00:00This tired tanker is rolling into its 30th fire season.
00:08It's a hearty machine, but it's no longer fit for purpose.
00:12We don't have class A foam on our truck, it should be in there.
00:16The tankers used by Upper Murray CFA volunteers feature dated single latch seatbelts, seating
00:23that exposes volunteers directly to the elements and there's no air conditioning.
00:28Firefighters are under stress before they even get to the fire.
00:34Some CFA sheds don't even have toilets.
00:37When we're trying to recruit new volunteers, when we don't have facilities that
00:43are comfortable, that makes it difficult.
00:46Volunteers say they're forking out more than ever to support local fire services.
00:51We think it's unfair that the rural communities aren't seeing that
00:55money come back to their community.
00:58From mid next year, the state's fire services levy will be replaced
01:02by the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund.
01:06It will be collected the same way, but ratepayers' contributions will almost double.
01:15Active CFA volunteers and life members are set to receive an exemption on their primary
01:20place of residence, but many living on farms with several titles are worried about how it will work.
01:27I think it's going to be a very, very difficult
01:30task to administer that fairly and correctly.
01:34The government says the new fund will rake in an extra $2.1 billion.
01:40It says money raised will be directed to brigades depending on their requirements,
01:44while extra money's been earmarked to upgrade fleets.
01:48Volunteers say they'll be watching and waiting.
01:51Especially when people are finding the cost of living affecting their bank balance,
01:56well I think they start questioning where those dollars are going.
01:59The pressure is heating up.
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