The NSW Government is protecting NSW communities from bushfires and other emergencies, delivering 290 new and refurbished firefighting vehicles to NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) brigades across the state over the past year.
The firefighting tankers and new operational technology and equipment come as a boost to the RFS ahead of the upcoming bushfire season.
The milestone reflects the NSW Government’s ongoing investment in frontline emergency services, supporting firefighter safety, operational readiness and community safety.
Most trucks have been deployed to regional areas, with two trucks delivered to Wollondilly benefiting communities with Alpine/Aylmerton and Douglas Park. Deployed trucks have already assisted in May’s flood recovery activities on the mid north-coast and are equipped with rescue capabilities.
Along with a firefighting fleet, the RFS has refurbished their Mobile Command
Centre and upgraded base camps to accommodate not only frontline personnel, but evacuated residents during a crisis.
Building on the NSW Bushfire Inquiry and other inquiry recommendations to modernise the RFS fleet, the trucks are equipped with Mobile Data Terminals improving crews’ communication, connectivity and safety in remote and disaster-impacted areas.
The equipment and resources are vital to the state’s bush fire readiness and expand the RFS capability and versatility in supporting emergency responses in NSW.
The Bush Fire Danger Period for parts of northern NSW begins on 1 August, with the Danger Period for the entire state beginning 1 October.
