- Northern Queensland will soon have greater capabilities in emergency response with the delivery of a state-of-the-art technical rescue appliance.
- The $1.1 million Lima medium rescue truck has advanced equipment for vertical, swift water and heavy vehicle rescues.
- Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) crews have completed specialised heavy vehicle and rescue equipment training and will undergo further training in the coming weeks in preparation for the truck to become operational by April.
A new state-of-the art technical rescue vehicle will soon hit the road in northern Queensland, enhancing community safety and supporting personnel on the ground during natural disasters and emergencies.
The $1.1 million Lima technical rescue truck is stationed in Townsville but will have the ability to deploy where needed for a wide range of incidents across the region from swift water rescues to road crash rescues.
Fitted with advanced equipment, the specialised vehicle is purpose built to respond to large road crashes, vertical rescues and urban search and rescue, but will also boost capabilities in hazardous materials response and chemical detection.
Firefighters in Townsville have completed advanced training in heavy vehicle rescue in preparation for the new appliance to begin responding to incidents across the region by April. Crews will complete further training in vehicle operation and rescue equipment over the coming weeks.
The vehicle is one of three new medium rescue appliances strategically stationed across the state, including in Cairns and Brisbane.
This investment is part of the State Government's $43 million commitment in 2023-24 to QFES' FRS and Rural Fire Service fleet programs, representing a third of the record $125 million capital budget for QFES in 2023-24.
Quotes attributable to Minister Boyd:
"This new capability is going to make a big difference to emergency response efforts in north Queensland, assisting our crews on the ground greatly," Minister Boyd said.
"It will be especially useful during natural disaster situations with its swift water rescue capabilities and for any large road crash rescues that occur throughout the region.
"Northern Queensland has experienced its fair share of natural disasters, the most recent being Tropical Cyclone Kirrily where our swift water rescue firefighters were out in force.
"It's great to know our personnel will have this additional support next time a major disaster hits the region and it's also great to know it can be used for a whole suite of capabilities including vertical rescue and urban search and rescue."
Quotes attributable to Queensland Fire & Emergency Services (QFES) Acting Commissioner Steve Smith:
"Every day, our Fire and Rescue personnel are required to attend numerous calls to a wide array of rescues requiring specialised training and equipment," Mr Smith said.
"A range of dedicated rescue appliances have been specifically designed to meet these needs, and we're proud to see these assets now strategically placed across the state to boost our heavy rescue and swift water rescue capabilities.
"While this medium rescue truck will be based in Townsville, it will have the ability to deploy where needed, so this is welcome news for the whole region and state."
Quotes attributable to Member for Mundingburra Les Walker:
"Townsville and North Queensland continue to grow which is why the Miles Government is continuing to invest in our emergency services.
"It's only this government that will back our emergency services with more investment and better equipment, unlike the LNP who we know will cut services in Townsville."
Quotes attributable to Queensland Fire & Emergency Services (QFES) Acting Commissioner Steve Smith:
"Every day, our Fire and Rescue personnel are required to attend numerous calls to a wide array of rescues requiring specialised training and equipment," Mr Smith said.
"A range of dedicated rescue appliances have been specifically designed to meet these needs, and we're proud to see these assets now strategically placed across the state to boost our heavy rescue and swift water rescue capabilities.
"While this medium rescue truck will be based in Townsville, it will have the ability to deploy where needed, so this is welcome news for the whole region and state."
