CFA fire tankers throughout East Gippsland are being upgraded with radiant heat protective curtains, water-spraying systems and heat-shielding panels under the Coalition’s $23 million Crew Retrofit Program, Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull said today.

“Our fire-fighters work in dangerous environments with fast-moving and volatile conditions and the delivery of these vital safety features to our local CFA fleets will help reduce the risk of injury or loss of life.”

East Gippsland CFA brigades to benefit from the safety upgrades include: Omeo; Buchan; Swifts Creek; Ensay; Sarsfield; Fernbank; Glenaladale; Mt Taylor; Hillside and Bengworden.

“Emergency volunteers are often putting their own lives at risk when going out to protect the community during bushfire threat and the government is committed to providing modern facilities and equipment, so they are better protected when performing those duties,” Mr Bull said.

Minister for Emergency Services, Peter Ryan, said the $23 million upgrade of CFA trucks is giving Victoria's fire-fighters the best chance of surviving burn-overs.

The program would upgrade all CFA trucks built prior to 2006 with a capacity of a 1,000 litres of water or more. All vehicles produced after 2006 were already fitted with crew protection systems.

"The addition of these important and effective protective features on all CFA trucks built prior to 2006 will better equip our dedicated crews fighting fires across the state."