Five new fire trucks will soon be deployed to stations around the state following the South Australian Metropolitan Fire Service's (MFS) receipt of four brand new Heavy Urban Pump appliances (HUPs) and a 4x4 high clearance wildfire unit (24URPX).
A further 21 HUPs are expected to be delivered in batches over the next two years, with a $14.1 million Malinauskas 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 NZ 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 SA'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 wildfire that affects 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 2,000 litres providing firefighters greater capacity to extinguish grass fires and protect assets. HUPs have a water capacity of 2,500 litres.
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 being unveiled today have a combined value of approximately $4.6 million.
As put by Joe Szakacs
These appliances, fitted with the latest technology, will bolster our Metropolitan Fire Service's firefighting capacity.
They are also fitted and serviced right here in SA, importantly supporting 13 local jobs at Fraser Firefighting Australia.
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.
As put by Jeff Swann, MFS Acting Chief Officer
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.
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.
As put by Martin Simpson, Fraser Fire and Rescue GM
Fraser Fire and Rescue has had the privilege of supplying MFS and SA CFS with state of the art fire appliances for over 20 years. This has always been a collaborative development and evolved to meet the changing requirements of the emergency services.
Fraser Fire and Rescue has great confidence in the SA 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.
