Five new fire response vehicles are set to be deployed to stations around South Australia following the state’s Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) receiving four new Heavy Urban Pump (HUP) appliances and a 4×4 clearance wildfire unit (24URPX).
A further 21 HUPs are expected to be delivered in batches over the following two years, with a $14.1 million State Government election commitment allowing the MFS to purchase 12 of these new appliances.
HUP chassis are manufactured by Scania in Sweden, shipped first to Fraser Fire New Zealand for body and major component fabrication and then to Fraser Fire Australia in Woodville for final fit-out and a comprehensive commissioning process before landing at South Australia’s MFS stations.
Fraser Fire Australia supports 13 local jobs, fitting and servicing MFS and CFS appliances, as well as appliances from the Northern Territory.
All four new HUPs are fitted with burn over protection for crew safety in wildfires that affect urban interface zones, while the 24URPX provides burn over protection systems for up to six persons.
The 24URPX has been purchased by the MFS for the first time, with its doubled water capacity of 2,000L giving firefighters greater capacity to extinguish grass fires and protect assets. HUPs have a water capacity of 2,500L.
Two of the new HUPs will be stationed in the Adelaide CBD, while the remaining two will be deployed to Paradise and Angle Park stations. The 24URPX will find its home in Port Lincoln.
The five appliances have a combined value of approximately $4.6 million.
South Australian Minister of Emergency Services, Joe Szakacs, said that these appliances, fitted with the latest technology, will bolster the MFS’s fire fighting capacity.
“They are also fitted and serviced right here in South Australia, importantly supporting 13 local jobs at Fraser Firefighting Australia,” Mr Szakacs said.
“Our government is proud to have committed funding to deliver an additional 12 trucks, ensuring our MFS have appropriate and contemporary equipment to keep South Aussies safe into the future.”
MFS Acting Chief Officer, Jeff Swann, said that the new appliances will be stationed within MFS areas to provide enhanced response capability.
“The Heavy Urban Pump Rescue is a first response appliance capable of providing structural firefighting response and carries heavy rescue equipment suitable for road crash rescue, extrications and rope line rescue,” Mr Swann said.
“All the appliances, which are fitted with up-to-date technology and equipment, will ensure the MFS continues to provide the South Australian community with exceptional multi-hazard emergency response.”
Fraser Fire and Rescue GM, Martin Simpson, said that it has been a privilege to supply MFS and CFS with state-of-the-art fire appliances for more than 20 years.
“This has always been a collaborative development and evolved to meet the changing requirements of the emergency services,” Mr Simpson said.
“Fraser Fire and Rescue has great confidence in the South Australian emergency services and is committed to expanding its Adelaide facility, giving it full autonomous manufacturing capability using the latest CNC manufacturing technology.
“South Australia is very lucky to have an Emergency Services Minister who understands what manufacturing can deliver for greater social outcomes.
“It is a great pleasure to work with the team at the MFS and CFS, and continue to develop and manufacture vehicles that exceed the expectations of all involved.”
