A Queensland-first firefighting truck, funded by ratepayers, has been added to the Logan Rural Fire Brigade’s arsenal.
While similar vehicles are already used in other states, this heavy tanker is the first of its kind here in Queensland and was designed by the local fire squad.
The new machine is able to carry bulk amounts of water, and is fitted with a compressed air foam system.
Both of these qualities make it an asset during rural emergencies in Logan.
First officer at the Greenbank brigade, Fabian Stangherlin, said the compressed air system turns water into foam.
“It is like a bubble bath, – you can have a real wet bubble bath or really aerated bubble bath. That’s the simple principle,” he said.
The local fire squad designed the truck to their needs and modified the build as it was being put together.
“It’s six by six, so it is like a large army truck,” Mr Stangherlin said.
“It gives us some extra capability to take bulk water and that type of appliance further up a farmers driveway or up a dirt track to get it further into the bush and support the smaller trucks.”
Previously, the local brigade was using Isuzu medium rigid and heavy rigid trucks.
The new $650,000 Iveco truck was funded by ratepayers, through the volunteer fire brigade levy.
“It costs just 41 cents per rates notice to support the amazing firefighter volunteers,” Mayor Jon Raven said.
“This will help them respond to fires all over the city and provide support to the SES during disasters.”
The Greenbank service – which looks after Greenbank, Park Ridge South, New Beith, North Maclean and the stretch of Logan down to Flagstone – managed the delivery of the truck on behalf of the entire Logan brigade.
With less properties in these areas with access to town water, Mr Stangherlin said a truck with added capabilities was important.
“We haven’t had a truck of this size before that can carry that amount of water,” he said.
“We don’t have a lot of reticulated water. That means no hydrants, so when we go into people’s properties for a house fire, we have to ferry the water in.
“This means we will be able to support the urban fire and rescue with the bulk water.”
