By FireRescue1 Staff
CANBERRA, Australia — Airport firefighters have resorted to sleeping on bathroom and office floors to catch some shut-eye.
According to union officials, the airport does not have proper sleeping facilities for firefighters, some of whom are are working back-to-back shifts.
“Currently there are no proper rest or recline facilities at the [Aviation Rescue Fire Fighting Service] station at the Canberra airport,” official Henry Lawrence said. “Our members are forced to rest in the ladies toilet area, breathing apparatus maintenance room, printer room and the station gym. Obviously, this is unacceptable.”
The union has called upon the government to provide firefighters with appropriate rest areas, reported the Canberra Times.
“Our aviation rescue firefighters play a valuable role in ensuring the safety of the traveling public and it’s important they have the appropriate resources and facilities to deliver this service,” fire union official Darren Chester said.
Officials from Airservices Australia, the government organization responsible for the fire station, said they are working to upgrade the station’s sleeping facilities.
“The station upgrade project includes improved rest areas for our firefighters and an expanded fire vehicle engine bay,” an Airservices Australia spokesperson said.