CFA’s two new 9000-litre ultra-heavy tankers are set to revolutionise fire fighting in Victoria.
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Currently on tour across the state, the 24-tonne, 8.5 metre-long tankers can be used for knock-down and wet-down as well as bulk water carriers and mop up trucks to support bushfires or planned burns.
The tankers have seating for three crew, and include a bullbar-mounted remote control monitor which can be operated from inside the cabin to distribute more than 450 litres of water per minute. They also include a 200-litre A-class foam tank to allow crews to work ahead of fire fronts and for blacking out.
While there is potential for the ultra-heavy tankers to be used in urban fire fighting, they are primarily designed for use in grass and general fire fighting where there is limited access to reticulated water or large open water supplies.
The tankers join the two 11,000-litre bulk water carriers developed last year which are now in service in the north west of the state.
Ultra-Heavy Tanker specifications
- 9000-litre water capacity
- 200L A-class foam tank
- 24 tonnes / 8.5 metres long
- Hino 6x4 cab chassis with automatic transmission
- Two live hose reels
- Full stowage inventory
- Traditional two-person rear deck with protection system
Manager Wildfire Planning & Forestry Industry Brigades Gary Weir said members had been asking for a tanker with a larger water capacity to reduce the frequency for refilling, as well as a tanker that had fire fighting capabilities.
“While the ultra-heavy tanker can shunt water into other tankers, it also has provision for crew to operate on the open rear deck, allowing volunteers to black out any fire the front monitor may have missed,” Gary said.
“The 9000-litre capacity also enables volunteers to operate on the fire line at least twice as long, providing a huge increase in productivity. Many see this as the future of grassland fire fighting in rural areas.”
The two ultra-heavy tankers are currently on tour across the state. Contact your local District for more details. The tankers will go into service this summer and strategically be made available across the state.
Author: Shaunnagh O'Loughlin