The Central Coast is one of four regions set to receive a high-tech, state-of-the-art aerial platform appliance to bolster Fire and Rescue NSW’s (FRNSW) emergency response capability.
The ladder pumper appliances, each valued at $2.5M, feature an advanced, environmentally-friendly Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) which uses a special mix of foam and water to fight fires, promoting water conservation in the process.
The first of the four new CAFS Aerial Platforms has been assigned to the Huntingwood Fire Station, with additional aerial platforms earmarked for fire stations at Miranda, Hornsby and on the Central Coast.
The vehicles have three tanks, holding 1650 litres of water and 250 litres of foam in total, and have the capacity to pump at 6000 litres a minute, allowing FRNSW to extinguish fires faster.
The platform’s ladder and enclosed cage can extend 24-metres in height, have a lateral reach of 11 metres and can lower three metres below the appliance, allowing firefighters to fight blazes or carry out rescues at various heights and rise over factory roofs to get to the seats of fires.
The vehicles can respond to emergencies involving high-rise buildings, large commercial premises or industrial complexes as required.
FRNSW Commissioner Paul Baxter said the new aerial appliances offer communities greater peace of mind.
“Growing populations mean our homes and businesses are reaching skyward and it’s essential that our fleet is equipped for high-rise fire risks,” he said.
“We have also invested in some of the most advanced firefighting technology available on the market.
“We’re strategically placing our aerial units where they’ll be needed most in the years to come.
“These aerial platforms have high volume pumping capacity, can extend higher and feature remote control technology allowing safer operation for our people in emergency environments.
“The enhanced FRNSW fleet helps us continue to be Prepared for Anything’.”
Source:
FRNSW