New Norfolk takes delivery of new firefighting vehicle

THEY keys to Tasmania's most advanced pumper/tanker firefighting vehicle were handed to the New Norfolk Fire Brigade late last month. Making the presentation, Lyons MHA David Llewellyn said the vehicle had been designed through consultation with Tasmanian firefighters.

“A total of 30 these vehicles have been fabricated at Tasmania Fire Service Engineering Workshops at Cambridge over approximately a two-year period, with around one third of those to be allocated within the Southern Region as they roll off the assembly line,” Mr Llewellyn said.

“This is a very impressive vehicle and fire services around the country have shown keen interest. In particular, they see the fact that they are 4-wheel drive with the versatility of being able to respond effectively to both structural and bushfire risk as being a desirable feature," he said.
 
Mr Llewellyn said Tasmania was in the unique situation of being able to produce its own fire appliances at considerable cost savings. “This is brought about by the planned way in which Tasmania Fire Service replaces its ageing fire appliance fleet rather than waiting until vehicles break down completely, which would then require them to be replaced in a reactive way,” he said.

Since 2003 the Tasmania Fire Service has manufactured 85 fire vehicles, including light and medium tankers, at its Cambridge complex. “The introduction of new and improved fire vehicles continues to enhance the quality of fire protection and emergency response offered by Tasmania Fire Service, and the State Government is strongly committed to continuing their excellent record of support for the replacement program,” Mr Llewellyn said.