Since the pandemic, aviation services all over Australia have seen a reduction in resources 'across the board', which has sparked safety concerns.
The United Firefighters Union of Australia says it is a safety issue when the level of protection drops below international standards.Captain Mark Hofmeyer has been flying with Qantas for more than 20 years.
Firefighting services are stationed at airports around the country, and are on stand-by to rescue people and property from a potential crash, fire or other emergency. "We just assume that the firefighting service that's provided is up to standard because we've got enough other stuff to be worrying about," Mr Hofmeyer said.
An Airservices Australia spokesperson said Cairns' fire station had been "permanently unoccupiable" following Cyclone Jasper in December last year."We are currently providing the service from a contingency location that does not allow us to provide the normal level of service for 24 hours a day due to limitations in the space and occupancy requirements," the spokesperson said.
Mr Rogers believes there may be times when a reduction in resources is justified because vehicles are unserviceable, or a crew member is sick. In its 2022–23 annual report, Airservices Australia said it responded to 4,428 ARFFS callouts in which 15 lives had been saved.The federal government is addressing some of the issues across the aviation sector, including charting a course out of the pandemic.
In its 312-page submission, the UFUA, which represents 13,000 Australian firefighters, recommended the federal government review the country's adherence to the International Civil Aviation Organization's standards.
Firefighters Pilots Airport Resourcing Shortage Qantas Jetstar
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