Media release – United Firefighters Union of Australia Tasmania Branch, 31 January 2022

Tasmanian fire data from the 2022 Report on Government Services

Key points:

  • Fire response times sit slightly above the national average.
    • Tas 8.2 minutes
    • Avg 8 minutes
  • The number of accidental structure fires has decreased slightly, bringing Tasmania closer to the national average
  • Tasmania has the lowest rate of confining a fire to the room of origin
    • Tas 58.1%
    • Aus 78.8%
  • The Tasmanian fire death rate fell negligibly from 5.6 to 5.5 per 100,000
  • Tasmania now has the second highest fire death rate behind the ACT where there has been an increase in recorded fire deaths
  • Tasmania has the highest amount of household fire insurance claims at $28.56 per person

Comments:

“This data shows where TFS has made really good progress as well as areas where they have fallen behind. This is an excellent opportunity to review funding and operations to ensure that TFS delivers a greater service for all Tasmanians.”

“It is great to see the work of the Community Fire Safety team delivering a reduction in accidental structure fires. Building inspections, community education and providing basic fire equipment like smoke detectors and fire extinguishers, will be essential for the long-term safety of the Tasmanian community.”

“Where structure fires have occurred, it is interesting to see that response times are in line with the national average, but Tasmania still has the lowest rate of the fire being contained to the room of origin. This tells me that firefighters are getting there quickly enough, but they aren’t arriving with adequate numbers or equipment.”

“This is also reflected in Tasmania having the highest household fire damage bill per person and the second highest fire death rate.”

“People like to complain about paying council rates and the Fire Service Levy, but the cost of not adequately funding the TFS is more deaths and higher insurance premiums. Personally, I would rather pay more to stop my house burning down than pay more in insurance so it can be rebuilt.”