LONGERENONG'S Country Fire Authority training base could pick up extra firefighter trainees after the authority's Fiskville training base was officially closed.
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Fiskville was shut down permanently last week after tests showed chemical contamination of the water supply.
The site was temporarily closed earlier this month after chemical residue was detected in tanks used to store water for firefighter training, and two hydrants.
Further tests showed high levels of the toxic chemical perfluorooctane sulfonate around the fire training area and a new zone at the site.
Drinking water and showers were clear of contamination.
CFA District 17 operations officer Ian Day said no decisions had been made to determine where firefighters who would have previously trained at Fiskville would instead be based.
"We have the facilities at Longerenong - there is potential for our site o be used," he said.
"We're just waiting to hear what the plan is."
Mr Day said the site closure was a blow for the authority.
"It's always seen to be a world-class training base," he said.
"It will have a big effect on both the CFA and the state of Victoria."
Volunteers Fire Brigades Victoria president Hans van Hammond said a plan needed to be made to replace the services provided by Fiskville.
"Even the recent temporary closure of the facility has led to some brigades having to travel three to four hours away to visit a training facility with spare capacity," he said.
Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett said despite previous clean-ups at Fiskville, the site was too dangerous to operate.
"Our immediate concern is for the people at Fiskville and we are working closely with the CFA and the affected staff to assist them through this difficult change," she said.