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Melina Bath urges Labor to address delays in CFA volunteer firefighter training
Melina Bath has called out Labor for CFA training delays, urging faster processing to equip volunteers ahead of high bushfire risk. She demands urgent action to support regional brigades and firefighting efforts.
The Nationals' Melina Bath has called out the Allan Labor Government for frustrating delays to new CFA volunteer recruit training in state parliament. Ms Bath told the parliament Labor must expedite the initial fire training so new recruits can get out on the fireground and serve our communities.
Melina Bath urged parliament to fast-track CFA training, stressing urgent need for recruits amid high bushfire risk in eastern Victoria
CFA training delays
Ms Bath said, "New CFA recruits build capacity in Victoria's emergency services system and our regional communities desperately need them. In eastern Victoria the landscape is incredibly dry and the bushfire risk leading into easter remains high. "The Allan government should not be delaying this critical training - it is essential new volunteers are upskilled to perform the role they signed up for without the unnecessary bureaucratic red tape."
"The survival of our regional Victorian communities is intrinsically linked to our local CFA volunteers who provide a surge capacity workforce. The delays that have been reported to me have been up to five months just to complete a general firefighting course - it's completely unacceptable," she said.
Ms Bath said for over a decade Labor has disrespected our CFA volunteers. "Many local brigades are struggling with substandard facilities that are not fit for purpose and outdated equipment including fire fighting trucks that are well past their use by date. Labor must expedite the initial firefighting training to ensure our new recruits are active in their local brigade ready to serve their community." The Minister for Emergency Services' response is due 21 March 2025.
Pictures from Melina Bath MP Facebook page.
Source: http://gippsland.com/
Published by: news@gippsland.com
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