Firefighting trucks and equipment are being spread thin as high fuel loads and hot, dry weather continue to cause state-wide emergencies, an issue that has metropolitan fireys worried.

United Professional Firefighters Union of WA Secretary Clem Chan told Gary Adshead on 6PR Mornings Cockburn Station is currently without one of its primary response vehicles due to DFES being unprepared for the fire season.

“It took one emergency-level bushfire, one breakdown of a standby truck and now there are no tankers of that specification available for Cockburn; instead it’s been replaced with a light tanker that has a far reduced capability,” Mr Chan said.

DFES Operations Deputy Commissioner Craig Waters said he understood the concern, but it should be understood that Perth’s firefighting processes follow a “holistic” framework in which stations support each other as necessary.

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