New trucks enhance South Australian firefighting and rescue capabilities
22/12/2024
A fleet of brand-new rescue trucks will be delivered to CFS volunteer brigades, significantly upgrading the agency's emergency response and training capabilities.
Ten new 24P multi-purpose dual-cab urban fire and rescue trucks, valued at $5.2m, will form the initial roll out, replacing aged equipment and ensuring our volunteers have the best tools available to protect South Australians.
Additionally, as part of the CFS' capital expenditure program, the last of the agency's 24 and 34 single-cab trucks have been retired from operational service.
These vehicles, some of which are 30 years old, are being replaced with trucks that have modern safety systems, such as airbags, radiant heat shields, cabin deluge systems, in-cab pump controls and in-cab breathing.
The single-cab trucks have been phased out as part of the normal fleet regeneration process.
CFS Chief Officer, Brett Loughlin AFSM, said the 24P dual-cab rescue truck is the first of its kind, specifically designed to be utilised in urban firefighting and rescue operations.
"The 24P rescue trucks are a game-changer for our dedicated volunteers on the ground and for South Australians needing urgent rescue assistance," Chief Officer Loughlin said.
"The new trucks provide our volunteers enhanced tools and equipment needed to perform life-saving interventions quickly and safely."
The 24P is a dual-cab 4WD tanker truck that can carry up to 2000 litres of water, has a pump capability of 2000 litres per minute and carries specialist resources, in this case road crash rescue equipment.
CFS Manager Urban and Technical Operations, Commander Tim McNeilly said the 24P truck's enhanced urban firefighting and rescue stowage is designed for increased operational workflows, ensuring easy, ergonomic access to critical equipment during high-pressure emergency situations.
"The CFS is the largest provider of road crash rescue services in SA, annually attending more than 2000 incidents, and these new trucks are a testament to the service's ongoing commitment to innovation and safety," Commander McNeilly said.
"The new 24P trucks come alongside other investments in equipment for volunteers, including the recent delivery of 34P urban firefighting trucks and heavy rescue appliances."
The $520,000 rescue trucks are the first CFS multi-purpose rescue vehicles to contain enhanced road crash rescue stowage that features:
- 20-tonne lifting bags for safe load lifting and stabilisation
- Tirfor winch for relocating vehicles to enable faster casualty access
- stokes litter and spine board for casualty handling
- additional cribbing
- battery-powered hand tools.
The trucks are also equipped with new-standard urban firefighting stowage, including:
- battery-operated positive pressure ventilation fan
- ground monitor
- battery-operated quick-cut saw
- attack and lay packs, including Cleveland load
- firefighting rehabilitation equipment
- battery-powered hand tools.
Other notable vehicle enhancements include the addition of a welfare/hygiene station and improvements to onboard firefighting foam systems.
The first truck has already been delivered to volunteers at Mannum, while the Williamstown Brigade will soon also be a recipient of a brand-new vehicle.
Williamstown Brigade Captain Steve Elliott welcomes the future addition to his community's rescue capabilities.
"This is an important asset for our brigade and our community," Captain Elliott said.
"It vastly improves our response capabilities and highlights to the residents of Williamstown and surrounding areas that we are well kitted out to support them during significant emergency situations."
Parndana, Eudunda, Cummins, Meadows, Ororoo, Cowell, Hamley Bridge and the CFS' State Training Centre, at Brukunga, are also part of the initial rollout, which will be concluded by March 2025.
For more information, visit the CFS website at www.cfs.sa.gov.au
