Local fire fighters are battling poor conditions at the Ayr Fire Station according to member for Burdekin Dale Last MP, who is imploring the Minister for Fire and Emergency Services to say ‘when’ not ‘if’ a new fire station will be built.
PFAS chemicals have been uncovered at the Ayr Fire Station and these have been found to be leaching into the ground.
These chemicals, which are often used to fight fuel fires, are a dangerous contaminant and management of them is severely impacting the daily function of the fire station.
The fire fighters are unable to train at the facility and have to travel to a new site, they are also having to adopt contamination management processes that cost time and money.
“Currently equipment and personnel have to be transported to a training site where they undertake their training and then all the equipment has to be cleaned before it can be returned to the Ayr station,” said Mr Last.
“Any water used at the station itself cannot be discharged and is collected and stored for treatment.
“There are also implications for the appliances that crews use to respond to emergencies. The latest design of firefighting appliance won’t fit in the existing station so, instead, we have to wait for a specially modified appliance to be delivered.”
There are other sites in the local region that have been found to contain PFAS, but many have been moved to a different location to solve the problem.
Mr Last believes this should be happening with the Ayr Fire Station as well.
“We rely on our local firefighters in our time of need and, frankly, it’s not good enough that they are expected to operate from a sub-standard facility,” said Mr Last.
“I raised the effects of PFAS on staff and volunteers and the need for a replacement appliance with the Minister back in October.
“In his reply the Minister confirmed a new appliance would be delivered in 2024 but, when it came to the PFAS issues, our concerns were completely ignored.”
“What we need to see is a new, purpose-built facility to house not only the staff and auxiliary firefighters, but also as a base for up to date appliances and equipment.”
At one stage, over 8,000 litres of contaminated water was awaiting collection from Ayr Fire Station. Photo supplied
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