VIC: Linton deaths will help bolster operations: CFA

AAP General News (Australia)
08-09-1999
VIC: Linton deaths will help bolster operations: CFA

Victoria's Country Fire Authority will bolster its safety operations after five volunteer
firefighters died last year, but it's warned that the safety of firefighters can never be
guaranteed.

An internal review of the Linton bushfire in western Victoria has highlighted the need to
improve planning, procedures and equipment, and to research firefighter attitudes.

The review says there's also a need to reinforce safety procedures and communications in
the field.

Fire Authority chief officer TREVOR ROCHE has denied poor training is a cause of the
deaths, but says any amount of training could not ensure the absolute safety of firefighters.

He says fire fighting is a risky business, and anybody who thinks steps can be taken to
ensure that this doesn't happen again doesn't recognise the reality of fighting fires.





The five volunteers from the Geelong West brigade were fighting a blaze at Linton on
December 2 when they were engulfed in flames after of a sudden wind change.

The firefighters' union has condemned the release of the review as a public relations
exercise before an official inquest into the deaths.

AAP RTV ljm/jlw/kbw/jn

KEYWORD: BUSHFIRES VIC (MELBOURNE)

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