Fire protection in the Lake Macquarie region has been bolstered with the arrival of a new bushfire tanker at Fire and Rescue NSW’s Tingira Heights station.
The Isuzu Category One tanker, valued at $450,000, is the latest of the 34 new appliances funded by the NSW Government, in line with the recommendations of the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires. It is a multi-purpose, off-road capable truck that can carry more water than typical urban fire tankers.
Modern features on the truck
The crew could activate a 360-degree curtain of water, preventing the truck’s cabin from catching fire
One of its impressive features is its ‘Halo’ cabin protection spray system. If threatened by a wall of flames during a bushfire, the crew could activate a 360-degree curtain of water, preventing the truck’s cabin from catching fire.
FRNSW Zone Commander, Brian Smart, said the modern features on the truck will prove very popular with his firefighters. “The design of this tanker allows the crew to direct a nozzle on the front of the truck onto a fire, from the safety of the cabin, using a remote control,” Superintendent Smart said.
Arrival of the new tanker
Emergency Services Minister, Jihad Dib, said, “The arrival of the new tanker provides another added layer of protection for the Lake Macquarie community."
“These new tankers have been strategically deployed around NSW to protect communities, well into the future,” Minister Dib said.
