Community
6 February, 2026
Volunteers raise alarm on aged equipement
THE CFA Volunteers Group committee (CFAVG) has raised serious concerns after receiving multiple reports from Country Fire Authority (CFA) brigades across Victoria indicating frontline capability and safety risks linked to ageing fire trucks, inadequate station facilities, prolonged fatigue and gaps in operational and post-fire support.
CFAVG said the reports, which span several regions, point to systemic issues rather than isolated incidents and reinforce the urgent need for greater transparency and government accountability in how CFA resources are prioritised and delivered.
Westmere Group, one of Victoria’s largest CFA groups with 24 brigades, has reported there are 10 tankers aged between 25 and 35 years still in frontline service within brigades in the group.
The Carlisle River brigade in the Otways, which has been actively engaged in prolonged fire response, launched a community GoFundMe to help meet operational needs during the fire season.
An additional two brigades have experienced issues with getting funding for improved stations, with repeated attempts to secure funding failing.
Additionally, a second CFA group has 14 appliances operating beyond their recommended service life.
CFAVG spokesman Leigh Harry said the reports raised serious questions about how well the system supports volunteers and communities before, during, and after major incidents.
“CFA volunteers accept risk as part of the job, but they should not be operating in unsafe vehicles, outdated stations, or facilities that no longer meet basic standards,” he said.
“These are not criticisms of brigades or volunteers.
“They are warnings about system-level failures that expose volunteers to unnecessary risk.”
Mr Harry said CFAVG was particularly concerned about the cumulative impact of an ageing fleet, inadequate facilities, long deployments and uncertainty around post-fire support on volunteer wellbeing, morale, and retention.
“Volunteer sustainability is a public safety issue,” he said.
“When volunteers feel unsafe, unsupported or overlooked, it directly affects the capability communities rely on in emergencies.”
CFAVG emphasised it was not seeking to single out individual CFA members or brigades but is calling for greater transparency and accountability from the government regarding fleet condition, station infrastructure, replacement schedules, and operational support.
“When communities are fundraising to support brigades, or when volunteers are responding from stations that lack basic facilities, it should prompt serious questions about whether frontline investment is reaching where it is needed most,” Mr Harry said.
The concerns come as more than 10,000 firefighters, volunteers and community members have signed a petition calling for an independent parliamentary inquiry into the CFA, and as CFAVG awaits responses from Members of Parliament to its CFA Volunteers Public Pledge.
“These reports reinforce why an independent parliamentary inquiry is necessary,” Mr Harry said.
“Victorians deserve confidence that CFA volunteers are properly equipped, housed, and supported — not just thanked — before the next fire season arrives.”
CFAVG has called on Members of Parliament to engage directly with affected brigades and communities, seek clear answers from government, and support measures which ensure CFA volunteers can continue protecting Victoria safely and sustainably.