The Mount Compass Country Fire Service is again struggling with a lack of equipment due to a faulty truck. 

The brigade is now having to respond to road traffic incidents with a ute. They say they were given an unroadworthy 20 year-old replacement truck after the brigade’s new truck was taken away with an “ongoing issue”.

Mount Compass CFS leadership posted on Facebook yesterday and confirmed they were operating with one truck and were now having to attend traffic accidents with a ute.

“Yes we have one truck,” the post says.

“Our new truck has been taken because of an ongoing issue and is not coming back to us and the 20-year-old replacement we were given was unroadworthy.

“As we had no other option, we have to use a Ute as our road crash vehicle.”

“This also leaves us down a pumper fire truck.”

“Again, this puts the community at risk but be reassured the Mount Compass Brigade will do the best we can with what we have.”

“Please remember we are not paid we are all volunteers who deserve better treatment than we have been getting.”

In response to why the new truck was not being returned to the brigade one member replied that it had been inspected by engineers who said it should not be driven at speeds over 80kms per hour, due to weight issues.

The post quickly attracted attention with one commenter saying, “Here’s something for the South Australian community to be informed of.”

“This service is underfunded, its members are undervalued especially by government and this organisation.

“I’ve 30 years in four months, I’m resigning then as I’ve had a bloody gut full.

“My CFS mates at Springton still haven’t got toilets, having to raise their roll-a-door with a bloody broom handle.  Promised a new station seven years ago.

“I’m just wanting to make my 30 years then I’m done.

“Mt Compass, I’m with you all the way, you’re family but we’re being shafted.

“How about this. If we were red trucks would this crap be acceptable?

“No bloody way.”

The Mount Compass CFS Captain Anthony Baker was suspended in September last year after speaking out about the initial problems with the brigade's new $500 000 34P rescue truck.

The truck could not be used at full capacity without breaching the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator weight regulations. 

While he was suspended the CFS removed the truck and got permission from the NHVR to operate it with the additional weight.

The community rallied behind Mr Baker and 29 000 people signed a petition protesting his treatment by CFS management.

Captain Baker was reinstated on Christmas Eve.

 Mount Compass CFS Captain Anthony Baker after being suspended for speaking out last year.

Related stories:

Mount Compass CFS Captain Reinstated

Mount Compass CFS Captain Suspended for Speaking Out