Victoria Minister for Emergency Services Lisa Neville

Latest Fire Services Response Times Released

Victor P Taffa

Response times of Victoria’s fire services across the state has not varied in the past three quarters according to the latest data released by CFA and MFB, with the full results now available to view online.

Figures for October-December 2018, which were published today, show the MFB responded to:

• 2 % of structure fires within 7.7 minutes, higher than the MFB and government target of 90 %,
• 4 % of Emergency Medical Response incidents within 9.2 minutes, higher than the target of 90 %.

“This is further evidence of the need for significant reform of our fire services. We’re committed to implementing a positive plan that will ensure both our career and volunteer firefighters are supported to keep doing their great work.” Minister for Emergency Services Lisa Neville said.

“We need a system in place that allows for us to plan ahead of growth occurring in communities, so we can keep Victorians safe.”

Overall, CFA’s state-wide compliance with Community Service Delivery Standard currently sits at 87.5 % from a 90 % target, having responded to 6,297 emergency incidents between the October-December period.

This rate is a measure of the first truck arriving on scene, regardless of brigade area, and is relevant across all hazard classes.

December quarter figures show response times continue to vary depending on the type of environment, with brigades responding to:

• 4 % of fires in medium-density urban areas within the standard response time of 8 minutes
• 1 % of fires in low-density urban areas with the standard response time of 10 minutes
• 1 % of fires in areas with predominantly natural surroundings within the standard response time of 20 minutes.

Abbreviations:

CFA                Country Fire Authority

MFB                Metropolitan Fire Brigade