Farmers are urged to take part in a trial of Farm Fire Units in NSW as unprecedented bushfires continue to burn in the United States.
Under a NSW Government trial in place until 31 March, private farm vehicles used for firefighting purposes known as Farm Fire Units - or Farm Fire Fighting Vehicles (FFFVs) - can be used unregistered under certain conditions.
NSW Farmers Business Economics and Trade Committee Chair John Lowe said the catastrophic damage caused by bushfires overseas was a reminder of the importance of having key firefighting tools available in emergency situations.
"These out of season bushfires are burning out of control in the United States, and they're nothing if not a stark reminder of how fires here in NSW can get out of hand if we don't have the right tools available locally," Mr Lowe said.
"Farm Fire Units play a key role in firefighting efforts in our rural communities, and a trial of these units will be key to ensuring we can find a permanent pathway to using these units legally and under the protection of third-party insurance.
"Stopping fires as quickly as we can is critical, and Farm Fire Units have been a proven cornerstone to fast bushfire control, year in, year out on-farm."
As the state's bushfire season continued, Mr Lowe urged farmers in NSW to nominate eligible vehicles to participate in the trial and support efforts to secure a more permanent solution for the use of the vehicles.
"If you've got a vehicle that's in a safe operating condition and has firefighting equipment permanently attached, then we strongly encourage you to nominate it for the trial as soon as possible," Mr Lowe said.
"Farmers deserve to have as many tools in the toolbox available to fight fires safely and effectively, and this trial will take us one step closer to ensuring that.
"Preventing the devastation we've seen overseas and in our own country, in years not long past, is something we want to avoid at all costs."
