Kempsey Fire Station gets $400,000 fire tanker
Published: 18th November 2011
Fire and emergency protection in the Macleay Valley has been enhanced with the delivery of a permanent $400,000 fire engine to Kempsey Fire Station.
Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Commissioner Greg Mullins said FRNSW continues to provide its firefighters with modern and safe vehicles for their vital work protecting NSW communities.
“This tanker will be permanently based in Kempsey as part of the largest roll-out of new and upgraded fire engines in FRNSW’s history,” he said.
Commissioner Mullins said the specialist vehicle was designed and built as a rescue vehicle for emergencies such as road accidents and building collapses. It will also provide a critical response to fires in buildings, grass and bushland, and chemical spills.
“This specialist vehicle can be configured as a standard tanker or a hazardous materials or rescue unit to improve our fire and rescue officers’ capacity to respond to all types of emergencies,” Commissioner Mullins said.
“This multi-purpose vehicle is configured as a rescue unit and is a four-wheel drive which allows access to fires and other incidents in difficult terrain. It also features a water protection system which is operated from the cabin to help ensure the safety of the crew.
“The new tanker can pump 1900 litres of water a minute from its tank, which carries up to 2200 litres of water and can also operate from hydrants. It is also equipped with special firefighting foam, and its engines meet emissions standards.”
Inspector Tony Lenthall, FRNSW Acting Zone Commander, said the16 fire and rescue officers based at Kempsey did an extraordinary job in protecting their community, and this new fire tanker would help them to perform their work even more effectively.
“Kempsey crews responded to nearly 587 emergency calls in 2011/12, and were also actively involved in educating the local community about fire safety, carrying out more nearly 222 community safety activities over that year,” Inspector Lenthall said.