They’re light, they’re nimble and they can access areas that traditional fire trucks can’t reach.
They’re called Quick Response Vehicles, or QRVs, and 35 of them are on their way to CFS brigades across South Australia.
These ultra-light tankers – a rebuilt Toyota LandCruiser which carries about 500 litres of water – excel in steep areas with narrow roads or fire tracks and the latest addition will take the state’s fleet to a record-high 81 appliances.
The $6.8 million rollout includes two vehicles funded by the Federal Government under the Protecting Our Communities program, which will be based at Belair and Coromandel Valley as part of Sturt Group.
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.
CFS Acting Deputy Chief Officer Brenton Hastie said the vehicles were a "significant investment in the safety of our volunteers and communities".
"They feature fire apparatus safety systems such as in-cabin water system covering all windows, an in-cab breathing system, and radiant heat curtains in-cab, covering front and side windows," Mr Hastie said.
"The modular stowage system and integrated telecommunications make them highly adaptable for local brigade needs.”
CFS Belair Brigade Captain Mark Brooks said the new vehicles would be welcomed by all brigades set to receive them.
"Every volunteer values new equipment that enhances our ability to protect the community, especially when it boosts their brigade's operational capacity and these QRVs certainly deliver on that front," he said.
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 QRVs as part of the initial rollout are Belair, Athelstone, Morgan, Snowtown, Waitpinga, Port Victoria, Norton Summit, Cherryville, Waikerie and Lincoln.
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