Friday 23 July 2010

Heavy Support Tanker Appliance

Construction has commenced on the 6 heavy support tankers to be built this year. These appliances are the first of 14 to be funded under the Governments “Supporting Our Heroes” election commitment. These new support appliances will be delivered by the end of July to be available to support brigade operations over the coming fire season.

Painted red and white and fully funded and maintained by QFRS Rural Operations these new heavy support appliances are constructed on a 14 tonne two wheel drive Isuzu FTR700 cab chassis that has seating for 3 crew with heat reflect curtains installed to provide crew burn-over protection. The body has a 6000 litre water tank and is fitted with a fixed diesel fire fighting water pump and hose reel for self protection and carries a 12,000 litre portable dam along with a transportable diesel water transfer pump. Other equipment includes a 2.2 kva portable generator and stem lighting to assist during night time activities as well as portable refrigeration and a shelter with folding table and chairs for a crew resting area during re-supply operations.

Each appliance will also carry a stock of replacement respirators, goggles, personal protection blankets and fire-fighting gloves as well as four additional drip torch fuel containers, two replacement drip torches and a range of fire hose and adaptors to support fire fighting operations.

Appliances will be strategically hosted by a brigade based upon a seasonal assessment of area and regional risk and on the capacity of the host brigade to crew and deploy the appliance when needed to support operations. The principal role of these appliances will be to support hazard mitigation and response activities when there is a need for a multiple brigade response. Identification of host brigades for the upcoming fire season is currently being finalised.