Shellharbour gets new $340,000 Firefighting Truck
Published: 28th July 2017
Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant today joined Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra Gareth Ward to hand over a new $340,000 firefighting tanker to the Shellharbour Fire Station.
Mr Grant said the new Isuzu fire truck, a ‘Class 1’ tanker, will improve the capacity of Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) firefighters to deal with bush and urban fires.
“We continue to place the highest priority on the safety of our firefighters by making sure they have the necessary equipment to support the vital work they do,” said Mr Grant.
“This multi-purpose vehicle is a four-wheel drive which allows firefighters to access fires in difficult and isolated terrain, and will boost firefighting capabilities in the Illawarra.”
Mr Ward said the new fire truck, the second delivered to the region in four months, is yet another investment by the Liberals & Nationals Government in the safety of Illawarra communities.
“In March, we welcomed a $650,000 CAFS tanker to the Dapto Fire Station, and now it is wonderful to see a $340,000 tanker going to Shellharbour,” Mr Ward said.
“The NSW Government is backing our firefighters by providing them with the best equipment and technology available to help them protect life and property.
“This tanker has a water spray protection system that can be operated from the cabin to protect the crew and a breathing apparatus for each firefighter.”
FRNSW Illawarra Zone Commander, Greg Houston said FRNSW continued to provide its firefighters with modern vehicles for their vital work in protecting families and property.
“The FRNSW fleet is made up of more than 650 fire engines and rescue vehicles and our priority is to ensure firefighters have the best vehicles available to do their jobs safely and effectively,” he said.
“Shellharbour firefighters do a tremendous job protecting the local community and this new truck will further improve the overall quality of our emergency response.”
In 2015/16, Shellharbour firefighters responded to 697 fire and emergency calls and took part in 138 activities designed to educate the local community about fire safety.