New fire trucks on frontline this fire season

NSW Premier Mike Baird and Minister for Police and Emergency Services Stuart Ayres today inspected some of the fleet of more than 100 new Rural Fire Service trucks that have been delivered to protect communities across the State this bushfire season.

A further 119 new vehicles will progressively be rolled out to the frontline this year, making NSW firefighters the best-equipped in the nation.

“We have the best firefighters in the country and the NSW Government is ensuring they have access to the best and latest equipment and technology,” Mr Baird said.

“104 new trucks have already been delivered to local brigades for this fire season.

“The NSW Government is investing a further $30 million in the firefighting vehicle fleet this year to deliver a deliver an additional 119 new trucks.

“We are delivering our 74,000 RFS volunteers a large, safe, modern and effective RFS fleet to complement their efforts.”

Mr Baird and Mr Ayres made the announcement with Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons, Camden MP Chris Patterson and Campbelltown MP Bryan Doyle with volunteers at Camden West Rural Fire Brigade.

Mr Ayres said the new trucks would help ensure communities are protected from bushfires better than ever before.

“With warnings of a tough bushfire season ahead, we are committed to providing our hard working RFS volunteers with the tools they need to get the job done,” Mr Ayres said.

“A total of $30.4 million has been invested in our firefighting vehicle fleet in 2014-15, which means we can continue to build new trucks, refurbish older tankers and improve our logistics support fleet.

“On top of this, the NSW Government is providing $15.7 million for NSW RFS brigade stations and fire control centres.

“These new vehicles and buildings will allow our firefighters to continue providing a high level of emergency service to residents across the State.”

Mr Patterson said Camden West Rural Fire Brigade has recently moved into its new purpose built station.

“These two new state-of-the-art trucks are another welcome boost to our local volunteers ahead of another dangerous and challenging fire season,” Mr Patterson said.

Mr Doyle said the additional resources would mean greater protection for the Macarthur region.

“This brigade works across a large area locally including Camden, Campbelltown, Wollondilly and Liverpool - I’m delighted to see even greater resources being committed to our firefighters in Macarthur,” Mr Doyle said.

NSW residents are again encouraged not to be complacent this summer and prepare a Bush Fire Survival Plan.

For more information about preparing your home for the threat of bush fire go to the Rural Fire Service website.