Firefights and residents alike shared concerns and frustrations over the weekend, as their pleads for stronger protection and fleet control remain unanswered.
A protest outside of the Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) western metropolitan office on Clark Street, Sunshine, took place on Saturday, August 3, with the community calling on greater regulation and response, after factory fires in Derrimut, Deer Park, and Footscray in the past month.
Rally organiser, Victorian Socialists’ Catherine Robertson, said she is fed up with feeling as though her safety is at risk by living in the west.
“First the explosive chemical fire in Derrimut, then Deer Park, and now … a huge blaze at the old Kinnears factory site in the middle of Footscray,” she said.
“We want to see serious penalties imposed on the businesses responsible and the chemical industry audited. Our communities should be safe for us to live in, not powder kegs.”
Local resident Van Rudd said the uncertainty has made life uncomfortable for him and his family.
“We still don’t know the long term health or environmental impacts of these fires, you wonder if you’ll be told to stay indoors again the next time you head to work or send your kids to school,” he said.
United Firefighter Union (UFU) representative and senior firefighter Matthew Morgan fronted the crowd to voice the concerns the union has around the aging fleet of firetrucks.
“They look shiny, they’re red, but there’s bits and pieces of them falling off,” he said.
“I was one of the first responders to the Derrimut fire … we couldn’t do much, I wish I could tell you we did all we could but we could not.
“Our teleboom, which should have been in Sunshine, was in Ringwood.”
A spokesperson for the state government said the EPA has a strong level of control to manage and test toxic facilities.
“Victorian Government reforms have delivered stronger environmental protection laws and provided more tools and powers to the EPA to strengthen its ability to do its job,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson also said state government has provided funding to emergency services and they have the equipment they need.
“We have delivered more than $100 million to ensure our firefighters have the trucks, resources and equipment they need to protect Victorians and keep themselves safe,” the spokesperson said.
“Fire Rescue Victoria’s (FRV) vehicles and equipment are maintained by an expert team to ensure they are both safe to use and ready to respond.”
