In short:
Hoppers Crossing volunteer firefighters were deployed to major bushfires across Victoria on January 9, working through the day and night on asset protection and frontline firefighting. Their response comes as the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund remains a continuing sore point for volunteers, including in Wyndham.
Volunteers Continue to Show Up
Firefighters from Wyndham were deployed across Victoria on January 9 as part of major strike teams responding to active bushfires, with local volunteer crews assisting communities hundreds of kilometres from home.
At 8am, the Hoppers Crossing pumper tanker was deployed as part of Strike Team 1450 to the Longwood fire, where crews carried out asset protection operations throughout the day. The unit returned to Wyndham at around 11pm.
Later that same night, at 9pm, Hoppers Crossing’s FCV crew was deployed again as part of Strike Team 1401 to fires near Harcourt.
The crew undertook asset protection and frontline firefighting operations overnight, returning home at approximately 9.30am the following morning after more than 24 hours of response activity.
Fire authorities continue to urge the public to call 000 immediately if they see flames, columns of smoke, or believe there is an immediate threat to life or property.
Residents are also being reminded not to call 000 for general smoke haze, which may remain visible for several days due to fires burning elsewhere in the state, as unnecessary calls can delay responses to genuine emergencies.
The deployments come as the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, which replaces the Fire Services Property Levy, remains a sore point for emergency service volunteers and regional communities.
The levy has prompted protests in parts of Victoria, including Wyndham, and continues to draw criticism from volunteers and landholders.
Critics argue the levy will result in significant increases to property charges, with some farmers warning of rises in the tens of thousands of dollars.
Many say the changes disproportionately impact rural Victorians and emergency service volunteers already facing drought, inflation and broader cost-of-living pressures.
Despite ongoing frustration with the Allan Labor Government and its handling of emergency services funding, volunteer firefighters continue to deploy across the state, prioritising the protection of life and property during major incidents.
Crews from Wyndham remain available and operational, responding to emergencies regardless of the broader dispute.
