Firefighters across Queensland will benefit from more than $7 million in new firefighting trucks and water tankers, with three medium Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) trucks and seven Rural Fire Service (RFS) tankers ready for delivery.
The new vehicles, built in Narangba, will be sent to stations across the state, from Brisbane and the north to regional brigades including Brigalow, Gympie South, Canondale, Withcott and Glenwood. They replace older units and enhance response capability for emergencies including road crashes, bushfires and swift water rescues.
The RFS tankers include five with a 7,000-litre capacity and two larger 12,000-litre units, which will provide additional water supply for major fires, particularly in areas without reticulated water. The delivery marks the first two of 13 large-capacity tankers set to roll out under the current fleet renewal program.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) has allocated $18.7 million in the 2023-24 budget for new FRS trucks, in addition to $23 million for RFS vehicles, support units, and retrofitting of deluge systems to protect firefighters from vegetation fires.
Under the fleet procurement program, 210 appliances will be acquired for both services, including 89 FRS trucks from 2022-23 to 2024-25 and 121 RFS vehicles from 2022-23 to 2023-24. QFES is also working to deliver 55 appliances delayed from the 2021-22 budget, bringing the total number of new vehicles to 265.
Emergency Services Minister Nikki Boyd said the new fleet investment supported firefighters as they continued to face challenging conditions, including recent bushfires, cyclones and flooding.
“The skill and dedication of our firefighters has been evident over the past few months, from battling bushfires to rescuing people from floodwaters in the Far North and south-east Queensland,” Ms Boyd said.
“This investment ensures they have the best equipment to do their jobs safely and effectively.”
Acting QFES Commissioner Stephen Smith said the new appliances would boost response capacity for both Fire and Rescue and Rural Fire Services.
“Medium rescue trucks provide vital support for incidents including road crashes, urban search and rescue, and swift water rescues,” Mr Smith said.
“The RFS tankers offer critical additional water supply, particularly for remote areas.”
QFES is working with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of new vehicles despite ongoing supply chain challenges. Regional workshops will maintain the fleet to maximise its lifespan.
The Queensland Government has allocated almost $43 million for fleet expansion, part of a record $125 million capital works budget for QFES in 2023-24.
