How ‘senseless’ burglars nobbled Gippsland’s bushfire response

THE implications of a burglary at the CFA’s District Mechanical Officer’s workshop (DMO) in Moe hit home last weekend when three major bushfires burnt out of control in Gippsland forcing holiday campers and local residents to flee.

During a forced break-in where offenders cut a hole in the wall of the shed to gain entry, more than $100,000 worth of tools and equipment were stolen, delaying the repair and maintenance of the fire trucks and equipment from across the region.

It has been reported that thieves also had access to entry codes of all fires stations in Gippsland forcing the CFA to send out a communique to all brigades to change their codes.

Fire trucks needed to be relocated in the interim, setting back their completion dates with some brigades left without equipment when Sunday’s emergencies were called.

Ultimately, the region’s brigades responded strongly to the bushfire emergency, and dozens of other blazes across the area but it certainly didn’t help to have such a disruptive and costly incident at such a crucial facility, especially at this time of the year.

CFA 'deeply disappointed'

A CFA spokesperson said the service was “deeply disappointed at the senseless act”.

“CFA’s District Mechanical Office at Moe has been the subject of a break in on September 27 where several items were stolen.

“CFA is deeply disappointed in this senseless act towards a volunteer emergency service organisation which serves and protects its community.

“CFA will continue to assist Victoria Police with their investigation.”