Fluoride Action Network

Fiskville: Calls for urgent reforms to protect firefighters

Source: ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) | July 5th, 2012
Location: Australia
Industry type: Perfluorinated chemicals

A former head of the Country Fire Authority (CFA) is calling on the Victorian Government to fast-track legislation to protect firefighters from contaminated water.

News Limited reports the CFA’s Fiskville training facility exposed people to contaminated water.

The CFA says it is still considering the Fiskville report and the government says it is monitoring the situation.

The report from an independent investigation was released last week.

Fiskville has already come under fire after allegations dozens of cancer cases were linked to the use of chemicals at the training base in the 1970s and 80s.

Former CFA chief officer Brian Potter says he hopes the new information speeds up the bill’s progress.

“The Australian Parliament resolved last year that there would be protection provided to people who shared a number of forms of cancer,” he said.

“It’s quite evident, given what we’re seeing now, that there is an urgent need for similar protection in Victoria for both career and volunteer firefighters.”