A versatile, modern fire truck, stationed at Merimbula on the state’s far South Coast, has received the “thumbs up” from local firefighters.
Regarded as a “Jack-of-all-trades” appliance, the Mercedes Atego Class 1 tanker is valued at $660,000 and arrived in station last month.
The tanker boasts a ‘pump and roll’ feature which allows it to extinguish fires whilst on the move and it provides the latest ‘HALO’ cabin protection system which sprays water in a 360-degree circle to safeguard the crew in the event of a flash-over incident.
cabin protection system
FRNSW Region South Area Commander, Greg Buckley, said, “The new vehicle will be equally at ease dealing with semi-trailer fires on a highway as it will be traversing rugged terrain to get to a bushfire.”
“It’s a welcome addition to the Merimbula station and the crew’s been busy familiarising themselves with the tanker,” Chief Superintendent Buckley said.
New Appliances
Emergency Services Minister, Jihad Dib, said the tanker is the latest in a long line of new FRNSW appliances, deployed in regional areas since the 2019/20 Black Summer bushfires.
“This truck is well suited to handling emergencies on the south coast and will serve the local community for many years to come.”
Member for Bega, Dr Michael Holland, has welcomed the new addition to the Merimbula station. "This infrastructure investment helps support the local Fire and Rescue services protecting our communities."
