Planes pose fire risk
MORE than 30 aeroplanes parked at Avalon Airport are at risk of catching fire due to reduced firefighting coverage, first responders claim.
The United Firefighters Union claims Aviation Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (ARFFS) crews, employed by Airservices Australia, at Avalon Airport have been cut from category 8 to as low as category 5, resulting in 14 fewer firefighters on call in case of an emergency.
Former aviation firefighter Andrew Morton, who is now a Fire Rescue Victoria firefighter, said while there were fewer planes landing at Avalon Airport, more aeroplanes were on site than normal.
“They are ignoring a couple of issues in that every aircraft carries a lot of fuel — there is millions of litres of aviation fuel stored at Avalon … that is a massive risk,” Mr Morton said.
“Secondly, if you reduce your staffing, how will you ramp it back up?”
Mr Morton said aviation firefighter regulations did not account for airports being empty.
“The regulations are all based on airports operating,” he said. “Nobody thought that airports would be sitting there with 100 odd planes on the ground. The regulations aren’t based on the risks we are facing today.”
National union president Greg McConville said grounded planes must go through regular maintenance, which carried the risk of something going wrong.
“Ground damage is an under-appreciated aviation safety hazard — an aircraft full of fuel at the gate is akin to a bomb in a confined space,” Mr McConville said.
ARFFS Avalon crews are responsible for the protection of other assets, including a Victoria Police helicopter, Victorian air ambulance, Marine
Ports helicopter, and a new helicopter base to house and operate multiple helicopters and aircraft.
An Airservices spokeswoman said the level of aviation rescue and firefighting service provided at each airport was determined by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, based on the number of aircraft movements and aircraft types, and in accordance with international standards.
“Airservices will always ensure it has the appropriate staffing numbers to meet CASA requirements and to ensure the safety of the travelling public,” she said.