Last week's riot and breakout at the Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre was the final straw for the town's overworked fire brigade, which has had to deal with more than 60 incidents at the troubled centre in the past six months.
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Malmsbury Fire Brigade captain Tony Stephens said the brigade's volunteers would always respond to incidents at all times of the day and night but members were "getting tired" of being called out to the youth justice centre.
"The events of last week are the tipping point. It takes us away from being able to respond to other events," he said.
Mr Sephens said the burden on brigades was increasing but the Malmsbury brigade's resources did not match the job.
"It's been more luck than good management that we have not had a serious incident to attend to at the same time."
Mr Stephens said the brigade usually responded to 30 to 40 incidents a year but the unrest at the youth justice centre meant that it was heading to as many as 180 incidents by the end of the financial year.
On Saturday a post on the brigade's Facebook page assured the community that firefighters were "ready and able to respond to fires and incidents in our community".
Malmsbury Fire Brigade operates with just one tanker and a 4WD unit and members are now lobbying the state government for better support with a second tanker.
Malmsbury is not the only brigade affected by the recent events at the youth justice centre, with Kyneton and Taradale fire brigades also key responders.
Some residents suggested problems at the centre seem to have increased since the facility gained an additional 45 beds about six months ago.
Malmsbury resident Robyn Baker said brigade volunteers shouldn't have to attend so many incidents at the facility but the poor level of security and type of offenders created a problem.
"For so many people to get out is a real concern.
"There's a big outcry in the town," she said.
"Let's get serious about the security at the centre. It's not a prison but, unfortunately, the way it is going, it probably should become more like a prison."
Ms Baker said much of the community heard about last week's centre outbreak through sources other than the police and officials and suggested an emergency alert or app to better keep the community informed.
Fire brigades will continue to engage with the state government and local MP Mary-Anne Thomas to find a better solution to problems at the centre.
Ms Thomas said she spoke with a number of Malmsbury residents in the hours after the escape and was horrified by what she heard of their experiences.
"As the local member, my priority is to make sure decisions are made and policies are put in place to keep residents safe," Ms Thomas said.
"Everyone deserves to feel safe in their home, or place of work."
"Bringing in additional staff from Corrections Victoria is strong and necessary action.
"These highly trained staff will work hard with our police to maintain order and protect staff and the community."
