Thirty-five new purpose-built CFS vehicles which can access harsh and rugged terrain will be rolled out across South Australia, improving frontline capacity and community safety in the lead-up to the fire danger season.
The Quick Response Vehicles (QRVs) will be delivered to CFS brigades, increasing the state’s QVR fleet to 81 appliances.
The $6.8 million rollout includes two vehicles funded by the Albanese Government under the Protecting Our Communities program, which will be based at Belair and Coromandel Valley as part of Sturt Group.
These ultra-light tankers – a rebuilt Toyota LandCruiser which carries about 500 litres of water – provide rapid response in locations where traditional fire trucks can be unable to access, including in steep areas with narrow roads or fire tracks.
QRVs were used in combating the Wilmington fire, in the Flinders Ranges, in February, proving effective amid thick scrub and difficult terrain in a national park.
The vehicles feature a turbocharged diesel engine, hose reel, driving light bar, scene and perimeter lighting and on-board charging for battery chainsaws.
Volunteers are supported with modern safety equipment such as cabin deluge systems, radiant heat shields, in-cab breathing, UHF radios and first aid kits.
Final fit outs of the QRVs will be completed over the coming weeks with the first vehicles to be delivered on a rolling basis from September.
Brigades to receive the new $193,000 QRVs as part of the initial rollout are Belair, Athelstone, Morgan, Snowtown, Waitpinga, Port Victoria, Norton Summit, Cherryville, Waikerie and Lincoln. Other brigades set to receive QVRs are Yahl, Yorketown, Mouth Torrens, Barmera, Strathalbyn, Laura, Sellicks, Lower Inman Valley, Kyneton, Sevenhill, Aldgate, Bute, Paringa, Gawler River, Morphett Vale, Mount Barker, Paracombe, Halidon, Western Districts, Murray Bridge, Langhorne Creek, McLaren Vale, Lucindale, Sturt Group (based at Cormandel Valley), and Arno Bay.
“These new quick response vehicles will make a real difference for volunteers on the ground, giving them the tools they need to act fast and stay safe in some of South Australia’s toughest terrain,” said Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain.
“Backing the CFS with modern, fit-for-purpose equipment is part of our shared commitment to keeping communities safer and better prepared when disaster strikes.”
