Tara Murray
Caroline Springs fire service has the worst emergency response times in metropolitan Melbourne, according to new data.
The state government data, released last week, showed a third of emergency incidents attended by Caroline Springs fire crews in the September quarter were outside the recommended response times.
Standard response times for Fire Rescue Victoria (FRV) for all emergency incidents across the state is 7.7 minutes.
Across all FRV stations, 90.7 per cent of emergency call-outs were responded to within the standard response time. Caroline Springs FRV crews met the standard 65.9 per cent of the time.
The Caroline Springs crews responded to 90 per cent of emergency calls within nine minutes.
The crews attended 101 incidents in the September quarter – 88 were emergency situations.
Caroline Springs last year became a Fire Rescue Victoria station as part of a fire service reform which merged all Metropolitan Fire Brigade stations and career CFA firefighters.
The station’s response area has expanded and now incorporates many new development areas.
During the September quarter the station’s service area underwent frequent road and infrastructure works and traffic congestion.
Throughout the reporting period, FRV also implemented additional safety precautions due to COVID-19.
Sunshine crews responded to 96.6 per cent of emergency call-outs within the standard response time.
Crews responded to 90 per cent of incidents within 7.3 minutes – .4 minutes quicker than the state average.
St Albans crews attended 92.1 per cent of emergency call-outs within the standard time frame
Deer Park met the standard response time for 89.4 per cent of call-outs and Taylors Lakes met the standards for 90.9 per cent of call-outs.
In Melton, 77.7 per cent of the emergency incidents attended, were within the response times.
Fire Rescue Commissioner Ken Block said the FRV continues to strive to meet response time objectives and is committed to improvement.
“FRV’s goal is to set the global standard for emergency response, and to continue to enhance the services we deliver in the interests of community and firefighter safety.
“We are continuing to work with our key stakeholders to identify, investigate and implement enhancement measures that will increase and strengthen our emergency response capabilities. The government has also appointed the Fire Services Implementation Monitor who will work with FRV to ensure we undertake the necessary measures to meet existing and future demand and keep Victorians safe.”
