Local firefighters have expressed concern about plans to redeploy one of the three firefighting helicopters based at Ballarat, to Gippsland for the coming season, and for the previous morning and afternoon shifts of aircrew being combined in to a single "swing shift" operating from 1pm to 9pm.

It means ground crews fighting fires before 1pm are unlikely to have water bombing aircraft available for support,

"Here in the central highlands we have got a history of quite devastating fires over the last few years and aircraft have been a really important part of combating those fires," one officer said.

"Often we need them before lunchtime."

Among the concern was a lack of consultation or engagement with local firefighters and agencies about the change.

"This affects a lot of area and a lot of high risk area. Having no aircraft coverage or delayed (coming from elsewhere) leaves a huge operational gap. It makes no sense what so ever and bringing an aircraft from another area, which then leaves those areas without aircraft coverage," another firefighter said.

Ballarat's aviation fire fleet operates on a PDD - pre-determined dispatch - system meaning that when there is a high fire danger rating, aircraft are deployed to a fire at the same time as ground crews.

But under the proposed changes they won't be deployed until after 1pm.

However senior officers point out, in communications to members, that the 1pm start will allow night water bombing crews to operate later in to the night.

One officer said with the need to manage fire crews and COVID-19 measures it made sense to double the number of aircraft rather than take them away.

"It's quite easy to manage a small aviation crew compared to multi strike teams of volunteers," he said.

The state's night water bombing program, pioneered and tested in Ballarat, will also continue to be developed throughout the coming summer.

An Emergency Management Victoria spokesperson said the location of aircraft had not yet been finalised.

"We are finalising our arrangements to enhance Victoria's day and night aviation firefighting capability for our 2020/21 summer season.

"Locations and type of aircraft for Victoria's aerial firefighting fleet will be announced shortly.

"The Victorian aerial firefighting fleet has proven to be crucial in stopping the spread of fire, by providing immediate response in the early stages and supporting firefighters on the ground."

Ripon MP Louise Staley said this was another step by the state government do downgrade the fire fighting air capacity at Ballarat.

"They took away the air crane to Melbourne and now they are cutting the shifts from two to one," she said.

"The Ballarat region is experiencing a wet spring, a wet spring means high fuel load in summer. This ill-considered decision needs to be reversed."

IN OTHER NEWS

Opposition emergency services spokesman Nick Wakeling said he was greatly concerned about the proposed changes coming on top of issues surrounding Fire Rescue Victoria, CFA volunteer training and preparedness for summer.

"What this does is highlight the fact that state is less prepared for the fire season than we were 12 months ago.

"The allegations that aerial attack services will be slashed, if true, are of grave concern and will place regional Victoria at even more risk. The state government needs to provide certainty for Ballarat and regional communities that they will not be losing these services.

"It makes no sense that we would be looking to reduce services. If we have learned anything from Mallacoota, from the NSW fires, it's that we should be strengthening our services not looking to slash them."

If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.