THE Gloucester Great Lakes Rural Fire Service (RFS) has welcomed two specialised units in preparation for this year’s fire season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The first of these units is a mobile communications vehicle, which will be deployed at major incidents to help provide effective radio coverage to the fire fighters.
Equipped with a 10m high mast and numerous radios, the vehicle will allow controllers to operate outside of the Gloucester or Great Lakes headquarters.
“Communication is a vital part of every operation,” RFS spokesman Richard Pratten said.
“As soon as you head out of Gloucester you lose signal, so this will definitely help.”
A bulk water carrier will also provide effective relief for the Gloucester-Great Lakes area, transporting up to 15,000 litres of water.
The prime mover is equipped with high-volume pumps and is able to provide fast refills during a major fire.
“One of the issues at the moment is that there is no water in the dams, so the tanker will be a great asset,” RFS spokesman Kevin Adams said.
“I will be able to go up, drop off a load of water and then come back for another.”
The communications vehicle is currently in operation, with future refurbishments to the water tanker making it available in time for hazard reduction burning.
Both vehicles will service an area from Black Head in the north to the Karuah River in the south and west into the mountains beyond Gloucester, but are capable of travelling State-wide.