January-March 2019 CFA response data shows Eaglehawk missing response target most of the time

The data for January to March 2019 shows 62 per cent of these incidents within the Eaglehawk area received a response from any brigade within eight minutes.

Acting operations manager Chris Jacobsen said a quick response, regardless of what brigade, was what the community wanted.

"For each of the five incidents which fell outside the target response time, the target was missed by less than a minute," Mr Jacobsen said.

"So broadly speaking, we are satisfied that the local community has received good service in this quarter. Response times can be affected by time of day, traffic and many other factors."

Mr Jacobsen said the Eaglehawk brigade, as a full volunteer brigade, was also affected by the availability of volunteers, traffic conditions, distances and the time of day.

The data for January to March 2019 shows the time in which the brigade responded to 90 per cent of these 'hazard class two' incidents within its area was nine minutes and 56 seconds.

Mr Jacobsen said there was always room for improvement in any brigade, and the district was monitoring response times and working with Eaglehawk to identify issues and vulnerabilities.

"CFA is working to support Eaglehawk in many ways including re-engaging members, developing turnout strategies and providing training programs," he said.

Related: Eaglehawk response times lag behind Bendigo, Kangaroo Flat

The Bendigo brigade responded to 93 per cent of such incidents within its area within the eight-minute target, while the community received the same level of service.

Ninety per cent of incidents received a response within seven minutes and 23 seconds.

"Bendigo Fire Station is an integrated station with staff and volunteers, the staff vehicles respond to support brigades in the surrounding urban areas to assist in meeting the community needs," Mr Jacobsen said.

In Kangaroo Flat, the brigade was at 81 per cent of these incidents within eight minutes, with 90 per cent of incidents receiving a response within eight minutes and 13 seconds. The community also saw 81 per cent of incidents responded to within the time target.

Brigades that had seen fewer than 10 incidents of this hazard class in the quarter were not included in the data.

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