Sydney fire stations hit hard by NSW cost cutting

Posted on April 8, 2014 by Darin Sullivan in Earth, Fire

Fire Brigade Employees’ Union Sydney Inner West sub-branch secretary Martin Dixon out the front of Newtown Fire Station.
Picture: Craig Wilson Source: News Limited

Fire Brigade Employees’ Union inner west sub-branch secretary Martin Dixon said it was only a matter of time before a fatality occurred.

“TOLing…is lessening the fire protection that the people of NSW pay for and deserve. The inner west has been hit particularly hard by this practice, as not only are stations being closed due to staff shortages but some inner west stations are being sent further afield in Sydney to cover closed fire stations elsewhere,” he said.

“Only recently Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) celebrated Newtown Fire Station’s centenary. While everyone had a great day, I bet there was no mention of the fact Newtown has been unmanned on average once a week since O’Farrell’s budget cuts.

“The government and FRNSW are playing a dangerous game of roulette trying to predict where the resources need to be on a particular day. The O’Farrell Government is taking your money and giving you nothing in return.

“No one can predict when and where the next fire, bad car accident, hazardous material spill or water buffalo escape will be and trying to do so is madness. It’s only a matter of time before someone tragically loses their life as a direct result of this dangerous practice.”