Warrnambool firefighters working during the COVID-19 pandemic are reeling after they were abused for being in groups at the scene of emergencies.
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Warrnambool CFA senior station officer Troy Cleverley said following the announcement of stage three coronavirus restrictions, there had been at least two separate occasions where fireys were abused for being in groups larger than two people.
"There has been no reduction in emergency services amid the virus pandemic and we are still running a full crew of 10 people on a shift, 24 hours a day," he said.
"We work in a team environment and that is the only way we can be safe while working to ensure the safety of our community. We are trying to do the best we can to follow the stage three restrictions but we can't operate as an emergency service if we start cutting numbers."
Mr Cleverly said morning crews did not come into contact with those who worked at night, and the whole station, including trucks, was thoroughly cleaned between shifts.
He said the station had canned community safety activities, school visits and training for industry groups and firefighters.
"Before I get in the house I have to put all my clothes in a garbage bag and go straight to the shower before I can even hug my kids," Mr Cleverly said.
"These are stressful and anxious times for everyone, but no more so than us. We are still putting ourselves out there on the front line and potentially exposing ourselves to risks.
"We accept that, we signed up to this. But what we don't accept is copping abuse from the public because they don't understand the way we operate and the precautions we are taking in the wake of this virus."
Mr Cleverly said members of the community could expect to see more than two firefighters travelling together in a truck.
"When we need to leave the station in appliances, you will be seeing four (people) together in a crew," he said.
"With emergency response, we have no other option. You look at that gas leak this morning and there were 10 of us there, which required all three trucks. We would not have operated safely otherwise."
Mr Cleverly said it was no different for police and ambulance workers who "have to double up in a van for safety reasons".
"Emergency services workers, especially our ambos, are really at the pointy end of things when it comes to being exposed to COVID-19 and if members are potentially exposed and in lockdown, then the numbers on the ground will just drop.
"We don't have the beauty of working from our home office."
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