ABC Regional News
MELBOURNE, Australia — The firefighters’ union in Victoria says it is a disgrace that radio systems between metropolitan and country fire authorities are not compatible.
An incident controller has told the Bushfires Royal Commission that fire chiefs could not radio instructions to crews fighting the Bendigo fire.
One man died and 58 homes were destroyed in the blaze.
The United Firefighters Union’s secretary, Peter Marshall, says the Country Fire Authority radio system needs to be upgraded.
“They have been asking for funding from the State Government and there’s a submission before the State Government,” he said.
“It’s a known fact, there’s been no action from the State Government on that issue.
“There’s no difference in relation to equipment.”
Risk reduction
Meanwhile, fire authorities say a fuel reduction burn near Bendigo will reduce the fire risk for thousands of residents.
The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) has begun burning 33 hectares near Junortoun.
The DSE says it is one of the most important fuel reduction burns in its program.
And the Macedon Ranges Council will increase the number of fire breaks this summer after a review by the Municipal Fire Prevention Committee.
The breaks are designed to prevent or contain fires on roadsides, and provide control lines for authorities.
The additional breaks will target areas designated as high risk.
Fire prevention officer Barry Whelan says its hoped the works will be done by the end of the year.
“Some of it will be mulching or grooming if you like, to just remove fine fuel, some of it will be slashing ... we’ve actually got some machinery in to go in and clear some areas and tidy them up and there will be some burning.”
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