Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews have taken possession of a new $2.5M Aerial Platform appliance which will provide extra fire protection across the Central Coast.
The region’s firefighters have just finished training on the high-tech appliance, which will be predominantly based centrally at Bateau Bay.
The latest aerial appliance features Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) technology that provides a mix of water and foam to put out fires much faster and in a more environmentally-friendly fashion than water alone.
The vehicles have tanks, holding 1,650 litres of water and 250 litres of foam in total, and have the capacity to pump at 6,000 litres a minute – the most powerful pump on any Fire and Rescue appliance.
Emergency Services Minister Jihad Dib and Member for The Entrance David Mehan recently inspected the fire truck at its new base.
Dib said the new resource recognised the growth of the Central Coast area.
“The capability of our Fire and Rescue services needs to grow with our communities and this new vehicle will significantly aid firefighters in their efforts,” he said.
“The addition of this new, state-of-the-art aerial appliance, based out of Bateau Bay Fire Station, means it will be centrally located to respond to any elevated emergency anywhere on the Coast.”
Mehan said the new appliance would help protect communities.
“This new addition to the Central Coast is needed and will help assist in reaching higher residential buildings as well as contributing to existing firefighting resources to help save lives,” he said.
FRNSW Central Coast Zone Commander, Superintendent Matt Waldon, said the versatility of the new platform was very impressive.
“We can deploy firefighters in the cage and extend them up to 24m in height to carry out high-rise rescues, or we can operate it via remote control from the ground, directing water from its hose onto a burning building,” he said.
“It has a lateral reach of 11m so we can stretch it over an industrial complex roof or we can lower it three metres to reach people or vehicles trapped down embankments.
“It makes a fantastic addition to our Central Coast fleet.”