TWO dozen volunteer firefighters and staff witnessed history at the introduction and familiarisation of the new ultra-heavy Tatra firefighting truck at Tea Gardens Rural Fire Service (RFS) on Sunday 18 January.
A full day of training saw experts from Offroad Trucks Australia flown out from WA to walk the local volunteers through the many ins and outs of the new machine, including plenty of hands-on opportunities.
Tatra’s introduction comes as part of the Minns Labor NSW Government’s ‘Next Gen Fleet Project’ to deliver 290 new and refurbished firefighting vehicles to NSW RFS across the state.
The past year and a half has seen the majority of trucks deployed to regional areas.
“The rollout of these modern, purpose-built vehicles is part of a long-term strategic program to future-proof our fleet and better protect our members,” said NSW RFS Commissioner Trent Curtin, in a statement from last year.
“These vehicles feature the latest in crew protection systems, improved safety design and communications equipment helping our crews to operate in the toughest conditions.
“This work will help make sure our volunteers will come home safely after fighting bush fires across the state.”
Tatra is the third oldest auto manufacturer in the world, specialising in custom civilian, military and emergency services machines produced in the Czech Republic.
Fit-out of the trucks will be completed by an Australian group based at Rutherford.
Among the many attributes of the vehicle are its eight water distribution points, including a ‘monitor’ hose attached to the front bumper that can be fully controlled from inside the cabin.
Six wheels, each with tyres of 1.2metre diameter, can run in 6×6 mode, while the single spare tyre has its own crane to lower it onto the road for changing.
The Tatra’s tank holds 7500 litres onboard, including a specially segregated 700 litre crew safety tank, as well as a secondary ‘off-road tank’ that can be filled to a grand total of over 9000 litres.
Inside the cabin, approximately 60 buttons and switches are accompanied by many icons and cabin-controlled deflation/inflation of all six tires for meeting offroad terrain conditions.
It has the ability to raise and lower the cabin to help grunt out of tight spots, and both front- and rear-wheel drive for added dexterity.
Twenty-two firefighters spent several hours familiarising themselves with the Tatra, inspecting the pump systems, cab controls and crew access.
The vehicle’s crew refuge area, complete with its own monitor and inbuilt hoses, also drew close attention.
The Tatra barely fits inside the Tea Gardens RFS garage, with a finger or two to spare at the front and back, and a few items taken off the racks.
While on-road it has a total weight of 26 tonnes, hopefully clearing the 39-tonne load limit on the Singing Bridge.
To date, the Pindimar-Tea Gardens RFS’ largest truck has been the Category one ‘Pindimar One’, a 4×4 dual cab with a 3000 to 4500 litre capacity.
While the Mid Coast Bulk Water Transport vehicle carries more water, it is not suited to the off-road work the new Tatra is designed for.
By Thomas O’KEEFE
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