massive economic bottleneck if a fire could not be contained at one of those facilities.
“The lives of residents in the north-west are at risk. Tasmania’s economy is at risk. The next government must prioritise community safety and fund additional 24 hour crews in the north-west.
