Some of WA’s brand new fire trucks have been taken off the road after concerns a major fault with water pumps could cause catastrophic issues at the peak of summer.
Five trucks were stripped from the State’s fleet after a hose at a bushfire in Welshpool on Tuesday failed to work which meant it took six crews hours to put it out.
The fire was reported about 10.15pm along Orrong Road and it’s believed a burnt-out car sparked the blaze.
Fire stations in Butler, Welshpool, Ellenbrook and Midland have now been forced to use older replacements.
United Professional Firefighters Union President Clem Chan said firefighters are furious.
“Absolutely they are extremely agitated about this,” he told 7NEWS.
“What’s called the PTO disengaged and when that happens the water can shut down unexpectedly without warning.
“It could result in catastrophic consequences for the community but also the safety of our firefighters.”
Mr Chan said the union raised the problem with the Department of Fire and Emergency Services last year and was told it was an isolated incident.
The trucks were built to replace WA’s aging fleet but according to firefighters, faults began appearing almost as soon as the trucks arrived.
DFES commissioner Darren Klemm said the trucks are “more advanced with high tech modifications” and one “experienced an issue causing the pump to fail”.
“DFES is now working with the manufacturer to identify the cause,” he said.
The State Government in June promised 10 new trucks for metro stations to be available before Christmas but now already half are out of action.
Upper house Nationals and Shadow emergency minister MP Martin Aldridge was appalled at the issue as WA battled through bushfire season.
“(We’re) in the middle of the high threat period and none of them are available to use,” he said.
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