Vic ALP promises 450 extra firefighters

An extra 450 firefighters will join Victoria's fire services if Labor wins the state election.

Labor will also hold a parliamentary inquiry into the Fiskville training centre, where firefighters were exposed to dangerous chemicals.

Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews told a United Firefighters Union meeting $141 million would be committed to recruiting the extra firefighters.

"I know that those 450 firefighters will, just like you, put their lives on the line every day," Mr Andrews said.

The recruits will be split, with 350 going to the Country Fire Authority and 100 to the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, over the next four years.

Mr Andrews also said firefighters deserved answers about what they were exposed to at their training centre.

A 2012 report found firefighters who trained at Fiskville had been exposed to dangerous chemicals going as far back as the 1970s, but declared the training ground now safe.

"There will be a full and frank parliamentary inquiry into what has gone on at Fiskville so we can put this right," Mr Andrews said.

He said Labor would introduce the Tasmanian model of presumptive rights to compensation for cancer claims arising from fire service work.

Mr Andrews said the science was settled, and firefighters who developed certain types of cancers due to their work should not have to spend time and money fighting for compensation through the courts.

He also promised to build a post traumatic stress clinic for firefighters at the Austin Hospital.

Union secretary Peter Marshall said he was sick of cuts to the fire services, and asked politicians to support them to do the important work of protecting Victorians.

"Allow us to do our job without this agenda that's rippling through our fire service," Mr Marshall said.

He said Mr Andrews would be held accountable for the promises he made in front of union members.

Premier Denis Napthine said the government had already put on 200 career firefighters with the CFA and would continue to employ more.

He asked how Labor was going to fund its $141 million promise.

"Does this mean a significant increase in the fire services levy that each and every Victorian has to pay?" Mr Napthine told reporters.

Emergency Services Minister Kim Wells said the coalition had already promised to deliver presumptive legislation for compensation for volunteer and career firefighters.