One of six ultra-large Tatra firefighting trucks to be delivered across NSW now has a new home in the Illawarra.
The Gerringong Rural Fire Brigade has taken delivery of the truck, the first of its kind for NSW, to take part in a trial to test next-generation firefighting vehicles for the Rural Fire Service (RFS).
The arrival of the $800,000 truck is part of the NSW Government's commitment to ensuring local volunteers have the right tools to keep their community safe, especially in a region that knows all too well the impacts of bush fire.
The new truck is one of six Tatra vehicles to be trialled across the state as part of the RFS Next Generation Fleet Project, which aims to test and develop the next wave of modern firefighting appliances.
The high-performance 4x4 Tatra truck offers a combination of performance, water capacity and pumping power as well as advanced safety like the halo water protection system for the cabin.
Building on the NSW Bushfire Inquiry and other inquiry recommendations to modernise the RFS fleet, the trucks are equipped with Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) to improve crews' communication, connectivity and safety in remote and disaster-impacted areas.
Since the inquiry, the NSW Government has overhauled bushfire policy, preparedness and response, and is acting on all of the resulting 76 recommendations, including implementing night-time waterbombing.
Residents can get information about preparing their properties and bush fire survival plan on the RFS website at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/prepare
Quotes attributable to Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib:
"The delivery of this new Tatra truck is about making sure our hard-working RFS crews have the tools they need to protect the community.
"Communities like those in the Illawarra, who have seen the devastating impacts of bushfire firsthand, can be assured that their local crews are backed by the strongest truck capabilities we've ever had in the RFS.
"We listened to the experts and have acted on every recommendation from the NSW Bushfire Inquiry. Some long-term initiatives will take some time to complete but are already well underway."
Quotes attributable to Member for Kiama Katelin McInerney:
"The Illawarra has seen its fair share of fires over the years, and our volunteers have always stood up when it matters most.
"RFS members are the heart of our regional communities, and it's vital they have the latest and safest equipment to do their job and it's fantastic to see Gerringong leading the way in this trial.
"It is a good reminder of the importance of the community to also get ready for the bush fire season, by preparing their homes and discussing their bush fire survival plan."
Quotes attributable to RFS Illawarra/Sutherland District Manager, Superintendent Martin Surrey:
"The Gerringong Brigade have been quick to put their new truck to work and it has already been on a few callouts, including one where the front-mounted water cannon was used to great effect.
"The region has experienced some challenging fire seasons, and our brigades know how quickly conditions can change.
"Every new piece of equipment, every training opportunity and every innovation is an investment in the safety of our volunteers and the towns and communities they protect."
