A total of 290 new and refurbished firefighting vehicles have been delivered to NSW Rural Fire Service brigades during the past 12 months.
And in a first for New South Wales, the RFS has taken possession of six ultra-large firefighting trucks from specialist vehicle manufacturer Tatra.
Weighing up to 26 tonnes and carrying up to nearly 9000 litres of water, these will become the biggest firefighting trucks in the RFS fleet.
Most trucks are being deployed to regional areas, benefiting communities from Cobar to Coffs Harbour, with the state’s south-west receiving the largest uplift.
Deployed trucks have already assisted in May’s flood recovery activities on the mid north-coast and are equipped with rescue capabilities, as RFS teams complement the work of other emergency services.
The Tatra trucks, in 4×4 and 6×6 variants, boast unique off-road capabilities.
This includes including tyres that inflate and deflate, with the manufacturer also specialising in military vehicles.
Built in the Czech Republic, with final fit-outs done domestically, the first vehicle is to be put to the test during the coming bushfire season as part of next generation fleet trials.
Along with the firefighting fleet, the RFS has refurbished their Mobile Command Centre and upgraded base camps to accommodate not only frontline personnel, but evacuated residents during a crisis.
Building on the NSW Bushfire Inquiry and other inquiry recommendations to modernise the RFS fleet, the trucks are equipped with Mobile Data Terminals to improve crews’ communication, connectivity and safety in remote and disaster-impacted areas.
To date, MDTs have been installed in 3600 vehicles across 30 RFS Districts.
The equipment and resources are vital to the state’s bush fire readiness and expand the RFS capability and versatility.
It comes as the RFS prepares to move its home base for equipment and infrastructure later this year. The agency will upgrade from its Glendenning logistics warehouse to a new, larger State Logistics Facility in nearby Marsden Park.
The new firefighting tankers and equipment boost the RFS ahead of the upcoming bushfire season.
The Bush Fire Danger Period for parts of northern NSW begins on August 1, with the Danger Period for the entire state beginning October 1.
Premier of NSW Chris Minns said the trucks are more than just vehicles.
“They’re vital tools protecting lives, supporting our firefighters and strengthening community safety across NSW,” Mr Minns said.
“We are providing our firefighters and the communities they protect with the best possible equipment and technology.
“In recent months we have seen the best of our emergency volunteers who have come out in force to support communities across NSW and the investment in this new equipment is vital,” he said.
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said the Government is committed to providing frontline volunteers with the equipment and technology they need and the strongest support possible.
“The people of New South can be confident the skills and capabilities of the RFS are respected both nationally and internationally – from establishing base camps in Tasmania and the Northern Territory to deploying firefighters and aircraft to the United States and Canada,” Mr Dib said.
“These new trucks and the logistics support demonstrate the versatility of the RFS; regardless of the wet weather, they’ve been undertaking vital work with the SES over recent months, and I thank our volunteers.”
NSW RFS Commissioner Trent Curtin said the rollout of the modern, purpose-built vehicles is part of a long-term strategic program to future-proof the RFS fleet and better protect members.
“These vehicles feature the latest in crew protection systems, improved safety design and communications equipment helping our crews to operate in the toughest conditions,” Mr Curtin said. “This work will help make sure our volunteers will come home safely after fighting bush fires across the state.”
