As many CFA members would be aware, the Herald Sun ran a series of articles this morning making a number of very serious allegations linking CFA’s Training College at Fiskville to cancers in CFA members and their families. These allegations date back to the 1970s and 80s.
Since becoming aware of the allegations for the first time when contacted by the newspaper yesterday, we have set up a team who will provide support to CFA members – staff and volunteers – who spent time at Fiskville and investigate the allegations. There are members who will understandably be concerned by the reports.
This team we’ve set up will have independent representation and we hope to announce that soon. We are also working with WorkSafe and the Environmental Protection Authority.
The team will be helping to support CFA members, and investigating the allegations thoroughly, and will need some time to do so – I ask for your patience. We are currently going through our historical records dating back to before a major clean up of the site in the 1990s.
For any CFA members, past or present, who have concerns about the allegations reported today, or have information that may be relevant to our enquiries, we have set up an email enquiry line: Fiskvilleprojectteam@cfa.vic.gov.au or you can phone 9262 8931.
While at this stage our knowledge of the background to these allegations is limited, we will respond to your enquiries as far as we can.
We are also finalising arrangements for CFA members to access medical advice if they need to.
There is not evidence at this stage suggesting any risk to current visitors or users of the facilities at Fiskville and the team there has been briefed. A hygienist is visiting the site to prepare a report and give some confidence to those who are there now.
There may be continued media interest in coming days and weeks; please refer any media enquiries to the CFA media team on 5330 3124.
I will be keeping you informed as information comes to hand and please contact us if you have concerns or information that can assist our investigation.
This blog can also be accessed via: http://www.cfaconnect.net.au/blog-mainmenu-8/Fiskville-update.html?blogger=Mick+Bourke
Mick Bourke
CEO
