The Country Fire Authority recorded six break-ins at its stations across Victoria in October, close to the number it usually sees in a whole year, the ABC reports. The volunteer fire service averages six to eight known break-ins a year, and the true number may be higher because not all are reported.
The October break-ins were in the small regional towns of Timmering, Chocolyn, Kerang and Winnindoo, and at Stonehaven, which was targeted twice. Thieves took radios, chainsaws, firefighting equipment and defibrillators from some stations.
"The CFA is sickened that our fire stations would ever be the target of thieves," chief officer Jason Heffernan said. He said the break-ins could affect a brigade's ability to respond to emergencies. "[It] places an additional burden on volunteers who give their time to protect their communities," he said.
At Stonehaven, near Geelong, the station was hit twice within days. Nothing was taken, but the damage left a large repair bill. Acting assistant chief fire officer Mark Collins said it was particularly disappointing before what is expected to be a hard fire season. "This event has occurred to a group of dedicated volunteers who have and will continue to be there for the local community in their time of need," he said.
At Chocolyn, near Camperdown, the break-in grounded the brigade, and neighbouring brigades had to cover its emergencies. Offenders allegedly forced a roller door off its track by reversing a vehicle into it, according to the volunteer association's FireWise newsletter, which put the equipment taken at about $10,000.
Brigade captain Leigh Harry said the offenders were getting bolder. "The problem is worsening and I think it is something the CFA will need to address," he said. "At this point it's left to the brigades to make their own arrangements for security but some brigades have got funds and others don't. I think it needs a whole CFA review."
Timmering's station has now been burgled twice in four months. Burglars broke in overnight on Wednesday, October 28, and took radios, a pressure washer and other gear worth an estimated $8000 to $10,000, Shepparton News reported. A July break-in there took pumps, lighting, garden tools and a defibrillator. "Why would you steal a defibrillator?" captain Michael Mckinlay asked. The station was taken offline while crime scene officers examined it.
The CFA says it is reviewing security across the state. "Options to upgrade security are being heavily assessed, including the addition of further security cameras," said Jasper Milligan, the CFA's general manager of infrastructure and environmental services. With 1,200 brigades in Victoria, he said, "there is no quick fix, however we are taking the matter seriously".
The thefts come as fire authorities brace for one of the worst bushfire seasons in decades after a warm, dry spring forecast. East Gippsland, far south-west Victoria, the Surf Coast and the area west of Geelong to the southern Wombat Forest are at elevated risk. More than 436,000 hectares burnt across the state last year.
