The Queensland government has announced a new long-term supply deal will see the state deliver 80 new state-of-the-art fire trucks for the state’s fire-fighting units.
A major deal has been agreed with Volvo and the Queensland Fire Department to deliver and maintain 80 fire trucks, helping replace an ageing fleet that is no longer fit for purpose for Queensland’s bushfire season.
The new partnership will streamline the long-term delivery of the new fire trucks, with the vehicles delivered by Volvo and Fraser Engineering Group.
The first of the Type 2 trucks are set to come off the assembly line late next year, replacing an ageing fleet consisting of several different manufacturers and build types.
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The new builds will be four-wheel drive trucks equipped with pump capacity to respond to building fires, in addition to road crash rescue capability across regional and metropolitan Queensland.
The major investment to boost the arsenal of our firefighters comes after the average age of trucks climbed to 11 years.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli says delivering the equipment our fire fighters needed for the frontline was critical to ensure Queensland was disaster-ready.
“We’re providing our frontline emergency responders with the world class equipment they need to help protect our State,” he says.
“These state-of-the-art trucks will help extinguish building fires, rescue Queenslanders from road crashes and fight bushfires.
“Our firies risk their lives every single day for Queenslanders and we’re delivering the best of the best trucks and tools to protect them and our state.”
Minister for fire, disaster recovery and volunteers Ann Leahy says the new deal represented the type of historic support the Crisafulli government continued to deliver for Queensland’s Fire Fighters.
“After Labor’s decade of decline and neglect, Queensland’s firefighters are finally getting the support they need to keep our communities safe,” Leahy says.
“Brand new fire trucks will bolster QFD’s fleet and strengthen their response capabilities, and it’s all a part of how the Crisafulli government’s empowering our frontline firies to help protect Queenslanders.”
QFD commissioner Steve Smith says bringing consistency to the Type 2 fleet would have flow-on benefits for firefighters across the state.
“This is the largest single fleet procurement arrangement embarked on by Queensland Fire Department,” he says.
“Type 2 appliances make up about half of the total Queensland Fire and Rescue fleet and they are widely used in metropolitan and regional areas.
“The current Type 2 appliances are from various manufacturers and it’s an ageing fleet.
“Having a single manufacturer is a boost with after-sales warranty and servicing in Queensland, but it also brings consistency for firefighters operating the trucks, making driver training easier.
“For our own maintenance teams, it also means carrying fewer spare parts on the shelf, and a comprehensive dealer network to support fleet capability into the future.”
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