Suburban Victoria's Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) has been struggling to meet emergency response targets, particularly in the outer suburban areas it was supposed to serve better. Since its formation in 2020, FRV has consistently missed its target response time for structural fires, with a 90% response rate within seven minutes and 42 seconds. This is despite a 33% budget increase and a near $200 million wage hike, indicating a potential under-resourcing issue. The situation has been exacerbated by the agency's poor performance in fast-growing outer suburban areas, with response times often exceeding the benchmark. The recent death of a three-year-old boy in a house fire in Werribee highlights the urgency of the issue, as the fire was within FRV's response area, but the crew was tied up with a car crash. The United Firefighters Union (UFU) argues that the state government has failed to adequately resource the restructure, with no new fire stations built since FRV's establishment. This underinvestment has led to longer response times and a growing demand for medical emergencies and road crash responses, straining FRV's resources. The UFU's criticism is supported by the Liberal MP Nick McGowan, who points out the lack of fire safety infrastructure in Melbourne's outer growth suburbs. The situation raises questions about the effectiveness of the 2020 reforms and the allocation of resources in Victoria's emergency services. The government's response, however, emphasizes improved response times and record investment, but the UFU's ongoing negotiations for a new pay deal and the political implications of the dispute suggest that the issue is far from resolved. The future of FRV and the safety of Victoria's residents remain uncertain as the debate over resource allocation and performance continues.
