EMBARGO TO 5:00 AM 10 July 2025 – A failure to replace outdated breathing equipment will see firefighters unable to respond to emergencies in some parts of the Allan Government’s $15 billion Melbourne Metro Rail Tunnel.
Leaked documents from Fire Rescue Victoria reveal that Commissioner Gavin Freeman was informed of the issue and its specific impact on transport infrastructure emergencies more than a year ago.
The Commissioner was the subject of a no-confidence vote by nearly 3000 emergency services workers at FRV last months, which he lost by a 90 percent margin, along with Acting Deputy Secretary Tony Matthews and Acting Executive Director Tom McPherson.
The Breathing Apparatus – Strategy 2024-2030 document was prepared and presented to the Commissioner in mid-2024.
It said that “a focus on subterranean tunnel network infrastructure… requires FRV to undertake an immediate and strategic approach to enhancing FRV’s Long Duration Breathing Apparatus (LDBA) capabilities”.
It recommended that work begin immediately on consultation and procurement, saying that the current situation “poses a substantial risk to both firefighter and community safety”.
Despite this forceful warning, the executive leadership of Fire Rescue Victoria waited a year to commence consultation, and has not begun the procurement process.
Documents provided by Fire Rescue Victoria to the UFU as consultation commenced flagged that “At a minimum a six-month gap (pending consultation and implementation) in LDBA availability is expected.”
United Firefighters Union Vice-President David Black said firefighters were concerned that Fire Rescue Victoria had failed to act on a long-forseen issue that they had been specifically warned about.
“Firefighters protect the public and we take that job very seriously,” Mr Black said. “To do that job we need equipment that works and leaders who listen and care.
“We know that emergencies in the Metro Tunnel are likely to require us to operate in toxic air that can’t be dispersed for extended periods of time.
“We know that our current gear is passing its use-by date in two months and won’t be safe to use.
“Commissioner Freeman was warned more than a year ago that he had to act urgently to ensure public safety and the safety of firefighters.
“Despite that warning he waited a year, prioritising clearly less urgent matters that included a junket to the United States.
“We are now in a situation where the tunnel will be opening and we have no way to get to fires in parts of it.
“We no longer have confidence in the Commissioner who – despite being warned in the strongest possible terms – allowed us and the people we protect to be placed in this avoidable danger.”
Media enquires – Lachlan 0447 682 027, Gabriella 0466 435 468
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Lachlan 0447 682 027
