ALMOST 50 city firefighters were absent from work on Black Saturday, the Bushfires Royal Commission inquiry has heard.
And this is despite an email being sent to all staff warning resources would be stretched and the day was forecast to be "critical", the Herald Sun reports.
Metropolitan Fire Brigade chief fire officer Tony Murphy today told the Royal Commission the absences were "unfortunate".
Mr Murphy said the MFB was forced to recall 11 people on February 7, just to make up minimum crew levels.
"It would have been advantageous to have those people at work, there’s no shadow of a doubt about that," he said.
The commission heard 300 firefighters were supposed to be on day shift on February 7, but 46 were off on sick, family or other leave.
And a doctor’s certificate is required only if three days have been taken.
The commission also heard of cultural problems between the MFB and the Country Fire Authority related to knowledge of bushfires and levels of experience.
Read more at the Herald Sun online
